Accidents Involving Out-of-State Cyclists in McKinney

Bicycling is an easy and economically friendly way of traveling that is on the rise. With the increase in the number of people riding bicycles, there has also been an increase in accidents between cyclists and motorists.

Typically, when some other party causes the wreck, a cyclist could pursue compensation for an accident through their insurance company or through a personal injury lawsuit. This may become more complicated when there is an accident involving out-of-state cyclists.

Because accidents involving any cyclist might be complex, consider contacting a McKinney bicycle accident lawyer if you get into a crash and an out-of-state cyclist is involved in the crash. An experienced bike crash lawyer could help you work with insurance companies, collect evidence, and determine liability for accidents involving out-of-state cyclists in McKinney.

Who is Responsible for a Crash?

It may be important to understand the concept of liability and who is responsible for accidents between a motorist and a cyclist. Texas follows the modified comparative fault rule which is defined by Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §33.001, under which a person cannot recover compensation for an accident if they are more than fifty percent at fault for an accident.

If a motorist is at an intersection and does not stop at a stop sign and hits an out-of-state cyclist who was riding on the wrong side of the road, it may be critical to determine whether the motorist or the out-of-state cyclist was more negligent. Proving degrees of negligence in McKinney accidents involving out-of-state cyclists may require collecting substantial evidence and presenting that evidence to a court in a thorough and convincing light.

Insurance Requirements for Motorists

Motorists in McKinney are required to carry a certain amount of insurance coverage. Pursuant to Texas Transportation Code §601.072, which is part of the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act, Texas motorists are required to carry a policy with at least $30,000 of coverage for bodily injury or the death of one person.

Motorists must carry up to $60,000 in case of an accident involving bodily injury or death to two or more people. Motorists must also carry damage liability insurance to cover up to $25,000 for damage to property.

A cyclist may have no insurance requirements to cycle on public roads in Texas.

State Laws that May Apply After an Accident

Every state has different laws and requirements for insurance coverage. A driver from New Mexico is only required to carry $25,000 for bodily injury to a single person under New Mexico Statutes §66-5-208. Notably, this is lower than the requirement throughout Texas.

In the event of accidents involving out-of-state cyclists in McKinney, it is important to understand which state’s law applies. In McKinney, Texas law typically apply to an accident between a motorist and out-of-state cyclist since Texas has jurisdiction over wrecks that occur in Texas. An out-of-state cyclist’s insurance coverage might need to increase to meet Texas minimum standards if an accident occurs in Texas.  This could be true even if the lawsuit is ultimately filed in another state. Since every case is different, a seasoned bicycle injury lawyer may be able to review a plaintiff’s options when people living in different states are involved in wrecks with each other.

Speak with an Attorney About McKinney Accidents Involving Out-of-State Cyclists

Accidents involving out-of-state cyclists in McKinney may complicate a relatively straightforward process for recovering damages after a personal injury. An accomplished bicycle accident lawyer could help guide you through this process and work on your behalf to secure compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other consequences of your injuries. Call us today to set up a consultation.