Legally Reviewed by Robert Alden on July 24, 2026
One moment you are pedaling through an Austin intersection with the right of way, and the next you are lying on the pavement after a driver who never looked twice pulled directly into your path. Bicycle crashes happen with terrifying speed, and the outcome for the rider is almost always severe because there is nothing between a cyclist’s body and a two-ton vehicle. In 2024, Texas recorded 2,761 crashes involving bicyclists, and 80 cyclists lost their lives on the state’s roads. Austin’s growing cycling culture and increasingly congested streets make collisions between motorists and riders a persistent and devastating reality.
Byrd Davis Alden & Henrichson, LLP has been fighting for injured Texans since 1959, and we understand the unique challenges that bicycle crash cases present. Our Board Certified Personal Injury Trial attorneys have a proven track record of holding negligent drivers accountable, including representing an experienced cyclist who was struck by an SUV that pulled out in front of him at an Austin intersection. With over $100 million recovered for our clients, we bring the resources and courtroom experience needed to pursue the compensation cyclists deserve after a preventable collision.
⚠ Time-Sensitive — Texas Law Limits Your Window to File
Injured in an Austin bicycle crash? Texas gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Wait too long, and your right to recover compensation may be gone for good.
65+ years representing Austin cyclists. Board Certified trial attorneys. No fees unless we recover for you.
How Bicycle Crashes Happen in Austin
Cyclists face danger from every direction on Austin’s roads, and the vast majority of serious bicycle crashes are caused by motorist negligence. Distracted driving is one of the leading contributors, as drivers who are texting, adjusting navigation, or scrolling through their phones frequently fail to notice riders sharing the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the majority of bicyclist fatalities occur at non-intersection locations, and urban areas account for roughly 85% of all cyclist deaths nationwide. Austin’s mix of busy arterial roads, narrow bike lanes, and high-traffic intersections creates conditions where a single moment of driver inattention can be catastrophic.
Common Causes of Motorist-Cyclist Collisions
Drivers who fail to yield when turning left across a cyclist’s path cause some of the most violent collisions riders experience. Right-hook crashes, where a motorist turns right directly into a cyclist traveling alongside them, are equally dangerous and alarmingly common. Dooring incidents occur when a parked driver opens their car door into the path of an oncoming cyclist, giving the rider no time to react. Unsafe passing, running red lights, and speeding through residential neighborhoods where cyclists are present all contribute to the frequency of these preventable crashes.
Injuries Cyclists Suffer
Because cyclists have virtually no physical protection, even a low-speed collision with a motor vehicle can produce devastating injuries. Traumatic brain injuries are among the most common and most serious consequences of bicycle crashes, and they can result in permanent cognitive impairment even when a rider is wearing a helmet. Spinal cord damage from the force of impact can cause partial or complete paralysis. Broken bones, road rash requiring skin grafts, internal organ damage, and facial fractures are all injuries our attorneys see regularly in these cases.
Texas Bicycle Laws Every Austin Cyclist Should Know
Texas law treats cyclists as the legal equivalent of any other vehicle on the road. Under the Texas Transportation Code, a person operating a bicycle generally has the same rights and duties as a driver operating a motor vehicle, unless a specific provision says otherwise. That means cyclists are entitled to a full lane of travel when needed for safety, and drivers are required to share the road and yield the right of way just as they would to another car.
When a motorist violates these rules, whether by crowding a cyclist, failing to yield at an intersection, or passing without enough clearance, that violation can serve as strong evidence of negligence in a bicycle crash claim. Our attorneys use the specific traffic laws that applied at the time of your crash to help build a clear picture of fault.
Proving Liability in a Texas Bicycle Crash
Texas follows a modified comparative fault system, which means a cyclist can recover compensation as long as they are found to be 50% or less at fault for the crash. Insurance companies frequently try to shift blame onto the injured rider, arguing that the cyclist was not visible enough, was riding outside a bike lane, or failed to signal. Our legal team gathers surveillance footage, witness statements, police reports, and accident reconstruction evidence to build a clear picture of what happened and establish the motorist’s responsibility.
