You were riding your bike when a car door swung open in front of you, a driver turned right across your path, or someone ran a red light and hit you. You are on the pavement, your bike is destroyed, and your body absorbed the full force of the collision. Now you are facing surgery, months of recovery, and an insurance adjuster who is already looking for ways to blame you for riding a bicycle on “their” road. Cyclists have every legal right to be on the road. Drivers who fail to respect that right and injure cyclists must be held accountable. At Guardia Law, Attorney Rolando Quesada (Texas Bar No. 24083694) handles bicycle accident cases as part of our motor vehicle accident practice and has recovered over a million dollars for injured clients across Dallas. Call (214) 380-4000 for a free consultation. Hablamos Español.

Why Bicycle Accident Cases Are Different

Bicycle accidents are not just smaller versions of car accidents. They come with unique challenges that most personal injury lawyers do not understand.

In 2024, Dallas recorded 207 traffic deaths, the highest fatal crash rate of any major city in Texas. Pedestrians and cyclists account for a disproportionate share of those fatalities, making Dallas one of the most dangerous cities in the country for vulnerable road users.

Cyclists are vulnerable road users. A cyclist has no seatbelt, no airbag, no crumple zone, and no metal frame. When a 4,000-pound vehicle strikes a 25-pound bicycle and its rider, the injuries are almost always severe.

Driver bias against cyclists. This is one of the hardest parts of bicycle accident cases, and it needs to be said directly. Many adjusters, jurors, and even police officers carry an implicit bias that cyclists “don’t belong” on the road or “asked for it” by riding in traffic. Insurance companies exploit this bias aggressively. They will argue that you should have been on the sidewalk, that you were not visible enough, that you were going too fast, or that you should not have been in the lane. Texas law says otherwise. A bicycle is a vehicle, and a cyclist has every right to occupy a full lane of traffic.

Police reports often favor the driver. Officers responding to bicycle-vehicle collisions frequently assign fault to the cyclist based on assumptions rather than evidence. A police report that says the cyclist “failed to yield” or “appeared from nowhere” is not the final word on liability. It is the starting point for an investigation.

Injuries are disproportionately severe. The injury profile in bicycle accidents mirrors pedestrian accidents more than car-on-car collisions. TBI, spinal injuries, and complex fractures are common even at relatively low vehicle speeds.

If you are a cyclist who was hit by a car, you need a lawyer who will fight the bias, challenge the police report if it is wrong, and hold the driver accountable under the law.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Dallas

Dallas has grown its cycling infrastructure in recent years, but the city remains dangerous for cyclists. Dallas Vision Zero’s High Injury Network data shows a small fraction of city streets generates the majority of severe-injury and fatal crashes, and many of those high-danger corridors are the same streets cyclists rely on. The most common causes of bicycle accidents we see include:

  • Dooring. A driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of an approaching cyclist. Dooring is one of the most common and preventable causes of bicycle accidents. It can throw a cyclist into traffic, causing secondary collisions with other vehicles.
  • Right hook collisions. A driver passes a cyclist and then immediately turns right, cutting directly across the cyclist’s path. The driver either did not see the cyclist or misjudged their speed.
  • Left cross collisions. A driver making a left turn fails to see or yield to an oncoming cyclist, turning directly into their path. These are often high-speed collisions because the cyclist is traveling with the flow of traffic.
  • Failure to yield. Drivers pulling out of driveways, parking lots, and side streets who fail to check for cyclists before entering the roadway.
  • Distracted driving. Texting, phone calls, GPS, and other distractions are deadly for cyclists because even a momentary lapse in attention eliminates the driver’s ability to see and react to a cyclist.
  • Road hazards. Potholes, cracked pavement, railroad tracks, drainage grates, loose gravel, and construction debris can cause a cyclist to crash. When the city or a contractor is responsible for the dangerous condition, they may be liable.
  • Passing too closely. Drivers who squeeze past cyclists without leaving adequate space. A slight miscalculation or a gust of wind can cause a devastating sideswipe.

