Garland Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Experienced Bike-Riding Personal Injury Lawyer for Garland

Cycling injuries are particularly painful, expensive, and frustrating due to the sheer physics of such accidents. Cyclists are relatively small and unprotected compared to automobiles. As every cyclist knows, there is the potential to collide with thousands of pounds of steel at a high rate of speed. If you are injured in a bike accident in Garland and suspect another party is partially or fully responsible for the accident, our bike accident attorney will ensure justice is served.

Meet with our Cyclist at Law, Bill Shirer, Esq., following your cycling accident for an in-depth case review. Aside from contacting emergency medical service providers and the police for immediate assistance, the first thing you should do after the accident is connect with Bill, a respected local attorney who is board-certified in personal injury trial law. Bill is approaching his 30-year mark in trial law. Entrust our beloved local Cyclist at Law to fiercely advocate on your behalf, and you will have your best chance of getting the justice you deserve after your accident. Get in touch with our experienced bicycle accident attorney near Garland today.

Determining Liability for a Bicycle Accident

The accident is over, yet the puzzle of piecing together the cause of the collision and subsequent legal liability still has to be solved. The focus now shifts to which party or parties are legally responsible for the cycling accident. It is not in your interest to state you are sorry or admit guilt in any way after the accident. Instead, pull out your smartphone and start recording the interaction with the other driver, pedestrian, cyclist, or other party. This way, if the other party involved in the collision states he or she is sorry or apologizes in any way, you will have proof of that admission of guilt on video.

Every Garland cyclist should know that being partially at fault for a collision does not preclude one from obtaining financial compensation through legal action. Even if you were partially at fault for the cycling accident, you still might recover a significant amount of money through a court award or a settlement. For the most part, cyclists are considered vulnerable and at the mercy of drivers, meaning there is a good chance those injured in a collision with one or several automobiles will win a negligence lawsuit.

What matters most is the quality of your cycling attorney in Garland. Our Cyclist at Law, Bill Shirer, Esq., has handled similar cycling accident cases, winning large court awards and obtaining lucrative settlement offers on behalf of injured locals as well as surviving family members. Aside from pursuing financial compensation through litigation that targets negligent users of the road, it is also possible to win a lawsuit or obtain a settlement by suing other parties legally liable for the accident. Such parties might include:

  • The mechanic who last worked on the bicycle
  • The bicycle retailer
  • The manufacturer of the bike
  • Drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and others who were in the way when the accident occurred

Even an unsafe riding surface on public property can lead to a successful personal injury lawsuit against the local government.

Cyclist Laws in Garland, TX

Garland cyclists are legally required to follow the rules set forth in the Texas Motor Vehicle Laws. Garland bicyclists are required to yield to people walking in crosswalks, use hand signals to signal turns, stop at stop signs/red lights, and ride with the flow of traffic on one-way roads. Bike riders are also required to ride in the appropriate lane, meaning if a bicycle lane is available, the cyclist should use it rather than riding in the road. Texas law essentially views bike riders as vehicle drivers, so the same general duties, obligations, and rights are present with both.

Every local Garland cyclist should be aware that if he or she is riding slower than the pace of traffic, it is best to remain close to the side of the road. The entirety of a lane should only be used when passing a slower vehicle or when preparing to turn left. If riding near other cyclists, cyclists are permitted to ride next to one another in groups of two. However, such adjacent riders are not permitted to impede the flow of traffic. No more than two cyclists can ride next to one another in a single lane unless that lane is a bike lane with sufficient space.

Car Drivers’ Rights and Responsibilities to Cyclists

Drivers’ rights are similar to those of bicyclists. However, every driver in Garland and beyond should recognize the fact that cyclists are unprotected, small, and vulnerable. It is important that all drivers share the road with local Garland bicyclists. In particular, drivers should pay attention to areas where cyclists might emerge unnoticed, such as intersections and near doors opening from parked vehicles. Drivers should exercise extra caution when passing a cyclist. In general, it is best to provide cyclists with a minimum of three feet of space at all times.

Cyclists’ Rights and Responsibilities

Cyclists are required to ride with the flow of auto traffic. Though cyclists can legally ride on the roads, riding in the middle of a lane of heavy traffic moving at a fast rate of speed is careless. Bike riders are encouraged to remain toward the right side of the road. For the most part, cyclists who ride along the sidewalk have similar rights and responsibilities as pedestrians.

