Cyclist at Law helps injured riders across Austin, Texas pursue full compensation after a bicycle accident. Attorney Bill Shirer is board certified in personal injury trial law, has ridden more than 100,000 miles, and represents cyclists exclusively. Consultations are free and you pay no fee unless he wins. Call 972-392-1249 for same-day help.
Cyclist at Law represents cyclists injured throughout Austin and the Central Texas corridor, from downtown and South Congress to the trails around Lady Bird Lake. The firm is led by Bill Shirer, a partner at McGilberry & Shirer, LLP who is board certified in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell. Bill has more than 40 years of trial experience, has raced and ridden since 1987, and takes bicycle injury cases exclusively, including car and truck collisions, dooring, intersection crashes, hit-and-run and uninsured-driver claims, e-bike wrecks, and roadway-defect cases. Consultations are free, your bicycle property damage is handled at no extra fee, and you pay nothing unless he wins. Call 972-392-1249 for a same-day response.
How dangerous is cycling in Austin?
Cycling in Austin is rewarding but carries real risk, and recent data shows why representation matters. Austin recorded six fatal crashes involving cyclists in 2023, up from a single cyclist fatality in 2022, the only crash category that rose that year. The city’s High-Injury Network tells the same story: just 8 percent of Austin streets account for nearly 60 percent of all serious-injury and fatal crashes. Much of that danger sits on state-owned roads. Between roughly 65 and 75 percent of Austin traffic fatalities happen on roads like Interstate 35, US 183, and Lamar Boulevard, high-speed corridors that are largely outside the city’s own safety program.
Austin has invested heavily in safer riding, with more than 100 miles of All Ages and Abilities bicycle facilities and a growing protected-lane network, and most residents now live within a half mile of a low-stress bikeway. Even so, driver behavior still causes the majority of serious crashes. You can review current numbers on the city’s Austin Vision Zero program pages. When a driver’s negligence puts a rider in the hospital, a bicycle accident lawyer who understands both the roads and the law makes the difference in what you recover.
What types of Austin bicycle accident cases does Cyclist at Law handle?
Cyclist at Law handles the full range of bicycle injury claims that arise on Austin roads and trails. Because Bill Shirer takes cyclist cases exclusively, each type below is handled with an understanding of how riders actually move through traffic. For the firm’s complete overview, see the main Texas bicycle injury attorney page.
Car and truck collisions with cyclists
These are the most common and often the most serious cases. A rider struck by a passenger vehicle or commercial truck can suffer traumatic brain injury, spinal damage, and multiple fractures. The firm investigates speed, distraction, right-of-way, and safe-passing failures to establish the driver’s liability.
Dooring accidents
Dooring happens when a driver or passenger opens a door into the path of a rider, a frequent hazard on Austin streets with curbside parking next to bike lanes. Texas law prohibits opening a door into oncoming traffic, and the person who opened it is generally liable for the resulting injuries.
Left-cross and right-hook intersection crashes
Many Austin bike crashes happen at intersections when a driver turns left across a rider’s path or turns right directly in front of one. Austin’s own data shows how deadly turning conflicts are, which is why the city has piloted left-turn calming at problem intersections. These cases turn on sightlines, signal timing, and right-of-way.
Hit-and-run and uninsured or underinsured motorist claims
Cyclists are frequent victims of hit-and-run drivers, and many at-fault motorists carry little or no insurance. Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage can often pay for injuries suffered on a bike, even when the driver is never found. Reviewing every applicable policy is a core part of the work.
E-bike and e-scooter accidents
E-bikes and shared scooters are everywhere in Austin, and riders hurt on them generally receive the same legal protections as traditional cyclists. These claims can involve added questions about device classification and local rules. Learn more on the firm’s e-bike accident lawyer page.
Roadway-defect and pothole claims
Potholes, broken pavement, unsafe construction zones, and poorly maintained trails can throw a rider without any other vehicle involved. When a government entity or contractor failed to maintain the roadway, a claim may be possible, though these cases carry strict notice deadlines. See the firm’s roadway defects page for details.
