Cycling Accidents

June 6, 2017

Motorcycle Injuries In Texas To Increase Now That It’s Summer

The temperatures have warmed up and more motorcycle riders are hitting the streets. To get car and truck drivers to be on the lookout for them, the Texas Department of Transportation has just launched a campaign with an important message for us motorists. Look twice for motorcycles.

The campaign aims to reduce the thousands of motorcyclists fatally stuck or injured at intersections and crossing from adjoining lanes.

This message also applies to the increasing number of people getting hit by vehicles as they are riding bicycles.

Sure, motorcycles and bicycles are smaller and sometimes more difficult to see. However that does not excuse the motorist from making certain the coast is clear before changing lanes, crossing an intersection, passing, turning or u-turning. Motorcyclists have the right to be on the road and motorists have the obligation to share that road.

I am about to file a lawsuit on behalf of a man who was seriously injured when a driver crashed into his motorcycle, seriously injuring him. The driver said she never saw him. I’ve heard many excuses like this one during my 37 years of representing injured motorcyclists. Continue reading

May 17, 2017

Tonight’s Ride of Silence a Powerful Statement for Bicycle Safety

by William K. Berenson

larry_swartz Tonight is the 15th annual Ride of Silence here in Fort Worth and Dallas — and all over the world. Cyclists will ride in silence but the message is loud and clear: bicycle riders have the right to share the road with cars and trucks.

The Ride of Silence began in Dallas as a one-time event to commemorate endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz, who was tragically struck and killed by the mirror of a passing bus on May 1, 2003 north of McKinney. The incredible rider pedaled over 25,000 miles in 2002 and had already cycled over 7,600 miles in the first four months of 2003 before he was hit. The sobering first ride at White Rock Lake attracted over 1,000 cyclists with only a week of word-of-mouth publicity.

The heart-breaking event has expanded to educate cyclists and motorists about safe practices. It is shocking that 818 bicycle riders died in the U.S. in 2015, a huge 12% jump over the previous year.

Thousands of bikers throughout the world will simultaneously ride in silence starting at 7 pm. The rides are scheduled in 445 locations in all 50 states and in 48 countries.

Bikers of all skill levels, including kids, can participate and the rides are free and open to the public. Bring your family or just hop on your bike.

Join the Fort Worth and Dallas Rides

11174937_355092298030149_8086464220780517633_n Here’s what you need to know if you are here in Fort Worth:

Cyclists are meeting at the gazebo on Trinity Park Drive at 6:30 pm. At 7 pm, participants will remember the bikers who have been injured and killed in traffic accidents in the last year. Our wonderful “bike-crazy mayor” Betsy Price will then share a few words and join us as we depart at 7:15 pm for a leisurely-paced 10-mile ride through downtown Fort Worth, the
Near Southside and the zoo.

In Dallas, cyclists will gather on the west side of White Rock Lake and at the west side of the new Ronald Kirk Pedestrian Bridge downtown.

I am riding in Fort Worth.
Continue reading

June 6, 2016

Vehicle and Pedestrian Deaths Skyrocket in Texas

by William K. Berenson

Gold and bronze medals go to Texas — too bad it’s not for sports

We Texans are used to winning. But sometimes, it would be better to come in last place.

A poll just ranked deaths to motorists and passengers from vehicular collisions. Unfortunately Texas was first in traffic fatalities of any state in the country and the third in pedestrian fatalities in 2014. A staggering 3,538 people died in automobile crashes and 476 were fatally hit by cars. And we should take little comfort in our 12^th ranking for pedestrian deaths per 100,000 residents.

Nationwide, 32,675 people died in traffic-related wrecks, and close to 15 percent of those killed were pedestrians. This is an insane number of completely preventable deaths.

April 10, 2015

Southlake Teen Cyclist Dies from Traffic Accident Injuries

by William K. Berenson

A Southlake teen who was injured in a tragic auto accident last Monday has died. Doctors declared James Cole Malone brain dead on Tuesday afternoon and his organs were donated to transplant patients throughout the country. This final gift represents the generosity Cole displayed throughout his short life.

Cole was biking home from a Boy Scout’s meeting Monday around 8 p.m. when a car struck him as he crossed Lilac Lane on Byron Nelson Parkway, just one mile from home. He was airlifted to Texas Health Harris Methodist in Fort Worth with severe brain injuries.

The driver stopped to render aid and cooperate with police. She has not been charged in the accident as the police investigation is continuing.

June 8, 2014

North Texas Bicycle And Motorcycle Accidents A Serious Problem

by William K. Berenson

I had the honor of riding with Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, a tireless fitness advocate and accomplished cyclist, on Saturday. I’ve ridden thousands of miles on my bike, including the Hotter ‘n Hell 100, and used to ride a motorcycle.