Dallas-Specific Cycling Hazards

Dallas has popular cycling routes, but the infrastructure does not always protect riders.

White Rock Lake Trail is one of the most popular cycling routes in Dallas. Where the trail intersects with roads, particularly along Lawther Drive and Buckner Boulevard, cyclists face conflict points with motor vehicles. Distracted drivers crossing trail intersections are a recurring hazard.

Katy Trail runs through Uptown and the Design District. While the trail itself is separated from traffic, access points and street crossings create collision risks, especially during peak commuting and evening hours.

East Dallas bike lanes are inconsistent. Some corridors have dedicated lanes. Others have sharrows that provide no physical separation from traffic. Cyclists on East Dallas streets are frequently forced to share narrow lanes with vehicles moving at 40 miles per hour or more.

Santa Fe Trail connects South Dallas neighborhoods. Limited lighting and road crossings without adequate signage create hazards for cyclists, particularly after dark.

Texas Bicycle Laws Every Cyclist Should Know

Understanding your legal rights as a cyclist is critical to protecting your claim after an accident.

Cyclists have the same rights as vehicles. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 551.101, a person operating a bicycle has the rights and duties applicable to a driver operating a vehicle. This means cyclists can ride on the road, occupy a full lane when necessary for safety, and must be treated as traffic by every other driver.

Ride as far right as practicable, with exceptions. Section 551.103 requires cyclists to ride as near as practicable to the right curb, but this rule has important exceptions. A cyclist may take the full lane when the lane is too narrow to share safely, when passing another vehicle, when preparing for a left turn, when avoiding road hazards, or when traveling at the prevailing speed of traffic. Insurance adjusters who argue “the cyclist was in the middle of the lane” are often wrong about the law.

No statewide three-foot passing law. Unlike many other states, Texas does not have a statewide law requiring drivers to leave a minimum of three feet when passing a cyclist. Some Texas cities, including Austin and San Antonio, have enacted local safe passing ordinances. Dallas does not currently have one. This absence of a specific passing distance requirement does not reduce a driver’s duty to pass safely. Passing a cyclist so closely that the cyclist is struck, forced off the road, or endangered is negligence.

Helmet requirements apply only to minors. Texas does not require adult cyclists to wear helmets. Insurance companies routinely argue that an injured cyclist who was not wearing a helmet is partly at fault for their head injuries. This argument has limited legal merit in Texas because there is no legal duty for adults to wear a helmet. A helmet may reduce the severity of a TBI, but the absence of one does not cause the accident.

Lights and reflectors after dark. Cyclists riding at night must have a white front light visible from at least 500 feet and a red rear reflector visible from at least 300 feet. If a cyclist is hit at night while lacking these required lights, the insurance company will argue comparative fault.

Injuries in Bicycle Accident Cases

Bicycle accident injuries tend to be severe because of the extreme vulnerability of the rider.

  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI). Even cyclists wearing helmets suffer TBIs. A helmet reduces the severity of impact but does not eliminate the risk of concussion, brain contusion, or diffuse axonal injury. Cyclists not wearing helmets face an even higher risk of catastrophic brain damage.
  • Spinal cord injuries. Being thrown from a bicycle onto pavement or into a vehicle can fracture vertebrae, herniate discs, and damage the spinal cord. Paralysis is a real risk in high-speed collisions.
  • Road rash. Skin abrasion from sliding across pavement. Severe road rash involves loss of multiple layers of skin, may expose underlying muscle or bone, and requires skin grafts, debridement, and extended wound care. Scarring is often permanent.
  • Complex fractures. Clavicle fractures, wrist fractures, hip fractures, and facial fractures are extremely common. Many require surgical fixation with plates and screws and months of rehabilitation.
  • Internal injuries. Blunt force impact to the torso can rupture the spleen, lacerate the liver, or cause internal bleeding requiring emergency surgery.
  • Dental and facial injuries. A cyclist thrown forward often impacts the ground face-first. Broken teeth, fractured jaw, and facial lacerations are painful, expensive, and psychologically devastating.
  • PTSD and cycling anxiety. Many bicycle accident survivors develop an intense fear of cycling or being near traffic. The loss of a form of transportation and exercise that was central to their daily life is a real and compensable harm.