Bicycle property damage
A serious crash often destroys an expensive bicycle. You may be entitled to the replacement value of your bike rather than the depreciated figure insurers prefer to offer. When the firm represents you on the injury side, this part of your claim is handled at no extra fee and does not have to wait for the injury case to resolve.
Wrongful death and catastrophic injury
When a crash causes a permanent, life-altering injury or the loss of a loved one, the stakes and the required proof rise sharply. These cases demand detailed life-care planning and experienced trial preparation, which is where four decades of courtroom work matter most.
How do Texas laws affect your Austin bicycle accident claim?
Texas law gives cyclists real rights, and understanding them protects your claim. Under the Texas Transportation Code, cyclists have the same rights and duties as drivers of motor vehicles, so a driver who fails to yield to a rider can be held negligent just as with any other vehicle. A few rules are worth knowing:
Deadline to file. Texas generally allows two years from the date of the crash to file a claim. Missing this deadline usually ends the case regardless of fault.
Shared fault. Texas uses proportionate responsibility. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault and barred only if you are found more than 50 percent responsible.
Safe passing in Austin. Texas has no statewide minimum passing distance, but Austin’s Vulnerable Road User ordinance requires drivers to change lanes or leave at least three feet, and six feet for commercial vehicles, when passing a rider. A violation is strong evidence of negligence.
Helmets. Texas does not require adults to wear a helmet, and Austin requires helmets only for riders age 17 and under. Not wearing one does not bar your claim, though insurers may raise it to argue comparative fault.
You can review the local rules on Austin’s bicycle and micromobility laws page and the statewide guidance on TxDOT Share the Road. For how fees work at this firm, see the hiring and fees page.
Why do Austin cyclists choose Cyclist at Law?
Austin riders choose Cyclist at Law because Bill Shirer is a proven trial lawyer who is also a lifelong cyclist, a rare combination in a market full of general personal injury firms. He handles bike cases the way a rider would want them handled.
What Bill Offers | What It Means for You |
Board certified in personal injury trial law | Your case is handled by an attorney whose trial credentials are independently certified, not self-declared. |
AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell rated | A peer-reviewed rating reflecting high marks for legal ability and ethics. |
Represents cyclists exclusively; rides and races | He understands your equipment, your training, and what a crash actually costs you. |
Contingency fee, no retainer | No upfront cost and no hourly bills. He is paid only if you recover. |
Same-day response; Bill reads every form | You reach the attorney directly, not a call center or intake screener. |
Bicycle property damage at no extra fee | Your bike claim moves forward without a separate charge or a long wait. |
40 plus years of trial experience | Deep courtroom experience if the insurer refuses a fair settlement. |
Serves Austin and all of Texas | Local knowledge of Austin roads paired with statewide reach. |
Which Austin roads and intersections are most dangerous for cyclists?
The most dangerous places to ride in Austin are its high-speed state roads and a small set of heavily traveled arterials. Austin’s High-Injury Network shows that about 8 percent of streets carry nearly 60 percent of serious and fatal crashes, and corridors such as Interstate 35, US 183, South Lamar Boulevard, North Lamar, Guadalupe Street, and South Congress Avenue repeatedly appear in serious cyclist crashes. Frontage roads and highway merges are especially hostile because of the speed difference between riders and traffic.
Popular riding routes carry their own risks where they meet traffic, including the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail around Lady Bird Lake, the Southern Walnut Creek Trail, Shoal Creek, and the Veloway near Slaughter Lane, along with neighborhood cycling in East Austin, Hyde Park, Mueller, Zilker, and Circle C. Knowing where and how Austin crashes happen helps the firm reconstruct what occurred and hold the right party accountable.
What happens after you contact Bill Shirer?
The process is designed to take pressure off you while your case is built correctly from day one. Most Austin clients move through these steps:
Free, same-day consultation. You tell Bill what happened. He reads every form personally and responds the same day, at no cost and no obligation.
Investigation and evidence preservation. The firm gathers the crash report, photos, video, and witness statements before evidence disappears.
Medical documentation. Your injuries and treatment are documented thoroughly so the full impact is clear and provable.
Insurance negotiation. Bill deals with the insurers so you do not have to, and your bicycle property damage is pursued in parallel.
