HOW AN AUSTIN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR CLAIM

The Austin Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at The Patel Firm have continuously backed those injured in motorcycle accidents due to others’ negligence. These dedicated lawyers work persistently to ensure you get the rightful compensation for your injuries.

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), motorcycles make up only 3 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States and 0.6 percent of all vehicle miles traveled, but they also account for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities, 18 percent of all occupant fatalities, and 4 percent of all occupant injuries in 2020. The NSC also noted that fatalities among motorcycle riders and passengers increased 11 percent in 2020, and deaths increased 20 percent over the past decade while death rates increased 27 percent.

While many people certainly enjoy the opportunity to ride motorcycles in Texas, there is little doubt that there can be an increased risk to doing so in Austin because there are many situations in which motorcyclists can be struck by other negligent drivers. Motorcyclists do not enjoy the same levels or protection afforded to other motor vehicle occupants, so injuries in these cases are often severe.

Any person who has suffered severe injuries or whose loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in the greater Austin area will want to be sure to get in touch with The Patel Firm as soon as possible. We have significant experience handling all kinds of motorcycle crash claims, so we will know the most effective ways to prove your case on your behalf and help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Table of Contents

• What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?
• How do Courts Determine Fault in Motorcycle Accidents?
• Texas Helmet Laws and Motorcycle Operators
• Motorcyclists and Safety Protocols
• Motorcycle Accidents and Medical Bills
• Insurance Companies and Motorcycle Accidents
• Types of Motorcycle Accidents
• Call an Austin Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation

People operating motorcycles are approximately twenty-seven times more likely to die in an automobile accident than people operating passenger vehicles. Motorcycle operators are often viewed as irresponsible and dangerous individuals. In fact, motorcyclists are often injured due to the erratic actions of another driver.

Motorcyclists are exposed, and therefore motorcycle accidents are often more severe than automobile accidents. An experienced Austin motorcycle accident lawyer can help you assess your damages and determine the best monetary compensation you deserve.

Contact an Austin motorcycle accident lawyer today to defend your legal rights and help you receive the compensation you need to pay your medical bills.

What are the Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

Make no mistake, the actions of other drivers often cause many motorcycle accidents. It can be very difficult for a person to prove that another party was negligent, and worse yet, insurance companies have an alarming tendency to blame motorcyclists for their own accidents and try to imply they were somehow responsible for causing their crashes.

Driver negligence can take many forms, but improper turns or passing, speeding, and drunk or drugged driving are certainly among some of the most common causes. It is also not uncommon for a motorcycle accident claim to involve adverse weather conditions, and The Patel Firm will know how to help these people prove their cases when they go to court.

How do Courts Determine Fault in Texas Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcycles differ from cars and trucks in that they are more compact and less visible to other drivers on the road. These drivers do not have the right to fail to watch out for motorcycles or yield to them. Drivers who cause injuries to motorcyclists could be liable if they engaged in negligent behaviors.

Some of these negligent behaviors may include not checking their mirrors or getting too close to a motorcycle on the highway. A driver may not be the only liable party in your case. Some examples of possible liable parties are:

• Construction crews, road crews, and utility crews
• The motorcycle assembler, manufacturer, or designer
• The assembler, manufacturer, or designer of safety gear

The motorcycle accident attorneys at The Patel Firm will help you conduct a thorough investigation of the accident and determine the at-fault biker responsible for your motorcycle accident injuries.

Motorcycle Accidents and No-Contact

Motorcycle accidents can happen even if a collision does not occur. These kinds of accidents are known as no-contact accidents. A motorcyclist dropping the motorcycle or hitting the brakes to avoid a collision is known as a no-contact accident.

The driver who made the motorcyclist drop the motorcycle or hit the brakes can be held liable for the motorcyclist’s injuries. Reckless, careless, and aggressive behaviors can cause these accidents. Some examples of these behaviors are listed below:

• Traveling at a rate of speed well beyond the posted speed limit
• Switching lanes and failing to activate a turn signal
• Driving and texting
• Passing through red lights at a high rate of speed
• Failing to check for cars in a blind spot
• Tailgating another car and being unable to avoid a collision

A driver may not understand that they caused your injuries, and they may leave the scene before someone calls for emergency medical attention. The attorneys at The Patel Firm can help you prove that a negligent driver caused you to drop the bike or swerve to avoid a deadly collision.

Our motorcycle accident attorneys in Austin will work with witnesses, Texas law enforcement, and you to ensure that your legal rights are asserted in a court of law.

Texas Helmet Laws and Motorcycle Operators

Every individual in Texas who operates a motorcycle under the age of 21 is required to wear a helmet while operating his or her motorcycle. Individuals who are over the age of 21 may ride without a helmet only if they have completed a certified motorcycle operator training and safety course and are covered by an approved health insurance plan.

It is never advisable to operate a motorcycle without wearing a safety helmet. Traumatic head injuries are common among those injured in motorcycle accidents. If you wear a helmet when you operate a motorcycle, you can reduce your risk of head injury by 69 percent. Wearing a helmet while operating a motorcycle also reduces your risk of death by 37 percent.

