Getting outside and staying active is something we all benefit from, and for many people in San Antonio and the surrounding areas, cycling is a big part of that. Bicyclists share the same rights and responsibilities as drivers on Texas roads. But when a crash happens, it’s the rider who pays the price, often walking away with serious injuries or not walking away at all.
Victims and their families may have the right to pursue compensation for what they’ve been through. The experienced bike accident attorneys at Patterson Law Group can help you figure out whether you have a case. Reach out to our team today to schedule a free consultation.
Why San Antonio Bicycle Accident Victims Choose Patterson Law Group
Meeting with a bicycle accident lawyer at Patterson Law Group is a no-risk way to learn about the personal injury claims process and understand how Texas law applies to your specific situation. We want you to feel informed and confident every step of the way.
Past clients and fellow attorneys alike speak highly of the work we do, and we want you to experience firsthand what sets Patterson Law Group apart. The benefits of working with our team include but are not limited to:
- Personalized attention and dedicated legal counsel
- Responsive, timely communication throughout your case
- A proven legal team with a track record of results for injured Texans
Reach out to Patterson Law Group today. Our San Antonio personal injury attorneys are bilingual and proud to serve the Hispanic community throughout San Antonio and the surrounding areas.
Awards & Accolades
Meet Travis Patterson: San Antonio Bicycle Accident Lawyer and Community Advocate
Travis Patterson is the founder and lead attorney of Patterson Law Group. Travis has built his career on fighting for injured Texans and has achieved meaningful results for the clients he represents. His background includes insight into how insurance companies build their defenses, knowledge he now puts to work on behalf of accident victims to anticipate and counter the tactics insurers use to minimize claims. Outside of his legal practice, Travis and the Patterson Law Group team are deeply committed to giving back to the communities they serve through education initiatives, the Driving Change podcast, and the Mental Health for Heroes nonprofit supporting first responders.
Why Bicycle Accidents Are So Dangerous
Cycling is good for your health and good for the environment, which makes it easy to overlook just how dangerous a bicycle accident can be. The hard truth is that crashes involving cyclists are serious, often life-altering events. Unlike drivers, cyclists have very little standing between them and the full force of a collision. A helmet and knee pads offer some protection, but nowhere near enough when a vehicle is involved.
When a cyclist is struck by a car, the impact is brutal. The rider may be thrown onto the hood, into the windshield, or up over the roof, only to then hit the pavement or a nearby curb. That means the human body absorbs at least two major impacts that a vehicle’s metal and fiberglass frame would otherwise take. The result is often catastrophic injury.
The same holds true for motorcycle accidents. Riders face a similar lack of protection and are just as vulnerable to severe, life-changing injuries in a crash. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, the San Antonio motorcycle accident lawyers at Patterson Law Group are here to help.
What to Do if You Are Injured in a Bicycle Accident
If you’ve been hurt in a bicycle crash, there are steps you can take right away to protect both your health and your legal rights. If you’re physically unable to handle some of these on your own, don’t hesitate to ask someone nearby for help.
Getting medical attention is always the first priority. Call for medical and police assistance before anything else.
Once you are able, it helps to:
- Collect the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any witnesses
- Get the name, address, and contact information of any drivers involved
- Take photographs of the accident scene, property damage, and your injuries
- Write down everything you remember about the crash, including the time, location, and weather conditions
- Attend all follow-up appointments with your doctor
- Notify your insurance company
- Call an experienced San Antonio bicycle accident lawyer
An experienced San Antonio bike accident attorney from Patterson Law Group can advise you before you speak with an insurance adjuster and connect you with the medical specialists you may need along the way.
San Antonio Bicycle Safety Laws
Both drivers and cyclists are responsible for knowing and following San Antonio’s bicycle laws. Staying informed helps prevent unnecessary accidents and keeps everyone on the road safer.
San Antonio has three key city ordinances that riders must follow in addition to Texas state bicycle laws: the Bike Light Ordinance, the Safe Passing Ordinance, and the no sidewalk riding ordinance.
The San Antonio Bike Light Ordinance
The City of San Antonio requires all bicycles to be equipped with a front white light and either a rear red reflector or a rear red light. Failing to comply is a Class C Misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $200.
