Getting hit by a car while riding your bike is more than just a bad day—it can change your life.
One moment, you’re pedaling like always. The next, you’re on the ground, in pain, confused, scared. Then comes the ambulance ride, the hospital bills, the missed work, the stress. And just when you think it can’t get worse, the insurance company lowballs you—or worse, denies your claim entirely.
This isn’t just about money. It’s about justice. It’s about making sure you aren’t the one left picking up the pieces while the person who hit you walks away without consequences. But getting the compensation you deserve isn’t automatic. One mistake can wreck your case. And insurance companies? They’re waiting for you to slip up.
If you’re wondering about your bicycle accident claim eligibility, don’t let a small mistake cost you the support you need to rebuild your life.
Here are the top mistakes that can hurt your claim.
1. Waiting Too Long to File a Claim
Time doesn’t heal legal cases—it kills them. Texas law gives you two years to file a claim, but that doesn’t mean you should wait. Every day that passes, evidence disappears. Security footage gets erased. Witnesses forget details. And if you wait too long, the insurance company will say, If you were really hurt, why didn’t you act sooner?
Don’t give them that argument. The sooner you take action, the stronger your case.
2. Skipping the Doctor
You might think you’re fine. Maybe you got up after the crash. Maybe the adrenaline masked the pain. But some injuries—like concussions, internal bleeding, or spinal damage—don’t show up right away. And if you wait too long to see a doctor? The insurance company will argue that your injuries weren’t from the accident at all.
And if you do see a doctor but don’t follow up? That’s another excuse for them to deny your claim. They’ll say, If you were really hurt, you would’ve kept up with treatment. Don’t give them that chance.
3. Trusting the Insurance Company
Insurance adjusters act friendly. They sound sympathetic. But don’t be fooled. Their job isn’t to help you—it’s to pay you as little as possible.
They’ll ask loaded questions. They’ll pressure you into accepting a lowball offer. And they’ll drag things out, hoping you’ll get desperate enough to take whatever they give you.
A bicycle accident lawyer knows their tactics. They fight back, handle negotiations, and make sure you don’t get shortchanged. Without one, you’re fighting a battle you don’t even realize is happening.
4. Thinking You Can Handle This Alone
Going up against an insurance company without a lawyer is like showing up to a gunfight with a stick. They have teams of attorneys trained to pay you as little as possible. And if you don’t know how the system works, they will take advantage of you.
A bicycle accident lawyer fights for you. They gather evidence, deal with insurance adjusters, and make sure you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
One Mistake Can Change Everything
You didn’t ask for this. You didn’t ask to get hit. You didn’t ask for the stress, the pain, the bills. But now that you’re here, you have two choices: take control, or let the insurance company decide your fate.
Act fast. Protect yourself. And don’t let a single mistake cost you the compensation you deserve.