Laws Protecting Bicyclists in Sherman

While Texas state laws do not explicitly protect bicyclists, they protect them by offering them the same rights and responsibilities as any other vehicle on the road. Under Texas Transportation Code § 545, motorists must adhere to traffic laws such as properly yielding the right-of-way to other vehicles and passing them at a safe distance and on the left. Drivers must also only open the door of a motor vehicle on the side next to moving traffic if it can be done without interfering with traffic.

The rise of statewide designated bicycle lanes and shared lanes, along with policies governing these lanes, also offer bicyclists protection while on the road.

Determining Negligence in Bike Crash Cases

Like many other types of personal injury cases, bicycle accident injury claims in Texas typically center around the legal concept of negligence. This means if a person is injured due to someone else’s negligence, they may have the right to make a claim for compensation. Negligence can be difficult to prove in court because each element must be proven.

Both drivers and cyclists alike have specific obligations when traveling on the road. In a claim involving a bicycle accident injury, the plaintiff must be able to prove the motorist owed them a duty of reasonable care, the motorist breached this duty of care, and as a result, the plaintiff suffered some type of harm.

The state adheres to a modified comparative fault rule, meaning that fault may be distributed between two parties. If the plaintiff was injured in a bicycle accident and was found to be partially responsible, they may still recover compensation. The only stipulation is that the at-fault party must be more responsible for the accident. Conversely, if the plaintiff was found to be 51 percent or more at fault, they will likely be barred from monetary recovery.

Defendants and their counsel will often try to argue comparative fault to reduce the value of a claim. Thankfully, a Sherman bicycle accident lawyer has the expertise needed to defend victims from these arguments and fight for full and fair compensation.

What Damages Are Available Following a Bike Accident?

In most personal injury cases, a cyclist who was injured because of another person’s negligence may be entitled to “be made whole” or to be restored as much as possible to their pre-injury status through various types of compensation. These are called damages.

Generally, compensation in a bike accident case may include economic damages such as:

  • Medical bills
  • Property damage
  • Lost wages
  • Rehabilitative costs
  • Future medical treatment

Non-economic damages may be more difficult to determine because they generally do not have a quantifiable figure attached to them. They may include, but are not limited to:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of consortium
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

In many cases, experts may be brought in to help establish and prove these damages. A skilled attorney in Sherman who is experienced in bike accident cases could help an injured individual recover damages.

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How a Sherman Bicycle Accident Attorney Could Help

If you were hit by a motor vehicle or sustained injuries because of another party while riding your bike, you may be able to pursue a legal case to recoup the losses you incurred as a result of the crash. Let a Sherman bicycle accident lawyer evaluate your claim and discuss what steps you may be able to take to preserve your legal rights. To learn more, call today.

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Get The Help You Need Contact McCraw Law Group

If you are in need of a personal injury attorney in North Texas, please contact the team at McCraw Law Group today. We are ready to help you in a broad range of serious accident and injury legal issues, and offer multiple ways to reach us.

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If you are in need of a personal injury attorney in North Texas, please contact the team at McCraw Law Group today. We are ready to help you in a broad range of serious accident and injury legal issues, and offer multiple ways to reach us.

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