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Bicycle Accidents

Dallas Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Pursuing Maximum Compensation for Injured Bikers in DFW

Bicycling is an enjoyable and eco-friendly activity for many Texans. Whether you enjoy recreational biking or rely on bicycling for your daily commute, it’s important to stay vigilant of potential risks on the road, especially in city traffic. Even when bicyclists take every precaution to stay safe, bicycle accidents can still lead to life-altering injuries and even fatalities. Knowing and exercising your rights is critical to recovering compensation for hospital bills, treatment costs, lost earnings, and more. 

At Mathias Raphael PLLC Accident & Injury Lawyers, our bicycle accident attorneys have over a decade of experience representing injured bicyclists in Dallas and the surrounding areas. We understand the immense hardships that come with a wrongful injury, which is why our lawyers are committed to protecting your rights and advocating for the compensation you’re rightfully entitled to. From negotiating with evasive insurance companies to calculating all available damages, we can fight tenaciously to achieve the fair settlement you deserve, allowing you to focus on making a swift recovery. 

If you or a loved one was wrongfully injured in a bicycle accident, contact us online to discuss your case with our award-winning litigators in DFW. 

  • What Causes Bicycle Accidents?

    Bike accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, especially in the busy streets of Dallas. Common causes of bicycle accidents include:

    • Illegal maneuvering or lane changes: This can occur when a motorist changes lanes without signaling, veers into the bike lane, fails to leave a safe amount of space between their vehicle and a bicyclist, or engages in unsafe driving to pass a bicyclist.
    • Rear-end accidents: Distracted or careless driving can result in motorists rear-ending bicyclists with their vehicle, increasing the risk of serious injuries.
    • Improper turns: Making illegal turns, ignoring crosswalk signals, or failing to check for bicyclists and oncoming traffic before turning can result in serious injuries to bicyclists sharing the road.
    • Opening the door of a parked car: Bicycling in a city of 1.3 million people is dangerous, even for the most cautious bikers. In the hustle and bustle of city traffic, drivers may fail to check for bikers before throwing open car doors near bike lanes, increasing the risk of accidents.
    • Careless driving: Even if a cyclist guards against the dangerous areas that are particular to bicycling, the reality is that there are many drivers on the road who just drive carelessly. Like any driver on the road, motorcyclists are susceptible to drivers who are speeding, distracted (on their phone or paying attention to passengers), overly fatigued, or impaired by alcohol or drugs.
  • Common Injuries in Bicycle Accidents

    Bicycle accident injuries can be especially severe due to the lack of bodily protection from large vehicles, increasing the risk of catastrophic injuries. Common bicyclist injuries include:

  • Who Is At Fault in a Bicycle Accident?

    As an at-fault state, Texas requires drivers to purchase insurance under the fault system. After an accident, the victim may file a claim through the at-fault driver's insurance. The insurance company is then responsible for determining liability and coverage based on who was responsible for the accident.

    If a motorist hits a bicyclist, the bicyclist can file a claim against the at-fault driver to cover damages. Insurance companies will often try to obtain the victim’s recorded statement immediately after the claim is filed. These interviews can serve as crucial evidence in determining the validity of the bicyclist’s claim. Because insurers have a reputation for shortchanging victims to maximize profits and evade fair payouts, it’s crucial to seek legal counsel before giving a statement.

    In an injury lawsuit, the plaintiff must prove that the motorist’s actions directly caused their injuries. While insurers play a role in assessing fault, our lawyers can assist with proving liability and negotiate effectively on your behalf to prevent insurers from taking advantage of you with lowballed settlements, especially if the insurer tries to blame you for your injuries.

  • Understanding Texas Bicycle Laws

    Understanding your rights as a bicyclist is paramount to staying safe and holding negligent parties accountable for illegal violations, especially when they lead to serious injuries. However, it’s important to understand that bicycles are considered vehicles under state law, meaning that cyclists are required to follow the same traffic rules and regulations as motor vehicle drivers.

    In Dallas, bikers are required to obey various bicycle laws to stay safe on the road (Texas Transportation Code § 551). These include:

    • Obeying traffic regulations: Bicyclists carry the same responsibilities as other motorists, including stopping at stop signs, yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks, displaying proper illumination, and riding with the designated flow of traffic.
    • Helmet requirements: While adult bicyclists aren’t required to wear a helmet, helmets are mandatory for riders under the age of 18. However, this rule also applies when an adult cyclist allows a minor to operate a bicycle or transports a minor without a helmet using a sidecar, trailer, child carrier, or other device attached to the adult's bicycle (Dallas City Code § 9-8).
    • Avoiding sidewalks: While bicyclists are permitted to use the sidewalks in the Central Business District, bicycling on sidewalks is restricted in most areas of the city (Dallas City Code § 9-1). Keep in mind that bicyclists are still required to yield to pedestrians, announce their presence from behind, obey traffic signs and signals, and travel at safe speeds while using sidewalks.
    • Using hand signals: Similarly to motor vehicle drivers using blinkers, bicyclists are required to use hand signals to indicate stops and directional changes. The only exception applies to bicycles equipped with electrical signals.
    • Using designated bike lanes: When available, bikers are required to use designated bike lanes. Bicyclists using the main road are permitted to ride two abreast in a single lane, so long as they are not riding in parallel with cars.
    • Use lights for nighttime bicycling: State law requires bicyclists to have a white light on the front of their bike and a red reflector on the back while riding at night.

