Dedicated Bike Accident Attorney for Lubbock, TX, Residents

Experienced Bike-Riding Personal Injury Lawyer for Lubbock

Ride your bike long enough, and there is a good chance you will end up in an accident that is no fault of your own. Bike-riding accidents are particularly painful due to the size and weight disparity between bicyclists and automobiles. Negligent drivers, property owners, pedestrians and even fellow bicyclists who fail to provide due care while you are in their vicinity should be held accountable for their carelessness. 

Every bicyclist in the greater Lubbock area should be aware that it may be possible to obtain financial compensation even if the accident is not completely the fault of another driver. Bill Shirer, Esq., an avid cyclist himself, is referred to as Lubbock’s “Cyclist at Law” for good reason. Bill has helped Lubbock bicyclists and bike riders in other parts of Texas win personal injury lawsuits that provide sizable payouts. If you are involved in such an accident, you owe it to yourself to lean on Bill Shirer to obtain justice after this unfortunate event. Bill will spearhead your quest for justice while you remain laser focused on improving your health so you can eventually return to work and life as usual.

Reach out to our Cyclist at Law soon after you contact medical personnel for assistance. Our board-certified attorney has helped Lubbock locals and others right these egregious wrongs, obtaining significant financial compensation after bicycling accidents of all types. Bill has 30+ years of trial law experience. Whether you are dealing with life-changing injuries, fractured bones, wounds, or any other injury stemming from your bike riding accident in Lubbock, Bill will review your case and do everything within the confines of the law to win your case.

Determining Liability for a Bicycle Accident

Liability for bicycle accidents is inherently complicated as it is not always perfectly clear which party is fully or partially at fault. However, in the vast majority of cases, the driver who strikes the bicyclist bears some or all of the blame. Automobile operators owe a duty of care to those around them, including bicyclists. Bike riders on roads, parking lots, sidewalks, and elsewhere should be given ample space for maneuvering, similar to automobiles. However, plenty of Lubbock motorists fail to provide such due care to those in their vicinity, ultimately acting negligently in the eyes of a judge presiding over the ensuing personal injury case. 

So don’t assume you will be found liable for the accident even if your inaction or slight negligence played a role in the accident. Unless you were blatantly negligent by zooming through a stop sign and slamming into an automobile, there is a good chance our Cyclist at Law, Bill Shirer, Esq., will win your case. A legal victory provides you with the money necessary to pay medical bills, offset lost wages, make up the difference in your subsequently reduced earning capacity, and also account for your pain and suffering.

There is a chance correspondence transmitted from our Lubbock legal team’s letterhead will spur the insurance company or the allegedly negligent party to take action in the form of a settlement. If the initial settlement offer is unacceptable, Bill will either counter the offer or proceed to zealously advocate in a court of law for financial compensation that helps to right this wrong.

Consult with our legal team, and you will sleep soundly, knowing an experienced personal injury attorney is hard at work on your case, pinpointing all potentially liable parties. Aside from the driver who collided with you while you were enjoying your bike ride through Lubbock, there is also the potential for property owners, town/city government, the bike manufacturer, and even the bike mechanic to share liability for this unfortunate event. Bill will identify all such potentially liable parties on your behalf, setting the stage for a personal injury lawsuit that results in significant financial compensation through a lucrative settlement or a well-earned court award.

Cyclist Laws in Lubbock, TX

Some drivers and cyclists in Lubbock are surprised to learn that bike riders have the same responsibilities and rights as motor vehicle operators. Though cyclists and motorcyclists are not required to go out of their way to make themselves noticeable while riding, it is recommended that they do so with brightly colored clothing and reflectors. Lubbock’s local laws state that cyclists must be sober while riding on the road. If it is determined you were inebriated at the time of the accident or even shortly before the collision, you may lose your case. 

Cyclists are required to stop at stop signs and red lights. Cyclists are also legally required to indicate an upcoming turn by raising their hand prior to executing the turn. If riding during nighttime hours, the cyclist must have a reflector light positioned on the rear of the bicycle and a white light on the front. Though bike riders are permitted to ride next to one another, doing so cannot interfere with the flow of traffic. Only one rider per bicycle saddle is permitted. Lubbock bicyclists are required to ride close to the curb when possible and progress in the same direction that automobile traffic on that side of the street is moving.

Car Drivers’ Rights and Responsibilities to Cyclists

Lubbock drivers have the same duty of care to local bike riders that cyclists have to the operators of automobiles and other cyclists. Car drivers are required to share roads with cyclists and provide those vulnerable individuals with due care. Every Lubbock driver is required to be on the lookout for cyclists to prevent potential collisions. Automobile operators are not allowed to pass cyclists unless such a maneuver is safe. 