Who Is Liable in a Bicycle Accident

The Driver

The most common defendant. Any driver who doors a cyclist, fails to yield, passes too closely, turns across a cyclist’s path, or drives distracted and strikes a cyclist is negligent.

The City or Municipality

If dangerous road conditions contributed to the accident, such as potholes, missing signage, faded or nonexistent bike lane markings, or design defects at intersections, the city or county may share liability. Claims against governmental entities in Texas are subject to the Texas Tort Claims Act and have strict procedural requirements including shortened notice deadlines.

Commercial Vehicle Operators and Their Employers

If the vehicle that struck the cyclist was a delivery truck, rideshare vehicle, bus, or other commercial vehicle, the operator’s employer may be vicariously liable. Commercial drivers have a heightened duty of care given the size and weight of their vehicles. 

Property Owners

If the accident occurred on private property, such as a shopping center parking lot or office complex driveway, the property owner may be liable for inadequate signage, blind exits, or failure to maintain safe conditions.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Dallas

  1. Move out of traffic if you can. Your safety is the priority. If you are in the road and can safely move, get to the sidewalk or shoulder.
  2. Call 911. Get police and paramedics on scene. A police report is critical documentation, even if you disagree with the officer’s initial assessment.
  3. Get the driver’s information. Name, phone number, license plate, insurance company, and policy number. If the driver tries to leave, get their plate number and any witness who saw it.
  4. Photograph everything. Your bike, the vehicle, the road, your injuries, the intersection or location, traffic signals, and any debris. Photograph the driver’s license plate and insurance card.
  5. Get witness contact information. Independent witnesses are extremely valuable in bicycle cases because of the inherent bias against cyclists.
  6. Get medical attention. Go to the emergency room the same day. Even if you feel okay, adrenaline masks pain. TBIs and internal injuries can have delayed symptoms. Prompt medical documentation links your injuries to the accident.
  7. Do not give a recorded statement. The driver’s insurance company will call you. Be polite, give your name and basic information, and tell them your attorney will be in touch.
  8. Call a bicycle accident lawyer. We can preserve evidence, send spoliation letters for dashcam footage and intersection cameras, handle insurance communications, and protect your claim from day one.

Call Guardia Law at (214) 380-4000. The consultation is free, and we do not charge a fee unless we recover money for you.

Results We’ve Achieved

$1,067,874.84, Motor Vehicle Wrongful Death

A catastrophic motor vehicle collision took the life of our client’s loved one. Attorney Rolando Quesada held the at-fault driver and insurer fully accountable, recovering every dollar of available insurance coverage.

$100,000, Wrongful Death with Disputed Liability

Despite the insurance company disputing liability, we secured a $100,000 recovery for the family of a wrongful death victim within 45 days of case engagement. The insurance company tried to deny the claim. We would not let them.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover damages if I was not wearing a helmet?

Yes. Texas law does not require adult cyclists to wear helmets. The absence of a helmet does not cause the accident. It may be raised by the insurance company as a factor in the severity of head injuries, but comparative fault for not wearing a helmet has limited legal support when there is no statutory requirement. The driver’s negligence caused the collision, and that is the central issue.

What if the police report says the accident was my fault?

A police report is one piece of evidence, not the final determination. Officers arrive after the fact and make quick assessments based on limited information. If the police report is inaccurate, we investigate independently, interview witnesses, obtain surveillance footage, and build the factual record that tells the real story. Insurance companies love to hide behind a favorable police report. We do not let them.

Does the driver’s insurance have to pay for my bicycle?

