Pedestrian/Crosswalk & Bicycle Accidents

Imagine that you're walking along, minding your own business, crossing a crosswalk with the right-of-way of a pedestrian signal, and some careless driver comes speeding out of nowhere and collides with you. Similarly, imagine you're riding your bike on a sidewalk and a car jumps the curb and hits you. Through no fault of your own, you're suddenly thrust into the world of a pedestrian or bicycle accident, facing mounting medical bills and potentially life threatening injuries because of someone else's negligence. If either of these scenarios applies to you, you're not alone. Let a pedestrian accident and bicycle injury attorney help you find your way in the wake of an unexpected and severe injury from an accident like this.

PEDESTRIAN-BICYCLE ACCIDENT INJURIES CAN BE CATASTROPHIC

More than any type of motor-vehicle accident injury, pedestrian injuries can be catastrophic. Pedestrians have zero protection from the fast-moving, steel death-cages that are motor-vehicles. People also don't have enough momentum to help them minimize the impact from a car or truck. The same applies to those on bikes. Whether on a bike or walking, pedestrians can easily be thrown or dragged, and often are left with effects from life-altering injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries or even paralysis.

Fractured bones are the least of your worries when you've been the victim of a pedestrian accident. And with over 70,000 pedestrian injuries annually, a pedestrian is injured approximately every 8 minutes. Furthermore, a pedestrian is killed approximately once every two hours. With this high rate of injury and fatality, you're extremely lucky if you only suffer broken bones from a pedestrian accident with a vehicle.

To speak to an experienced attorney about your injury, call 817-294-1900, 214-327-8000 or Contact Us Online.

EVERYONE IS VULNERABLE TO PEDESTRIAN INJURIES

Pedestrian injuries affect every age group from those under the age of five, to those over 80. No matter whom you are or where you are, you can quickly find yourself in a pedestrian accident at any time. The majority of pedestrian injuries and fatalities occur in urban areas.

For your safety, always follow pedestrian crossing laws. Cross with the right of way, and cross in crosswalks-where people expect to see you. Also, teach kids to stay out of the street since 23 percent of all pedestrian injuries involve children. And, if you're injured in spite of your precautions, consult an experienced pedestrian accident attorney to help you fight for compensation.

CYCLISTS MUST SHARE THE ROAD WITH OTHER VEHICLES

Bicyclists are a hearty breed; avid cyclists are on the road come rain or shine, sharing sometimes tiny stretches of road with cars that speed by far too quickly for comfort. The unfortunate reality is that many times bicyclists must share the road with other vehicles, and too often those vehicles ignore bikers altogether.

How many times have you been riding along, minding your own business, only to have a car turn in front of you unexpectedly without even looking? And then there's the danger of parked cars opening their doors suddenly without checking for cyclists. Bicycle accidents are common because other vehicles don't respect bike riders, so if you spend much time on the road, chances are good that you'll encounter or become the victim of a bike accident at some point or another.

MEDICAL BILLS ADD UP QUICKLY IN PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE ACCIDENTS

Because pedestrians and cyclists have zero protection when struck by a car, medical bills add up much quicker and higher than in vehicle-only crashes. Riders and pedestrians are at risk of far more serious injuries when careless drivers collide with them.

Here's an example of how medical bills might look after a wreck like this:

$1,200 for an ambulance
$8,000 for emergency room admission, diagnostic tests, treatment, and prescriptions
$36,000 for emergency spinal-fusion surgery
$50,000 for hospital admission for five days following the accident
$27,000 for additional spinal fusion surgery
$12,000 in follow-ups and consultations with specialists and medical doctors
$6,000 for in-home nursing assistance for one month following release from the hospital
$14,400 for physical therapy, 3 times per week, for 16 weeks

Before you know it, your medical bills for a serious pedestrian or bike accident can add up to a quarter of a million dollars. And that's not even considering any additional surgeries or future medical care in the event that you receive a permanent impairment. It also doesn't take into consideration the cost in lost wages you'll rack-up if you have to miss work while you're injured and recovering.

Don't get stuck drowning in massive medical bills - consult a knowledgeable accident attorney to help you get your bills paid, as well as compensation for the immense pain and suffering you'll go through. Contact Us Online or call 817-294-1900 for a free consultation.

INVESTIGATIONS AND EXPERTS HELP ESTABLISH YOUR BIKE ACCIDENT CASE

Between weather conditions, road conditions, visibility, equipment and vehicle involvement, bike accidents are usually quite complicated affairs. Police reports often don't relate all of the facts and tend to oversimplify the case. As a cyclist, it's vital that you have a thorough investigation conducted as quickly as possible after your accident to ensure the facts are recorded properly.

An investigation means you'll need an investigator to take photos of the bike crash site as soon as possible after the accident. The investigator also needs to interview any available witnesses to get a reliable, accurate and impartial view of what happened to cause your bicycle wreck. Finally, experts may assist in reconstructing the bike accident and testifying to the liability in your bike accident case.

At the Anderson Law Firm, we employ a full-time legal investigator to help us investigate each case's true facts. For a free consultation, Contact Us Online or call 817-294-1900.

