Cycling is becoming a more common activity across the Texas and the United States as more people try to stay fit or save money on gas and upkeep of a car. But it’s dangerous out there. I’ve stopped riding my bicycle (and just run). Both drivers and cyclists have to learn to share the road and obey traffic laws. Serious accidents can be traced to inattentiveness of the motorist, the cyclist — or sometimes both.
Here’s a terrible article I just saw:a recent accident in Dallas.A 19-year-old cyclist was tragically riding his bike across Weldon Street on a dark and rainy night. As the cyclist entered the roadway, a 2005 Nissan Murano SUV traveling northeast sideswiped him, forcing the cyclist to the pavement and pinning him beneath the SUV. Neither the cyclist nor the SUV driver could see one another due to a four-foot wall along the Weldon Street median. The cyclist was tragically pronounced dead at the scene due to multiple blunt force traumas. Dallas police have concluded that the crash was accidental and have no plans to press charges against the Nissan driver. It is not clear who is at fault and whether a wrongful death lawsuit will be filed by the family of the deceased.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that, as of 2009, 630 cyclists were killed in motor vehicle accidents and 51,000 injured. That is believed to be an underestimation, as many cycling accidents are never reported.
Negligent drivers who hit bicyclists have caused horrendous deaths and injuries. Did you know that a bicyclist is killed every 6 hours or that about one million children are injured each year?
How do these accidents typically occur?
A car or truck fails to yield the right of way to the bicyclist, assuming he can beat him;
A car or truck — or bicycle — runs a red light or stop sign;
Neither driver pays attention to other traffic on the roadway; and
Vehicle driver is distracted by cell phone or another reason.
Fortunately there are more bike lanes all the time and here in Fort Worth we have the Trinity Trail which is off orad.
Sometimes the cyclist is not blameless. Cyclists are bound by the same rules as cars, but many cyclists do not take the rules that apply to cars seriously. They might run red lights, ride the wrong way on city streets, or move on and off the sidewalk even though most sidewalk use is prohibited. Unfortunately, because of the sheer difference in weight and power in a collision, the motorist almost always “wins,” regardless of who is at fault. The cyclist is left with serious injuries that require a long recovery time and often great expense. As bicycle use expands, it would be good for both groups to remember that they need to obey traffic rules and operate their vehicle safely. In the meantime, if you are injured in a collision with a car and live in the Fort Worth area, contact a Fort Worth car accident attorney to learn what you can do to get relief.
Bill Berenson has been representing Texans injured in accidents for more than 33 years. Located in Fort Worth, with offices throughout the Metroplex an in Houston, he represents clients seriously injured by accidents involving cars, trucks, 18 wheelers, bicycles and motorcycles. If you want a Board Certified personal injury specialist who will provide you with compassionate legal representation, contact him today to schedule a free initial consultation.
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