Dallas Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Serious Consequences of Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents can have profound and lasting effects on individuals and communities alike. Despite the numerous benefits of cycling, including improved fitness and reduced stress, the risks associated with accidents cannot be overlooked.

1. Physical Injuries: When a bicyclist is involved in a collision with a motor vehicle, the resulting injuries can be severe. From broken bones to traumatic brain injuries, the physical toll can be significant and life-altering.
2. Emotional Trauma: Beyond physical injuries, the emotional trauma of a bicycle accident can be immense. The fear and anxiety that linger after a collision can affect a person’s mental well-being for years to come.
3. Financial Burdens: The costs associated with medical treatment, rehabilitation, and lost wages following a bicycle accident can quickly add up. These financial burdens can place a strain on individuals and their families, impacting their quality of life.
4. Community Impact: Bicycle accidents not only affect individuals but also impact the broader community. Increased awareness and preventive measures are necessary to ensure the safety of cyclists and motorists alike.

Insights into Bicycle Accident Trends Across the Nation

1. Increasing Bicycling Trends: From 2000 to 2012, the number of Americans commuting to work by bicycle surged from approximately 488,000 to about 786,000, highlighting a growing interest in cycling for various purposes.
2. Rising Safety Concerns: Despite the health, financial, and environmental benefits associated with cycling, the activity also presents inherent risks, particularly when accidents involve motor vehicles.
3. Disproportionate Injury Risk: In accidents involving a cyclist and a motor vehicle, cyclists are disproportionately at risk of serious injury or fatality compared to motorists. Bicyclists accounted for 2 percent of all traffic fatalities and injuries in 2012.
4. Timing and Location of Fatalities: A significant portion of bicyclist fatalities occurred between 4 p.m. and midnight (48%), predominantly in urban areas (69%), underscoring the importance of heightened vigilance during these times and in these locations.
5. Gender Disparity: Alarmingly, 88% of those killed while riding bicycles were male, pointing to potential gender-specific risk factors or behavioral patterns contributing to accidents.
6. Alcohol Involvement: Approximately one in four bicyclists killed in crashes had blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of .08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher, emphasizing the dangers of cycling under the influence.
7. Preventable Nature of Crashes: Many bicycle crashes could be avoided if both cyclists and motorists adhered to the rules of the road and exercised caution and awareness.
8. Seasonal Variations: While more bicyclist fatalities typically occur during the summer months, the year 2012 saw significant increases in fatalities from January through June compared to previous years.
9. Common Trip Purposes: Recreation (33%) and exercise (28%) were cited as the most common purposes for bicycle trips, followed by personal errands (17%), underlining the multifaceted nature of cycling activities.
10. Safety Measures: Bicyclists employed various safety measures, with a majority using bike headlights (44%) or wearing fluorescent/reflective clothing (42%) when riding after dark, reflecting efforts to enhance visibility and reduce accident risks.

Source: https://www.cityofgolden.net/media/BicycleSafety.pdf 

Texas Bicycle Accident Facts and Statistics

1. Crash Overview (2007 – 2012): Over a span of six years, Texas witnessed 12,789 bicycle crashes, resulting in 12,132 injuries and 297 fatalities, underscoring the significant impact of these incidents on cyclists’ safety and well-being.
2. Age Distribution: Alarmingly, over one-quarter (27%) of cyclists involved in crashes were younger than 15 years old, with an additional 25% falling between the ages of 15 and 24, highlighting the vulnerability of younger riders to accidents.
3. Gender Disparity: Males accounted for a staggering 81% of bicycle crash victims during the period of 2007 to 2012, indicating a notable gender disproportion in the occurrence of accidents.
4. Crash Locations: Notably, crashes occurring on higher-speed roads, such as U.S. and state highways, were more likely to result in fatalities. While two-thirds of bicycle crash injuries transpired on city streets, the largest percentage of fatalities (33%) occurred on highways, emphasizing the heightened risk associated with these road types.
5. County-specific Data: Analysis of crash data identified several high-risk counties in Texas, including Harris, Travis, Dallas, Bexar, and Tarrant counties, which topped the list for bicycle crashes in the state. Focusing safety outreach and awareness efforts in these counties, alongside existing initiatives, presents an opportunity to mitigate risks and enhance safety for cyclists and motorists statewide.

