personal injury lawyers<\/a> at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys represent injured cyclists and fight to recover the full compensation they deserve. Past results in other cases do not guarantee the same outcome in yours, but we are committed to building the strongest possible case on your behalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Texas Law Says About Bicycle Riders’ Rights on McKinney Roads<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Texas law treats bicycles as vehicles, which gives cyclists the same legal standing as drivers on public roads. Generally, bikes are entitled to all rights and obligated to all duties of the road that apply to a motor vehicle. This comes directly from Texas Transportation Code Section 551.101, and it matters enormously in a personal injury claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because a bicycle is a vehicle under Texas law, a driver who hits a cyclist may be held liable just as if they had hit another car. Drivers must yield the right of way to cyclists when required, and they must give cyclists the same respect and space they would give any other vehicle on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A person operating a bicycle, if moving slower than traffic, shall ride as near as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway. However, this rule has important exceptions. A cyclist may move away from the right curb when passing another vehicle, preparing to turn left, avoiding a surface hazard, or operating in an outside lane that is less than 14 feet in width and does not have a designated bicycle lane adjacent to that lane. These exceptions are critical because insurance companies sometimes try to blame cyclists for being in the lane when they had every legal right to be there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Texas Transportation Code Section 545.428 also creates criminal liability for drivers who injure cyclists in crosswalks. Under that statute, a driver who causes bodily injury to a bicyclist through criminal negligence while operating a motor vehicle in the area of a crosswalk commits a Class A misdemeanor, and the offense rises to a state jail felony if the cyclist suffers serious bodily injury. A criminal charge against the driver is powerful evidence in your civil injury claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Knowing these laws is the first step. Using them effectively in court or in negotiations with an insurance company requires skill and experience. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys knows Texas bicycle law and uses it to protect our clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Common Causes of McKinney Bicycle Accidents and Who Is Liable<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Driver negligence causes the overwhelming majority of bicycle accidents in McKinney. Understanding what type of negligence caused your crash is essential to building a strong claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes. A driver scrolling through a phone at a red light on Virginia Parkway or checking a GPS while turning onto Stacy Road can easily fail to see a cyclist in their path. Texas law prohibits texting while driving, and a driver who was distracted at the time of your crash may face both civil and criminal consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Failure to yield is another major cause. Texas Transportation Code Section 551.101 gives cyclists the same right of way as any vehicle. When a driver turns left across a cyclist’s path at an intersection or pulls out of a driveway without looking, they violate that right. This is one of the most common scenarios we see in McKinney crash cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dooring is a serious hazard in areas with on-street parking near McKinney’s historic downtown square. A driver or passenger who opens a car door into the path of an oncoming cyclist can cause a severe crash. Texas law prohibits this conduct, and the person who opened the door can be held liable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speeding, drunk driving, and following too closely are also frequent causes. A driver who rear-ends a cyclist on a trail connector road or highway shoulder may face the same liability as a driver who rear-ends another car. If a commercial vehicle, delivery truck, or rideshare driver caused your crash, additional layers of liability may apply depending on the employment relationship and the vehicle’s insurance coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Liability in a bicycle accident case falls on whoever acted negligently. That could be a private driver, a company, or even a government entity if a dangerous road condition contributed to the crash. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys investigates every angle to identify all responsible parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Compensation Can an Injured McKinney Cyclist Recover?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Texas personal injury law allows injured cyclists to recover compensation for the full range of losses caused by another person’s negligence. These losses fall into two main categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Economic damages are the measurable financial losses you suffered. They include medical bills, future medical care, lost wages, and any reduction in your ability to earn income going forward. A serious bicycle accident can result in surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term rehabilitation. If your injuries prevent you from returning to your job, that lost earning capacity is a recoverable loss. Keep every medical bill, every pay stub you missed, and every receipt connected to your recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Non-economic damages cover the losses that do not come with a price tag but are just as real. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the impact on your relationships with family members all qualify. A traumatic brain injury, a spinal cord injury, or the loss of a limb changes every part of a person’s life, and Texas law recognizes that these losses deserve compensation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Texas also follows a proportionate responsibility rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 33. This means that if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be more than 50 percent at fault, you cannot recover at all. Insurance companies use this rule aggressively to reduce or deny claims, which is why having a skilled attorney on your side matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In cases involving a wrongful death, the family of a cyclist who was killed may bring a claim under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 71.002. These claims can include funeral expenses, lost financial support, and the loss of companionship the family suffered. