Bicyclist in Critical Condition After Being Hit by a Car in West-Side Accident
According to a KSAT News report, a bicyclist was hospitalized following a motor vehicle accident on the West Side.
Police reported the accident happened at around 9:30 p.m. on August 17th, at the intersection of Culebra Road and the Loop 1604 access road. A driver who had the green light was proceeding westbound on Culebra when they stuck the bicyclist traveling northbound on the access road. The driver said they did not see the cyclist in time. The driver remained at the scene and rendered aid and is not currently facing charges. The bicyclist suffered life-threatening injuries and was hospitalized. No other injuries were reported.
Did You Know?
There were 105 pedal cyclist fatalities in Texas in 2023, a 15.38% increase from 2022.
How to Safely Ride a Bike on the Road in Texas
Cyclist injuries and fatalities in Texas are on the rise.
While there are special traffic laws in place designed to protect cyclists, you shouldn’t rely on other people to keep you safe. Fortunately, there are steps you can take the next time you ride to keep you safe, whether in the city or on rural streets.
Before You Go
Preparation is key when it comes to sharing the road with motor vehicles. Before your ride, prepare with these steps:
- Maintain Your Bike — Check your brakes and your tires before heading out.
- Choose Appropriate Gear — If you’re riding on the road, wear an appropriate helmet (preferably bright-colored), and invest in cycling gloves/shoes for extra protection from the elements.
- Wear Bright/Reflective Clothing — This is especially important. Most bicycle accidents happen because the driver never saw the cyclist.
Safe Riding Tips
When you’re on the ride, these tips will improve your safety:
- Phones Down — Don’t use your phone or any other electronic device while biking. You need to stay alert at all times, just like motorists.
- Don’t Lane-Split — Riding between vehicles is incredibly dangerous and illegal. Stay in one lane or to the right.
- Watch for Debris/Hazards — Keep watching far ahead to make sure you don’t run into debris along the shoulder or in the road.
- Make Eye-Contact — Don’t ever assume a driver sees you. Make eye contact before crossing an intersection whenever possible.
- Ride Single-File — Riding side-by-side can reduce driver visibility.
- Use Extra Caution at Sunrise/Sunset — These times can make it difficult for drivers to see you.
Bike Traffic Laws
You have equal responsibility as drivers to follow the rules of the road. This includes:
- Riding in the same direction as traffic,
- Obeying traffic signs and signals,
- Yeilding to pedestrians,
- Riding in bicycle lanes when present,
- Riding as far to the right as possible when no bike lane is present (this does not mean riding on the shoulder),
- Riding in the center of the lane when the lane is not wide enough to ride to the right safely.
Of course, you can do everything correctly and still be injured by a careless motorist. When this happens, call Shaw.
Injured in a Bike Accident in San Antonio? Call Shaw.
You should never have to pay for an accident that wasn’t your fault.
If you were hit by a vehicle while riding your bike in San Antonio, you may be entitled to compensation for things like:
- Ambulance Costs,
- ER Treatment,
- Surgeries,
- TBI,
- Disfigurement,
- Pain and Suffering,
- Lost Work,
- Trauma/PTSD,
- Wrongful Death,
- And More.
We’ll help you find out if you have a case for free.
Call Shaw for your San Antonio bike accident at 800-862-1260 today for a free case evaluation. We put our clients first because we care. We look forward to serving you.
Contacting a Carabin Shaw attorney is free and does not obligate you to work with the firm.