Settlement or trial. If the insurer offers a fair recovery, you review it. If not, Bill is prepared to try your case.
Hurt on your bike in Austin? Do not talk to the insurance company first. Talk to a board-certified attorney who rides. Call 972-392-1249 for a free, same-day consultation, or request your consultation online.
What other Central Texas areas does Cyclist at Law serve?
Beyond Austin, the firm represents injured cyclists throughout the Interstate 35 corridor and Central Texas, including Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Killeen, Temple, and Waco. See the full Austin and Central Texas service area for every city with a dedicated page. Bill provides statewide representation across Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a bicycle accident lawyer after a crash in Austin?
In most serious cases, yes. Insurers routinely undervalue cyclist claims and lean on "biker bias," the assumption that the rider must have done something wrong. A bicycle accident lawyer preserves evidence, proves the driver was at fault, and negotiates for the full value of your injuries and losses. Cyclist at Law offers free consultations, so you can get an honest read on your options at no cost.
How much does it cost to hire an Austin bicycle accident attorney?
Nothing upfront. Cyclist at Law works on a contingency fee, which means there is no retainer, no hourly billing, and no fee unless Bill Shirer wins your case. The fee is a percentage of the recovery and is explained in full before you sign anything. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee.
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident claim in Texas?
Generally two years from the date of the crash under the Texas statute of limitations. Miss that deadline and a court will almost always dismiss your claim, no matter how clear the driver's fault. A few narrow exceptions can change the timeline, so it is best to speak with an attorney early. Contacting Cyclist at Law soon after a crash also protects evidence before it disappears.
What if the driver says the crash was my fault?
You may still recover. Texas follows proportionate responsibility, so your compensation is reduced by your share of fault and barred only if you are found more than 50 percent responsible. Drivers and insurers often try to shift blame onto cyclists, which is exactly why documentation and a lawyer who understands cycling matter. Bill Shirer rides and races, and he knows how to counter these arguments with facts.
Is there a safe passing law for cyclists in Austin?
Yes, at the local level. Austin's Vulnerable Road User ordinance requires drivers to either change lanes or leave a safe passing distance of at least three feet, and six feet for commercial vehicles, when overtaking a cyclist. Texas has no statewide minimum passing distance, so this local rule matters. When a driver violates it and causes a crash, that violation is strong evidence of negligence in your claim.
Do I have to wear a helmet to have a claim in Austin, Texas?
No. Texas has no law requiring adults to wear a bicycle helmet, and Austin only requires helmets for riders age 17 and under. Not wearing a helmet does not bar you from recovering compensation. Insurers may still raise it to argue comparative fault, which is another reason experienced representation helps.
What if the driver who hit me fled the scene or had no insurance?
You still have options. Hit-and-run and uninsured driver crashes are common for cyclists, and your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may pay for your injuries even though you were on a bike. Reviewing every applicable policy is a key part of the work. Cyclist at Law helps riders identify and pursue all available coverage.
Does Cyclist at Law handle e-bike and e-scooter accidents in Austin?
Yes. The same legal protections that apply to traditional cyclists generally apply when you are hurt on an e-bike or e-scooter. These claims can involve extra questions about device classification and local rules, which Bill Shirer handles directly. You can learn more on the firm's e-bike accident lawyer page.
Can I recover the cost of my damaged bicycle?
Yes. You may be entitled to the replacement value of your bike rather than the depreciated figure insurers often offer. When Cyclist at Law represents you on the injury side, your bicycle property damage is handled at no extra fee and can move forward without waiting for the injury claim to resolve.
How quickly will Bill Shirer respond if I reach out?
The same day. Bill personally reads every consultation request submitted through the site and responds quickly, so you reach the attorney rather than a call center. Consultations are free and carry no obligation. Call 972-392-1249 or use the contact form to get started.
Talk to an Austin bicycle accident lawyer today
If you were injured cycling in Austin, Cyclist at Law is ready to help. You get a board-certified, AV Preeminent attorney who rides, a free and no-obligation consultation, and a promise that you pay no fee unless he wins. Call 972-392-1249 now for a same-day response, or visit the contact page to request your free consultation online. Bill Shirer reads every message personally.