Yes. If the driver was at fault, their liability insurance should cover the cost to repair or replace your bicycle, plus any cycling equipment damaged in the collision, such as helmets, cycling computers, and clothing. Property damage is in addition to your personal injury claim.

How long do I have to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in Texas?

Two years from the date of the accident under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. For wrongful death claims, the two-year period runs from the date of death. Do not wait. Surveillance footage, dashcam recordings, and intersection camera data are routinely overwritten or deleted within weeks.

What if the driver left the scene (hit and run)?

If the driver fled, you may still have options. If you carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own auto policy, it may cover injuries sustained while riding a bicycle. Your auto insurance UM coverage often follows you as a pedestrian or cyclist, not just when you are in your car. We can review your policy and identify every available source of recovery.

Serving Bicycle Accident Victims Across Dallas

Guardia Law represents cyclists injured in accidents throughout Dallas, Mesquite, Garland, Irving, Grand Prairie, Arlington, Fort Worth, Plano, McKinney, and communities across North Texas.

Attorney Rolando Quesada has recovered over a million dollars in verdicts and settlements for injured clients across Dallas. He understands that cyclists face unique challenges in the legal system, from police report bias to insurance company tactics designed to exploit anti-cyclist sentiment. At Guardia Law, we treat cyclists like what they are under Texas law: lawful road users entitled to the same protections as every other vehicle.

Hablamos Español. Si usted fue lesionado en un accidente de bicicleta, llame al (214) 380-4000 para una consulta gratuita y confidencial.

Call Guardia Law Today

You had every right to be on that road. A driver’s negligence put you in the hospital. The insurance company is already looking for ways to blame you. Do not give them the chance.

Call (214) 380-4000 for a free consultation. Available 24/7. Hablamos Español.

Guardia Law, PLLC Rolando Quesada, Managing Attorney 6301 Gaston Ave, Ste. 1516 Dallas, TX 75214 (214) 380-4000 Contingency fee. No fee unless we win.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. This page is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.

Bicycle Accidents

You were riding your bike when a car door swung open in front of you, a driver turned right across your path, or someone ran a red light and hit you. You are on the pavement, your bike is destroyed, and your body absorbed the full force of the collision. Now you are facing surgery, months of recovery, and an insurance adjuster who is already looking for ways to blame you for riding a bicycle on “their” road. Cyclists have every legal right to be on the road. Drivers who fail to respect that right and injure cyclists must be held accountable. At Guardia Law, Attorney Rolando Quesada (Texas Bar No. 24083694) handles bicycle accident cases as part of our motor vehicle accident practice and has recovered over a million dollars for injured clients across Dallas. Call (214) 380-4000 for a free consultation. Hablamos Español.

Why Bicycle Accident Cases Are Different

Bicycle accidents are not just smaller versions of car accidents. They come with unique challenges that most personal injury lawyers do not understand.

In 2024, Dallas recorded 207 traffic deaths, the highest fatal crash rate of any major city in Texas. Pedestrians and cyclists account for a disproportionate share of those fatalities, making Dallas one of the most dangerous cities in the country for vulnerable road users.

Cyclists are vulnerable road users. A cyclist has no seatbelt, no airbag, no crumple zone, and no metal frame. When a 4,000-pound vehicle strikes a 25-pound bicycle and its rider, the injuries are almost always severe.

Driver bias against cyclists. This is one of the hardest parts of bicycle accident cases, and it needs to be said directly. Many adjusters, jurors, and even police officers carry an implicit bias that cyclists “don’t belong” on the road or “asked for it” by riding in traffic. Insurance companies exploit this bias aggressively. They will argue that you should have been on the sidewalk, that you were not visible enough, that you were going too fast, or that you should not have been in the lane. Texas law says otherwise. A bicycle is a vehicle, and a cyclist has every right to occupy a full lane of traffic.