Source: https://www.sharetheroadtexas.org/resources/statistics-2/ 

Factors Contributing to Bicycle-Related Accidents

1. Road Type and Speed: The type of road significantly influences the likelihood and severity of bicycle-related accidents. Crashes occurring on higher-speed roads, including U.S. and state highways, Interstate highways, and farm-to-market roads, are more prone to result in fatalities due to increased vehicle speeds and traffic volume.
2. Age Demographics: Analysis reveals that cyclists below the age of 15 and those between 15 and 24 constitute a significant portion of individuals involved in bicycle-related accidents. Factors such as lack of experience, risk perception, and immature decision-making abilities may contribute to the vulnerability of younger riders to accidents.
3. Gender Disparities: The data highlights a notable gender disparity among bicycle crash victims, with males comprising a substantial majority (81%) of individuals involved in accidents. Understanding the underlying reasons for this gender disproportion is crucial for tailoring safety interventions and promoting equitable cycling environments.
4. Location-Specific Risks: Certain counties in Texas, such as Harris, Travis, Dallas, Bexar, and Tarrant counties, exhibit higher incidences of bicycle-related accidents. Factors contributing to these location-specific risks may include population density, infrastructure deficiencies, traffic patterns, and levels of cycling activity.
5. Safety Outreach Efforts: Despite ongoing safety outreach efforts, the daunting task of disseminating safety messages across a vast state like Texas remains a challenge. Targeting high-risk counties for focused education and awareness campaigns, in addition to existing initiatives, represents a proactive approach to address regional disparities and enhance overall safety for cyclists and motorists alike.

What to Do at the Bike Accident Scene

Assuming that you’re not too badly injured, try to remember to follow these steps at the accident scene:

1. Call the police. Call the police even if it appears that there is little property damage or you don’t think you are hurt that bad. And make sure to get the report number.
2. Take pictures. Take lots of photos or have someone else if you cannot. Photographs can be a powerful and persuasive form of evidence. Show the facts. Take a wide shot picture of the scene and surrounding area for context. Close-up pictures of the details. Too many photos are better than too few.
3. Gather witnesses’ contact information. Get names, phone numbers, home and work addresses, details on what the witness saw and heard. Use your phone to record video or voice record their statement.
4. Keep a level head. Emotions are high, but don’t threaten anyone. Try to control your anger, especially when talking with the police officer, whose report can be important in determining liability.
5. Seek emergency care. If there is a question regarding whether to go to the ER, opt to go. Cyclists have this tendency to shake off the injuries; however, after the adrenaline drops, you will probably start hurting more. If you hit your head or your head hurts, go to the hospital, no question about it.
6. Call Cyclist At Law. Bill Shirer, Cyclist at Law, is wholly dedicated to helping injured Texas cyclists recover the compensation they deserve after suffering a bicycle accident.

Trust Bill Shirer, Cyclist at Law, With Your Bike Accident Claim

For more than 28 years, Bill Shirer, Cyclist at Law, has proudly represented victims of bicycle accidents in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. As a cyclist himself, Bill has a deep understanding of the short- and long-term, physical and mental trauma that can result from a bicycle accident and will fiercely fight on your behalf.

Bill Shirer a Texas attorneys board-certified personal injury law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and a highly experienced cyclist. Bill knows how seriously cycling injuries can impact your life. He’ll fight to ensure you’re awarded the maximum amount of financial compensation you’re owed.

Call Me Before Insurance

Insurance companies are more concerned with protecting their bottom line than they are with protecting you. They may even try to manipulate you into admitting fault so that they can deny your claim. It’s important to call me before you contact your insurance. I can walk you through what to say so that you don’t make any mistakes that can be held against you.

If you or someone you love was recently injured in a cycling accident in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, don’t wait to contact a knowledgeable, experienced bike accident attorney. You may be eligible for financial compensation for your injuries, property damage, lost wages, medical care, and the emotional trauma you suffered as a result of the incident. But if you wish to recover the compensation you’re owed, you must act quickly.