Austin Bike Accidents – Debunking The Myths

Austin Bicycling Myths – Setting the Record Straight

Austin’s roads are full of cyclists, and while people generally get to their destination without any issues, accidents do occur. Read over some common myths about accident bicycle accidents so you can learn more about your legal rights if you’re injured.

Myth: Cyclists are Automatically at Fault When on the Road

If you’ve been involved in an Austin bicycle accident, you might think you’re at fault because you were on the road instead of the sidewalk. However, cycling is against the law on many of Austin’s sidewalks; instead, cyclists are supposed to peddle on the road. Don’t let an insurance company make you think that you can’t recover damages because you were on the road. Instead, contact an Austin bicycle accident attorney for legal help.

Myth: You Can’t Recover Damages if You Weren’t Wearing a Helmet

Austin has a helmet law in effect for children under the age of 18. People of all other ages can ride bicycles without helmets. Also, people under and over 18 years of age are eligible to collect damages if they weren’t wearing a helmet during an accident. Even so, it’s a good idea to wear a helmet when riding a bike in Austin, as doing so can protect you from a severe or even fatal head injury.

Myth: You Can Only Recover Damages from Other Drivers

If someone hits you with a car, you can file a claim to recover damages following an Austin bike accident. However, you might be able to recover damages from other parties as well. If your bicycle malfunctioned, you might have a claim against the manufacturer or repair shop you used. On the other hand, if you were in an accident due to a poorly maintained street, you can hold the city accountable. Your Austin bicycle accident attorney will go over the evidence to determine who caused your accident; then, you can file a claim against all negligent parties.

Myth: You Can Only Recover Damages If You Didn’t Contribute to the Accident

You might think you can’t file a claim if you hold some degree of responsibility for the accident. However, you can file a claim as long as you weren’t more than 50 percent responsible for the accident. An insurance company might try to say that you hold a larger degree of fault than you actually do, so hire a personal injury lawyer to review your claim. Your attorney will review all the evidence to see how the accident occurred and who was responsible. This evidence can help you recover damages, even if you contributed to the accident.

Myth: You Can Only Collect Damages for Medical Bills

If you’re in an accident, you can file a claim to collect damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company to get you the best settlement possible. If the insurance company isn’t willing to negotiate, your Austin bike accident attorney can take the case to court.

These are just some of the myths surrounding Austin bicycle accidents. These myths prevent some people from filing claims. Now that you know the truth, you can reach out bike accident attorney, Steven C. Lee and Associates to learn more about your legal rights.