Motorcycle accidents can be especially traumatic and injurious. A large portion of these accidents can be attributed to the negligence of the rider, drunk driving, and human error. These accidents can result not only in major injuries but death and lifelong disabilities. Motorcycles accident victims are all entitled to full compensation for damages incurred. Unfortunately, it is quite common for motorcycle accident victims to not be rewarded the full or any compensation. Our Houston motorcycle accident lawyers understand how important it is to get your life back on track after a collision. Our motorcycle accident attorneys will build an aggressive case to make sure that justice is served.
Factors that Contribute to Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists understand the thrill and convenience of riding a motorcycle instead of your traditional sedan but as we all know it comes with a few disadvantages. The lack of protection and the small size of the vehicle makes the rider more prone to serious injuries. Helmet use will prevent the severity of brain damage but other major injuries such as spinal injury, and burns are more likely to occur on a motorcycle. Motorcycle accident lawyers understand that these accidents can be caused by negligent and inattentive drivers.
Sometimes the environment can play a part in your accident. Debris, potholes, unmaintained roads, and other factors can cause devastating accidents. Your motorcycle accident attorneysunderstand that you are likely not at fault for all single rider accidents and will pursue the responsible parties for your accident.
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident don’t hesitate to give our Houston motorcycle accident lawyers a call. Call us at 832-433-7977 and we’ll help you identify your next steps to recovery and compensation.
Choosing a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Accidents happen and sometimes can’t be prevented. When you’re involved in a collision you’ll need a knowledgeable and seasoned personal injury attorney in your corner. Your motorcycle accident lawyer will be experienced in dealing with insurance companies and knows how to properly assess the damages you incurred. Insurance companies will always try to pay the minimum allowable compensation or deny your case altogether. As it is in the best interest of the insurance company to protect their bottom line at the expense of the client.
Our personal injury attorneys know how insurance companies operate and will be able to not only show that you were not at fault for the accident but what the full and comprehensive list of damages are and how much compensation you deserve. When choosing a lawyer it’s important you have an attorney that is not only seasoned but will still be in close communication with you throughout the case. The Houston motorcycle accident lawyers at The Hadi Law Firm understand how important it is to lead every part of your case and be available to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
It’s always important to wear a helmet and gloves on all trips, but even with all your safety gear, you are still in danger of sustaining major injuries. Listed below are just a few of the injuries you can incur in a motorcycle accident.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Internal Injuries
- Road Rash
- Facial injury
- Emotional Trauma
- Foot and Leg Injuries
- Muscle Damage
Most individuals who are injured in a motorcycle accident are thankful to just walk away with their lives but ultimately end up dealing with lifelong consequences.
What Damages Can I Claim in A Motorcycle Accident?
Assessing the damages incurred in your accident can be quite complicated. Although vehicle damages and apparent physical injury are evident there are some damages that are not so obvious. Diminished value of your vehicle, lost wages and mental trauma are just a few of those damages that are sometimes overlooked in some cases. Your motorcycle accident lawyer will thoroughly investigate your accident and build a comprehensive knowledge of what damages can be claimed in such an instance accident. We can further assess the extent of damages by enlisting experts such as doctors, psychologists and other specialists. Listed below are just a few of the damages you can claim.
- Medical Expenses
- Motorcycle Repair
- Motorcycle Replacement
- Lost Wages
- Loss of Earnings Due to Injury
- Mental Anguish
- Physical Injury Including Disfigurement
- Grief
- Death of a Loved One
Statistics on Motorcycle Accident in Houston
- Motorcycle riders, unlike other drivers, share an increased level of danger when they’re on the road. The size, speed, and lack of protection motorcycles offer make riders harder to see and more vulnerable to severe injury or death.
- The crash report data collected by the Texas Department of Transportation is staggering. As of 2019, there were 410 motorcyclists (operators and passengers) killed, and 45% of all motorcyclists killed were not wearing helmets at the time of the crash.
- Helmets are essential to any rider regardless of the type of motorcycle they operate. You are 37% more likely to survive a crash and have a 67% chance of avoiding any brain injury if you wear a helmet.
Without a motorcycle accident lawyer, you could fall victim to some of the scenarios below.
- Insurance companies will propose inaccurate settlement amounts and push you to settle.
- Your compensation amount is miscalculated. There are many nuances to calculating this amount. Your lawyer will be privy to each item and help you calculate the actual amount.
- The at-fault driver may try to shift the blame to you after the accident.
- Unresponsive at-fault parties may try to stall your case.
- You might have to pay for some of the medical bills due to the lack of appropriate coverage.
- Motorcycle accident victims being unaware of all the compensation and options they have made available to them.
Don’t leave your case to chance and hire a seasoned Houston motorcycle accident attorney to get the justice and full compensation you deserve.
Motorcycle Accident Settlements – What you need to know.
Damages cover more than just your motorcycle. When calculating the total amount of your settlement, many elements come into play. Your Houston motorcycle accident attorney will review factors such as your physical and mental health, pain and suffering you endured, property damage, and the missed wages you may experience because you aren’t able to work.
Punitive damages may also be part of your offer. Punitive damages are awarded to the victim if the judge decides the accident was caused by negligence.
