Motorcycling is exhilarating and freeing, but it is also a rather dangerous method of transportation. The unique exposure to the elements, while invigorating, unfortunately offers little protection from accidents or unexpected hazards. Additionally, many passenger car drivers fail to treat motorcyclists with the respect, space, and protections they deserve. This means that preventable crashes happen regularly and leave riders with serious injuries.
If you ride a motorcycle and were hurt in a crash caused by someone else’s negligence, you could benefit from working with an experienced injury attorney. One of our Houston motorcycle accident lawyers could assess the severity of your injuries, fight for substantial compensation, and help you resolve any problems that arise along the way.
Motorcycle Accident Injuries are Often Severe
Due to the exposed nature of a motorcycle, any crash could be serious, regardless of how fast either vehicle was travelling. There are many different wounds that riders suffer in an unexpected collision, including:
- Cuts and bruises
- Road rash or other skin burns
- Abrasions or contusions
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Injuries to the face, like losing an eye
- Traumatic brain damage
- Spinal cord wounds
- Wrongful death
The unfortunate reality is that any of these injuries could leave a motorcycle rider permanently impaired; unable to return to work or enjoy life as they previously did. A plaintiff could also require extensive medical treatment and lifelong support through physical therapy. All of this means that injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident should never be underestimated. Our Houston attorneys understand this and could fight to make sure that no injury goes untreated or unrepresented.
How to Prove that a Negligent Driver Caused a Motorcycle Wreck
Generally speaking, proving that someone else’s careless or reckless driving caused a motorbike crash is one of the most important phases of filing a civil claim for damages. This is where retaining a legal representative from our firm could be beneficial.
There are many ways that another driver could be liable, and a legal advocate understands this. For instance, if a mechanical defect in the defendant’s car contributed to the crash, a skilled attorney could target the vehicle manufacturer in the resulting claim. Meanwhile, if a driver chose to send text messages behind the wheel, our team members could acquire the cell phone record to prove this negligent behavior. And finally, if a fatigued truck driver caused the crash, our lawyers could prove that the commercial vehicle employer needs to assume liability because they forced the driver to stay on the road for an unreasonable amount of time.
Regardless of the details of the case, our motorcycle crash lawyers in Houston could assess any relevant evidence and work to factor it into a client’s accident claim.
Financial Compensation and Comparative Fault in Motorcycle Accidents
There are a few important details that a motorcyclist needs to understand about the process of collecting monetary damages. In most cases, the defendant’s insurance company assumes responsibility for fully compensating an injured rider. However, state laws also establish that everyone involved in a case needs to face responsibility for their own actions. This means that if the motorcycle rider partially contributed to the accident in question, they might collect less financial compensation than they anticipated.
Helmet use could also impact monetary damages. Under Texas Transportation Code §661.003(c), motorcycle riders who are at least 21 years old do not need to wear a helmet if they have completed a motorcycle safety course or have health insurance coverage. However, if a biker experiences severe injuries that a helmet might have prevented, a defendant could assert that the biker’s failure to wear head protection contributed to their wounds.
Thankfully, a knowledgeable attorney in Houston could find the best way to combat claims of comparative negligence, even in cases where a motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet at the time of a crash. Allegations of shared blame do not have to derail a case, and Kirk Law Firm, PLLC understands that.
Trust a Houston Motorcycle Accident Attorney with Your Case
The physical and emotional trauma of a motorcycle wreck cannot be underestimated. If you were hit by a fast-moving car or truck, you might require months of medical treatment, years of physical therapy, and a lifetime of financial assistance from family members.
Therefore, you deserve compensation for your many losses, expenses, and setbacks. Speak with one of our Houston motorcycle accident lawyers to get started on your unique case.