Police reports often favor the driver. Officers responding to bicycle-vehicle collisions frequently assign fault to the cyclist based on assumptions rather than evidence. A police report that says the cyclist “failed to yield” or “appeared from nowhere” is not the final word on liability. It is the starting point for an investigation.

Injuries are disproportionately severe. The injury profile in bicycle accidents mirrors pedestrian accidents more than car-on-car collisions. TBI, spinal injuries, and complex fractures are common even at relatively low vehicle speeds.

If you are a cyclist who was hit by a car, you need a lawyer who will fight the bias, challenge the police report if it is wrong, and hold the driver accountable under the law.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Dallas

Dallas has grown its cycling infrastructure in recent years, but the city remains dangerous for cyclists. Dallas Vision Zero’s High Injury Network data shows a small fraction of city streets generates the majority of severe-injury and fatal crashes, and many of those high-danger corridors are the same streets cyclists rely on. The most common causes of bicycle accidents we see include:

  • Dooring. A driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of an approaching cyclist. Dooring is one of the most common and preventable causes of bicycle accidents. It can throw a cyclist into traffic, causing secondary collisions with other vehicles.
  • Right hook collisions. A driver passes a cyclist and then immediately turns right, cutting directly across the cyclist’s path. The driver either did not see the cyclist or misjudged their speed.
  • Left cross collisions. A driver making a left turn fails to see or yield to an oncoming cyclist, turning directly into their path. These are often high-speed collisions because the cyclist is traveling with the flow of traffic.
  • Failure to yield. Drivers pulling out of driveways, parking lots, and side streets who fail to check for cyclists before entering the roadway.
  • Distracted driving. Texting, phone calls, GPS, and other distractions are deadly for cyclists because even a momentary lapse in attention eliminates the driver’s ability to see and react to a cyclist.
  • Road hazards. Potholes, cracked pavement, railroad tracks, drainage grates, loose gravel, and construction debris can cause a cyclist to crash. When the city or a contractor is responsible for the dangerous condition, they may be liable.
  • Passing too closely. Drivers who squeeze past cyclists without leaving adequate space. A slight miscalculation or a gust of wind can cause a devastating sideswipe.

Dallas-Specific Cycling Hazards

Dallas has popular cycling routes, but the infrastructure does not always protect riders.

White Rock Lake Trail is one of the most popular cycling routes in Dallas. Where the trail intersects with roads, particularly along Lawther Drive and Buckner Boulevard, cyclists face conflict points with motor vehicles. Distracted drivers crossing trail intersections are a recurring hazard.

Katy Trail runs through Uptown and the Design District. While the trail itself is separated from traffic, access points and street crossings create collision risks, especially during peak commuting and evening hours.

East Dallas bike lanes are inconsistent. Some corridors have dedicated lanes. Others have sharrows that provide no physical separation from traffic. Cyclists on East Dallas streets are frequently forced to share narrow lanes with vehicles moving at 40 miles per hour or more.

Santa Fe Trail connects South Dallas neighborhoods. Limited lighting and road crossings without adequate signage create hazards for cyclists, particularly after dark.

Texas Bicycle Laws Every Cyclist Should Know

Understanding your legal rights as a cyclist is critical to protecting your claim after an accident.

Cyclists have the same rights as vehicles. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 551.101, a person operating a bicycle has the rights and duties applicable to a driver operating a vehicle. This means cyclists can ride on the road, occupy a full lane when necessary for safety, and must be treated as traffic by every other driver.

Ride as far right as practicable, with exceptions. Section 551.103 requires cyclists to ride as near as practicable to the right curb, but this rule has important exceptions. A cyclist may take the full lane when the lane is too narrow to share safely, when passing another vehicle, when preparing for a left turn, when avoiding road hazards, or when traveling at the prevailing speed of traffic. Insurance adjusters who argue “the cyclist was in the middle of the lane” are often wrong about the law.

