With over 260,000 square miles of territory and 624 miles of Gulf of Mexico coastline, Texas offers motorcycle riders the best road trips and an exceptional array of scenic diversity. Sadly, however, many riders are injured or killed by negligent motorists who don’t know how to share the road. Distracted driving, speeding, and even road rage all contribute to life-changing accidents.
When a motor vehicle collides with a motorcycle, the rider will typically suffer the worst of the damages. A motorcyclist may experience broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, lacerations, and other catastrophic injuries in an accident. If the crash was caused by another party’s negligence or reckless behavior, the victim may have grounds for a claim.
At the Villarreal & Begum, TEXAS LAW GUNS, our Austin personal injury lawyers represent motorcycle drivers during insurance claims and civil lawsuits in Austin, Texas. We can also help surviving loved ones after fatal motorcycle accidents in Austin. Please contact our Austin motorcycle accident attorneys if you or a loved one was recently in a motorcycle accident. You may be eligible to obtain financial compensation. We offer free initial consultations.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2020 there were 493 fatal motorcycle accidents on state roads and 5,294 other crashes that resulted in serious injuries and property damage.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has confirmed how dangerous the roads can be for motorcyclists: it found that there are more than 30 times more motorcycle fatalities per mile traveled than those suffered by drivers and passengers in cars. This is because riders are more exposed, even when wearing a helmet and protective clothing.
Because you are at greater risk of injury or death in a motorcycle accident, motorists owe you a duty of care to drive safely when sharing the road with you. If they don’t, and serious injuries result, an Austin motorcycle accident lawyer can help you pursue financial compensation.
After hiring a personal injury lawyer to represent you during a motorcycle accident claim, you can relax and focus on your physical and emotional healing. Your lawyer will handle the legwork of your case on your behalf, from investigating causation and gathering evidence to filing a claim before the deadline.
An attorney will prevent a driver’s insurance carrier from taking advantage of you. Although many insurers have biases against motorcyclists, a lawyer can increase your chances of securing fair and full compensation. While you recuperate, your lawyer can handle all the legal aspects of your claim against the responsible party or parties.
Under Texas’ fault-based insurance rules, you must file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company after a motorcycle accident. This takes identifying who or what caused your collision. At the Villarreal & Begum, TEXAS LAW GUNS, we have the tools to investigate your Austin motorcycle accident case for signs of causation.
Whether you know what caused your accident or need a lawyer to investigate, our Austin motorcycle accident attorneys can help you bring a claim in Austin. We can take over legal processes such as settlement negotiations with a claims adjuster on your behalf. We will make sure you do not settle for less than your injuries and damages demand, even if that means proceeding to trial.
In motorcycle accidents, head trauma is the most common cause of death and debilitation. Other common injuries that can be sustained include:
Every motorcycle accident case is unique, so the amount of monetary compensation and types of damages available vary. Our accident lawyers regularly help victims of motorcycle accidents in Travis County recover the following:
There is no set amount paid for motorcycle accident claims in Texas. Once you commence legal action, your personal injury lawyer will examine all your losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage, and determine the impact of the accident on the rest of your life. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be fully or partially disabled, need ongoing medical care, and need help with housekeeping, child care, and other responsibilities. These are all future damages that need to be compensated.
Your settlement may also be impacted by the Texas modified comparative negligence standard. This rule states that you can claim damages even if you are partially at fault for a motor vehicle accident, but the money you receive will be reduced in accordance with your share of fault.
For example, if a jury awards you $30,000 but finds that you were 20% at fault, you will receive 80% of your damages, or $24,000. If you are more than 50% at fault, you won’t be able to recover damages at all, so it is critical to speak to an attorney who can help prevent an insurer from exaggerating your degree of responsibility.
Your first priority should be to seek medical care for your injuries. Call 911 if you are bleeding or visibly injured and wait for the police and an ambulance. You should see your doctor for medical treatment even if you don’t think you’ve suffered anything more than a few cuts and bruises: some potentially severe injuries don’t always show symptoms right away.
If you’re able to safely move, take the following steps:
The Texas Department of Transportation requires motorcycle riders under 21 to wear helmets. A rider over the age of 21 who has at least $10,000 in health insurance coverage and who has completed a safety course is legally allowed to ride without a helmet, although it is strongly recommended that you wear one: according to the NHTSA, motorcyclists without helmets are 40% more likely to suffer a fatal head injury in a crash.
Our skilled motorcycle accident attorneys can help you understand your legal rights and pursue a successful personal injury claim, whether you were wearing a helmet or riding without one.
Unfortunately, this happens all too often. Texas requires motorists to carry liability insurance, but many do not. Even when drivers carry the minimum insurance limits required by law, it is not always enough to cover serious injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents.
Motorcycle riders who have been injured in a collision caused by a driver without insurance or insufficient coverage can file a claim for compensation under their own policy’s uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
Although you paid your premiums, insurance companies often shy away from paying fair compensation for this type of claim. As experienced Austin motorcycle accident lawyers, the Villarreal & Begum, TEXAS LAW GUNS, will aggressively pursue the maximum compensation you are entitled to receive from all available sources.
Injured motorcycle passengers are entitled to file a personal injury claim too, no matter who caused the crash.
An experienced motorcycle accident attorney will explain your rights as an injured passenger and explore all options to maximize your compensation.
Filing a motorcycle crash suit could help you recover compensation and finally move forward. The award you receive with help from our Austin motorcycle accident lawyers could include amounts to cover your past and future medical expenses, lost earnings, loss of consortium, motorcycle repairs, pain and suffering, traumatic brain injuries, legal fees, and more. One or more parties may owe you financial compensation for your severe damages. When you reach out to the Austin personal injury lawyers at the Villarreal & Begum, TEXAS LAW GUNS, you’ll find out more about your unique motorcycle accident claim.
Call (512) 800-0000 or contact us online to request a free consultation with our legal team. Contact us as soon as possible to avoid missing your filing deadline.
