Experienced Bike-Riding Personal Injury Lawyer for Irving
If there is a silver lining to a bicycling injury, it is that there is the potential to obtain significant financial compensation through personal injury litigation. Choose the best bike-riding personal injury attorney in Irving, and you will maximize your chances of obtaining the financial compensation you need to cover all related medical costs, offset your lost wages, and move on with life without going broke. Our Irving Cyclist at Law, Bill Shirer, is here to help you obtain this compensation.
Bill, an avid bike rider, knows exactly what is necessary to win a personal injury lawsuit after a bicycling accident. The legal strategy Bill develops for your case has the potential to be just as important as the nuances of your bike accident. Bill has years of experience obtaining justice on behalf of those who have been victimized in these unique accidents. The overarching aim of litigation is to right this wrong with financial compensation either through a court award or a settlement agreement.
Let Bill Shirer, Esq., handle your case, and you will be provided with dedicated legal representation both in and out of a court of law. Bill is revered throughout Irving and beyond as a board-certified personal injury lawyer. In total, Bill has about three decades of trial law experience. This is the track record of success you need to obtain justice in the form of a significant court award or settlement that helps you move on from this unfortunate ordeal without suffering financial ruin. Bill will review your case and determine if there is solid legal footing for a lawsuit, even if you were partially at fault for the accident. In some situations, it merely takes a letter transmitted from Bill’s law office to convince opposing counsel to float out a lucrative settlement offer that makes you financially whole once again. If you were injured in a bicycle accident in Irving, reach out to his office today.
Determining Liability for a Bicycle Accident
Let’s shift our attention to legal liability for this unfortunate incident. Even if you are partially legally liable for the crash, there is still a good chance our legal team will be able to obtain the financial compensation you need and deserve. The party primarily responsible for the accident is negligent, meaning he or she failed to provide the proper level of care to those in the vicinity.
There is a common misconception that only those who drive automobiles can be found negligent in bicycling accidents in Irving. The truth is any party, regardless of whether it is an automobile operator, bike rider, local government, bike mechanic, or other relevant person/entity, can be found negligent after a cycling accident. Even Irving’s local government owes a duty of care to bike riders, meaning if this entity failed to maintain the road or provide the proper signage, it could be found legally liable for the crash. Schedule an initial consultation with our Irving, TX, bicycle accident attorney, and we will review the details of your accident to get a sense as to which party or parties might be legally liable.
Cyclist Laws in Irving, TX
Irving bicyclists can ride on all roads except freeways and certain bridges. Bicyclists are encouraged to ride in the designated bike lane, be it a striped or signed shoulder, when not making turns, avoiding hazards, or passing slow vehicles. If there is no bike lane, the bicyclist is to ride along the right shoulder in the lane farthest to the right. If this lane is narrow to the point that an automobile cannot pass, the bicyclist can occupy the full lane. Bicyclists are to pass on the left side after providing nearby drivers with the appropriate hand/arm signal. Bicyclists are also to ride on the right-hand side of the road with the flow of traffic as opposed to against the flow of traffic.
Car Drivers’ Rights and Responsibilities to Cyclists
Drivers are required to exercise due care when passing bicyclists. Drivers owe a duty of care to cyclists as those riding bikes are particularly vulnerable, considering their lack of protection. Drivers are to provide bicyclists with at least three feet of room when passing. Irving drivers must be aware of the fact that local bicyclists have the same rights as vehicle operators. Roads are to be shared with bicyclists in the same manner as they are shared with automobile operators.
Local drivers owe a duty of care to cyclists to provide an acceptable level of care when sharing roadways. Vehicle operators are required to drive cautiously when near bike riders. In particular, Irving drivers should exercise caution after parking and opening vehicle doors as a protruding door has the potential to cause a potentially deadly collision with a bike rider.
Cyclists’ Rights and Responsibilities
Texas traffic laws state bicyclists have the same duties and rights as drivers. This statement means bicyclists are to yield the right of way, stop at signals and signs, and obey the speed limit as posted, as well as one-way street signs. No single bicycle is to carry more people than it is designed to support.
Local Irving cyclists also have certain legal responsibilities and rights when traversing area roads. Bike riders are legally empowered to cycle while on the city’s roads. Irving bicyclists are encouraged to ride along the right side of the road. However, if there is an object in the bike rider’s path or if the rider is attempting to move past a vehicle that is stationary or driving at a low rate of speed, he or she can signal the intention to change lanes by raising his or her left arm.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident
The most important thing you can do after a bicycle accident in Irving is reach out to Bill Shirer for legal guidance. Bill will review the details of your case to determine if there is a good chance of a personal injury lawsuit resulting in either a court award or a settlement. Be sure to visit a doctor so you can provide our Cyclist at Law near Irving with a medical report that details the extent of your injuries as well as the cost of treatment in the aftermath of this unfortunate event.
Above all, obtain prompt medical treatment from emergency responders. The request for prompt treatment fortifies your case all the more, making it clear that the collision caused significant injury, pain, suffering, and costly medical care. Don’t forget to contact the police so they can generate a formal accident report. This report has the potential to make the difference between proving another party’s negligence and failing to prove that party did not provide the appropriate level of care.
Use your smartphone or a digital camera to take pictures of your injuries, the damage to your bike, the damage to vehicles, and the accident scene. Write or type the contact information, names, and other information, including insurance details, pertaining to all parties involved in the crash. Witnesses to the collision should also provide their name and contact information so they can be called upon in the event that our Irving cycling accident attorney pursues justice in a court of law.
