Injuries Resulting from Bicycle Accidents in McKinney

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there has been a 64 percent increase in the number of people who use bicycles as a regular form of transportation since 2000. With this increase in the number of bicycles on the road, there has also been an increase in the number of people who suffer severe harm as a result of biking accidents.

Due to the discrepancy in size, weight, and speed, when there is an accident between a bicycle and another motor vehicle there is a higher probability that a bicycle rider will suffer catastrophic injuries. To learn more about recovering compensation for injuries resulting from bicycle accidents in McKinney, speak with a determined lawyer.

Common Injuries

According to a study conducted by American Family Physician, the most common types of bicycle injuries occur in either the arms or the legs, followed by injuries to the head, face, abdomen, and neck. A majority of bicycle accidents result in some form of superficial trauma, such as road rash.

However, some of the other common injuries resulting from McKinney bicycle collisions include:

Concussions and head-related injuries
Contusions
Dental fractures
Fractures to fingers, wrists, arms, and ribs
Musculoskeletal injuries such as sprains, strains, and dislocations

In order to recover financially for injuries resulting from bike crashes, bicyclists must prove legal negligence on the part of another person. While there is not an exact statutory definition of negligence in Texas, a person can be deemed negligent when they fail to act as a reasonable person would under the same or similar circumstances.

Proving that another person was negligent generally requires establishing that an alleged defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care, that they breached this duty of care, and that the plaintiff suffered a physical injury as a direct result of their breach of care. Proving that a driver was negligent in a bicycle accident case often requires an extensive review and investigation of the surrounding circumstances leading up to and even immediately following an accident.

How Bicycling Laws Affect a Lawsuit

In McKinney, bicycle riders are required to obey the same traffic laws as other drivers. In addition, bike riders can be subject to the same penalties as other motorists for breaking a traffic ordinance, per Texas Transportation Code §551.101.

These laws can have a significant impact on biking accident lawsuits because they can impact civil liability. For instance, Texas follows a modified comparative negligence theory. Under this negligence system, a person is entitled to recover compensation for injuries resulting from a bike crash as long as they are found to be under 51 percent responsible for an accident, according to Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §33.001.

Because the same traffic laws apply to bicycle riders as they do to other motorists, it is common for the allegedly responsible driver in a biking collision case to claim that the cyclist did not abide by a traffic law and therefore bears some liability. When a driver breaks a traffic law, however, an injured person may be able to file a claim under a negligence per se cause of action.

Addressing Injuries Resulting from a Bicycle Accident with a McKinney Attorney’s Help

A dedicated lawyer could be prepared to help if you sustain injuries resulting from a bicycle accident in McKinney. Successfully proving and litigating a bike crash lawsuit requires an unwavering attention to detail, familiarity, and experience handling personal injury lawsuits, all of which a skilled and knowledgeable attorney could provide in addition to critical support and guidance every step of the way. Call now to find out more.