Bike accidents can result in severe injury.Bicycles are a small and inconspicuous part of traffic flow. Given that they are on two wheels rather than four, they are highly unstable—especially if they are in a collision with a car or truck. When thousands of pounds of metal connect with a bike, the bicyclist is frighteningly exposed and vulnerable to serious injury—or even death.

Types of Bicycle Accidents

Some of the types of bicycle accidents we see include:

  • Dooring. When a bicyclist is riding down a street past a row of stopped or parked cars, and a driver suddenly opens the car door and the bicyclist hits it, this is called “dooring.” 
  • Forced off the road. A bicyclist is traveling down the road, and a car or truck passes very close to the bike—perhaps even hitting the bicycle. The bicyclist goes off the road and falls. 
  • Intersection accidents. When a driver and a bicyclist approach an intersection at the same time from opposite directions, and the motor vehicle driver doesn’t see the bicycle, a crash results.
  • Left cross. This happens when a driver takes a left turn directly into the path of an oncoming bicyclist, usually because the driver didn’t see the bicycle or underestimated the distance.
  • Right hook. A car driving down the road fails to notice a bicycle to the right of their vehicle, then makes a right turn, causing a collision.
  • Sideswipe. When a car or truck gets too close to a bicycle on the road and brushes up against it, this can cause a serious crash. Often, the motor vehicle driver didn’t notice the bicycle on the road.
  • Pothole. Hitting a pothole is merely an annoyance when you're driving a car, but for bicyclists, hitting a pothole can mean a serious injury if the rider loses control of their bike and falls. Cities and counties have an obligation to keep roads in good repair.
  • Distracted driving. Distracted driving is 100 percent preventable, and it’s a common cause of accidents in our world of cell phones and other electronic devices. Even when drivers use a hand-held device, they are not focused completely on what is going on around them.
  • Road rage accidents. Some drivers don’t feel they should have to share the road with bicyclists, and their behavior when coming across a bicycle can range from rude remarks and gestures to physically aggressive acts that could result in a bicyclist getting hurt.

Possible Injuries and Damages 

The types of injuries bicyclists experience when they are in an accident vary, depending on the impact. The most common injuries we see are:

  • Musculoskeletal injuries, such as broken bones, torn ligaments, back injuries, and spinal cord injuries
  • Head injuries, such as concussion, skull fracture, and traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Chest injuries, such as fractured ribs and a punctured lung
  • Facial injuries, such as fractures, eye injuries, and a broken jaw
  • Soft tissue injuries, such as sprains, whiplash, road rash, and burns

Working with an attorney to file a claim can help ensure expenses such as property damage, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering are covered. This is especially important when your case includes anticipated future medical costs and loss of earning potential due to a permanently disabling injury. 

Modified Comparative Fault 

Even if you might be somewhat at fault for the crash, it’s worth it to contact an attorney. Texas is a modified comparative fault state, which means that you might still be able to recover damages if you were less than 50 percent at fault for the crash.

You Can Afford an Attorney for Your Case

Because we take cases on a contingency basis, you do not have to pay for our services upfront. Contingency fees depend on the case being successful. If we do not win your case and there is no settlement or judgment, then you do not have to pay for representation. Request a consultation with The Button Law Firm to learn more.