Bicyclist vs. Motorist~2 min read
All of us here at Springer & Lyle seem to see more bicyclists on the road every day. We’ve also represented many bicyclists who were the victims of negligent drivers. A motorist is required to observe the rules of the road, but a bicyclist required to follow those same rules. That means stopping at stop signs and stop lights, signaling when turning, and riding in the same lane and direction as other traffic. A bicyclist’s failure to follow those rules can be taken into consideration in an injury case, and any award they might receive could be significantly reduced. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, an average of 48,000 bicyclists are injured in accidents each year, resulting in hundreds of fatalities. All too often, motorists don’t see the bicyclist they’ve struck until it’s too late. Bicyclists are hit when motorists:
• Make lane changes when the bicyclist is on their side
• When they turn right and the bicyclist is on their side
• Turn left in an intersection
• Open doors in front of the bicyclist
• Fail to yield the right-of-way entering a roadway or on a roadway
The bicyclist is on a relatively unstable mode of transportation though with two wheels rather than four. No steel body, bumpers, air bags or seat belts protect a bicyclist in a collision. When there’s an impact with a motor vehicle, the bicyclist is launched. They can hit fixed objects, other vehicles and the pavement below them. Severe injuries suffered in these accidents include:
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Spine fractures
• Severe fractures of legs, knees and feet
• Shoulder and arm injuries from instinctively trying to break the fall
• Fatalities
At Springer & Lyle, we focus our practice on personal injury. We have extensive experience and a strong record of success in representing injured bicyclists across Texas. You can contact us for a free, no obligation consultation and case evaluation with a Springer & Lyle personal injury attorney. We’re dedicated and aggressive, but we’re also compassionate and sensitive to the fact that bicyclists are often victims of negligent motorists. We might even be able to obtain compensation if the driver that hit you was uninsured. We’re committed to straight talk and answers and giving personalized legal advice to people who have suffered serious injuries or lost a family member. Contact Springer & Lyle at 940-387-0404 or, just use our online contact form.
