Abogado de Accidentes de Motocicleta en Austin
Consult with a premium and trusted Austin motorcycle accident law firm to help you or your loved one after suffering injuries and property damage from a motorcycle crash. Call 512-883-5171 now for urgent assistance.
Based in Corpus Christi, The Patel Firm believes that anyone injured deserves quality legal representation in seeking compensation and justice. Feel free to read the verified testimonials of our satisfied clients in Austin and across Texas or browse through our five-star reviews on Google.
Have you been injured in a motorcycle accident in Austin?
Contact our Austin Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at The Patel Firm today at 512-883-5171. We’re ready to hear your story. There are no upfront fees, we offer you free consultation and a free case review. If we find our services align with your needs and decide to represent you, we’ll start working right away to secure the compensation you justly deserve.Need Help? Let’s Talk.
Índice de contenidos
- Why Choose The Patel Firm?
- How Can We Help in A Motorcycle Accident?
- About Motorcycle Accidents in Austin
- Where Do Motorcycle Accidents Occur?
- Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents
- Types of Damages and Compensation From A Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
- Role of a Specialized Attorney
- Texas Motorcycle Accident Laws
- Reporting A Motorcycle Accident
- Call An Austin-Based Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Now
Why Choose The Patel Firm?
The Patel Firm is comprised of real people who are genuine, passionate and knowledgeable about what we do. We are approachable and are truly dedicated to our clients. Our personalized approach to providing legal solutions yields successful results and a high return rate from our clientele.
The firm’s president and principal attorney, Minesh J. Patel, has represented countless injury victims in various cases, including commercial trucking accidents, workplace accidents, oilfield accidents, insurance disputes, and premise liability accidents.
Over the course of his career, Minesh and his legal team have secured millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Rue Ratings’ Best Attorneys in America, and has been recognized as 40 best under 40 by The National Trial Lawyers Association.
Our tireless work ethic quickly becomes evident after you become our client. We are committed to your case, and we do not cut corners.
How Much Do We Charge: We understand the financial strain that a motorcycle accident can bring, which is why we operate on a contingency fee basis. Our clients pay no upfront fees, and we only receive payment if we successfully secure compensation on their behalf.
Contact Us Now: We work hard, communicate often, and the results speak for themselves. If you or a loved one are seeking the assistance of an attorney after a devastating motorcycle crash, contact us at 512-883-5171 for a free case evaluation or send us a message through our secure and confidential online form. We are always ready and willing to take your call.
How Can We Help in A Motorcycle Accident?
At The Patel Firm, our experienced legal team is dedicated to providing comprehensive support to our clients who have suffered personal injuries. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that can arise from such incidents, and we are committed to bringing justice to our clients’ causes.
Legal Expertise
Our team of skilled motorcycle accident attorneys has a deep understanding of the complexities of motor vehicle-related laws. We leverage our decades’ worth of experience to guide our clients through the entire process, ensuring that their rights are protected and their concerns are properly addressed.
Case Assessment and Strategy
We conduct thorough case assessments to understand the unique circumstances of each case. By developing a customized legal strategy for each client, we strive to achieve the most favorable outcomes, whether through negotiation or litigation.
Communication and Support
We prioritize clear and open communication with our clients, keeping them informed at every stage of their case. Our team provides compassionate support, offering empathy and reassurance throughout the legal proceedings.
Maximum Compensation
We have successfully resolved countless matters and recovered millions of dollars for our clients. Our goal is to secure maximum compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
No Risk Guarantee
Our fee structure is simple: if you don’t get paid, we don’t get paid. We never charge a fee unless we win or settle your matter. We also never charge during our initial consultation. It’s always free to see if you have a case.
About Motorcycle Accidents in Austin
Thousands of Texas motorcyclists are seriously injured—or worse, killed—in crashes every year, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
In particular, Austin, a thriving metropolis known for its unique blend of natural beauty and cultural diversity, has a bustling urban landscape that presents challenges for motorcyclists navigating its roads.
The city is situated at the edge of the picturesque Texas Hill Country, characterized by rolling hills, steep inclines, and winding roads that can prove treacherous for inexperienced riders.
Blind corners and sudden elevation changes can catch riders off guard, increasing the risk of accidents, especially when combined with factors such as speed, poor visibility, or adverse weather conditions.
Moreover, Austin’s rapid growth and urbanization have led to increased traffic congestion, adding another layer of complexity for motorcyclists. Motorcycles, being smaller and less visible than other vehicles, are particularly vulnerable in heavy traffic situations.
