May is National Bike Month, which means it’s a great time to brush up on bicycle safety whether you are a bicyclist or a driver who shares the road with bicycles. In Texas, bicyclists may use the public streets as long as they follow all the same rules that motor vehicles must follow, like riding on the right, stopping at red lights and stop signs, and signaling their turns.
When drivers become distracted or bicyclists don’t follow the rules of the road, serious injuries can result. Here are the five most common bicycle and car accidents handled by Texas bicycle accident lawyers:
- A car turns right across a bicyclist’s path. This commonly happens when the motorist doesn’t check for bicycles before turning or the bicyclist is in the car’s “blind spot.”
- A car turns left across a bicyclist’s path. This accident is far more likely in an intersection that doesn’t have a dedicated “left turn only” lane. Often, the driver or the bicyclist will misjudge one another’s distance and speed, only realizing their mistake when it is too late.
- The bicyclist or the driver fails to stop at a red light or a stop sign. When a bicyclist doesn’t heed the rule to stop at a red light or stop sign, or the motorist doesn’t stop because they don’t see the bicyclist coming, a crash can easily occur.
- The vehicle or bicycle passes on the right. Passing on the right is risky, and when both vehicles must share one lane, it is prohibited. Passing on the right makes it very difficult for the car or bicycle being passed to see what is happening – increasing the risk of a crash.
- A parked car opens its door into the path of the bicyclist. Many bicyclists have stories about being “doored” by drivers or passengers who didn’t check the path was clear before opening the car door.
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, feel free to contact the Waco personal injury law firm of Brown Trial Firm, PLLC for legal assistance.