Lubbock, TX — August 15, 2024, a man was injured in a bicycle versus car accident at approximately 10:15 p.m. along Avenue Q.

According to authorities, a 60-year-old man was traveling on an eastbound bicycle on 44th Street crossing Avenue Q when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, the bicycle entered the crosswalk against a red and crashed into the left side of a northbound Ford Explorer. The man reportedly sustained serious injuries due to the wreck. It does not appear that anyone from the motor vehicle was hurt. Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identity of the victim—are not available at this point in time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a bicycle and a vehicle collide, especially in a crosswalk, it’s easy to form quick opinions about who was at fault. But serious injury cases deserve more than assumptions based on light signals alone. Even when the early reports seem straightforward, a closer look often reveals details that can shift how the crash is understood.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
A statement that a cyclist “entered against a red” suggests fault, but that alone doesn’t explain how the collision actually unfolded. Did the driver have time to react? Was the cyclist already in the intersection when the light changed? A proper investigation should reconstruct both paths, measure timing, and examine visibility and movement leading up to the point of impact. If those steps weren’t taken, then the investigation may be relying too heavily on surface-level interpretations.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
Even if the cyclist entered the intersection against the signal, the driver’s ability to avoid the collision still matters. A delay in braking, a headlight malfunction, or a sensor that failed to register the cyclist could all be relevant. The Ford Explorer should be examined to confirm that all systems were functioning properly. Skipping that check could leave out mechanical contributions that, while less obvious, still affect responsibility.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
The Explorer likely has digital records that can confirm its speed, brake use, and possibly even whether advanced safety systems engaged before the crash. Surveillance footage, dash cams, or nearby traffic cameras may also provide clarity, especially in night-time crashes where perception and timing are harder to judge. If that data isn’t reviewed, the full timeline of the incident might never come together.

In any crash involving a vulnerable road user like a cyclist, a thorough and balanced review of every factor is the only way to truly understand what happened. Without it, we’re left with more questions than answers.

Takeaways:

• Crosswalk crashes require full reconstruction of both parties’ movements and timing.
• Vehicle systems should be inspected, even when the non-motorist is said to be at fault.
• Digital data and surveillance footage can clarify nighttime incidents where visibility is a factor.