Where Do Motorcycle Accidents Occur?
The National Safety Council’s latest research revealed that the majority of motorcyclist fatalities occurred:
- On urban roads (67%)
- In good weather (83%)
- During the nighttime (50%)
- In crashes involving two vehicles (53%)
- When wearing helmets (59%)
In addition, 72% of the motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were not alcohol-impaired. Aside from these factors, certain areas are more prone to accidents, including:
Blind Curves: Motorcyclists often encounter reduced visibility when approaching blind curves, making it difficult to anticipate and react to potential hazards. These curves can be particularly dangerous when combined with factors such as excessive speed or poor road conditions.
Busy Intersections: High-traffic intersections pose a significant risk for motorcycle accidents due to the increased likelihood of collisions with other vehicles. Distracted drivers, failure to yield the right of way, and misjudging the speed of an approaching motorcycle can lead to severe accidents at these locations.
Congested Highways: Motorcyclists navigating congested highways face challenges such as sudden lane changes, merging traffic, and vehicles following too closely. These conditions can create a higher risk of rear-end collisions or sideswipe accidents, particularly when other drivers fail to notice a vehicle’s smaller profile.
Gravel Roads: Loose gravel and uneven surfaces on rural or unpaved roads can cause motorcycles to lose traction and stability, increasing the risk of accidents. These roads often lack proper maintenance and can have hidden hazards, such as potholes or debris, that are difficult for motorcyclists to anticipate and avoid.
Parking Lots: Motorcycle accidents frequently occur in parking lots due to low visibility, limited space, and the presence of pedestrians and other vehicles. Distracted drivers pulling out of parking spaces or failing to notice a motorcycle while navigating the lot can lead to collisions.
Sharp Turns: Roads with sharp turns, especially those with limited visibility or inadequate warning signs, can catch motorcyclists off guard. Misjudging the severity of a turn or entering a corner at an excessive speed can result in loss of control and potential accidents.
Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents
Many motorcycle accidents in Austin are often caused by one form of driver negligence or another, and the most common causes include:
Distracted Driving: Distracted drivers who are texting, eating, or not paying attention to the road pose a significant threat to motorcyclists.
Driving Under the Influence: Motorists who operate vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or drugs have impaired judgment and slower reaction times. Intoxicated drivers are more likely to cause accidents involving motorcyclists, as they may not be able to respond quickly to avoid a collision.
Excessive Speed: Speeding reduces the time available for motorcyclists to react to hazards on the road, increasing the risk of accidents. High-speed collisions involving motorcycles often result in severe injuries or fatalities due to the rider’s lack of structural protection.
Inadequate Motorcycle Maintenance: Motorcyclists who fail to properly maintain their vehicles, such as neglecting tire pressure, brake functionality, or signal lights, are at a higher risk of accidents. Mechanical failures or malfunctions while riding can lead to loss of control and collisions.
Lane Splitting: In some jurisdictions, motorcyclists are allowed to ride between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic, a practice known as lane splitting. However, this practice can be dangerous if drivers are not expecting motorcycles to pass them in close proximity, leading to collisions.
Left-Turn Accidents: One of the most common types of motorcycle accidents occurs when a vehicle making a left turn fails to yield the right of way to an oncoming motorcycle. These often happen because the turning driver misjudges the motorcycle’s speed or fails to notice the vehicle altogether.
Road Hazards: Motorcycles are more vulnerable to road hazards compared to four-wheeled vehicles due to their smaller size and less stable nature. Potholes, debris, uneven surfaces, or slippery conditions can cause motorcyclists to lose control and crash.
Sudden Lane Changes: Drivers who make sudden lane changes without properly checking their blind spots or signaling can collide with motorcycles. These accidents are particularly dangerous for motorcyclists, as they have less time to react and may be forced into other lanes of traffic or off the road.
Types of Damages and Compensation From A Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
When it comes to personal injury cases in Austin, two crucial elements form the foundation of every claim: liability and damages. Liability refers to the legal responsibility of the person or party who caused the injury, holding them accountable for the resulting consequences.
Damages, on the other hand, serve as the basis for the monetary compensation that the injured party seeks to remedy the harm they have suffered.
While no financial amount can truly undo the pain and suffering caused by a motorcycle accident, it is the closest possible means of addressing the injury-related expenses and losses incurred by the victim.
