Motorcyclists have the same right to use the road as passenger and commercial vehicle drivers. Unfortunately, these vulnerable road users face unique challenges when they try to seek justice after a motorcycle collision. Bias against motorcyclists on the part of insurance companies and the public can make it harder than it should be for bikers to recover the compensation they deserve.
If you were recently involved in a motorcycle crash on I-37 or US-181 in Corpus Christi, you need the support of an experienced attorney to pursue financial recovery from the party who caused the collision. The Patel Firm is available 24/7 to respond to your request for a free initial consultation to discuss your case. Contact us today for the personalized advocacy you need and deserve.
Why You Should Hire a Corpus Christi Attorney for Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
After a motorcycle wreck, you may face a lengthy recovery process and significant medical bills. If your injuries force you to take time off from work, you may be uncertain about how to move forward. Meanwhile, insurance companies may pressure you to accept a settlement before you understand the full impact of your injuries. In short, it can feel like it’s you against the world.
A Corpus Christi motorcycle accident lawyer can help you regain control. Your attorney will stand up for your rights and protect your claim against unfair tactics. With informed legal counsel, you can approach your case from a position of strength rather than frustration or uncertainty. Working with someone who understands Texas personal injury law gives you confidence and peace of mind that your case is being handled with care and determination.
Contact us today to speak with a qualified motorcycle accident lawyer in Corpus Christi. Your case review is free and fully confidential, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.
How We Investigate Corpus Christi Motorcycle Accident Cases
A well-documented motorcycle accident case provides the foundation necessary to recover meaningful compensation. It requires investigating what happened and giving precise attention to detail. The Patel Firm begins every case by looking into how the crash occurred and identifying all contributing factors. Our thorough investigative process into getting a full picture of what happened includes the following
- Photographing the scene
- Reviewing police reports
- Collecting physical evidence such as damaged parts
- Locating surveillance or traffic camera footage
- Interviewing witnesses
- Consulting experts to reconstruct the sequence of events
We also look at external factors that can cause or contribute to motorcycle accidents. In Corpus Christi, factors such as road conditions, construction zones, and coastal weather can all contribute to the circumstances surrounding a collision.
Strong investigative skills matter because it’s not always clear who’s liable, and sometimes the smallest details can determine whether an insurer accepts or denies a claim. By properly gathering and preserving the evidence, the team at The Patel Firm can strengthen your position and demonstrate how someone else’s negligence led to your injuries.
What Compensation Could I Recover in a Corpus Christi Motorcycle Accident Claim?
The compensation available after a motorcycle collision on the Crosstown Expressway depends on numerous factors. For example, the nature and severity of your injuries will affect how much medical care you require and, in turn, the amount of medical expenses you face. More serious injuries with lasting complications tend to yield higher compensation than injuries that heal completely. Factors such as the number of liable parties and the amount of available insurance coverage can also impact the total compensation.
While the specifics vary from case to case, many Texas motorcycle accident victims pursue compensation for the following:
- Past, ongoing, and anticipated future medical expenses
- Lost income, including lost earning potential and capacity
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Diminished quality and enjoyment of life
- Motorcycle damage and repair or replacement of other damaged personal property
What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Accident?
The days and weeks after a motorcycle accident can be a confusing and stressful time. Your medical care should always take priority, but it’s also important to do the following to protect your right to compensation:
- Keep detailed records of your medical treatment and missed work.
- Take notes during any conversations with insurance adjusters, and avoid making statements or signing documents before you understand their implications.
- Document any new symptoms or complications that appear as your injuries evolve.
- Write down your recollections of the crash while they are still fresh.
During this time, you may hear from multiple parties — including insurance companies — seeking information about the collision. Don’t answer their questions; instead, consult with a motorcycle accident lawyer in Corpus Christi early in the process. They can speak for you and help you avoid mistakes that might later affect the outcome of your case.
How Does a Motorcycle Accident Differ from a Car Accident?
Motorcycle accidents differ from car accidents in both dynamics and consequences. Riders face direct exposure to impact and often suffer more serious injuries, even in low-speed collisions. Motorcycles are also less visible to other drivers, which increases the likelihood that they will be overlooked in traffic. These differences mean that liability disputes and injury claims can be more complex and challenging.
Who Could Be Held Liable for a Motorcycle Wreck in Corpus Christi?
Determining who is financially responsible for a motorcycle crash requires a close investigation into every factor that led to the collision. Depending on how the crash occurred and what the evidence reveals, multiple parties can share liability, and identifying them all helps strengthen your motorcycle accident claim and maximize your potential recovery.
Potentially responsible parties may include the following:
- Negligent drivers who violated traffic laws or failed to yield
- Vehicle owners who allowed the unsafe operation of their vehicles
- Employers of commercial drivers involved in the wreck
- Motorcycle manufacturers that produced defective parts
- Government agencies or contractors responsible for unsafe road conditions
Could I Recover Compensation if I’m Partly to Blame for a Motorcycle Accident?
You can recover compensation even if you bear partial responsibility. However, Texas law bars anyone from financial recovery if they are more than 50 percent responsible for the accident that injured them. Additionally, any recovery you do receive will be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault.
Here’s an example of how this works in practice. Suppose you are awarded $100,000 but found to be 20 percent at fault. In that case, state law will limit your compensation to $80,000, which is 20 percent less than your original award.
Insurance companies often try to use this rule to their advantage. They’ll attempt to shift blame from their policyholder to the injured rider to reduce the amount they have to pay out. For this reason, it’s important to have a Corpus Christi motorcycle accident attorney on your side to challenge unfair assessments.
The Patel Firm can review the evidence and present an accurate picture of how the crash occurred, protecting your right to fair compensation in the process.
How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Texas?
Texas law gives injured riders a limited time to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit; in most cases, it’s just two years from the date of the accident. If you miss this deadline, it generally means you lose your right to pursue motorcycle accident compensation in court.
Because evidence can deteriorate rapidly and reliable witnesses can be harder to locate as time passes, it’s best to contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your claim.