Now that summer is here, more people are riding their bicycles and motorcycles in North Texas. And unfortunately a lot of them will get injured, some critically. I encourage my fellow riders to wear helmets and bright clothing, obey traffic laws, ride in large groups, and ride defensively.

What should a rider do if, God forbid, he is hit while riding?
Continue reading

April 17, 2014

What Should You Do If You Are Injured Riding A Bicycle in DFW?

by William K. Berenson

OMG!!!! In a story that has gone viral, a young woman who had sent 47 text messages while she was driving hit a cyclist and heartlessly wrote: “I don’t care.” The poor cyclist suffered a spinal fracture which required surgery and spent months recovering from his injuries.

Reading this reminded me of a case last year when I represented a Fort Worth man who was on a bicycle and broke his leg and shoulder when a driver hit him. After I filed a lawsuit, I was able to subpoena the phone records of the driver and prove that he was texting at the time of the crash. The defense attorney then offered the full insurance policy limits to settle the claim.

There are so many people driving and texting and not paying attention to other vehicles on the road, let alone bicycles. It’s a wonder more people aren’t killed as they try to get exercise or pursue their hobby riding bikes.

Fortunately, collisions between cars and trucks are rare, but when they happen, injuries are often serious. What should you do if you have been involved in one?
Continue reading

November 24, 2013

Dallas Cyclist Killed in Collision

by William K. Berenson

Cycling is becoming a more common activity across the Texas and the United States as more people try to stay fit or save money on gas and upkeep of a car. But it’s dangerous out there. I’ve stopped riding my bicycle (and just run). Both drivers and cyclists have to learn to share the road and obey traffic laws. Serious accidents can be traced to inattentiveness of the motorist, the cyclist — or sometimes both.

Here’s a terrible article I just saw:a recent accident in Dallas.A 19-year-old cyclist was tragically riding his bike across Weldon Street on a dark and rainy night. As the cyclist entered the roadway, a 2005 Nissan Murano SUV traveling northeast sideswiped him, forcing the cyclist to the pavement and pinning him beneath the SUV. Neither the cyclist nor the SUV driver could see one another due to a four-foot wall along the Weldon Street median. The cyclist was tragically pronounced dead at the scene due to multiple blunt force traumas. Dallas police have concluded that the crash was accidental and have no plans to press charges against the Nissan driver. It is not clear who is at fault and whether a wrongful death lawsuit will be filed by the family of the deceased.
Continue reading

July 1, 2013

Bill Of Rights For Our Clients

by William K. Berenson

In honor of the Fourth of July on Thursday, we are publishing our Bill of Rights that our clients enjoy at the Berenson Law Offices.

We know that you have been injured, are in pain, and have suffered substantial financial losses. Even as we are fighting the other driver and his insurance company and attorneys to get you the compensation you deserve, we at the Berenson Law Offices will be always be treating you with the utmost of respect and dignity. The Bill of Rights is as follows:

1. You are entitled to be treated under the Bible’s Golden Rule at all times: we will do unto you, the Client, as we would have done unto us. You are entitled to be treated with courtesy and consideration at all times by Mr. Berenson and all personnel here. We want to treat you like family.

2. You are entitled to an attorney who is capable of handling your legal matter competently, diligently, and expeditiously.
Continue reading

March 12, 2013

Do You Need An Attorney To Help You With Your Injury Case?

by William K. Berenson

If you saw some of the headlines in the Fort Worth Star Telegram — just from today — you know just how dangerous our roads are here in Tarrant County:

* Benbrook Man Dies In Rollover Wreck
* 3 Killed in Two Wrecks Involving Motorcycles
* Fort Worth Police Looking For Driver of Black Mercedes Involved In Hit-And-Run
* Man, 57, Dies After Car Hits Pole In Hurst
* Passenger Killed In Three Vehicle Collision Identified
* Cyclist Fatally Struck Near Arlington School
Unfortunately there is a chance that you will be injured in a motor vehicle collision here in North Texas. There were 23,433 crashes just in Tarrant County in 2011 which seriously injured 5,721 people and caused fatalities to 148 people.

I hope that you haven’t been in a motor vehicle collision, but if you have, you owe it to yourself to hire the best personal injury attorney that you can find, just like you deserve the best medical care, or the best of anything.
Continue reading

November 21, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving And Safe Driving

by William K. Berenson

I wanted to wish every one a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

I will pause to thank God for my blessings, be with my wonderful family, see some movies and football games and exercise. And my birthday is Friday (how did I ever get to be 58?).
But unfortunately driving during the holidays can be dangerous.