The San Antonio Safe Passing Ordinance
San Antonio’s Safe Passing Ordinance prohibits motor vehicle operators from interfering with vulnerable road users’ legal right to use the road. Safe passing distance is defined as three feet for standard vehicles and six feet for commercial trucks or 18-wheelers, and applies when road conditions allow. Violating this ordinance is a Class C Misdemeanor with a fine of up to $200.
No Bicycles on Sidewalks
With the exception of law enforcement and emergency personnel, bicycles are not permitted on sidewalks within the City of San Antonio. This rule exists to reduce the risk of pedestrian accidents throughout the city.
Bicycle Safety Laws in Texas
Texas maintains a statewide set of bicycle safety regulations that San Antonio has adopted and enforces alongside its local ordinances.
Here are some of the key highlights every rider should know:
- Bicyclists have the same rights and duties as other vehicle operators on the road
- Bicyclists must keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times
- Bicyclists are required to use hand and arm signals
- Bicyclists must ride one per saddle
- Bicycle brakes must be capable of making the braked wheel skid
A complete guide to Texas bicycle safety laws and available safety courses can be found at www.biketexas.org.
Most Common Causes of San Antonio Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents in San Antonio and the surrounding areas happen for a range of reasons. In some cases, a cyclist not following traffic laws plays a role. More often than not, though, the crash comes down to the behavior of a motorist who:
- Fails to yield to cyclists when they have the right of way
- Does not slow down or stop at crosswalks
- Blows through intersections, treating their vehicle as having more claim to the road than a cyclist
- Crowds the lane and forces a bicyclist out of their rightful space
- Runs a stop sign or red light at an intersection
- Cuts off a cyclist to make a right turn without leaving adequate passing distance
- Opens a parked car door directly in a cyclist’s path, leaving no time to stop or swerve
- Rear-ends a bicyclist
Injuries Caused by San Antonio Bicycle Accidents
The injuries that result from bicycle collisions can be severe enough to cause lasting or permanent disability. Seeking medical attention right away after a crash is critical, even if you feel okay in the moment. Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries and other head injuries
- Neck and spinal cord injuries, which can result in partial or full paralysis
- Broken or fractured bones
- Nerve damage
- Joint dislocations
- Road rash that may lead to scarring or infection
Sadly, some cyclists do not survive their injuries. If you have lost a loved one in a bicycle accident, reach out to the wrongful death attorneys at Patterson Law Group to understand your legal options and the next steps available to your family.
Compensation in a San Antonio Bicycle Accident Claim
The compensation available in a bicycle accident claim depends on a number of factors. While the severity of your injuries plays a central role in determining damages, other considerations include:
- Property damage
- Lost income and future earning capacity
- Current and future medical needs
- Prognosis for recovery
Shared fault for the accident may also affect the total compensation a victim is able to recover.
Types of Damages in a Bicycle Accident Claim
Bicycle accident claims generally involve two categories of damages: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are quantifiable losses tied to actual expenses, both current and future. These typically include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Loss of earning potential
- Occupational therapy and rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Home and vehicle modifications
Non-economic damages cover more personal losses that don’t come with a set dollar amount, such as:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional trauma
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
A third category, known as punitive or exemplary damages, may also be awarded by the court in certain cases, though this is uncommon. Punitive damages are designed to penalize a negligent or reckless party for particularly egregious conduct. They are not intended as a reward for the victim.
Shared Fault in a San Antonio Bicycle Accident
Being partially at fault for a bicycle accident does not necessarily bar you from recovering compensation in Texas. The state follows a modified comparative negligence system that allows injured victims to still pursue damages even when they share some responsibility for what happened.
As long as a victim is found to be 50% or less at fault, they may still recover compensation for their injuries and losses. Anyone determined to be 51% or more at fault loses the right to collect damages entirely.
Any award is reduced in proportion to the victim’s share of fault. For example, if you are found 50% at fault and receive a $100,000 damages award, that amount would be reduced by 50%, leaving you with $50,000.
Time Limit to File a San Antonio Bicycle Accident Claim
Filing your claim within the legal deadline is essential to preserving your right to compensation. In Texas, bicycle accident victims have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Any claim filed after that two-year window is barred entirely.
Contact Our San Antonio Bicycle Accident Lawyers Today
If a bicycle accident in San Antonio was caused by someone else’s negligence, you and your family may have the right to pursue compensation. To learn more about your options and schedule a free case review, contact the San Antonio bicycle accident lawyers at Patterson Law Group today.