Lubbock drivers should also be aware that there must be at least three feet of space between their vehicle and the bicyclist when passing. Drivers who fail to look for cyclists when opening the doors of their parked vehicles also have the potential to be found guilty of negligence in an ensuing personal injury lawsuit.

Cyclists’ Rights and Responsibilities

Bicyclists are legally obligated to provide those in their vicinity with due care. The failure to fulfill this duty equates to negligence. Though cyclists are legally permitted to ride along sidewalks, they must share that space with pedestrians and fellow bike riders. Every Lubbock cyclist should be aware of his or her legal duty to notify pedestrians on the sidewalk ahead that they are nearing. This warning is provided through ringing a bicycle bell or vocalizing one’s presence.

Bicyclists are permitted to ride on Lubbock roads, yet they are to ride toward the curb to minimize the chances of an accident. All Lubbock biking enthusiasts should be aware that a cyclist who ventures out to the highway is in violation of the law. 

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident

The aftermath of a bicycle accident can be a dramatic period of time characterized by pain, trauma, fear, and indecisiveness. Do not crumble under the pressure of this high-stakes situation. Do your best to think clearly. Document the entirety of the accident with your smartphone or digital camera. Take pictures of your injuries, the damage to your bicycle, the damage to the vehicle, the intersection, and the individuals involved in the accident.  

Reach out to emergency medical responders for assistance. Contact the police so they can generate an accident report. Take a look around for potential witnesses. If anyone in the area witnessed the accident, write down their contact information and name for future reference. One or several of these attentive individuals just might testify in your favor at the ensuing personal injury lawsuit trial. Aside from obtaining prompt medical assistance that formally documents the extent of your injuries, the most important thing you can do after your Lubbock bicycle accident is reach out to Bill Shirer, Cyclist at Law, for legal guidance. Bill will review your accident during an initial consultation to determine if there is solid legal footing for a personal injury lawsuit that could lead to either a settlement or a court award.

Elements of a Bicycle Accident Claim

Bicycle accident claims begin with a review of your unique case performed by our Cyclist at Law, Bill Shirer, Esq. Bill will determine which parties might have legal liability and get the ball rolling on a lawsuit. The filing of the ensuing personal injury lawsuit sets the stage for negotiations with the insurance provider and opposing counsel. Your medical records, the evidence collected from the accident scene, and the police report stemming from the accident can help you obtain justice through a settlement paid by the insurance company or a handsome court award. 

Successful personal injury lawsuits may culminate in such a payout to offset the entirety of all losses resulting from the accident. A court award or settlement may be designed to cover costs ranging from medical bills to bicycle damage, diminished earning capacity, lost wages, pain, suffering, and additional costs causally related to the accident. 

Bicycle Accident Statistics in Lubbock

Texas is one of the most dangerous places to ride a bicycle. The bicycle accident statistics from 2020 reveal that Texas had more cyclist fatalities than all but three states. Only New York, Florida, and California had more cyclist fatalities than Texas. All in all, the lone star state had 44 cyclist fatalities in 2020. It is just as disturbing to learn that Texas had more cyclist deaths between 2012 and 2018 than any other state but California.

Best Bike Trails in Lubbock

Lubbock has plenty of trails for local cyclists. The MLK Racecourse/Mae Simmons is one of the area’s highlights. Local cyclists also rave about the Main East Trail, the West Trails, and Buffalo Springs Lake.

Worst Areas for Bike Riding in Lubbock

Lubbock has plenty of traffic, making certain intersections that much more dangerous than others. Frankford Avenue and Fourth Street is an especially dangerous intersection. Landmark Lane and Clovis Road are also quite dangerous. Southbound Frontage Road and 50th Street are quite dangerous as well. Cyclists are advised to avoid Northbound Frontage Road by I-27 and Eastbound Frontage Road by the Marsha Sharp Freeway as this part of town is jam-packed with vehicles.

How to Avoid a Bike Accident

The air pressure in your bicycles’ tires has the potential to save your life. Check your bicycle’s tire air pressure at least once each month to guarantee the tires function as designed. It will also help to wear clothes that are white or light in color, wear a brightly-colored helmet, and attach reflectors to the bike for added visibility. Always use hand and arm motions to make it clear you are planning on turning. 

Contact the Lubbock Cyclist at Law 

Bill Shirer, Esq., is here to help after your cycling accident. Bill, a fellow cyclist, feels the pain of every bike rider involved in collisions of all magnitudes. If you are involved in any such accident, contact us right away for an in-depth analysis of your specific case. We will determine if there is a good chance a lawsuit will lead to a significant settlement offer or court award. The overarching aim of such litigation is to provide you with the money you need to offset all financial losses as well as the pain and suffering resulting from this life-changing accident. Give us a call today at (972) 392-1249 / 800-887-6188 or send our Cyclist at Law, Bill Shirer, Esq., an email.