New Braunfels Bicycle Accident Lawyer

How We Prove Fault in a Bike Crash

Drivers and their insurers almost always try to shift blame onto the cyclist. We build your case using multiple sources of evidence so their version of events does not stand.

Event Data, Dashcams, and Business Video

Modern vehicles store speed and braking data in an onboard computer. Businesses along Loop 337 and Gruene Road often have security cameras that captured the crash. We act quickly to secure this footage before it is deleted.

Witnesses, 911 Audio, and Scene Forensics

Emergency 911 recordings sometimes capture drivers admitting fault in the moments right after impact. Skid marks, debris patterns, and point of impact analysis reveal speed and direction, which helps us reconstruct exactly what happened.

Fitness Tracker and Telematics Data

Data from Strava, Garmin, or Apple Watch can confirm your speed, route, and position at the time of the crash. This data shows the insurance company that you were riding lawfully.

What we see consistently in New Braunfels bicycle accident cases is that the most persuasive evidence is rarely from the police report. New Braunfels Police Department officers document the scene accurately, but their reports reflect what they observed after the fact. The most decisive evidence is almost always the event data recorder from the vehicle, which shows the driver’s exact speed and whether they braked before impact. We send vehicle preservation letters within 24 hours of being hired because this data can be overwritten the next time the vehicle is driven.

Is the Driver Negligent Under Texas Law?

Negligence means a driver failed to operate their vehicle with reasonable care. Texas law gives cyclists the same rights and duties as motor vehicle drivers under Transportation Code 551.101, which means drivers must treat you with the same respect they owe any other road user.

Common violations that strengthen your bike crash claim include:

• Failing to leave three feet of space when passing a cyclist, as required by Texas law
• Failing to yield the right of way at intersections
• Distracted driving, such as texting behind the wheel
• Opening a car door into the path of an oncoming cyclist

Can You Still Recover if You Were Partly at Fault?

Texas uses a rule called modified comparative fault. You can still recover compensation as long as you are 50 percent or less responsible for the crash.

Your final payout is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are 20 percent at fault on a $100,000 claim, you recover $80,000. Insurance companies routinely exaggerate cyclist fault to protect their bottom line. We counter their arguments with physical evidence to protect your recovery.

Does Not Wearing a Helmet Hurt Your Claim?

Texas law does not require adult cyclists to wear helmets, and not wearing one does not bar you from filing a claim. Insurers still try to use the absence of a helmet to reduce your pain and suffering damages. We keep the focus of your case on the driver’s conduct, not your gear choices.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Bike Crash?

Texas law allows you to seek compensation for both the financial costs and the personal impact of your injuries.

Economic Damages

These are the measurable financial losses directly tied to your crash:

• Emergency room visits, hospital stays, and surgeries
• Future medical care, physical therapy, and rehabilitation
• Lost wages from time away from work
• Reduced earning capacity if your injuries limit your ability to do your job
• Bicycle and gear replacement

Non-Economic Damages

These cover the personal toll of your injuries that does not come with a receipt:

• Physical pain and ongoing discomfort
• Mental anguish and emotional distress
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement from road rash
• Loss of activities you used to enjoy, such as cycling, exercising, or spending time with family

Punitive Damages for Extreme Misconduct

Courts award punitive damages in cases involving drunk drivers, hit-and-run crashes, or street racing. This additional compensation is designed to punish the driver for extreme recklessness.

What if the Driver Fled or Never Hit You?

If you are the victim of a hit-and-run, your own uninsured motorist coverage often pays for your medical bills and lost wages. We help you file that claim with your own insurer and fight to make sure you are not shortchanged.

No-contact crashes, where a driver swerved toward you or opened a car door and caused you to crash without physically touching your bike, are also valid claims. The driver who created the hazard is still legally responsible for your injuries.

How Long Do You Have to File a Bike Crash Claim in Texas?

In Texas, you have two years from the date of your bicycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Claims against a city or county require written notice in as little as six months.

Waiting too long puts your claim at risk. Video gets deleted, witnesses forget details, and physical evidence disappears. Acting quickly gives us the best chance to build a strong case on your behalf.

Do not wait. Contact Vendt Accident Attorneys at (832) 490-7088.

How Insurance Companies Undervalue Cyclist Claims

An insurer’s initial settlement offer may aim for a quick, low-cost resolution, so consult an attorney before accepting. Understanding their tactics helps you avoid a settlement that does not cover your actual losses.

Why Choose Vendt Accident Attorneys?

85 Years of Combined Experience

Our attorneys have handled everything from straightforward bike crashes to catastrophic injury cases with heavily disputed liability. You get a team that knows exactly how insurers approach these claims and how to counter them.

Firsthand Perspective and a Client-First Approach

Attorney Frank Vendt personally understands what physical recovery demands from a person. You get a lawyer who treats your case as a priority, not a file number.

Local Knowledge of New Braunfels and Comal County

We know the dangerous intersections, the local police report process, and how cases move through Comal County courts. That local knowledge gives us a real advantage when building your claim.

“Scott Broussard helped me tremendously when I went through a major car accident. It was a very stressful time, but he made the whole ordeal so much more manageable. And he fought to make sure I was taken care of and compensated accordingly! Very highly recommend.” – Abel Rocha