Motorcyclists and Safety Protocols

Nearly every motorcyclist who crashes is a motorcyclist who is self-taught. Professional training is one of the best things you can do to ensure that you do not get seriously injured while riding your bike.

The State of Texas requires all motorcycle riders to attend a training course before being granted a motorcycle license by the state. Motorcyclists who want to learn more about operational safety can contact the Texas Department of Public Safety. This agency offers specialized training courses as well as intermediate and advanced courses to interested parties.

Nevertheless, motorcyclists must always remember to operate motorcycles in a safe and responsible manner. Every motorcyclist should follow these tips on the road:

• Wear a safety helmet and wear protective clothing: abrasion-resistant material covered in bright colors will make sure you are visible to the other drivers on the road.
• Do not share lanes or split lanes: It is illegal to engage in lane splitting in Texas.
• Understand how to stop operating your motorcycle in hazardous weather conditions: Fog, rain, and other weather conditions can be dangerous for motorcyclists.
• Understand your skill level and always operate your motorcycle on roads during times of the day that are safe for you

Motorcycle Accidents and Human Health

All aspects of human health are affected by motorcycle accidents. Human health includes physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Serious injuries can appear in the following ways:

• Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
• Decreased quality of life
• Lost enjoyment of life
• Emotional trauma
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Spinal cord injuries
• Infections that are life-threatening and lead to amputations
• Severe burns
• Loss of a finger, hand, arm, or leg
• Paralysis
• Mental anguish

Motorcycle crashes can affect people in many different ways. Human health is diverse, and no two individuals will respond to one accident in exactly the same manner. The attorneys at The Patel Firm need to understand all the details of your case to better assist you with your legal claims.

Motorcycle Accidents and Medical Bills

Your injuries may be quite severe. Medical costs can become expensive in a short amount of time. These are the costs related to the medical aspects of your motorcycle accident:

• At-home care
• Ambulance charges
• Nursing care
• Emergency room costs
• Home modifications
• Surgery
• Adaptive equipment charges
• Skin grafts
• Speech therapy
• Reconstructive surgery
• Cosmetic surgery
• Follow-up appointments
• Medications

These medical expenses can last a long time and may possibly last your lifetime.

Motorcycle Crash Cases

Every motorcycle accident victim is unique. However, all lawyers handling a motorcycle accident case will analyze the following items:

• Interviewing accident experts, medical experts, and other evidentiary authorities
• Obtaining police reports and accident reports
• Analyzing medical records, prescribed treatments, medical bills, and diagnoses
• Collating photographic evidence of the scene of the accident and what caused the accident
• Speaking with your physicians and other medical professionals who provided medical care
• Subpoenaing entities to obtain video footage and surveillance footage of the motorcycle accident
• Hiring an accident reconstruction engineer to reconstruct the scene of the accident

Our Austin motorcycle accident lawyers will meet with you for an in person or virtual consultation, based on your preference. We will discuss what exactly happened during your motorcycle accident. You can then ask us any questions you have about defending your legal rights. If we move forward with filing the claim, we will build a case strategy and work toward recovering monetary compensation for you.

Insurance Companies and Motorcycle Accidents

Claims adjusters may call you after a motorcycle accident multiple times. Your insurance company should provide you with specific benefits, and your claim should be handled with honesty and integrity. However, some at-fault driver’s insurance companies may attempt to offer you a low settlement amount or no settlement.

You may have been paying for insurance coverage for a long time and suddenly realize after your motorcycle accident that your insurance company does not want to pay your insurance claim.

At The Patel Firm, we negotiate with insurance companies competently and judiciously. The insurance companies work in particular ways to close claims. Insurance claims adjusters may not value claims in the correct manner.

You need to contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Austin to help you understand how to deal with the insurance companies and their negotiation strategies. Our attorneys will represent you well and make sure that you stay updated on the progress of your claim as it moves through the litigation process.

Types of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorists must remain alert for motorcycles. Both operators share the highways, and it is important for both motorists and motorcyclists to operate their respective vehicles with care and caution.

Motorists are not always careful, and sometimes this carelessness causes accidents. If a driver is inattentive at the wheel because they are texting while driving, this is an act of negligence, and a fatal accident may result.

Motorcyclists are injured in different types of accidents. Sometimes a head-on collision will injure a motorcyclist, while at other times, a motorist wants to make a left-hand turn but uses the wrong turn signal and thereby injures a motorcyclist. Not every motorcyclist will be able to understand how an accident occurred, but the lawyers at The Patel Firm will be able to help you recall what exactly happened to you during your motorcycle accident.

Many motorcycle accidents in Texas are caused by motorists not checking their rearview or side-view mirrors for approaching motorcyclists. Vehicles may veer into other lanes, fail to yield the right of way, or pull out in front of motorcyclists. These and other kinds of negligent acts can cause motorcycle accidents.

Call an Austin Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation

If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident, you need to call our Texas motorcycle accident lawyers today. We are committed to helping accident victims obtain the compensation to which they are entitled and will review the facts of your case at no cost to you. To schedule your free case evaluation, call us today at 512-883-5171 or contact us online.

The Patel Firm Injury Accident Lawyers
512-883-5171
611 S Congress Ave Suite 215D
Austin, TX 78704