Houston Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Representing Victims Of Bike Accidents Throughout The Greater Houston Area

When careless motorists and fellow cyclists cause bike accidents, victims have the right to take legal action. If you were injured in a bicycle accident in the Greater Houston Area, turn to the team at Goldenzweig Law Group, PLLC for the personalized representation you need. With nearly four decades of combined experience, our attorneys have what it takes to aggressively advocate for you and your recovery. We have helped countless bike accident victims file claims against negligent motorists and other liable parties to recover the full, fair compensation they deserved. 

Texas Bicycle Laws You Should Know 

The state of Texas has several important bicycle laws that anyone who rides a bike or shares the road with cyclists should know. 

Some of these laws include: 

• Bicycles are recognized as “vehicles” and, therefore, cyclists are granted the same rights and responsibilities as any other vehicle operator on the road 
• Cyclists have the right to use the full lane when necessary but, whenever possible, should ride as far to the right side of the road as possible and/or use bicycle lanes when available
• When passing or overtaking a bicyclist on the roadway, motorists should always leave at least three feet of space between their vehicles and cyclists 
• Bicyclists should know and use appropriate arm and hand signals to alert other vehicle operators of their intentions, such as turning or stopping 
• Bicyclists may ride two abreast (side by side) as long as they do not impede traffic (with exceptions for racing and taking lanes) 
• If a bicyclist wishes to ride at night, their bike must be equipped with a white light on the front and a red light or reflector on the back 
• In most areas, it is illegal to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk; however, this depends on the municipality, and there may be some exceptions 

Currently, there are no laws in Texas requiring bicyclists of any age to wear helmets when riding. However, wearing a safety helmet is the best way to avoid severe head and brain injuries, as well as facial injuries, in the event of a crash. It is strongly recommended that all cyclists always wear an approved bicycle helmet when riding. 

What Are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents? 

Most bicycle accidents are the result of negligence. Sometimes, bicyclists themselves are careless, but more often than not, it is the negligence of others on the road that leads to these devastating crashes. 

Some specific examples of common bicycle accident causes include: 

• Careless and distracted driving 
• Texting or using a cellphone while driving 
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Failure to yield the right of way 
• Aggressive or reckless driving 
• Following too closely, or “tailgating” 
• Drowsy or fatigued driving 
• Unsafe or illegal turns 
• Dangerous passing and lane changes
• Opening vehicle doors into cyclists 
• Driving or parking in designated bike lanes 
• Failure to properly share the road 

In some cases, third-party factors outside of motorist negligence can contribute to or cause a bicycle accident. Examples include poorly maintained roadways, which may contain potholes and other hazards, as well as defective roadway construction or design, which could lead to blind curves, unsafe speed limits, and other dangerous conditions. 

Determining Liability After a Bike Accident 

If you were injured in a bicycle accident, you could be entitled to financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, lost earning capacity, and other damages. To have a case, however, you must first establish liability. That is, you must determine who is legally responsible for paying your damages. 

Determining who is liable for your bike accident typically involves identifying the at-fault party. Whoever caused the incident, whether directly or indirectly, is also likely the liable party. This is because, by causing the accident, the at-fault party likely breached a “duty of care,” or legal responsibility to take reasonable measures to prevent foreseeable harm.

For example, all motorists have an implied duty of care to others on the road. They must obey the law and refrain from engaging in risky behaviors that increase the likelihood of a crash. So, when a motorist chooses to get behind the wheel after consuming several alcoholic beverages, they are not only breaking the law but also engaging in behavior that is known to be dangerous. If the drunk driver causes an accident, leading to bodily injury or death, they can be held liable.