Fort Worth Bicycle Laws
In a busy city like Fort Worth, bicycle laws keep cyclists safe by reducing the likelihood of accidents and wrecks. These laws are not just for cyclists, of course; drivers and pedestrians alike should also be aware of them, as they serve to help better anticipate how bicyclists behave when sharing the road.
However, not everyone is familiar with the state’s most common bicycle laws. If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, the legal team at Stephens Law Firm, PLLC, is here to help. Our Fort Worth bicycle accident lawyers have over 25 years of combined experience and have recovered over $300 million in damages.
Call our law office at (817) 420-7000 for a free consultation.
How Stephens Law Firm Can Help After A Bicycle Accident In Fort Worth, TX
In the event that someone’s careless actions have hurt you as you were riding your bike, a Fort Worth bicycle accident attorney from Stephens Law Firm will help you with all aspects of filing and pursuing your damages claim, including the following:
- Identifying the responsible party
- Promptly filing a claim for compensation
- Ensuring your past and future losses are accounted for and reflected in that claim
- Gathering evidence and witness statements to support your case
- Speaking with insurance representatives and others to resolve your claim promptly
- Pursuing every legal path available to help you recover the compensation you deserve
Where evidence of liability is clear, bicycle accident claims can settle within a matter of weeks; others, however, may take longer or require one or more court hearings before you receive compensation.
No matter how long your case takes, though, our Fort Worth personal injury lawyers will never stop fighting for you. Contact our law firm today to schedule a free consultation.
Top 5 Bicycle Laws To Remember Before Your Next Ride
Just as you would check your bike and equipment before setting out on your next ride, it is always advisable to stay informed about Texas’s current bicycling laws.
Five such laws that every Fort Worth motorist, bicyclist, and pedestrian should know are as follows:
1. Bicyclists Are Considered Motorists On The Road
When riding on the road alongside motorized traffic, bicyclists are subject to the same responsibilities as everyone else. They also have the same rights, including the right to use a single traffic lane if the lane is too small for both a car (or truck) and the bicyclist to use safely. Bicyclists must also obey right-of-way laws and all traffic signs and signals.
2. Bike Lanes Are Not Mandatory
Like other major cities in Texas, Fort Worth has some roads with marked travel lanes that can only be used by bicyclists. These lanes are meant to provide additional space between motor vehicles and cyclists, thereby reducing the likelihood of a collision. Despite their safety benefits, though, bicyclists do not have to solely use these lanes.
3. No Local Or State Helmet Laws
Texas does not mandate bicycle riders of any age to wear a helmet, but the state does allow its communities to create local ordinances if they so choose. Fort Worth has not done so. Therefore, while wearing a helmet can help prevent a serious brain injury if you collide with another vehicle, neither you nor any bicycle passenger is legally obligated to wear one.
4. Bicyclists Can Use Sidewalks
Instead of using the road or a bike lane, bicyclists in Fort Worth can ride their bikes on the sidewalk, too. If you choose to do so, you must yield the right of way to pedestrians, and you cannot ride your bike in a way that recklessly endangers pedestrians’ safety. You must also use crosswalks and obey the crossing signals in the same way as pedestrians.
5. Necessary Bicycle Equipment
Lastly, every bicycle in Fort Worth must have a working brake system. Additionally, if you are going to ride your bike at night, the bike must have a front white headlight and rear red reflector or light. The former must be visible from at least 500 feet away, and the latter must be visible from between 50 and 500 feet away.
Contact Our Fort Worth Bicycle Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation
The above five bicycle laws (and many others) are important for staying safe on the road, but also for establishing liability following a bicycle accident. If you or your loved one has been hurt or killed in a crash, the Fort Worth bicycle accident lawyers at Stephens Law Firm are committed to helping you obtain the compensation you need and deserve for your losses.
Contact our law office and schedule a free, no-obligation case review today to discuss your situation.
