Gun Barrel City, TX — October 12, 2024, a bicyclist was injured in a car accident at about 11 p.m. in the 700 block of West Main Street.

A preliminary accident report indicates a 2019 Chevrolet Spark was headed west near Rodney Drive when it hit a man on a bicycle. The driver said he did not see the bicyclist in the road.

The bicyclist, a 48-year-old Dallas man, suffered a broken leg in the crash, according to the report. His name has not been made public.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Henderson County crash.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that I hope the injured bicyclist is receiving the care and clarity he needs after such a serious incident. A collision between a car and a bicycle at night is often attributed to poor visibility or rider behavior, but those assumptions are not enough. In my experience, crashes like this frequently involve a mix of environmental, mechanical and human factors, and only a thorough investigation can uncover them. To understand what happened on West Main Street, we need to ask three critical questions.

First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? When a driver says they didn’t see a bicyclist, investigators must ask: should they have? Was the area well-lit, or was it dark and poorly marked? Was the bicyclist using lights or reflective gear, and were they riding within the lane as allowed by law? Were there any obstructions that could have prevented the driver from seeing him in time? These are not just technical details. They're central to understanding whether the crash was truly unavoidable or whether visibility and awareness were lacking.

Second, has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect may have played a role in the crash? The 2019 Chevrolet Spark involved in the crash should be inspected to determine whether its headlights were functioning properly. Were they bright enough, correctly aligned, and free of damage or grime that could diminish their effectiveness? Did the vehicle’s brakes or steering system operate as intended when the driver did become aware of the bicyclist? Even small mechanical failures in lighting or safety systems can make a critical difference in a nighttime crash—and they often go unexamined unless someone specifically looks for them.

Finally, has all the electronic data related to the crash been collected? The Chevrolet Spark is likely equipped with an engine control module that could store valuable pre-crash data, such as speed, throttle position and braking input. That information can help determine whether the driver was exceeding a safe speed for nighttime conditions and whether they attempted any evasive action. If the bicyclist had a phone or wearable device, it may also contain location and movement data that could help confirm their position and behavior at the time. This type of digital evidence is time-sensitive and should be preserved quickly.

Crashes involving bicyclists deserve just as much investigative attention as any other traffic collision, especially when a vulnerable road user suffers serious injuries. A broken leg is a life-altering injury, and the difference between accountability and ambiguity often comes down to whether the right questions are asked and the right evidence is preserved. By taking those steps here, we give the injured man and the community a better understanding of what went wrong.