Houston Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
With a stellar track record, the Houston motorcycle accident lawyers at The Patel Firm have offered their support to countless individuals who were injured in motorcycle accidents due to others’ negligence. These diligent lawyers continue their relentless work to ensure victims secure the rightful compensation they are entitled to for their injuries.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents
- Injuries Commonly Sustained In Motorcycle Accidents
- Determining Liability For Motorcycle Accidents
- Seeking Compensation After A Motorcycle Accident
- Working With A Houston Motorcycle Accident Attorney
- Common Questions About Motorcycle Accidents
- Call Us Today To Schedule A Free Consultation With A Houston Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
- Frequently Asked Questions (Faqs) About Motorcycle Accidents
- Contact Our Houston Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
KPRC-TV reported in 2020 that Houston was the city in Texas that was identified as having the most motorcyclist fatalities, and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reported that the 482 motorcyclists killed in 2020 was a 17 percent increase from 2019 even though there was a 2 percent reduction in crashes overall. The following year, TxDOT reported that 519 motorcyclists were killed and statewide statistics show that there were 8,322 total motorcycle crashes in Texas in 2021, with 5,587 being urban crashes and 2,735 being rural.
Anybody who has been involved in any kind of motorcycle wreck will want to be quick to contact The Patel Firm because people need legal representation in these cases for help recovering appropriate financial compensation. Our firm knows how complex motorcycle accidents can be and how insurance companies often have a tendency to blame motorcyclists for causing accidents, even when that is clearly not the case.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle crashes can stem from many different possible causes, many of which involve the actions of other drivers on the road. Some of the more common causes of motorcycle accidents in Houston include, but are not limited to:
1. Driver Negligence
Many other drivers are to blame for causing motorcycle accidents, and people may take any one of multiple ill-advised actions, including possibly driving while intoxicated (DWI), speeding, or otherwise driving recklessly. Some cases can be as simple as unfortunate turn choices other drivers make that cause motorcycle accidents.
2. Poor Road Conditions
Dangerous road conditions are not entirely weather-related, as there can be instances in which governmental entities could become liable for a motorcyclist’s injuries if roads were not properly maintained. Some of the more common kinds of road conditions that can cause motorcycle accidents include potholes, poor lighting, and blocked or absent shoulders.
3. Defective Motorcycle Parts
Few causes of motorcycle accidents are quite as frightening as people dealing with malfunctioning motorcycle parts because the accidents largely cannot be prevented. When a part fails on a motorcycle, people could have possible product liability claims against manufacturers and should be sure to retain legal counsel.
Injuries Commonly Sustained in Motorcycle Accidents
The nature of injuries stemming from a motorcycle crash can often be quite severe, with motorcyclists often suffering the worst ends of the collisions. People who are riding motorcycles do not have the same level of protection afforded to other motor vehicle occupants, meaning that motorcyclists could suffer such injuries as:
1. Head and Brain Injuries
Common head injuries in a motorcycle accident include concussions, closed head injuries, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). A TBI can be an extremely debilitating injury that even though the signs and symptoms may be completely invisible to other people, the nature of the injury will be an extreme impediment to a person’s daily life.
2. Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries relate to damage to the bundle of cells and nerves sending and receiving signals from the brain to and from the rest of the body. Injuries are either incomplete, meaning a spinal cord can still transmit messages to and from the brain to the rest of the body, or complete, meaning there is no nerve communication and motor function below the site where the trauma occurred.
3. Broken Bones
Not all fractures need extensive time to heal, but some kinds of fractures can involve surgeries and possible long-term disabilities. Serious broken bones can require reconstructive surgery and pins, plates, and screws needing to be inserted as well as longer hospital stays, rehabilitation, and additional surgeries.
4. Soft Tissue Injuries
A soft tissue injury is a kind of tear, sprain, or contusion that involves trauma or overuse of certain muscles, tendons, or ligaments. The signs of soft tissue injuries are not always obvious, but most soft tissue injuries will involve considerable pain.
Determining Liability for Motorcycle Accidents
Many people who are involved in motorcycle accidents are going to be adamant about proving that another party was at fault for their crash, and it is not always easy to prove this aspect of these cases. Most motorcycle accidents will involve either of the two following scenarios:
1. Negligence
All people operating motor vehicles on roads in Texas are expected to conduct themselves safely, but people who take certain prohibited or dangerous actions can be deemed negligent by a court. Driver negligence may come in the form of following other drivers too closely (tailgating), people running red lights or traffic signs, and distracted driving such as people texting and driving.
2. Comparative Negligence
Comparative negligence is a legal concept under which the fault of both parties involved in an automobile accident is taken into account and damages are awarded based on a party’s percentage of blame. Texas uses a modified comparative negligence standard under which people cannot seek damages when they are more than 50 percent responsible for an accident, but people who are less than 50 percent at fault can recover damages such that a person who is awarded $100,000 in a motorcycle accident case they are found to have been 20 percent responsible for will have their award reduced by $20,000 and ultimately receive $80,000.
Seeking Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident
The kinds of compensation that can be recovered in a motorcycle accident is often a major concern because several people will be seeking various forms of compensation. In general, three of the most common kinds of compensation in these cases include:
1. Medical Expenses
Virtually all people involved in motorcycle accidents will have some kind of medical bills, from ambulance expenses to actual treatment costs. Many motorcycle accident victims will continue to accumulate medical expenses throughout their recovery, and medical bills are one of the primary kinds of economic damages, meaning costs that have tangible values, people seek in these cases.
2. Lost Wages
Another very common kind of economic damage that people seek relate to the money they lose out on when they are unable to return to work. Lost wages is compensation that pays people back for the time they are out of work, and many motorcycle accident injuries tend to result in significant times away from work for most victims.
