While convenient, bicycles can be a dangerous form of transportation that offer little protection from hazards. As such, sharing the road with faster and larger vehicles can put bicyclists at risk. Injuries suffered in a bicycle accident caused by a careless driver can be life-altering. Furthermore, a bike that is poorly constructed could also cause severe harm.
If you were struck by a reckless driver or purchased a bike that was defective, you should consider speaking with a Georgetown bicycle accident lawyer to learn more about your legal options. You may be entitled to financial compensation, and an experienced personal injury attorney could help you submit a claim.
Bicycle Crashes with Automobiles in Georgetown
Colliding with a motor vehicle can be one of the most dangerous causes of a bicycle accident. While a bike on a road should be viewed similarly to another car, few drivers actually treat bicyclists on the road with the caution they should. Drivers can become distracted and may pay little attention to others on the road, especially cyclists.
Because a bike rider has little protection against the weight and force of a motor vehicle, a
driver’s carelessness could severely injure or even
kill a bicyclist. Common examples of negligent behavior from a driver that may result in a bike accident include following too closely, ignoring traffic signals, using a smartphone behind the wheel, or driving under the influence. Any of these violations would allow a judge to classify the defendant as negligent “per se,”. This means that the court automatically assumes that the defendant was at fault for the claimant’s injuries, therefore easing the injured party’s legal burden. In general, any criminal activity such as a traffic violation allows a judge to establish negligence on the part of the defendant. After a bicycle accident with a motor vehicle, an injured cyclist should seek counsel from an experienced Georgetown attorney to better understand their rights.
How Defective Bikes, Parts, and Equipment Can Cause Accidents
In addition to reckless motorists, many bicyclists suffer harm by the negligence of manufacturers. When a part of a bicycle or a rider’s equipment malfunctions, severe injuries could occur.
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 82.001 establishes that anyone injured by a faulty product is eligible to act against the negligent manufacturer.
Bicycles can be defective in a number of ways. If the frame of a bike is poorly constructed, it may break while the rider is traveling at high speeds. A bicycle’s brakes might also fail while riding, which could be incredibly dangerous. These defects can cause unexpected crashes that result in serious injuries.
Poorly constructed helmets are another example of a common bicycle manufacturing defect. If a helmet manufacturer assembles a shoddy product or fails to uphold production standards, they may be held responsible when their helmet offers inadequate protection during a bicycle crash, and a cyclist sustains
head trauma as a result. A skilled lawyer in Georgetown could review a bicycle accident case and help a claimant demonstrate that a defective product caused their severe injuries.
If you were injured by a negligent driver or harmed by a faulty product while riding your bike, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. A Georgetown bicycle accident lawyer could determine the exact cause of your wreck and help hold the careless entity responsible for their actions.
Get in touch with our offices today to schedule an initial case consultation.