Cyclists are not allowed to interfere with others’ path of travel. If approaching a pedestrian or other person, the cyclist is to ring his or her bell, blow his or her horn, or speak up to make that person aware of the fast-approaching bike. Bicyclists are also required to raise their arm prior to performing a lane change or reaching a full stop.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident

The most important thing you can do after a bicycle accident is contact the emergency medical providers for medical assistance. Record video footage of the accident scene with your smartphone. Take down the other driver’s or cyclist’s name, contact information, and insurance information. Reach out to Bill Shirer, Cyclist at Law, for a case evaluation. Bill will analyze the evidence and determine if you have solid legal footing to move forward with a potentially lucrative personal injury lawsuit. Above all, gather as much evidence from the accident scene as possible. Take pictures, record video, interview eyewitnesses, contact the police so an official police report is provided, and write down all the details you can remember as soon as possible after the accident.

Elements of a Bicycle Accident Claim

Be patient as your bicycle accident claim takes shape, and you will stand a good chance of enjoying justice in the form of financial compensation. The investigation process begins with the reporting of the collision to the police. The police detail the accident, issue a report, and attempt to determine which party is at fault.

The next step is to meet with Bill Shirer, Esq., for a case evaluation. If there is enough evidence to file a personal injury lawsuit, Bill will do that on your behalf. If a settlement cannot be reached, the case will go to court. A favorable court award includes financial compensation for pain, suffering, diminished earning capacity, lost income, medical expenses, and other losses related to the cycling accident.

Bicycle Accident Statistics in Garland

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas cycling accidents have increased more than 25% in previous years. Sadly, more cycling deaths occur in the Lone Star state than any other but for two. All in all, about 70 cyclists pass away as a result of biking accidents on Texas streets every single year. Cyclists will find it interesting to learn the majority of Texas cycling deaths occur in the early evening hours.

The Best Bike Trails in Garland

The greater Garland area has a litany of fantastic biking trails. As an example, local bike riders enjoy spending time at the Duck Creek Greenbelt, the Highline Hike and Bike Trail, the Rowlett Creek – Dallas County Nature Preserve, and Breckenridge Park. Additional local green spaces that are perfect for riding a bike, walking, or jogging include the Spring Creek Nature Area Trail, the Santa Fe Trail, the White Rock Creek Trail, the Katy Trail, and the Trinity Skyline Trail.

The Worst Areas for Bike Riding in Garland

Garland is within the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, so it gets more than its fair share of traffic, especially during the morning and evening rush hours. Be careful when riding around town on your bike as you could easily cross paths with a big rig, a powerful sport utility vehicle, or another large car or truck traveling at a high rate of speed.

The area between Belt Line Road and Midway Road is particularly dangerous. Preston Road’s intersection with Belt Line Road is also quite busy. Old Denton Road and Hebron Parkway are also not the best places to ride a bike, especially during or near the evening or morning rush hours. Cyclists should also try to stay away from West Jefferson and North Hampton Roads, the intersection of Forest Lane and Audelia Road, and the intersection of Elam Road with Buckner Boulevard.

How to Avoid a Bike Accident

You have the power to significantly reduce the chances of a cycling accident. Though cyclists will always be at the mercy of drivers who ride around in protective metal weighing several thousands of pounds, there are some things bike riders can do to remain safe and minimize the potential pain resulting from an injury. Donning knee pads, elbow pads, a helmet, and reflective gear will certainly help.

Do not listen to music or talk radio while riding. Listen closely to your environment, and you will be able to pick up on the sound of vehicles as they approach, possibly giving you a couple important seconds to get out of a motorist’s way. Above all, ride defensively. If necessary, pull over to the side of the road to allow faster traffic to pass.

Contact the Garland Cyclist at Law

If you are injured in a cycling accident in Garland, do not assume you are at fault. Even if it is determined that your actions partially caused the collision, there is still a good chance you will be financially compensated. Alternatively, if you have lost a loved one due to a cycling accident, we will file a wrongful death lawsuit on your behalf with the goal of obtaining much-needed financial compensation.

Bill Shirer, Esq., will zealously advocate on your behalf in the aftermath of your Garland cycling accident or that of a loved one. Bill logs more than 5,000 miles on his bike every year as he competes in races including the Masters 50+ road division. Put your faith in a fellow cycling enthusiast to spearhead your quest for justice, and you will not be disappointed with the outcome. Reach out to Bill Shirer’s office today by dialing 972-392-1249 or 800-887-6188 to schedule your initial consultation. Injured cyclists and the family members of injured cyclists can also contact Bill through email by clicking here.