Here are the types of compensation that you can recover:
Daños punitivos
When a motorcycle accident is caused by someone acting with deliberate disregard for the victim’s safety, the court may award punitive damages. Also known as exemplary damages, these are typically reserved for high-dollar cases involving severe injuries such as traumatic brain damage or paralysis.
Punitive damages are not part of personal injury settlements; instead, courts use them to deter the at-fault party and others from engaging in similar behavior in the future.
Indemnización por daños y perjuicios
Compensatory damages, which aim to reimburse the injured party for their losses, come in two forms: special (economic) and general (non-economic).
Special damages have a pre-determined value and include:
- Gastos médicos
- Pérdida de salarios e ingresos
- Gastos de bolsillo
- Daños a la propiedad
General damages, while more challenging to quantify, are the natural consequences of the at-fault party’s negligence. These may include:
- Dolor y sufrimiento
- Angustia mental
- Disfigurement or Scarring
- Physical Impairment or Disability
- Pérdida del disfrute de la vida
- Loss of Consortium
By understanding the types of damages available and the evidence required to prove them, motorcycle accident victims can work with experienced personal injury attorneys to secure the compensation they deserve.
Role of a Specialized Attorney
Motorcycle accidents can be incredibly complex legal matters, requiring a deep understanding of transportation and personal injury laws, and the ability to navigate the intricacies of establishing negligence.
To determine liability, it is essential to demonstrate that the other party breached their duty of care, which directly resulted in the victim’s injuries.
Further complicating matters is the involvement of insurance companies, which often seek to minimize their financial exposure by contesting the legitimacy of claims or downplaying the extent of the victim’s injuries.
Thus, the importance of retaining a skilled and experienced motorcycle accident attorney cannot be overstated. Their specialized knowledge enables them to expertly handle evidence collection, liability assessment, and legal argumentation.
Texas Motorcycle Accident Laws
If you have sustained an injury in Texas, it’s crucial to understand the state’s specific laws to ensure you receive proper compensation.
Prescripción
Texas adheres to a Statute of Limitations, mandating the filing of a motorcycle accident case within two (2) years of the initial injury. If you fail to bring a claim within this timeframe, it can result in the forfeiture of your right to pursue it.
Notably, the two-year limit is not the sole consideration. Different rules apply if a state or local government is implicated in the injury. For instance, in Austin, a notice must be provided within 45 days if the injury was caused by the city government’s employee, vehicle or equipment.
Modified Comparative Negligence
Failing to exercise the degree of care expected of someone in order to minimize the risk of harm to another is considered “negligence,” the legal basis for many accident cases.
Texas employs the modified comparative negligence rule to determine liabilities, which allocates damages based on each party’s degree of fault. This means that if you are found partially at fault for the injury, then your damages can be reduced.
However, if you’re the plaintiff in a lawsuit (the person wronged or injured), you may not recover damages if your percentage of fault is found to be greater than 50%.
Reporting A Motorcycle Accident
The Texas Transportation Code requires the driver of any vehicle involved in an accident to report the accident immediately to the local police department or to the local sheriff’s office if the crash resulted in an injury, death, or damage to a vehicle to the extent that it cannot be safely driven from the scene.
As for insurance contracts, policyholders are expected to promptly report any accident or damage to the insurer under the notification requirements of the policy. Any delay might jeopardize your insurance company’s ability to investigate a claim, which may result in its denial.
With all the necessary deadlines and requirements, it’s best to hire the services of a seasoned motorcycle accident attorney in Austin to navigate and untangle all the legal technicalities associated with your lawsuit. You can trust The Patel Firm to proficiently handle your case as you can focus on your recovery.
Call An Austin-Based Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Now
Contact an Austin motorcycle accident law firm to expertly handle your case. The Patel Firm focuses on providing legal guidance and utmost care during unthinkable tragedies, empowering clients with efficient legal solutions.
We understand that negotiating with insurance companies, understanding legal complexities, and investing significant time and resources all contribute to the overwhelming nature of managing a motorcycle accident case – but we’re here to help.
With our vast resources and a determined team of skilled attorneys, we’ll be able to strongly advocate for your rights. We believe in safeguarding the community from harm and dedicate our practice to helping injured survivors seek justice.
Contact us at 512-883-5171 for a free case evaluation, or send us a message through our secure and confidential online form. We are always ready to take your call.
The Patel Firm Injury Accident Lawyers
512-883-5171
611 S Congress Ave Suite 215D
Austin, TX 78704