No statewide three-foot passing law. Unlike many other states, Texas does not have a statewide law requiring drivers to leave a minimum of three feet when passing a cyclist. Some Texas cities, including Austin and San Antonio, have enacted local safe passing ordinances. Dallas does not currently have one. This absence of a specific passing distance requirement does not reduce a driver’s duty to pass safely. Passing a cyclist so closely that the cyclist is struck, forced off the road, or endangered is negligence.

Helmet requirements apply only to minors. Texas does not require adult cyclists to wear helmets. Insurance companies routinely argue that an injured cyclist who was not wearing a helmet is partly at fault for their head injuries. This argument has limited legal merit in Texas because there is no legal duty for adults to wear a helmet. A helmet may reduce the severity of a TBI, but the absence of one does not cause the accident.

Lights and reflectors after dark. Cyclists riding at night must have a white front light visible from at least 500 feet and a red rear reflector visible from at least 300 feet. If a cyclist is hit at night while lacking these required lights, the insurance company will argue comparative fault.

Injuries in Bicycle Accident Cases

Bicycle accident injuries tend to be severe because of the extreme vulnerability of the rider.

  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI). Even cyclists wearing helmets suffer TBIs. A helmet reduces the severity of impact but does not eliminate the risk of concussion, brain contusion, or diffuse axonal injury. Cyclists not wearing helmets face an even higher risk of catastrophic brain damage.
  • Spinal cord injuries. Being thrown from a bicycle onto pavement or into a vehicle can fracture vertebrae, herniate discs, and damage the spinal cord. Paralysis is a real risk in high-speed collisions.
  • Road rash. Skin abrasion from sliding across pavement. Severe road rash involves loss of multiple layers of skin, may expose underlying muscle or bone, and requires skin grafts, debridement, and extended wound care. Scarring is often permanent.
  • Complex fractures. Clavicle fractures, wrist fractures, hip fractures, and facial fractures are extremely common. Many require surgical fixation with plates and screws and months of rehabilitation.
  • Internal injuries. Blunt force impact to the torso can rupture the spleen, lacerate the liver, or cause internal bleeding requiring emergency surgery.
  • Dental and facial injuries. A cyclist thrown forward often impacts the ground face-first. Broken teeth, fractured jaw, and facial lacerations are painful, expensive, and psychologically devastating.
  • PTSD and cycling anxiety. Many bicycle accident survivors develop an intense fear of cycling or being near traffic. The loss of a form of transportation and exercise that was central to their daily life is a real and compensable harm.

Who Is Liable in a Bicycle Accident

The Driver

The most common defendant. Any driver who doors a cyclist, fails to yield, passes too closely, turns across a cyclist’s path, or drives distracted and strikes a cyclist is negligent.

The City or Municipality

If dangerous road conditions contributed to the accident, such as potholes, missing signage, faded or nonexistent bike lane markings, or design defects at intersections, the city or county may share liability. Claims against governmental entities in Texas are subject to the Texas Tort Claims Act and have strict procedural requirements including shortened notice deadlines.

Commercial Vehicle Operators and Their Employers

If the vehicle that struck the cyclist was a delivery truck, rideshare vehicle, bus, or other commercial vehicle, the operator’s employer may be vicariously liable. Commercial drivers have a heightened duty of care given the size and weight of their vehicles. 

Property Owners

If the accident occurred on private property, such as a shopping center parking lot or office complex driveway, the property owner may be liable for inadequate signage, blind exits, or failure to maintain safe conditions.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Dallas