Elements of a Bicycle Accident Claim
Bike accident claims are centered on evidence. Eyewitness statements, medical records, police reports, and even digital pictures taken of the damage to one’s body and bike or other property set the stage for justice to be served. However, it is the manner in which this evidence is presented along with the nuanced legal strategy used to present the evidence that determines if the resulting settlement or court award will be in your favor.
Bill Shirer, Esq., will review the details of your case to maximize your chance of a positive outcome for your case. The aim is for our legal strategy to pave a path toward obtaining much-deserved financial compensation for your pain, suffering, medical expenses, bike damage, reduced earning capacity, and lost earnings.
Bicycle Accident Statistics in Irving
Texas’s Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Facts for prior years reveal the state is one of the most dangerous places to ride a bike. Sadly, Texas regularly ranks in the top five for bicycling fatalities. Most people are surprised to learn about 70 cyclists pass away each year in the state of Texas.
Best Bike Trails in Irving
Irving is a bike rider’s paradise. The city has a wide array of beautiful trails and parks that are perfect for riding a bike, running, and walking. Local highlights include the Sam Houston Trail park, Spring Trail park, Bird’s Fort Trail park, Campion Trails park, and the Lake Carolyn Bike and Jogging Trail.
Worst Areas for Bike Riding in Irving
Irving is becoming that much more congested as time progresses. Similar to other growing Texas cities, Irving is chock-full of automobiles, bike riders, and runners. Carbon Road, Gateway Drive, North Belt Line Road, North O’Connor Road, and the Loop 12 Northbound Service Road intersection with Union Bower are particularly dangerous areas to ride a bike.
How to Avoid a Bike Accident
The sad truth is most drivers are somewhat distracted when wheeling around Irving and the rest of Texas. However, you can do your part to avoid a potentially painful or deadly accident by looking out for threats on the road. Pay close attention to the direction of automobile tires. If you see those tires turning inward toward you, it is a sign the vehicle will soon move in your direction. It will also help to use hand/arm signals when passing and turning. Raise your arm high to signal your intention to pass/turn, and drivers will be able to see you and respond appropriately.
You can also reduce the chances of a painful collision with an automobile by wearing bright-colored clothing and adding reflectors to your bicycle. Try to ride on streets that aren’t busy. Remain in the bike lane unless passing or avoiding a hazard. If you have been drinking or using drugs, call a taxi or use a ridesharing service instead of hopping on your bike. Above all, wear pads and a helmet. Pay attention to the road, be mindful of your surroundings, and don’t hesitate to use your bicycle’s horn to make others aware that you are in the area.
Contact the Irving Cyclist at Law
You should not have to suffer a considerable financial loss after an Irving bicycle accident. If the accident is even partially the fault of another party, you owe it to yourself to schedule a consultation with Bill Shirer, Irving’s top cycling accident attorney. So don’t assume it will be impossible to obtain financial compensation if you are partially at fault.
Our Cyclist at Law, Bill Shirer, Esq., is here to fiercely advocate on your behalf after this injustice. Do not suffer in silence. Entrust Bill to spearhead your quest for financial compensation, and you will be liberated to redirect your attention to improving your health and well-being rather than rushing back to work to offset the financial losses stemming from the crash. Contact our office today at 866-797-9555 or 972-843-7784 to schedule an initial consultation. You can also contact our law firm on the web through our convenient contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should I do if I was hit by a car while cycling in Las Colinas?
Call 911 immediately and get an Irving Police Department crash report. Photograph the scene, vehicles, your injuries, and road conditions. Collect driver and witness information. Seek medical care even if you feel fine. Then call Cyclist at Law at 972-392-1249 before talking to any insurance company — we handle all communications on your behalf from day one.
Can I file a claim if I was struck by a rideshare or delivery vehicle while cycling in Irving?
Yes. Rideshare companies (Uber, Lyft) and delivery fleets (Amazon, FedEx, UPS) carry commercial liability insurance that typically has significantly higher limits than personal auto policies. We identify all coverage sources and pursue every dollar available. Call 972-392-1249 for a free case evaluation.
What if my bicycle accident happened on a road near DFW Airport?
Roads near and within the DFW Airport complex may be managed by the DFW Airport Authority — a governmental entity with special notice requirements under the Texas Tort Claims Act. You may have as little as six months to file a formal claim notice. Missing this deadline eliminates your right to recover. Call 972-392-1249 immediately.
I was commuting to the DART Orange Line station in Irving and got hit. Can I file a claim?
Absolutely. Cyclist commuters are entitled to the exact same legal protection as recreational riders. If a negligent driver struck you on your commute to or from a DART station in Irving, you have a valid injury claim. We handle bicycle commuter cases throughout the Irving DART Orange Line and Blue Line corridors. Call 972-392-1249.
Does cycling without a helmet affect my Irving bicycle accident claim?
Texas has no statewide helmet law for adult cyclists. An insurer may argue that your injuries were worsened without a helmet, but Texas's modified comparative fault rules still allow full recovery if you were 50% or less at fault for the crash itself. We defend against these arguments regularly.
How long will my Irving bicycle accident case take to resolve?
Most cases resolve in 6–18 months through negotiated settlement. Complex cases involving severe injuries, multiple defendants, or governmental entities may take longer. We keep you informed throughout the process and never settle without your explicit approval.