    While these rules may seem intimidating, our skilled litigators are well-versed in the legal intricacies of state and city ordinances to help you pursue justice after a bicycle accident.

  • Process for Filing a Bicycle Accident Claim in Texas

    Sustaining an unexpected injury can be overwhelming and disorienting for bicyclists. Knowing what steps to take is essential to recover financial relief for medical care and other expenses. Here are some important steps to take after a bike accident:

    1. Seek medical treatment: Even if you lack severe injuries, seeking immediate medical care is imperative to rule out serious underlying injuries, such as internal bleeding. Undergoing a medical evaluation will also establish proper documentation of your injuries and serve as critical evidence to fortify your case.
    2. Document the scene: Take photos of the accident scene, damage to your bicycle, and any visible injuries. Documenting the accident site can help you establish liability later on.
    3. Contact the police: It’s important to report the bicycle accident to local authorities so they can create an official police report, which may be useful in providing evidence of the accident and who was at fault.
    4. Exchange information: Be sure to exchange insurance information, driver’s license numbers, and contact information with all parties involved in the accident.
    5. Gather witness statements: If there were any witnesses to the accident, it’s important to get their names and contact information for potential testimony later on.
    6. Contact a bicycle accident lawyer: It’s essential to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible after a bicycle accident. Your lawyer can help you navigate the legal process, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to ensure you’re compensated fairly.
  • How Long Do I Have to File a Bicycle Accident Claim?

    In Texas, the statute of limitations for filing a bicycle accident claim is two years from the date of the injury. If you fail to file a claim within two years, you may lose your right to pursue compensation for your injuries. It’s important to consult with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident to ensure all necessary paperwork is completed correctly and on time.
  • What Damages Are Recoverable in Bicycle Accident Claims?

    Both economic and non-economic damages are recoverable in a bicycle accident claim. Economic damages include direct financial losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages cover indirect losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Partnering with a trusted lawyer is a nonnegotiable step to accurately calculate damages and recover a fair settlement in your case.
  • Do I Need a Lawyer for a Bicycle Accident Claim?

    Unexpected accidents can lead to severe injuries and stress for bicyclists, including financial hardships. It’s understandable to feel concerned about accruing medical bills and other treatment costs during your recovery, especially in the face of lost wages or loss of earning capacity. While it may be tempting to save money by forgoing legal representation, waiving your right to legal counsel can significantly decrease the amount of compensation you are entitled to.At Mathias Raphael PLLC Accident & Injury Lawyers, we have many years of experience handling personal injury claims. Our bicycle accident lawyers can help you gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and pursue maximum financial recovery for your injuries.
  • Pay Nothing Until We Achieve a Fair Settlement

    Since 2012, our firm has been dedicated to securing justice and financial relief for the wrongfully injured. With a proven track record of results and over $10 million recovered for clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, our trial attorneys never shy away from a fight. Our litigators prepare every case for trial if that’s what it takes to achieve the settlement you deserve, giving you peace of mind that your rights are protected. Our lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning that we only get paid if you do. If you were harmed by another’s negligence, put over a decade of experience in your corner by turning to Mathias Raphael PLLC Accident & Injury Lawyers for aggressive representation.

    Don’t pay the price for someone else’s negligence! Call (469) 689-0200 to schedule a free consultation with our seasoned attorneys. Se habla Español.

    "Attorney Raphael & Attorney Mathias are both very forthcoming & handle each case with care!"
    I have worked with this office on many different life care plans for personal injury cases and each time it’s been wonderful. Attorney Raphael and Attorney Mathias are both very forthcoming and handle each case with care. I would definitely recommend them!
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    "Damon took my case when others would not consider it."

    Damon is the one attorney who took my case when others would not consider it. He is good at explaining the next steps and possible outcomes. Professionalism shows through in all he does. I recommend him for your legal matter.

    - Carolyn
    "Mr. Mathias went above and beyond for me!"

    Mr. Mathias went above and beyond when I got in an automobile accident making the situation stress free. He allowed me to concentrate on getting a new vehicle and getting the appropriate treatment instead of worrying about medical bills and settlements.

    - James
    "Truly amazing attorney!"

    Truly amazing Attorney! This guy went above and beyond my expectations, from a broken wired up jaw. To a well deserved settlement. Thanks again!

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    Mathias Raphael PLLC Accident & Injury Lawyers handled our case well and gave us a better outcome than we could have ever imagined. Thanks to Damon, Ori and their entire team!

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    Mr. Raphael was very helpful and responsive to our needs. He provided excellent service with polite,gentle and sensitive care,from the time he greeted us all through the process. I felt very confident trusting him with our case and he came through for us and got us more than we imagined.
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