Amarillo Bicycle Accident Lawyer

How Negligent Driving Can Lead to Bike Accidents

Negligent driving is one of the most common causes of bike accidents. Negligent driving conduct takes many forms, including but not limited to:

• Distracted driving: When drivers are distracted from the road due to texting, eating, or other distractions, a cyclist may not be noticed by the driver, leading to an impact.
• Speeding: Driving too fast leaves too little time to come to a stop when necessary, causing a deadly collision with an innocent cyclist.
• Failure to yield: Drivers who fail to yield to a cyclist’s right of way at intersections or while making a turn increase the risk of a deadly bicycle accident. 
• Drunk driving: Impaired drivers have reduced reaction times and lack judgment, causing a collision with a cyclist.
• Ignoring traffic signals: This may take the form of running a red light or stop sign and can result in a devastating collision with a cyclist.
• Road rage: Aggressive behaviors such as tailgating, changing lanes without signaling, and road rage endanger cyclists and other vehicles. 
• Poor visibility: Poor weather and nighttime driving can make it more difficult for drivers to see cyclists.
• Dooring: this can occur when a driver opens a car door into the path of a bicyclist without first checking to see whether an approaching cyclist is nearby.

What Are My Rights as a Cyclist?

As a cyclist, you have rights. These include:

• Right to ride: In Texas, cyclists have an equal right to motorists to access most roads unless this is expressly prohibited, such as on a freeway. 
• Right to space: When being passed by a vehicle, you have the right to space. The minimum passing distance in most local ordinances is 3 feet. Motorists must abide by this rule. 
• Safety equipment: Although Texas does not require cyclists to wear helmets, many local ordinances require helmets for those below a certain age. Cyclists are required to use reflectors and lights for nighttime cycling.
• Right to report incidents: As a cyclist, you have the right to report any incident that occurs on the road, such as an accident or harassment.
• Right to legal representation: You have the right to legal protection if you suffer injuries in an accident due to another driver’s negligent driving conduct. 

After being involved in a bicycle accident, if you are able, take the following actions immediately:

• Seek medical attention: It is vital to seek medical help immediately, even if you believe you are not injured. Due to adrenaline released in a dangerous situation, some injuries are not felt after an accident, including potentially fatal closed-head injuries.
• Report the accident: Contact law enforcement to report the incident. This report will be an official record of the accident, which will be part of the evidence in a claim or lawsuit.
• Contact an attorney: A seasoned personal injury attorney in Amarillo can help guide you through the legal process of your bicycle accident claim. Without a lawyer by your side, you may not be able to recover the compensation you deserve.