Bicycle Accidents in Houston
Houston cyclists who get struck by drivers face two predictable problems: the injuries are usually severe (no airbag, no crumple zone) and the carrier's first move is to blame the rider for "darting out" or being "where they shouldn't have been." We investigate from the cyclist's perspective and present the case that way to insurers, and to juries.
Texas law that governs bicycle accident cases
Where bicycle crashes happen in Houston
Since Houston released its Bike Plan in 2017, approximately 75 cyclists have been killed in Houston traffic, and not one fatality has occurred in a protected bike lane. That gap between infrastructure design and crash location is often the heart of a Houston bicycle injury claim. Westheimer Road near the Galleria, steps from our office, was ranked the deadliest road in the United States for pedestrians from 2021–2023, with 19 pedestrian deaths along a 3.5-mile stretch, making it one of the most dangerous pedestrian and cyclist corridors in the city. FM 1960 ranked 4th nationally for pedestrian and cyclist deaths between 2021 and 2023, with 11 fatalities on a 6.3-mile stretch.
Houston's Bayou Greenways trail network covers 150 miles along nine bayous, but cyclists commuting between neighborhoods and the trail system still cross unprotected high-speed arterials. In 2024, Mayor Whitmire's administration de-emphasized Houston's Vision Zero commitment, meaning the infrastructure improvements that protect cyclists are advancing more slowly than planned. Under Texas Transportation Code § 551.101, a bicycle is a vehicle; under § 545.053, drivers must pass at a safe distance, violations can be negligence per se.
Where you're treated and where your case is filed both matter. Houston has two Level I adult trauma centers, Memorial Hermann–Texas Medical Center / Red Duke Trauma Institute (6411 Fannin St) and Ben Taub Hospital (Harris Health System, 1504 Taub Loop), both in the Texas Medical Center complex. The TMC is the largest medical complex in the world, handling over 10 million patient encounters a year. Houston-area cases are filed in Harris County's civil courts at 201 Caroline Street, Houston, TX 77002. Harris County is the most litigated personal injury venue in Texas, with 115,173 reportable crashes and 579 traffic deaths recorded in 2024 alone, more crashes than any other county in the state by a factor of two.
What we investigate in a Houston bicycle accident case
- Westheimer Road near the Galleria: ranked #1 in the US for pedestrian deaths 2021–2023 (19 fatalities, 3.5-mile stretch)
- FM 1960: 4th nationally for pedestrian/cyclist deaths 2021–2023; 11 fatalities on 6.3-mile stretch
- Zero cyclist fatalities in protected bike lanes since Houston's 2017 Bike Plan, design, not just behavior
- Vision Zero de-emphasized in 2024, infrastructure improvements slower than planned
Common injuries we see in Houston
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord damage
- Fractures (collarbone, wrist, ribs, pelvis)
- Internal organ injuries
- Road rash and lacerations
- Dental and facial injuries
- PTSD and anxiety
- Permanent disfigurement
Compensation we pursue
- Past and future medical care
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Diminished quality of life
- Bicycle and equipment replacement
- Punitive damages where appropriate
Frequently asked questions for Houston clients
Do bicycles have the same rights as cars on Houston roads?
Yes. Under Texas Transportation Code § 551.101, a cyclist has the same rights and duties as a driver. Houston drivers must treat cyclists as traffic.
The driver fled the scene. Can I still recover?
Often, yes. If you carry Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage on your own auto policy, that coverage typically applies to hit-and-run bicycle injuries even though you weren't in a car.
What if I wasn't wearing a helmet?
Texas has no statewide adult bicycle helmet law. Helmet use generally cannot be used to reduce recovery when no statute required one.
Can I sue the City of Houston if road design contributed to my bicycle crash?
Yes, under limited circumstances. The Texas Tort Claims Act (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §§ 101.001–101.109) permits premises-defect and special-defect claims against governmental entities. If a dangerous road design, a missing bike lane, or a poorly marked crossing contributed to your crash, the city or TxDOT may share liability, but the notice window is only six months, much shorter than the standard two-year deadline.
A driver doored or right-hooked me on Westheimer, who's liable?
The driver. Texas law requires motorists to check for cyclists before opening doors and to yield when turning across a bike's path. A right-hook (right turn cutting across a cyclist) or dooring on a busy corridor like Westheimer can be negligence per se under the safe-passing and right-of-way statutes. Dashcam and business surveillance footage on Westheimer often captures these crashes.
Court venue for Houston cases
Personal injury cases arising in Houston are typically filed in Harris County (county seat: Houston), in the District Courts or County Courts at Law. We're familiar with the local procedures and carrier tendencies in this venue.
Getting from Houston to our Houston office
Our Galleria-area office is in the heart of Houston at 2401 Fountain View Dr, Suite 830, minutes from downtown, the Medical Center, and the 610 Loop.
Newman Injury Law
2401 Fountain View Dr, Suite 830
Houston, TX 77057
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