  1. Move out of traffic if you can. Your safety is the priority. If you are in the road and can safely move, get to the sidewalk or shoulder.
  2. Call 911. Get police and paramedics on scene. A police report is critical documentation, even if you disagree with the officer’s initial assessment.
  3. Get the driver’s information. Name, phone number, license plate, insurance company, and policy number. If the driver tries to leave, get their plate number and any witness who saw it.
  4. Photograph everything. Your bike, the vehicle, the road, your injuries, the intersection or location, traffic signals, and any debris. Photograph the driver’s license plate and insurance card.
  5. Get witness contact information. Independent witnesses are extremely valuable in bicycle cases because of the inherent bias against cyclists.
  6. Get medical attention. Go to the emergency room the same day. Even if you feel okay, adrenaline masks pain. TBIs and internal injuries can have delayed symptoms. Prompt medical documentation links your injuries to the accident.
  7. Do not give a recorded statement. The driver’s insurance company will call you. Be polite, give your name and basic information, and tell them your attorney will be in touch.
  8. Call a bicycle accident lawyer. We can preserve evidence, send spoliation letters for dashcam footage and intersection cameras, handle insurance communications, and protect your claim from day one.

Call Guardia Law at (214) 380-4000. The consultation is free, and we do not charge a fee unless we recover money for you.

Results We’ve Achieved

$1,067,874.84, Motor Vehicle Wrongful Death

A catastrophic motor vehicle collision took the life of our client’s loved one. Attorney Rolando Quesada held the at-fault driver and insurer fully accountable, recovering every dollar of available insurance coverage.

$100,000, Wrongful Death with Disputed Liability

Despite the insurance company disputing liability, we secured a $100,000 recovery for the family of a wrongful death victim within 45 days of case engagement. The insurance company tried to deny the claim. We would not let them.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover damages if I was not wearing a helmet?

Yes. Texas law does not require adult cyclists to wear helmets. The absence of a helmet does not cause the accident. It may be raised by the insurance company as a factor in the severity of head injuries, but comparative fault for not wearing a helmet has limited legal support when there is no statutory requirement. The driver’s negligence caused the collision, and that is the central issue.

What if the police report says the accident was my fault?

A police report is one piece of evidence, not the final determination. Officers arrive after the fact and make quick assessments based on limited information. If the police report is inaccurate, we investigate independently, interview witnesses, obtain surveillance footage, and build the factual record that tells the real story. Insurance companies love to hide behind a favorable police report. We do not let them.

Does the driver’s insurance have to pay for my bicycle?

Yes. If the driver was at fault, their liability insurance should cover the cost to repair or replace your bicycle, plus any cycling equipment damaged in the collision, such as helmets, cycling computers, and clothing. Property damage is in addition to your personal injury claim.

How long do I have to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in Texas?

Two years from the date of the accident under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. For wrongful death claims, the two-year period runs from the date of death. Do not wait. Surveillance footage, dashcam recordings, and intersection camera data are routinely overwritten or deleted within weeks.

What if the driver left the scene (hit and run)?

If the driver fled, you may still have options. If you carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own auto policy, it may cover injuries sustained while riding a bicycle. Your auto insurance UM coverage often follows you as a pedestrian or cyclist, not just when you are in your car. We can review your policy and identify every available source of recovery.

Serving Bicycle Accident Victims Across Dallas

Guardia Law represents cyclists injured in accidents throughout Dallas, Mesquite, Garland, Irving, Grand Prairie, Arlington, Fort Worth, Plano, McKinney, and communities across North Texas.

Attorney Rolando Quesada has recovered over a million dollars in verdicts and settlements for injured clients across Dallas. He understands that cyclists face unique challenges in the legal system, from police report bias to insurance company tactics designed to exploit anti-cyclist sentiment. At Guardia Law, we treat cyclists like what they are under Texas law: lawful road users entitled to the same protections as every other vehicle.

Hablamos Español. Si usted fue lesionado en un accidente de bicicleta, llame al (214) 380-4000 para una consulta gratuita y confidencial.

Call Guardia Law Today

You had every right to be on that road. A driver’s negligence put you in the hospital. The insurance company is already looking for ways to blame you. Do not give them the chance.

Call (214) 380-4000 for a free consultation. Available 24/7. Hablamos Español.

Guardia Law, PLLC Rolando Quesada, Managing Attorney 6301 Gaston Ave, Ste. 1516 Dallas, TX 75214 (214) 380-4000 Contingency fee. No fee unless we win.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. This page is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.