Dallas Bicycle Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one have been injured in a bicycle accident, you deserve an attorney who understands the intricacies of personal injury laws in Texas and can fight for your rights with passion and experience.

What Should You Do After A Bicycle Accident?

• Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the utmost priority. Even if injuries seem minor, get checked out.
• Document the Scene: If possible, take photos, collect witness information, and note down any important details.
• Contact the Police: File an official accident report.
• Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer: Before speaking with insurance companies, consult with a personal injury lawyer who has your best interests in mind and can fight for your rights. 

Differences Between Bicycle Accidents and Car Accidents

Bicycle accidents and car accidents have several key differences that are crucial to understand.

Vulnerability

One of the most evident distinctions is the level of vulnerability involved. Cyclists are inherently more exposed, lacking the protective outer shell that vehicles provide, making them more susceptible to severe injuries. In contrast, car occupants benefit from the car’s structure, airbags, and seat belts, which collectively reduce the risk of direct impact injuries.

Visibility

Visibility is another major difference. Bicyclists, due to their smaller size, can often be harder for motorists to spot, especially in blind spots or in low-light conditions. Cars, being larger and usually equipped with bright lights and signals, are generally more visible on the road.

Impact Force

When it comes to the force of impact, bicycles simply don’t have the mass that vehicles do. This means that in a collision, cyclists are often thrown from their bikes or absorb the impact directly. Cars, however, distribute the force of a collision across their structure, which often results in property damage but less direct injury to the occupants.

Injury Severity

Lastly, the severity of injuries varies between the two types of accidents. Due to their vulnerability, cyclists often suffer from more severe injuries, like bone fractures, traumatic brain injuries, or even fatalities. Although car accidents can also result in grave injuries, the vehicle’s safety features often help mitigate the severity.

Similarities Between Bicycle Accidents and Car Accidents

Despite their differences, bicycle accidents and car accidents share several similarities. Here are a few of the similarities between bicycle accidents and car accidents.

Cause of Accidents

Both types of accidents can result from similar causes like distracted driving/riding, intoxication, speeding, or failure to yield.

Rights on the Road

Both cyclists and drivers have the right to use the road and are expected to follow the same traffic laws, such as stopping at stop signs and signaling turns.

Compensation

In the event of an accident, both cyclists and drivers have the right to seek compensation for injuries, damages, and other losses from the at-fault party.

Emotional Impact

Accidents, regardless of the mode of transportation, can result in trauma, and stress.

Common Injuries in Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents can result in a range of injuries, from minor scrapes to life-threatening conditions. Here’s a breakdown of some of the common injuries sustained in bicycle accidents:

Road Rash

This is a skin abrasion that occurs when a cyclist slides across the pavement. It can range from mild to severe, with the worst cases involving deep abrasions that require surgical treatment.

Head Injuries

• Concussions: A mild traumatic brain injury that can result in symptoms like headache, dizziness, confusion, and memory problems.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): More severe than concussions, TBIs can lead to long-term cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments. Wearing a helmet can significantly reduce the risk of these injuries, but doesn’t eliminate it entirely.

Fractures

Due to the direct impact with vehicles, the ground, or other objects, cyclists often sustain broken bones. Commonly fractured bones include:

• facial bones, including jaws, cheekbones, and teeth;
• collarbones or clavicles;
• wrists and arms, as riders might instinctively extend their arms to break a fall;
• ribs;
• pelvis; and
• arms and legs, including the femur, tibia, and fibula.

Spinal Injuries

Accidents can lead to herniated discs, spinal fractures, or even paralysis in severe cases.

Internal Injuries

The impact from a crash can damage internal organs, leading to conditions like internal bleeding, ruptured spleen, or lung injuries.

Muscular Injuries

Muscular injuries includes sprains, strains, and tears in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

Soft-Tissue Injuries

Soft-tissue injuries include bulging and herniated discs in the cervical (neck), thoracic (upper back), lumbar (lower back), sacral (behind the pelvis), and coccyx (tailbone) regions of the spine.

Joint Dislocations

Cyclists may experience dislocations in the shoulder, elbow, or other joints due to the force of an accident.

Cuts and Lacerations

From broken glass, sharp metal, pavement, or other debris on the road.

Psychological Injuries

Beyond the physical, bicycle accident victims might suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, or other emotional and psychological challenges following the trauma of an accident.

While these are some of the more common injuries, every bicycle accident is unique, and the injuries sustained can vary greatly based on factors like speed, point of impact, and whether safety gear was worn. It’s essential for anyone involved in a bicycle accident to seek medical attention promptly, even if they feel fine initially, as some injuries might not manifest symptoms immediately.