“Cyclists face a crash risk 30 times higher per mile traveled than drivers,” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That’s not a stat you want to think about when heading out for a ride, but it matters when something goes wrong.
Urban streets are unpredictable. A car door opens into your lane. A driver takes a turn without checking the bike lane. One second you’re pedaling, the next you’re on the pavement. When this happens, the chaos of a bicycle accident can leave you disoriented and injured. What you do in the moments and days after can shape the outcome of your health, finances, and legal rights.
This guide gives you clear, direct steps to take after a collision, explains the laws that protect you, and shows how to strengthen your bike car collision claim. It also outlines when to contact a bicycle accident lawyer to secure cyclist injury compensation. If you're navigating this now, Cory Watson Attorneys can help.
Key Traffic Laws Protecting Cyclists
In most states, including Alabama and Tennessee, cyclists are treated as legal vehicles under traffic laws. That means you have the right to use the road and be treated with the same respect as a car. Drivers must yield, pass safely, and avoid careless actions that could endanger cyclists.
Some of the most important protections include:
- Three-foot passing laws: Drivers must maintain a safe distance of at least three feet when passing a cyclist. Failing to do so may be considered negligence in a legal claim.
- Right-of-way laws: Cyclists have the right to use the road, make turns, and proceed through intersections. Drivers who cut off or fail to yield to a cyclist can be held liable.
- Dooring prohibitions: It is illegal to open a vehicle door into traffic without checking for oncoming bikes. This is a common cause of urban crashes.
- Bike lane protections: Many cities have designated bike lanes. Drivers cannot use these lanes for parking or driving unless turning or avoiding an obstacle, and only when it’s safe.
When a driver violates any of these rules and causes a crash, their insurance company may be responsible for your medical bills, lost income, and pain. A qualified attorney can help you document the violation and build a strong case.
Preserving GPS and Strava Ride Data
If you were using a GPS-enabled cycling app like Strava, Wahoo, or Garmin when the crash happened, that data might be critical to your case.
Cycling apps often log:
- Your speed and direction
- Time and date of your ride
- Route, including location of the collision
- Stops and changes in movement patterns
Immediately after the crash, stop your ride recording and save the file. Export it to your cloud storage, email it to yourself, and back it up in more than one place.
This data can be used to support your account of the crash and disprove any claims that you were riding unpredictably. It also helps create a timeline of events, especially if your memory of the incident is hazy. Share this with your attorney early so they can incorporate it into your claim.
Typical Orthopedic Injuries and Treatment Timelines
Cyclists don’t have seatbelts or airbags. When a car hits you, your body takes the impact directly and the injuries are often severe. Orthopedic trauma is among the most common.
Here are examples of injuries and how long recovery typically takes:
- Clavicle fractures: Common when riders fall over their handlebars. Usually treated with slings or surgery. Recovery is 6 to 12 weeks depending on severity.
- Wrist and hand fractures: Result from bracing during a fall. The scaphoid bone is especially vulnerable. Recovery can take 8 to 16 weeks, longer with surgery.
- Shoulder separations: Damage to the AC joint causes pain and reduced range of motion. Physical therapy may take 2 to 4 months.
- Knee and hip injuries: These range from soft tissue damage to joint dislocations or fractures. Treatment can involve months of rehab or surgery.
- Spinal injuries: Often caused by being thrown from the bike. These may result in long-term back pain and require specialized care.
Make sure to get medical attention immediately, even if symptoms feel minor. Some injuries don’t fully present until hours or days later. Medical records also form a key part of your legal claim. If you wait too long, insurers may argue your injuries weren't caused by the crash.
Municipal Liability for Road Defects
Sometimes it’s not a reckless driver that causes the crash. It’s the road.
Cyclists are especially vulnerable to road hazards. Hitting a pothole, broken curb, or construction debris can launch you from your bike and leave you with serious injuries. In these cases, the city or county may be liable for failing to maintain safe roads.
Common infrastructure-related dangers include:
- Deep potholes
- Unmarked construction zones
- Damaged bike lanes or faded lane markings
- Loose sewer grates
- Uncollected debris or trash in bike lanes
If your crash was caused by one of these conditions, it’s possible to file a claim against the municipality. However, the process is strict. In many jurisdictions, you must give formal written notice within a short period, sometimes as little as 90 days. Missing that deadline may forfeit your right to sue.
Take photos of the hazard immediately. Note the location and get witness statements if available. A bicycle accident lawyer can investigate whether the city was previously warned about the danger and failed to fix it.
Negotiating Medical Bill Reductions
After an accident, medical bills can become overwhelming fast. You may be billed for emergency care, x-rays, surgery, follow-ups, and physical therapy. Even with health insurance, out-of-pocket costs add up.
Don’t assume you have to pay the full amount.
An attorney can often negotiate with hospitals and providers to:
- Delay collection efforts until your case is resolved
- Reduce charges through financial aid or settlement
- Settle medical liens once a claim is paid out
This is a critical step in maximizing your net recovery. If you settle your case without negotiating down your medical bills, you may end up owing a large portion of your compensation to providers. A lawyer can protect you from that outcome by handling the billing side while you focus on recovery.
What a Lawyer Can Do for You
When you're injured in a bicycle accident, insurance companies often work fast to limit their liability. You might be pressured to give a statement or accept a low settlement before you fully understand the extent of your injuries.
A bicycle accident lawyer protects your rights from day one.
At Cory Watson Attorneys, we help injured cyclists:
- Investigate the cause of the crash and gather evidence
- Identify all liable parties, including drivers, cities, or contractors
- Use GPS and ride data to support your claim
- Negotiate with insurers for full and fair cyclist injury compensation
- Handle medical bills and lien negotiations
We have helped recover more than $4 billion for injury victims over the last 40 years. If you were hit while biking, our team will fight for the compensation you need to move forward.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been hit by a car while riding your bike on city streets, your next steps matter. Preserve your ride data. Get medical care. Keep track of your bills. Talk to a lawyer before speaking to the insurance company.
Cory Watson Attorneys understands what you’re going through and has the experience to help you hold the right parties accountable. Your focus should be on healing. Let us take care of the legal side.
Contact Cory Watson Attorneys today for a free case consultation.