3. Pain and Suffering
When discussing noneconomic damages, which are the values for concerns that are far more subjective, pain and suffering is one of the most common such awards because virtually all motorcycle accidents are going to involve a certain degree of pain and suffering. People will want to work with an experienced attorney who can recover the most sizable amount for this award.
Working with a Houston Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Any person who suffers injuries in a motorcycle accident will always be best served by being sure to seek the help of an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. Legal representation is often recommended in these cases because:
1. Role of an Attorney
A motorcycle accident attorney is going to take the lead in collecting and examining the evidence in your case. They will also know how to deal with insurance companies, can prepare and file any pleadings, and represent people in court proceedings.
2. Benefits of Working with an Attorney
The first major benefit to hiring a lawyer for your motorcycle accident case is that you will be able to know everything is being handled properly right from the start. An attorney is going to be able to expedite your claim and help you recover compensation sooner than you would be able to on your own, and they can also help you access medical care if you are having trouble paying for your treatment.
Common Questions About Motorcycle Accidents
People will inevitably have several questions about their crashes after being involved in motorcycle accidents. Some of the most frequent questions our law firm hears include:
1. What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Accident?
Begin by seeing if you or any passengers were hurt and call 911 as soon as possible before getting the other driver’s name, insurance information, address, and phone number. Try to document the scene of your crash by taking photographs or videos of your accident scene, and always go to a hospital to get a complete evaluation performed.
2. Who is Responsible for My Injuries?
Liable parties in motorcycle accidents can vary depending on the cause, although it is most often another driver who is liable and their insurance company becomes responsible for paying all damages. There may be cases in which motorcycle parts manufacturers, certain governmental entities responsible for maintaining roads, or possibly employers of some drivers could also be liable.
3. What Types of Compensation Can I Receive?
The phrase compensatory damages refers to the money a person receives that is supposed to restore them to their original condition or as close thereto, and these damages are once again divided into economic damages and noneconomic damages. In addition to the aforementioned medical bills and lost wages, economic damages may also include property damage, while noneconomic damages could be for emotional distress, disfigurement, or disability.
Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Consultation with a Houston Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Did you suffer catastrophic injuries or was your loved one killed in a motorcycle accident in the greater Houston area of Texas? You do not want to wait another moment to get in touch with The Patel Firm because we will be able to immediately step in for your case and work to help you recover all of the compensation that you need and deserve.
Our firm understands the many consequences that can arise in motorcycle accident cases, and we work closely with all of your clients so they always know what is happening with their cases and what we are actively working on for them. Call 361-400-2036 or contact us online to take advantage of a free consultation with our Houston motorcycle accident lawyer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Motorcycle Accidents
What do I need to know about motorcycle accident attorneys?
The first thing you should probably know about motorcycle accident lawyers is that they rarely charge people anything to handle their cases. Most personal injury attorneys in the United States represent people on a contingency fee basis, meaning that people only pay a percentage of their jury award or settlement to the lawyer handling the case but nothing is paid when nothing is recovered.
How can a motorcycle accident attorney help me?
A lawyer is going to be able to step in and quickly investigate your accident, and then work to use the evidence they obtain to help a person recover as much compensation as possible. An attorney can handle all of the settlement negotiations so people will not have to worry about speaking to insurers and possibly jeopardizing their cases.
What qualifications should I look for in a motorcycle accident attorney?
Any person seeking legal counsel for a motorcycle accident should make sure that a lawyer has a proven history of handling motorcycle accident cases. You will want to know that an attorney has a respectable knowledge of the applicable laws and also understand how willing they will be to communicate with you about your case.
What kind of experience does a motorcycle accident attorney have?
The experience most people will be seeking for a motorcycle accident is going to be time spent handling other motorcycle accident cases. A lawyer should be able to demonstrate that they have a history handling similar motorcycle accident cases and also speak to what kinds of compensation they were able to recover.
What are the costs associated with hiring a motorcycle accident attorney?
Many motorcycle accident lawyers are going to try not to charge their clients anything for legal services because a payment will instead come at the conclusion of the case. There could be some legal fees in some cases that do not fall under the purview of a contingency agreement, such as court fees, document acquisition fees, and fees for securing experts, as well as other minor expenses.
What is the process for finding a motorcycle accident attorney?
People seeking motorcycle accident lawyers will often have to schedule consultations with multiple attorneys to determine which one will be the best fit for their case. You will need to perform research on your own into each attorney’s background and then ask relevant questions when meeting in person.
What legal advice can a motorcycle accident attorney provide?
The first piece of advice many lawyers are likely to offer their clients is not to accept the insurance company’s first settlement offer, because even though these offers can sound sizable to some people, they are often lowball amounts nowhere near what insurance companies are actually liable for. An attorney is also going to be able to help a person with their medical condition after a crash, working to recommend treatments and specialists that may help people recover more quickly.
How can a motorcycle accident attorney help me get a fair settlement?
A lawyer is going to be your best bet for getting the largest possible settlement because people who try to represent themselves in settlement negotiations always end up taking home less than they would have had they retained legal counsel. An attorney is going to have a much better understanding of the true value of your case, and they will be able to work from that point to recover an amount that is as close as possible to the amount you are entitled to.
Contact Our Houston Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you suffered severe injuries or your loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident in the greater Houston area of Texas, get The Patel Firm on your side right away by calling 361-400-2036 or contacting us online to arrange a free consultation with our Houston motorcycle accident lawyer.
The Patel Firm Houston Car Accident Lawyer
5206 FM 1960 Ste 105
Houston, TX 77069
(713) 539-1115
