Potholes in Dallas, TX: Why Cyclists Rarely Win Road Defect Claims

Issue: Can you recover from a city or state government in Texas for injuries caused by potholes or other road hazards while cycling?

Answer: Unfortunately, no. It’s nearly impossible to recover damages from a government entity in Texas for injuries caused by potholes in Dallas, TX, or any road defect.

Discussion: Governmental entities in Texas enjoy broad legal protection under the doctrine of “sovereign immunity” (i.e., you can’t sue the King). While the Texas Tort Claims Act provides a narrow exception to this immunity, it rarely helps cyclists. When it comes to roadway defects, cyclists must pursue one of two nearly impossible legal paths:

1. Proving a ‘Special Defect’: Texas law only recognizes a claim if the hazard qualifies as a “special defect.” These are typically large obstructions or conditions so severe that even a car would crash — like a deep ditch or a major excavation. Despite the dangers potholes in Dallas, TX pose to cyclists, courts have ruled repeatedly that such hazards don’t qualify as special defects unless they are severe enough to endanger vehicles.

2. Proving ‘Actual Knowledge’ of the Defect: The second route involves proving that the city or state had actual knowledge of the road defect at the time of the incident. That means clear, documented awareness — not just that the government “should have known.” Texas courts consistently hold that this standard isn’t met unless the defect was reported and confirmed immediately before the accident.

Even if actual knowledge is established, your claim can still be denied if the pothole or crack was deemed “open and obvious” — meaning the cyclist could have seen and avoided it. Texas appellate courts often side with cities in these cases, concluding that the defect was visible and the rider should’ve steered around it.

The Impact of the Paper Case

The leading case on this issue is City of Denton v. Paper, a 2012 Texas Supreme Court decision. In that case, a cyclist was injured after hitting a pothole near a sewer repair site. Despite evidence that the city had made repairs in the same spot a week earlier, the court ruled the pothole wasn’t a special defect and found no actual knowledge — because there were no complaints or maintenance records between the repair and the crash.

The court emphasized:

“Awareness of a potential problem is not actual knowledge of an existing danger. ”This precedent has made it nearly impossible for cyclists injured by potholes in Dallas, TX, to win claims against the government.

A Real Case in Richardson

In City of Richardson v. Phelps (2019), a cyclist on a group ride was forced toward the edge of a marked bike lane by a vehicle. Unable to see a raised lip in the pavement, he crashed and was seriously injured. While the city had previously repaired a defect in the same area and even repainted the bike lane after, the court ruled that this was not proof of actual knowledge at the time of the crash. Once again, the city was not held liable.

Why Cyclists Rarely Win Road Defect Claims

Even when a city has previously repaired a roadway or responded to complaints, unless there is documented knowledge of a hazard at the time of your incident, Texas courts are unlikely to side with the cyclist. Worse yet, courts regularly view road hazards as “open and obvious,” placing responsibility on riders — not municipalities — even when those defects are difficult or impossible to avoid safely in traffic.

This legal environment creates a real risk for cyclists encountering potholes in Dallas, TX. It reflects an institutional bias against cyclists that won’t change without significant legislative reform — something that’s not on the horizon.

Important Note: If you’ve been injured in a bike crash — regardless of the cause — it’s essential to consult with a knowledgeable cycling attorney. Even if a road defect claim isn’t viable, other parties (such as drivers, construction contractors, or property owners) may bear responsibility. Cyclist at Law is here to help evaluate your case.If you have questions about a specific bike crash involving potholes in Dallas, TX or other dangerous conditions, call Cyclist at Law at 800-887-6188 or 972-392-1249.