Bicycle Accident Lawyer in McKinney, TX
McKinney Bicycle
Accident Lawyer
A cyclist hit by a car has no crumple zone, no airbag, and no frame between their body and the road. The Darwich Law Firm represents cyclists across McKinney and Collin County who were injured by negligent drivers, and we address the bias against cyclists head-on with evidence before the insurance company sets the narrative.
Free case review · 24/7 intake · $0 upfront for qualifying injury cases
Quick Overview
After a bicycle accident in McKinney, get medical attention immediately even if injuries seem minor, photograph the scene and your bicycle before leaving, get witness names and numbers, and avoid giving a recorded statement to the driver's insurer before speaking with an attorney. Texas does not require adult cyclists to wear helmets, and the absence of a helmet does not end your right to compensation. A free case review will tell you where your claim stands.
The Helmet Question and Comparative Fault
Texas does not require adult cyclists to wear helmets, and the absence of one does not automatically eliminate a cyclist's right to compensation. What it can do is give an insurance adjuster a hook for a comparative fault argument, claiming the cyclist's injuries would have been less severe with protective gear. We address that argument with evidence establishing what the driver did wrong, because the question of protective equipment is secondary to the question of what caused the crash in the first place.
In Texas, a person can recover compensation as long as their share of fault does not exceed 50 percent. That rule applies to cyclists the same way it applies to any other injury victim. Insurance companies have strong financial incentives to push that percentage up and the available recovery down, and they do it fast, before the full extent of the injury is even known.
How Bicycle Accidents in McKinney Happen
The most common cause of bicycle crashes involving a motor vehicle is driver inattention. The specific failures take different forms.
- Right-Turn Crashes. A driver turning right fails to check the bike lane before cutting across it, hitting a cyclist traveling straight.
- Driveway and Parking Lot Pullouts. A driver pulling into or out of a driveway does not look before entering the roadway.
- Following Too Closely. A driver does not account for a cyclist needing to maneuver around a pothole or debris, and rear-ends the rider.
- Dooring. A driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of an approaching cyclist without checking the mirror. These crashes can produce serious injuries at relatively low speeds.
- Failure to Yield. A driver proceeding through an intersection or crosswalk fails to yield to a cyclist with the right of way.
In each situation, the driver's failure to observe basic traffic duties created the crash, and the cyclist absorbed the consequences. We investigate the specific facts of the crash, gather witness accounts, obtain surveillance and traffic camera footage where it exists, and build the account of what happened before the other party's insurer builds its own.
When Road Conditions or Infrastructure Caused the Crash
A pothole that a car passes over without noticing can send a cyclist to the pavement. Loose gravel, inadequate drainage, missing or broken pavement, and defective or absent bike lane markings can all create conditions that produce a crash with no other vehicle involved. When road conditions or infrastructure contributed to the accident, the responsible party may be a city, a county, or a contractor maintaining that section of road.
Claims against government entities come with different notice requirements and shorter deadlines than standard personal injury claims. If road conditions played any role in your crash, getting legal help quickly is even more important than it would be in a standard driver-versus-cyclist case.
Cycling in McKinney and the Road Conditions Cyclists Face
Cyclists in McKinney share roads built primarily for vehicle traffic, and the gaps in protected cycling infrastructure across North Texas mean that many riders have no choice but to occupy a lane of moving traffic. Corridors like US-380, the roads through Craig Ranch, and the developing areas along Virginia Parkway see significant bicycle activity alongside commercial and commuter traffic. Even roads with marked bike lanes provide only a painted line between a rider and a moving vehicle, and that line offers no protection when a driver is not paying attention.
Insurance Coverage in a Bicycle Accident Claim
Insurance in a bicycle crash is not as straightforward as in a standard car accident. The at-fault driver's auto liability policy is the primary source of compensation. If that driver is uninsured or underinsured, the cyclist's own auto insurance may provide coverage through the uninsured and underinsured motorist provisions, even though the cyclist was not in their vehicle at the time of the crash. In some cases, homeowner's or renter's insurance also applies. We review every available policy when evaluating a bicycle accident claim, because the visible insurance is not always the only insurance.
Common Injuries in Bicycle Crashes
Bicycle accident injuries must be documented thoroughly and quickly. Road rash can seem superficial but often involves nerve damage and significant scarring. Fractures of the wrist, collarbone, and hip are common in cyclists who fall or try to break a fall. Head impacts produce traumatic brain injuries that may not be fully apparent in the days immediately after the crash. Spinal injuries can present first as pain or limited mobility and escalate significantly over time.
When a bicycle crash results in a fatality, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim. For injuries that change how a person lives and works permanently, our catastrophic injury page covers how those claims are built and what they can include.
Our Approach
How The Darwich Law Firm Handles Bicycle Accident Claims
We Counter the Bias
We build the evidence record that puts the driver's negligence at the center of the claim, before the insurer's version takes hold.
We Document the Injury Completely
We work with treating physicians and independent experts to build a full record of the injury and its long-term impact.
We Identify Every Source of Coverage
The at-fault driver's policy is not always the only one that applies. We review every available policy.
We Handle the Insurer
No recorded statements, no pressure, no fast settlements that do not reflect the full value of your claim.
Why Us
Why McKinney Cyclists Choose The Darwich Law Firm
Direct Attorney Access
You speak with an attorney, not a call center.
Free Case Review, 24/7 Intake
By phone, text, or online, any time after a crash.
$0 Upfront for Qualifying Injury Cases
No fee unless we win.
Local to McKinney
We know the roads, the courts, and the medical centers here, and serve clients across Collin County and North Texas.
Bicycle Accident FAQs
Can I still recover compensation if I was not wearing a helmet?
Yes. Texas does not require adult cyclists to wear helmets. An insurer may raise a comparative fault argument on the issue, which we address with evidence establishing the driver's negligence as the cause of the crash. The absence of a helmet does not end your right to compensation.
Who is liable if a car door was opened into my path?
The driver or passenger who opened the door without checking for approaching cyclists can be held liable. Dooring crashes can produce serious injuries at relatively low speeds, and the at-fault party's liability insurance covers the claim in the same way as any other bicycle crash caused by driver negligence.
What if the driver says they did not see me?
That statement does not eliminate their liability. Drivers have a duty to observe the road, including cyclists who are lawfully using it. Failure to see a cyclist who was visible is itself evidence of inattention.
What insurance covers a bicycle accident when the driver is uninsured?
Your own auto insurance policy's uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may apply even though you were not in your vehicle at the time. Homeowner's or renter's insurance may also be a source of coverage depending on the policy. We identify every available source of recovery.
How is a bicycle accident case different from a car accident case?
The injuries tend to be more severe because the cyclist has no vehicle protection. The comparative fault bias question is more prominent. And the insurance picture is more complex, because the relevant coverage may come from multiple policies. These differences require a different approach from the start.
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident claim in Texas?
Most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the crash. If a government entity is responsible for road conditions that contributed to the accident, a shorter notice deadline may apply. The sooner an attorney is involved, the more options remain open.
Injured Riding in McKinney?
Talk to an Attorney Today.
Bicycle accident claims are harder to win when the other side moves fast and the injured cyclist has no legal representation. The Darwich Law Firm levels that field. Start your free case review or call (469) 960-6069.
No fee unless we win · McKinney, TX · Available 24/7