When a car collides with a cyclist, the injuries can be life-changing — and the legal process that follows is rarely straightforward. While any personal injury attorney might agree to take your case, bicycle crashes require a level of understanding that goes far beyond legal textbooks.
At Cyclist at Law, you’ll find something different. I’m a board-certified personal injury attorney with over 35 years of trial experience, and I’m also a competitive cyclist who’s logged over 100,000 miles on the road. I know what it means to ride in Dallas traffic, navigate unpredictable drivers, and recover from serious cycling injuries.
That firsthand experience — combined with decades in the courtroom — gives my clients a real advantage when facing insurance companies and defense lawyers who don’t understand cycling. Here’s why hiring a Dallas and Fort Worth cycling accident attorney is the smarter, more effective choice than hiring a general lawyer.
The Difference Between a General Personal Injury Lawyer and a Cycling Attorney
A general personal injury lawyer may be skilled at handling car crashes or slip-and-fall cases, but cycling accidents are an entirely different challenge. These cases require someone who understands cycling dynamics, Texas bike laws, and the mindset of cyclists themselves.
In Dallas, bicycle accident cases often hinge on small but crucial details — things like lane positioning, speed differentials, lighting conditions, and even how carbon fiber reacts in a crash. A lawyer without cycling experience might miss these facts or fail to present them convincingly to an insurance adjuster or jury.
As both a lawyer and cyclist, I interpret crash reports and witness statements differently. I know when a driver’s story doesn’t add up, because I’ve been in the saddle and understand how cyclists react to danger. That level of insight can mean the difference between a denied claim and a full recovery.
Real Cycling Experience Matters in the Courtroom
Experience on two wheels translates directly to results in the courtroom.
Over the past 35 years, I’ve competed in over 100 triathlons, including Ironman Hawaii twice, represented Team USA in world events, and even won the Texas Masters Cycling Championship. These experiences taught me the realities of road safety, visibility, and how drivers behave around cyclists.
When I explain an accident to an insurance adjuster or a jury, I can describe it in a way they understand — using real-world cycling knowledge, not theory. For example, I can break down why a cyclist might have taken the lane on a narrow road, or how a right-hook crash typically unfolds at intersections.
That credibility matters. Jurors listen differently when they realize the attorney standing before them isn’t just quoting traffic laws — he’s lived them. This combination of legal authority and cycling expertise helps establish fault more clearly and strengthens your claim.
Understanding the True Value of a Cyclist’s Loss
A bicycle crash impacts far more than just your physical health. It disrupts your lifestyle, your training, and even your emotional well-being. That’s why general lawyers often undervalue cycling cases — they don’t understand what cyclists truly lose.
As a lifelong rider, I know how devastating it is to lose fitness, cancel events, or fear getting back on the road. Many clients deal with post-collision anxiety, which can linger long after physical injuries heal. Research by Eric Yelsa, Ph.D. (2015) shows that nearly every cyclist involved in a serious collision experiences some degree of anxiety or depression afterward.
Then there’s the bike itself. Adjusters often depreciate expensive carbon bikes as if they were old vehicles. They don’t understand that a cracked frame is unsafe — it must be replaced, not repaired. I personally handle these claims, ensuring insurers pay for full replacement value, including carbon frames, groupsets, wheels, and accessories.
Cycling isn’t just a hobby — it’s a passion, a lifestyle, and sometimes a career. My goal is to make sure your claim reflects that reality, not a generic injury formula.
How Specialized Legal Knowledge Benefits Your Case
Every Dallas cycling accident case begins with understanding the laws that protect cyclists — and the tactics insurance companies use to minimize those protections.
Under Texas Transportation Code §551, bicycles are legally recognized as vehicles, meaning cyclists have the same rights to the road as motorists. Unfortunately, insurance companies often try to shift blame onto riders. That’s where my legal strategy makes a difference.
Here’s how I strengthen your case:
- Establishing Negligence Clearly: Using the Three-Foot Passing Law, driver statements, and crash reports to prove liability.
- Documenting Every Injury: From orthopedic damage to post-traumatic stress, I ensure every injury is fully evaluated.
- Preserving Critical Evidence: Photos, Strava/Garmin ride data, GoPro footage, witness interviews, and scene reconstructions all help establish what really happened.
- Insurance Strategy: Identifying and maximizing coverage from liability, UM/UIM, and MedPay policies.
- Handling Subrogation: I negotiate directly with health insurers to reduce liens, ensuring you keep more of your settlement.
These steps aren’t optional — they’re essential to protecting your rights. Most general lawyers won’t recognize the nuances that make or break a cycling case, but I handle them every day.
Dallas Roads Where Cyclists Face the Most Risk
Dallas has some beautiful cycling routes, but it also ranks among the most dangerous major cities in Texas for bike riders. Data from the Texas Department of Transportation shows over 2,300 reported cyclist injuries statewide each year, and a growing percentage of those happen in Dallas County.
High-traffic corridors like Mockingbird Lane, Central Expressway access roads, Northwest Highway, and Downtown Elm Street see frequent close calls and collisions.
Common accident types include:
- Right-hook turns at intersections
- Drivers opening doors in bike lanes
- Distracted driving during evening commutes
- Poor lighting conditions at dawn or dusk
My experience as both a local cyclist and trial lawyer allows me to present these location-based hazards as part of your legal argument. I know the roads, the blind spots, and the common driver behaviors — and I use that knowledge to build stronger, more persuasive claims.
Why Cyclist at Law Is the Trusted Name for Dallas Cyclists
There’s a reason so many Dallas riders, clubs, and triathletes refer injured cyclists to me directly. I’ve earned the trust of the cycling community because I combine board-certified legal skill with a genuine passion for protecting cyclists’ rights.
- Board-Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law – Less than 2% of Texas attorneys hold this distinction
- AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell – The highest possible peer-review rating.
- Over 35 Years of Trial Experience – Hundreds of cases handled, countless successful outcomes.
- Cyclist-Only Practice – I never represent drivers against cyclists.
- Personal Case Handling – I manage every detail myself — not paralegals or assistants.
I’m available 24/7 because I understand that accidents don’t wait for business hours. Whether it’s a call at midnight or a weekend text, I respond personally.
When you hire Cyclist at Law, you don’t just get a lawyer — you get a fellow cyclist who will fight for your health, your recovery, and your right to ride safely.
Get Legal Help from a Dallas Cycling Accident Attorney Who Rides
A cycling accident can leave you with medical bills, missed work, emotional trauma, and a destroyed bike — but you don’t have to face it alone. You deserve an attorney who knows both the law and the lifestyle of cyclists.
At Cyclist at Law, I combine 35 years of legal experience with a lifetime of cycling knowledge to ensure every client gets the compensation they deserve. From navigating insurance disputes to proving liability in complex crashes, I handle every case personally, with no upfront fees and no payment unless we win.
William Gall is a seasoned attorney specializing in civil litigation and family law. With a legal career spanning over two decades, William has built a reputation for his meticulous attention to detail and his unwavering commitment to justice. In addition to practicing law, he is a prolific writer, contributing regularly to various legal blogs where he shares his insights on current legal trends, case law, and best practices. His articles are well-regarded in the legal community for their thorough research and practical advice, making complex legal concepts accessible to both legal professionals and the general public.