Laredo Bicycle Accident Lawyer: What Rights Do Injured Cyclists Have in Texas?

Bike trails abound in Laredo, but when cyclists take their bikes on the road, they face dangers they might not see on the open trails. Traffic congestion and a lack of widespread bike lanes can lead to serious crashes and severe injuries. What can a cyclist do if they’ve been hurt by a motorist who was distracted or failed to follow the rules of the road?

Under Texas law, injured cyclists have the same road rights as motorists, and they have the legal right to pursue compensation if a negligent driver hurts them. The Laredo personal injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw help protect those rights, as our law firm’s client reviews attest. We offer free case reviews, and you pay nothing unless we win your case. We are available 24/7 at 1-800-862-1260, or you can contact us online.

Despite efforts to make Texas roads safer for cyclists, 80 bicyclists were killed, and another 429 were seriously injured in 2024. Common causes of bicycle accidents include:

• Drivers turning without seeing nearby cyclists
• Motorists passing too closely to bicycles
• Drivers using phones or other distractions
• Motorists driving under the influence
• Low-light conditions making it difficult to see bicycles

If you are injured by a negligent motorist, you have the right to seek compensation from the at-fault party for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses related to your accident. Taking these steps immediately following your accident will help you preserve those rights and make it easier for your attorney to pursue all the damages you deserve:

• Seek medical attention immediately
• Contact the police
• Collect the driver’s contact and insurance information
• Gather contact information from eyewitnesses
• Take photos or videos of the scene

Texas law requires motorists to report any accident that involves injuries, fatalities, or significant property damage, including crashes with bicyclists. Getting the police to the scene enables them to create an accident report, which your lawyer can use as evidence in your personal injury claim.

To protect your right to compensation, your attorney must prove the at-fault party’s negligence led directly to your accident and injuries. Negligence is the failure to act as a reasonable person would to keep others safe. For example, a motorist who hits you because they were looking at their phone instead of the road may be negligent.

To prove negligence, your Laredo bicycle accident lawyer will gather evidence, such as:

• Photos or videos of the accident scene
• Eyewitness testimony
• Police and crash reports
• Medical records
• Expert testimony from accident reconstructionists

Laredo bicycle injury attorneys also protect their client’s rights by handling communications with the at-fault party’s insurance company. Insurance adjusters use various tactics to get bicyclists to say things that could reduce or deny their claim, such as downplaying their injuries or admitting fault in the accident. Your legal team is familiar with these tactics and will communicate directly with the insurance company to protect you from saying something that could harm your case.

Injuries after a bicycle accident can be life-changing, causing permanent disability or disfigurement in some cases. Your legal team will calculate your damages based on your current and future expenses and losses. Damages might include:

• Past and future medical bills
• Lost wages and lost earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional and mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

At Carabin Shaw, we fight to protect accident victims’ rights and maximize their compensation, as our law firm’s client reviews attest.

A bicycle accident can leave you with severe pain, unable to work, and unsure how to move forward. The expert and compassionate team at Carabin Shaw can help. Our skilled attorneys protect accident victims' rights and ensure they receive the compensation they deserve. Call us toll-free at 1-800-862-1260 or contact us online to speak to one of our English- or Spanish-speaking professionals now.

For more information:

• Texas Statutes 551
• Texas Department of Transportation
• Texas Statutes 550