YOUR RIGHTS AS A PEDESTRIAN

It's vital to know your rights as a pedestrian. If you were within your rights and still the victim of a pedestrian accident, there's no question that the person who hit you is liable for the accident and should pay to the full extent of the law. However, determining your rights as a pedestrian can be tricky. Consult an experienced personal injury attorney to evaluate your case and help determine what recovery you are eligible to receive.

FREE CONSULTATION

If you've been involved in a pedestrian or bicycle accident, not just any personal injury attorney will do. Don't let the insurance company take advantage of you. Consult an accident attorney who specializes in these areas to pursue your case, and make sure you get the full recovery you deserve.

The Anderson Law Firm has the experience and resources to launch a full investigation into your accident case, and determine to what extent you are eligible to make a recovery. Please Contact Us Online today to schedule your free consultation or call 817-294-1900 or 214-327-8000 to learn your rights.

How common are pedestrian injuries? Click here for an interesting summary. You'll be surprised.

Blog for Pedestrian - Crosswalk & Bicycle Accidents

Woman Fatally Struck By T Bus In Downtown Fort Worth
Pedestrian Fatally Hit By Car in Euless, TX
Dallas Bike Plan 2011: Paving The Way To Share The Road
Description: Dallas will be taking it's bike plan into effect in 2011 to increase the number of people riding bikes, but reduce the amount of accidents.

Library for Pedestrian - Crosswalk & Bicycle Accidents:

What You Can Do To Be Safe As A Pedestrian
Description: How to be safe as a pedestrian at crosswalks and intersections. If you or a loved one has been injured in a similar accident, call an experienced personal injury lawyer today.
Characteristics of Emerging Road Users and Their Safety [PDF]
Description: A summary of emerging road users and their safety. Data and statistics on crashes and safety reports by state. If you are an emerging road user in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area and have been in a crash call the Anderson law firm today.
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Highway Safety Problem As It Relates To The Hispanic Population In The U.S. [PDF]
Description: The following document describes the level of involvement of Hispanics in pedestrian
and bicycle crashes in the United States.
Traffic Safety For Bicyclists And Cyclists [PDF]
Description: A comprehensive list of ways to be safe as a cyclist. If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, you deserve to know your rights.
Analysis Of Bicycle And Pedestrian Related Roadway Crashes [PDF]
Description: Research focusing on pedestrian and bicyclist safety in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area. If you have been injured as a pedestrian or a cyclist call the Anderson Law Firm now.
Collection Of NHTSA's Pedestrian and Bicyclist Traffic Safety Reports [PDF]
Description: Compendium of NHTSA's pedestrian and bicyclists traffic safety reports from 1969-2007. If your or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian or bike accident call the Anderson Law Firm today.
10 Routes To Bicycle Safety [PDF]
Description: List of ways to stay safe while riding your bicycle in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area. If used been injured in a bicycle accident feel free to call the Anderson Law Firm today.
What You Can Do To Be Safe As A Pedestrian
Description: Drivers sometimes ignore pedestrians, which can cause injury. Learn ways to protect yourself from collision with a motor vehicle.Don't let a driver's negligence cost you medical bills.
The Statistics Behind Pedestrian/Crosswalk Accidents
Description: How many people are injured each year from pedestrian and crosswalk accidents? See the statstics that could serve as a warning to be cautious while in crosswalks.
The Statistics Behind Bicycle Accidents
Description: Know the stats when it comes to bicycle accidents. Don't let yourself become another number. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident involving a motor vehicle while in a cross walk, contact the Anderson Law Firm.
What you Need to Know About Crosswalk Accidents
Description: Laws in Texas give the right of way to pedestrians who are walking in crosswalks. If they’re struck by a moving vehicle, they are eligible to collect compensation for injuries, lost work, and emotional suffering.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Description: A list of common causes of bicycle accidents, and the steps you can take to avoid them. If you, or a loved one, has been involved in a bicycle accident, call the Anderson Law Firm today.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Accommodation Policies
Description: The US Department of Transportation policies on sidewalks, bike lanes, and bike paths. See if you are familiar with the laws involving bicycles.
Texas Pedestrian Crosswalk Laws
Description: Texas laws concerning pedestrians and vehicles in crosswalks. If you’ve been struck by a car in a crosswalk, you’re likely eligible for compensation for injuries, pain, and suffering.
Bicycle Safety Concerns in Dallas - Fort Worth Area
Description: The Anderson Law Firm represents bikers struck by cars. Take a look at our list of common bicycle injuries and accidents caused by cars every year in the Dallas - Fort Worth Area.
Traffic Safety Annual Assessment (2008) [PDF]
Description: An assessment of traffic safety for the year 2008. Call us today if you, or a loved one, have been injured in a pedestrian or crosswalk incident. We have offices in Dallas and Fort Worth, and are available to answer your questions.
Bicyclist/Pedestrian Accident Report (Form TR-11) [PDF]
Description: Form TR-11 is required if you have been injured in a bicycle or pedestrian accident (such as struck by a moving vehicle). Call the lawyers at the Anderson Law Firm for help with your Dallas/Fort Worth personal injury accident case.
Instructions for Completing Bicyclist/Pedestrian Accident Form (TR-11) [PDF]
Description: Instructions for how to fill out a bicyclist or pedestrian accident form for a wreck that happened in the Dallas Fort Worth area. Call today if you, or a loved one, have been involved in a bicycle or pedestrian accident.