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles these cases with care and determination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why the Filing Deadline for McKinney Bicycle Accident Claims Cannot Be Ignored<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Texas sets a strict deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits, and missing it ends your right to recover compensation entirely. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit. If your loved one died in the crash, the two-year clock for a wrongful death claim runs from the date of death under Section 16.003(b).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two years may sound like plenty of time, but it passes faster than most people expect. Medical treatment takes months. Insurance negotiations drag on. Evidence gets harder to find as time passes. Witness memories fade. Surveillance footage from businesses near the crash site gets deleted. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better your chances of preserving the evidence that supports your claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are limited exceptions to the two-year deadline. If the injured person is a minor, the clock may be paused until they turn 18. If the at-fault party is a government entity, such as a city or county responsible for a dangerous road condition, different notice requirements apply and the timelines can be much shorter. These exceptions are narrow and require careful legal analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After a bicycle accident in McKinney, getting a Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3 form) is one of your first steps. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.065, you have the right to obtain a copy of that report as a person involved in the crash. The CR-3 documents the officer’s findings, witness information, and contributing factors, and it is a foundational piece of evidence in your claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do not wait to get legal help. Call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 today. Our office is located at 110 N. Woodrow Ln, Ste 120, Denton, TX 76205, and we serve clients throughout McKinney and the surrounding Collin County area. Attorney Chandler Ross is responsible for the content of this page and is licensed to practice law in Texas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FAQs About McKinney Bicycle Accident Attorney<\/h2>\n\n\n\nDo I have a case if I was not wearing a helmet when the accident happened?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Texas does not have a statewide law requiring adult cyclists to wear helmets, so not wearing one does not automatically make you at fault for the accident. However, an insurance company or defense attorney may argue that your injuries were made worse because you were not wearing a helmet. This argument goes to the question of comparative fault under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 33. Even if a jury finds you partially responsible, you can still recover compensation as long as your share of fault is 50 percent or less. An attorney can help you counter these arguments with medical evidence and expert testimony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What should I do immediately after a bicycle accident in McKinney?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Call 911 right away so that law enforcement can respond and prepare a Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3). Get medical attention even if you feel fine, because some injuries like traumatic brain injuries and internal bleeding do not show immediate symptoms. Photograph the scene, your bicycle, your injuries, and the vehicle that hit you. Get the driver’s name, insurance information, and license plate number. Collect contact information from any witnesses. Then call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 before speaking with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can I still recover compensation if the driver who hit me did not have insurance?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Yes, you may still have options. If you carry uninsured motorist coverage on your own auto insurance policy, that coverage may apply to your bicycle accident injuries. Texas law does not require cyclists to carry auto insurance, but if you own a car and have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, it can step in when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough insurance to cover your losses. An attorney can review all available insurance policies, including your own, to identify every source of potential recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How long does a McKinney bicycle accident claim typically take to resolve?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Every case is different, and there is no single timeline that applies to all claims. A straightforward case where liability is clear and injuries are well-documented may settle in a matter of months. Cases involving severe injuries, disputed liability, or multiple responsible parties often take longer, sometimes more than a year, especially if the case goes to trial. One thing that is consistent is that rushing a settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries is almost always a mistake. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys works to resolve cases efficiently while making sure you are not pressured into accepting less than your claim is worth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Does Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handle bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Yes. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles personal injury cases, including bicycle accident claims, on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs and no hourly billing. This arrangement allows injured cyclists to get experienced legal representation regardless of their financial situation. If you were hurt in a bicycle accident in McKinney, call us at (940) 800-2500 to discuss your case at no charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n