Dedicated Bike Accident Attorney for Laredo, TX, Residents

Experienced Bike-Riding Personal Injury Lawyer for Laredo

There is no reason to suffer in silence after a Laredo biking accident. Even if you do not feel pain in the hours or the day after your bicycling accident, it is in your financial interest and also in the interest of justice to contact Bill Shirer, Cyclist at Law. Bill is here to help you receive a fair outcome after this unfortunate event. Whether justice takes the form of a significant court award or a lucrative settlement, what matters most is that you are compensated for all losses causally related to your bicycling accident. If you, a loved one, or friend is injured in a bicycling accident anywhere in or near the greater Laredo area, contact Bill Shirer, Esq., for prompt legal guidance.

Determining Liability for a Bicycle Accident

Even if you are partially responsible for causing a bicycling accident, there is still a chance you will receive financial compensation. An insurance provider, judge, and/or jury might determine your actions played a minor role in causing the accident. Put your faith in our Laredo bicyclist attorney, Bill Shirer, and you will be liberated to sit back and recuperate while Bill develops the best possible legal strategy, setting the stage for a potentially significant payout.

Legal liability for bicycle accidents is not always crystal clear. However, most bicyclists struck by an automobile or motorcycle are not legally liable for the accident. Have our Cyclist at Law, Bill Shirer, review your accident’s nuanced details, and he will give you a good idea as to whether there is sufficient legal footing for a successful lawsuit.

The logic in pinning legal liability for bicycle accidents on drivers is rooted in the fact that these vehicle operators are controlling automobiles that can be used as weapons. In short, the legal system is empathetic to bicyclists injured by negligent drivers. Bicyclists who followed the letter of the law really do stand a good chance of winning a personal injury lawsuit or at least winning a settlement. You have everything to gain and absolutely nothing to lose by contacting our Laredo personal injury office immediately after your bicycling accident.

Our legal team has won lawsuits and court awards on behalf of Laredo-area bicyclists after accidents with vehicles, fellow bicyclists, and even pedestrians. Negligence is a legal term that refers to when a party fails to provide others in the vicinity with the level of care appropriate for the situation. It is certainly possible for bike riders to be deemed negligent, yet such rulings are rare. Rather, the majority of bicycle accident cases culminate in significant financial compensation for bicyclists injured as a result of the carelessness of others.

You can strengthen your bike accident case by strictly discussing the event with our bike accident attorney in Laredo, TX. Do not apologize or tell the police you are even slightly at fault. Let Bill Shirer handle all communications, including settlement discussions with opposing counsel as well as the insurance provider, and it won’t take long for justice to be served.

Cyclist Laws in Laredo, TX

Laredo bicyclists, drivers, and pedestrians should be hyper aware of the city’s unique cycling laws. The city passed an ordinance dubbed the Joey Munoz Safe Passage Ordinance into law, instructing all commercial truck drivers and automobile operators to maintain a minimum of six feet and three feet of space, respectively, when passing those dubbed as vulnerable road users. Cyclists qualify as vulnerable road users in the context of this Laredo law.

Cyclists who prefer to ride on the sidewalk will be happy to know the city permits riding on these comparably narrow stretches. Perhaps most important is the fact that bicyclists in Laredo and other cities throughout Texas are empowered to recover financial damages from a negligent party as long as that cyclist is not more than 50% responsible for the collision.

Car Drivers’ Rights and Responsibilities to Cyclists

Laredo motorists are legally required to treat cyclists in the same manner as they treat other vehicles. Above all, drivers are to remain completely out of the lanes dedicated for bicyclists. Drivers must provide all bicyclists with a minimum of three feet of distance. As noted above, commercial truck drivers must provide bike riders with six feet of distance for safety’s sake. Every driver is legally required to pass bicyclists on the left side of the road. Furthermore, automobile operators are legally required to wait until all vehicles, motorcycles, and bike riders in the adjacent lane are out of the way before attempting to pass a cyclist.

Automobile drivers even have the legal burden of checking their blind spot before attempting to change lanes. This legal responsibility is important in the context of cyclist accidents as those riding bicycles are smaller and more difficult to see than automobiles. If the driver’s front end even slightly protrudes into a crosswalk and causes a collision, that driver will likely be found legally liable for the accident. Automobile operators also have a legal duty to look for bike riders when opening vehicle doors after parking.

If a driver or passenger were to open his or her door after parking and cause a collision with a bicyclist, that negligent individual in the car would likely lose the ensuing legal battle. Automobile operators must share the road with cyclists and also provide them with additional time to maneuver through public roads, acknowledging the fact that these individuals are at an inherent size disadvantage when juxtaposed with automobiles consisting of thousands of pounds of steel.

