Hurt in a Texas Bike Crash? Powerful Personal Injury Lawyer
If you were hurt in a Texas bicycle crash, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. This guide explains fault, evidence, insurance issues, and how a Texas personal injury lawyer can protect your rights and maximize your recovery.
Why bicycle crash claims in Texas are different
Texas cyclists must follow and are protected by state traffic rules applicable to bicycles and drivers. See Texas Transportation Code provisions governing bicycles (Transp. Code ch. 551). After a collision, riders often face severe injuries, disputed fault, and insurer tactics aimed at minimizing payouts. A focused Texas personal injury lawyer understands how police reports, reconstruction, and medical proof shape liability and damages.
Fault and comparative responsibility in Texas
Texas uses a proportionate responsibility system: a claimant’s damages are reduced by their percentage of responsibility and, if their percentage is greater than 50%, they are barred from recovery (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.001; § 33.012). How percentages are assigned is fact-intensive. Texas courts have also clarified that evidence bearing on injury causation and responsibility can be relevant to apportionment under this framework (Nabors Well Servs., Ltd. v. Romero, 456 S.W.3d 553 (Tex. 2015)).
Key evidence that can strengthen your claim
- Police crash report; officer body/dash cam
- Intersection or business surveillance video
- Scene, vehicle, and bicycle damage photos
- Vehicle event data, telematics, or infotainment downloads where available
- Eyewitness statements and 911 audio
- GPS/Strava or fitness app data
- Helmet and gear inspection
- Medical records, imaging, and expert opinions
- Road design/maintenance records and prior incident history
Act quickly to preserve footage and witness memory.
Common causes of Texas bike crashes
- Failure to yield at intersections
- Unsafe passing or following too closely
- Right- and left-hook collisions
- Dooring
- Distracted or impaired driving
- Speeding
- Poor road maintenance, debris, or inadequate lighting/signage
Identifying all contributing causes can open additional avenues of recovery, including claims against negligent drivers, employers (in some circumstances), or entities responsible for road hazards where the law allows. Claims involving public entities are subject to governmental immunity limits and strict notice rules (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 101.101).
Insurance coverage and sources of compensation
Possible sources include:
- At-fault driver’s bodily injury liability coverage
- Your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM), which must be offered in Texas (Tex. Ins. Code § 1952.101)
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or medical payments benefits, with PIP required to be offered (Tex. Ins. Code § 1952.152)
- In limited cases, claims against third parties responsible for dangerous premises or road conditions, subject to legal defenses and notice requirements
Policy language, exclusions, and coordination of benefits matter. A lawyer can review your coverages and protect against waiver or settlement pitfalls.
What damages can you recover?
Depending on the facts and proof, recoverable damages may include medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, physical impairment, disfigurement, and property damage. In severe cases, a spouse may assert loss of consortium. Catastrophic injuries (e.g., traumatic brain or spinal injury, multi-fracture trauma) require careful documentation and expert support.
Steps to take after a Texas bike crash
- Call 911 and request police and EMS. Report all symptoms.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the driver; gather witness contacts.
- Photograph the scene, vehicles, bike, road markings, and injuries.
- Preserve your bike, helmet, clothing, and gear—do not repair or discard.
- Seek prompt medical care and follow treatment plans.
- Avoid recorded statements or broad medical authorizations without counsel.
- Contact a Texas personal injury lawyer as soon as you can.
Quick checklist
- Secure video from nearby homes or businesses within 48–72 hours
- Write a timeline while details are fresh
- Save ride data (GPS/Strava) and phone photos to the cloud
- Notify your auto insurer about potential UM/UIM and PIP claims
- Keep all medical bills, EOBs, and receipts organized
Pro tips for protecting your claim
- Do not post crash details or photos on social media.
- Route all insurer calls to your lawyer to avoid harmful recorded statements.
- Ask providers to note causation and future care needs in records.
- Document daily pain levels and activity limits in a simple journal.
Deadlines and notice requirements
Most Texas personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the injury (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003(a)), with exceptions that can shorten or extend the time based on the parties involved and specific facts. Claims against governmental units may require notice as soon as six months after the incident, and some municipalities impose shorter charter deadlines (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 101.101). Speak with a lawyer promptly to protect your rights.
How a Texas bike crash lawyer can help
- Investigate quickly; secure video, electronic data, and witnesses; work with reconstruction experts.
- Handle insurance communications and push back on unfair fault assignments.
- Coordinate medical documentation to substantiate injuries and future needs.
- Calculate full damages, including future losses and non-economic harm.
- Negotiate and, when necessary, file suit and try your case.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have a case if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
There is no statewide bicycle helmet requirement for adults in Texas (Transp. Code ch. 551), and lack of a helmet does not automatically bar a claim. However, depending on the facts and expert testimony, evidence about injury causation may be considered as part of Texas’s comparative responsibility framework (Romero, 456 S.W.3d at 553).
The driver fled the scene—what now?
Report the crash to police immediately. Potential avenues include your UM coverage, which Texas requires insurers to offer (Tex. Ins. Code § 1952.101), and locating video or witnesses to help identify the vehicle.
Should I talk to the other insurer?
Provide only basic information needed to open a claim. Consider consulting an attorney before giving a recorded statement or broad medical authorizations.
Get a free consultation
If you were hurt in a Texas bike crash, our team is ready to act quickly, preserve crucial evidence, and pursue the full compensation the law allows. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.
Disclaimer: This blog is for general information only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and outcomes depend on specific facts. Consult a licensed Texas attorney about your situation.