Austin Bicycle Accident Attorneys
When a car or truck hits a bicycle, it is often a frightening experience for both the driver and the bicyclist. In such accidents, the vehicle typically impacts the body of the cyclist directly. Unfortunately, this almost always leaves the cyclist injured and often severely injured. If you were recently hit by a car or truck while riding a bicycle and have questions, feel free to contact our office. We are happy to address your questions and concerns, completely free of charge.
Representing Austin’s Cyclists after an Accident
In 2014, Austin embarked on a major effort to encourage and expand cycling options and opportunities in the city. The Austin Bicycle Master Plan was adopted to “significantly increase bicycle use and improve bicycle safety throughout Austin.” These efforts have contributed to Austin’s status as one of the best bike cities in America, according to Bicycling magazine.
But with more and more people riding their bikes in and around Austin, the number of injuries and fatalities caused by collisions between cyclists and motorists has also sadly increased. Despite efforts to make Austin’s roads more bicycle-friendly, and even though most cyclists wear helmets and other protective gear, vulnerable and exposed bike riders still face the risk of serious injury inherent in sharing the road with fast-moving vehicles, pedestrians, and other cyclists.
Many bicycle accidents occur because drivers fail to account for the presence of cyclists or don’t follow the law in sharing the road with them. When acts of negligence cause or contribute to bicycle accidents, injured cyclists in Austin and throughout central Texas can turn to the personal injury lawyers at Sandoval James to get them the compensation that can help them heal and provide for a brighter future.
Negligence and Bicycle Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 95 percent of cyclists killed in 2016 were involved in vehicle crashes. In addition to drunk driving, distracted driving, speeding and other common behaviors that lead to accidents, there are numerous distinct ways vehicles and negligent drivers can hurt cyclists, including:
- Failing to yield the right of way to the cyclist when making a left or right turn.
- “Dooring,” or a driver or passenger who opens a door without looking over a shoulder or in the rearview mirror, resulting in the bicyclist not having time to take evasive action and colliding with the door.
- Driving or drifting into the bike lane.
- Failing to accommodate a cyclist who must ride in traffic due to a lack of shoulder or bike lane.
- Failing to stop at a stop sign or red light.
- Sideswipes.
- Road rage.
When a vehicle and a cyclist collide, it is no surprise that the cyclist bears the brunt of the impact, making violent contact with the ground, the vehicle, or other objects. This kind of trauma is sometimes fatal and often leads to severe or catastrophic injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Paralysis
- Broken bones
- Eye injuries
- Loss of a limb
- Internal organ damage
- Severe burns
Bicycle accident injuries can fill every day with pain and difficulty along with worries and uncertainty about lost wages, mounting medical bills, and what to do next. At Sandoval James, our Austin bicycle accident lawyers know that you need all the help you can get when you are dealing with a severe injury. With tenacity, experience, and a fierce commitment to your well-being, we fight relentlessly until you receive the highest amount of compensation available for your injuries and losses.
Contact Sandoval James Today for Your Free Initial Consultation
If you were injured in a bicycle accident and want to learn more about your options and the availability of compensation for your losses, please contact one of our Austin bicycle accident attorneys to arrange for your free initial consultation. Call us today at 512-382-7707 or contact us online.