Cyclists in Texas have every legal right to use the roadway, and a driver’s failure to respect that right is negligence. When a crash involves a commercial vehicle, a rideshare driver, or a government-owned vehicle, additional layers of liability and procedural requirements come into play. We also handle cases where dangerous road conditions, such as poorly maintained bike lanes or hazardous premises, contribute to a crash. Our attorneys identify every responsible party and pursue every available source of compensation.
Damages Available to Injured Cyclists
Bicycle crash injuries frequently require emergency surgery, extended hospitalization, physical therapy, and long-term rehabilitative care. The financial burden can be staggering, particularly when the injured cyclist is unable to return to work for months or years. Texas law allows victims to seek compensation for all medical expenses, lost income, diminished future earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, and disfigurement. In crashes that result in catastrophic injuries, such as amputations or permanent disability, the lifetime cost of care can reach millions of dollars.
When a bicycle crash takes a life, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim to recover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and mental anguish. These cases demand attorneys who understand both the emotional weight of the loss and the legal complexity of proving the full scope of damages. Our firm works with medical experts, economists, and life-care planners to ensure that every element of harm is accounted for in the claim.
Statute of Limitations for Austin Bicycle Accident Claims
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, injured cyclists generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a bicycle crash results in a fatality, surviving family members have two years from the date of death, not the date of the crash, to file a wrongful death claim.
Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to recover compensation permanently, no matter how strong your case may be. Claims against a government entity, such as a crash involving a city vehicle or a poorly maintained public road, often carry a much shorter notice deadline. You can review the Texas statute of limitations rules in more detail, but the safest step is to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your crash so nothing is left to chance.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Austin
The steps you take in the hours and days after a crash can directly affect the strength of your claim. If you are able to do so safely, consider taking the following actions:
- Call 911 to report the crash and request medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor at first.
- Photograph the scene, including your bicycle, any vehicle damage, road conditions, and visible injuries.
- Collect the driver’s name, insurance information, and contact details, along with contact information for any witnesses.
- Avoid discussing fault with the driver or the insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
- Seek follow-up medical care and keep records of every appointment and treatment.
Taking these steps early helps preserve evidence that insurance companies often try to dispute later, and an experienced attorney can guide you through each one.
Contact Byrd Davis Alden & Henrichson, LLP
Injured cyclists are often left dealing with mounting medical bills, aggressive insurance adjusters, and a long road to recovery while the driver who caused the crash faces little immediate consequence. As Austin’s oldest personal injury law firm with over 65 years of experience, Board Certified attorneys, and recognition from U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Law Firms in the country, we have the trial-tested reputation that makes insurance companies and defense attorneys take notice.
If you were injured in a bicycle crash in Austin or Central Texas, or if someone close to you was seriously hurt, we handle every case on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe us nothing unless we secure a recovery on your behalf. Reach out to our team today to schedule your free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accidents
Do I Have a Bicycle Accident Case in Austin?
If another driver’s negligence caused your bicycle crash, whether through a failure to yield, an unsafe pass, or a dooring incident, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. Texas allows you to recover compensation as long as you were 50% or less at fault for the crash. An attorney can review the specific facts of your crash and let you know where your case stands.
What Is the Deadline to File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in Texas?
You generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit, and two years from the date of death in a fatal bicycle crash case. Claims against a government entity may carry a shorter notice deadline, so it is best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after your crash.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Austin?
Our firm handles bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis, so there is no upfront cost to hire us. We only get paid if we recover compensation on your behalf, which means you can pursue your claim without added financial pressure.
Can Family Members File a Claim if a Cyclist Dies in a Crash?
Yes. When a bicycle crash results in a fatality, surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim to recover funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship. Texas gives families two years from the date of death to file.
What Should I Do If I Was Hit While Riding on an Austin Bike Trail or Roadway?
Call 911, seek medical attention, and document the scene if you are able to do so safely. Get the driver’s information and any witness contact details, and avoid discussing fault before speaking with an attorney, regardless of whether the crash happened on a city street or a trail along Lady Bird Lake.