Bicycle riders are often invisible to distracted, inattentive drivers of cars, SUVs, vans, and trucks. Even if bicyclist follow the rules, he or she can be hit by a negligent driver who is not looking for a bicyclist. Often times the cyclist is like a ghost on the street. Motorists are staring right through you.

In many cases, a bicycle accident results from a motorist's negligence or inattentiveness while operating his or her vehicle. The following are some common types of collisions that a cyclist may be injured in:

• A motor vehicle driver turning directly in front of a bicyclist;
• An automobile driver entering the street from a driveway or parking spot and pulls out into traffic in front of the bicyclist;
• A vehicle driver not paying attention while driving past a bicyclist;
• An automobile driver's failure to look both ways when resuming travel after stopping at a stop sign;
• An automobile driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Motor vehicle operators must be attentive to all bicycle riders and respect the bicyclists’ rights to share the road. They must equate a bicycle with a motor vehicle and observe the same laws. For example, if you are sharing the right lane with a bicyclist and you are planning to turn right at an intersection, you must yield to the bicyclist. You may not drive in a designated bike lane unless you have immediate intentions to turn off the road. There are many "new" traffic laws concerning bicycles and ignorance of the laws will not protect you against negligence if you injure a bicyclist.

Under Texas law, bicycle riders are subject to the same traffic laws as motorists. If you are riding a bicycle, you are also required to obey the traffic laws and you deserve the same protection by those laws as automobile drivers. Many cyclists have not been properly educated on how to legally and safely share the roads with automobiles.

There are many other types of negligence, such as product liability, defective products and negligent manufacturing or assembly, which can also cause serious bicycle accidents and injuries.

Have you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident? If so, it is imperative that you contact me immediately to begin protecting your rights.