From 2010 to 2016, there were 16,807 accidents in Texas involving bicycles. These accidents resulted in 9,769 injuries and 362 fatalities. 11% of cyclists involved in crashes are under the age of 15, and another 13% are between the ages of 16 and 25. The unfortunate reality is that bicycle accidents continue to devastate individuals and families across the state, with nearly one-quarter of the victims being under the age of 25.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a bicycle accident, Hildebrand & Wilson, LLP is here to help support you in your recovery. We are a firm of passionate legal advocates who are committed to doing whatever we can to help accident victims and their families pursue the justice they deserve. Our firm is proud to serve clients in Pearland, Texas, and the surrounding areas of Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi — so call today to schedule your own free case consultation.

Being hit by a car while riding a bike can be a scary situation. If you ever find yourself in this situation, there are a few steps that you can take to protect yourself and strengthen your case:

1. Call 911 – Having the police there to file a police report and having medical professionals on-site to do a check-up and take you to the hospital if needed is always a good idea. This can not only strengthen your case, but will also ensure that your health and safety are in good hands.

2. Record All Personal Information – Get the information of not only the person who hit you with their car but any witnesses on the scene as well. For the driver, you will need their insurance information. For witnesses, their contact information is sufficient. Be sure to ask them if they can stick around to give the police information or if they can be contacted later on.

3. Document The Details – If you can, take photos of any damage that has occurred. This includes damage to your bicycle, to the car (if applicable), and to yourself.

4. Seek Medical Treatment – Even if you feel fine, have a doctor check you out. You never know what injuries could be deemed serious by a medical professional. When it comes to your health, it is always better to err on the side of caution.

5. Hire A Personal Injury Attorney – In the aftermath of the accident, hiring a personal injury attorney to assess your case and discuss your legal options with you is the best way to figure out how best to proceed with your case.

According to the Texas Transport Code, bicycle riders are entitled to all of the rights and are equally obligated to all of the duties of the road that apply to motor vehicles. They are not required to wear a helmet statewide, but many cities and municipalities do have their own helmet mandates, so it’s important to be aware of your local laws and how they apply to you. With that in mind, here are a few other laws that are important for cyclists to be aware of:

• Bicyclists must ride on the right side of the road, as close to the curb as possible, except when safely passing a vehicle or turning left.

• Bicyclists cannot ride on the sidewalk.

• Bicyclists have to use arm signals when turning.

• Bicyclists must have a white light on the front and a red reflector or red light on the rear of their bicycle when riding at night.

• A person may not use a bicycle to carry more people than the bicycle is designed or equipped to carry.

• A person operating a bicycle may not carry any object that prevents the operator from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.

When it comes to filing a personal injury claim, there are three important Texas statutes that all riders should be aware of: