Bicycle Accidents and Crosswalks
In the state of Texas, the same rights and obligations apply to motor vehicles and bicycles because the transportation code essentially views bicyclists and motorists as the same when they are on a public roadway. Despite being legally viewed as the same, there are differences between a motor vehicle and a bicycle, and that becomes tragically clear when a bike accident occurs.
Bike accidents can result in catastrophic or fatal injuries for bicyclists, as well as costly financial losses. One of the most common types of bicycle accidents involve crosswalks. Bicyclists in Sugar Land, TX, Katy, TX, and Richmond, TX, who have been injured in a bike accident in a crosswalk can work with the attorneys at Reed & Terry, L.L.P., to learn about their potential right to financial compensation for accident injuries.
Dangers of Intersections
Most intersections have traffic lights or signs in place to control the flow of traffic. These safety measures should decrease the risk of an accident, but crash data continually shows that intersections pose a particularly high risk of collisions. Intersections can be especially dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists. Even when using a crosswalk, pedestrians and cyclists are vulnerable to inattentive, negligent, or reckless drivers.
Causes of Crosswalk Accidents
There are many factors that can contribute to a bike accident in an intersection. Most of these are directly related to driver errors or a failure to drive carefully and attentively. Common causes of crosswalk accidents include:
- Failure to observe the right of way
- Making a right or left hand turn without checking that crosswalks are clear, and without checking the vehicle’s blindspots, where pedestrians and bicyclists can easily be hidden
- Running through a red light or stop sign
- Speeding
- Safety issues with the intersection (missing stop sign, malfunctioning traffic light, poorly lit crosswalk, etc.)
Can Bikes Legally Ride In a Crosswalk In Texas?
Because the Texas Transportation Code views a bicycle as the same as a motor vehicle, it is important to consider whether bicycles can legally ride in a crosswalk in Texas. The law does not prohibit cyclists from using a crosswalk as a bicycle path. However, like motor vehicles, bicycles must yield the right of way to pedestrians. And, ideally, cyclists should dismount their bicycle and walk it through an intersection.
Liability for Crosswalk Bicycle Accidents
Drivers in the state of Texas are meant to share the roadways with bicyclists, but bike riders rarely get the space and respect that they deserve. If a bike accident is caused by a driver’s recklessness or neglect, they can be held liable for a bike accident within a crosswalk, along with any resulting damages.
To strengthen a case of liability, bike accident victims are strongly encouraged to work with a bike accident attorney. The attorneys at Reed & Terry, L.L.P., gather evidence to recreate the details of an accident so that fault can be established and injury victims can be compensated for their losses.
Schedule a Case Review
If you have been injured in a bike accident while traveling through a crosswalk, the bike accident attorneys at Reed & Terry, L.L.P. would be happy to review your case and advise you of your best course of legal action. To schedule a consultation, send us a message online or call (281) 491-5000 at your earliest convenience.