Cyclists’ Rights and Responsibilities

There is a common misconception that Laredo bicyclists have little to no responsibility when on the road. Though cyclists are quite vulnerable when riding among heavy and tall automobiles, they have the responsibility to provide other drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians with due care. This means bicyclists are required to obey traffic laws, including but not limited to the following:

• Raising an arm 100 feet ahead of turning to signal the intention to turn
• Audibly signal prior to passing or approaching a pedestrian
• Stopping at red lights and stop signs
• Slowing at yellow lights
• Braking to avoid collisions
• Laredo bicyclists must also ride with the flow of traffic, ideally as far to the right side as possible

Cyclists who fail to fulfill their responsibilities on the road might face punishment, even if they are unaware of the details of such legal obligations to others.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident

The most important thing you can do after a bicycle accident in Laredo is obtain timely medical treatment followed by a consultation with our Cyclist at Law, Bill Shirer. It is in your interest to report the accident to the police as well as a medical professional so it can be formally documented. Such documentation might make the difference between a large financial award and no award at all.

If you are capable of using your smartphone or digital camera, snap some pictures of the accident. Snapshots of the following items can be used as evidence in a court of law:

• Damage to your bicycle
• The intersection where the collision occurred
• Damage to the other vehicle(s)
• Street signs
• The condition of the road

Also, be sure to record audio and video of the aftermath of the accident to capture potential admissions of fault from other parties, as well as clear visual evidence of injuries and damage. In addition, take down the other parties’ names, contact information, and insurance information. When in doubt, take more photos and videos than you think might be necessary. The more evidence you collect after this unfortunate event, the better your chances are of winning your lawsuit or insurance claim.

Elements of a Bicycle Accident Claim

The legal process for a bicycle accident claim necessitates the assistance of a proven Laredo bicycle accident attorney. Choose the right personal injury attorney, and you just might walk away from this nasty ordeal with tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Do not attempt to find your way through the twists and turns of the legal maze on your own. You will need an accomplished Laredo cycling accident attorney in your corner to stand any chance of winning your case.

Once a claim is filed, your attorney will attempt to determine which party or parties are legally liable for the crash. Examples of potential defendants in a bicycling accident lawsuit include drivers, bike riders, property owners, and even pedestrians. Though rare, it is possible for the bicycle manufacturer or bicycle mechanic who last worked on the bike to be named as defendants.

The next step is tallying the damages resulting from the crash. Lost wages, diminished earning capacity, medical expenses, pain, suffering, and additional losses are compensable. If an attractive settlement offer is made, Bill Shirer will review it in depth with you to determine if it is in your interest to accept it, make a counteroffer, or proceed with a lawsuit.

Bicycle Accident Statistics in Laredo

According to U.S. News, Texas is relatively dangerous for bicyclists, yet the Lone Star State does not rank in the top 10 most dangerous states for bicyclists or the top 10 safest states for bicyclists. Between 2010 and 2019, Texas had 5,308 pedestrian fatalities, equating to a comparably high pedestrian danger index of 125.3.

Best Bike Trails in Laredo

Bicyclists living and working in the greater Laredo area are in biking heaven. This beautiful part of Texas has a plethora of gorgeous biking trails for cyclists of all experience levels. Examples of the area’s top bike trails include the Chacon Creek Hike & Bike Trails, the La Bota Trails, and the Shiloh Trails.

Before heading out on the trails, it can help to learn about insuring yourself as a bicyclist.

Worst Areas for Bike Riding in Laredo

Laredo bike riders are encouraged to stay far away from busy intersections and unlit streets. In particular, the area around Interstate 35 and Mines Road is a dangerous part of town for cycling. The general vicinity of the 69W underpass should also be avoided.

How to Avoid a Bike Accident

The most important thing you can do to avoid an accident while riding your bike is to provide fellow travelers with ample space. Wear reflective clothing when riding at or near dusk or dawn. Watch out for vehicle doors that might open as you pass parked cars. Signal your intention to turn at least 100 feet before executing the turn.

Contact the Laredo Cyclist at Law

Our bike accident attorney is different from others in Laredo and the rest of Texas. Bill Shirer, the Cyclist At Law, has a genuine passion for cycling. If you are involved in a bicycling accident or any other type of accident and suspect another party is even partially at fault, contact Bill Shirer, Esq. You can reach our bicycle accident law firm in Laredo by dialing 800-887-6188. If you prefer to contact us on the web, simply fill out our convenient online contact form, and we will be in touch at our earliest convenience.