Although it may be appealing, do not settle for the first offer provided by the insurance company without consulting with a Houston motorcycle accident attorney. Your motorcycle accident lawyer will be meticulous in calculating and pursuing the correct settlement amount. It’s important to remember that you are the victim, and you should not feel pressured to accept an unfair settlement.
In some cases, it may be difficult to prove who was at fault in a motorcycle crash. Your motorcycle accident attorney will take charge and make sure true fault is established. Texas follows the 51% bar rule. You are eligible for compensation when you are 50% or below at fault.
Texas Motorcycle Laws:
All riders under the age of 21 are required to wear a helmet. Motorcyclists that are 21 or older don’t have a legal obligation to wear a helmet so long as they’ve completed a motorcycle safety course or purchased an appropriate health insurance plan that covers motorcycle accidents. Although not required by law for some riders, all riders should wear helmets when riding.
Lane splitting is prohibited in Texas (when a motorcyclist drives between lanes to pass slow or stopped vehicles).
Motorcyclists must carry the following minimum liability coverage: $30,000 bodily injury coverage for each injured person in an accident, $60,000 bodily injury coverage total per accident, and $25,000 property damage coverage per accident. This coverage is known as “30/60/25 coverage.”
Why hire the Hadi Law Firm?
Our motorcycle accident lawyers have years of experience under their belt. We have dealt with a multitude of different cases and know the ins and outs of every scenario. Our team will create an aggressive strategy and fight for the full compensation and justice you deserve. We will be with you every step of the way, from getting your medical bills covered, the proper treatment, the appropriate compensation and getting you back on your feet as soon as possible. When you hire the Hadi Law Firm, rest assured you are hiring the experienced motorcycle accident lawyers in Houston and have access to these resources at any moment. Call us at 832-433-7977 and allow us to show you why we are the best at what we do, and that is getting all our clients the compensation they deserve.
Motorcycle collisions are usually a lot more severe and can occur in a multitude of ways due to the lack of protection motorcycles generally offer. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Houston will carefully review all the details while building your case. Below are the common types of motorcycle accidents.
- Head-on collisions.
- When cars make left turns.
- Motorcycle lane splitting.
- Speeding.
- Motorcycle accidents with fixed objects.
- Alcohol-related motorcycle accidents.
- Road hazard motorcycle accidents.
- If you are severely injured it will be best to limit the amount of movement as this may exasperate your injuries. Try to move to a safe area and out of traffic if possible.
- Your next move will be to contact emergency services. You will need to be examined by medical personnel and the officer will record and file a report of your personal injury case. Do not accept or place blame at any time.
- If you are able, take video and photographic evidence of the scene. This may be of some help when your motorcycle accident lawyer is investigating your case.
- Once the officer has taken account of the scene your immediate next stop should be the emergency room. In some cases, you may not have pain until a few days after the accident.
- Lastly, you will need to contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case and build a concrete case strategy.
If you are planning on pursuing a settlement you’ll need to be knowledgeable in the many Texas motorcycle laws. Our Houston personal injury lawyers are quite familiar with all Texas motorcycle laws and are constantly working a multitude of accident cases. It is only advisable to pursue a case alone with the consultation of an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer.
If you are involved in any type of motorcycle accident, it is HIGHLY recommended you speak to a motorcycle accident attorney regardless of the size of the accident. You may feel fine afterwards, but statistics have shown that drivers and riders will experience pain sometime after the accident itself. Your motorcycle could also be damaged, but you may not know it until well after the collision. It is essential to consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible and always take a trip to the doctor for a full check-up after the accident. Remember, insurance companies are not on your side. They will always try to decrease the amount they are required to pay out.
Motorcyclists often experience unjustified bias when pursuing personal injury claims due to the high level of risk for riding a motorcycle. This can complicate and increase the duration of your claim process. The statute of limitations in the state of Texas is two years from the day of the accident. Your personal injury attorney can help expedite the process and will aggressively negotiate for the full settlement amount.
Motorcycles are exhilarating and have many practical benefits, but there is a tradeoff. The lack of protection motorcycles offer put their riders at a greater risk of injury than other drivers. That’s why motorcyclists need to be hypervigilant when riding. The Texas Department of Transportation recommends:
- Always wear a helmet and other protective gear.
- Always use your headlights and ride defensively.
- Avoid the center of the lane where debris and oil build-up.
- Ride at a safe speed and never ride if you’ve been drinking.
- Take a course to learn or reinforce safe riding procedures.
- Always maintain a safe following distance.
- Stay hypervigilant and watch for other drivers.
There are many aspects to consider when evaluating a motorcycle accident. Our motorcycle accident lawyer will only be able to provide you with a clear plan after a thorough investigation. Our team will pursue full compensation for your damages.
This will be the job of our Houston motorcycle accident attorney. Our lawyers are well versed with Texas motorcycle laws and will first conduct an investigation that can involve video or photo evidence, testimony from witnesses, review of police reports and much more. This is one of the major reasons it is important to have a motorcycle accident attorney at your disposal.
Things can get tricky when the other party does not have insurance. Our motorcycle accident lawyer might be able to provide alternatives for compensation and help you get back on your feet.