Houston Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
If you were injured in an accident while riding your motorcycle, do not hesitate to contact the Houston personal injury attorneys of Design 9. You might be entitled to financial compensation from the negligent or careless driver who caused the wreck. We have the necessary experience to investigate the crash and determine who was at fault for your injuries. You can depend on us to fight for the justice you deserve and hold the other driver liable for their actions.
Motorcycles are fun modes of transportation. They’re also convenient during heavy traffic on major South Texas highways. However, the rider and their passenger are at a higher risk of injury than the occupants of cars and trucks when there’s an accident. Bikes lack safety devices, such as seatbelts and airbags. Ejection is common during a collision, putting the motorcyclist in harm’s way.
At Design 9, our Houston motorcycle accident attorneys understand how traumatic the aftermath of a crash can be. You’re in pain, in shock, and don’t know what to do next. Fortunately, our legal team has experience handling cases like yours and can help you through each step of the process.
If you want to learn more about our legal services, call Design 9 at (555) 555-5555 for a free initial consultation.
Do I Need to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
No, but it’s an excellent idea. Studies show that you’re more likely to recover higher compensation when you’re represented by a lawyer than if you handle your case alone. That’s because personal injury attorneys have experience investigating accidents and locating the necessary evidence to prove what happened. Additionally, working on an insurance claim or lawsuit can be stressful when you’re trying to heal your injuries.
Design 9 can take over your case so you can focus on recovering and getting your life back on track. When you hire us, we’ll explain your legal rights and guide you through the process so you know what to expect. We can complete each step on your behalf, such as:
- Completing paperwork and filing the documents by the correct deadlines
- Obtaining evidence, such as medical records, police reports, and witness statements
- Calculating the monetary value of your case
- Negotiating with the insurance company for the full and fair settlement amount
- Filing a lawsuit, if necessary, and taking your case to court
The Houston motorcycle accident attorneys of Design 9 know the tactics used by insurance companies. Their goal is to find evidence that their policyholder wasn’t at fault for the crash. If they can shift blame to you or someone else, they don’t have to accept liability and provide you with compensation.
With us in your corner, you can feel confident knowing the insurance company will have a much harder time denying your claim or intimidating you into accepting a lowball offer. We always fight for our clients to reach the best possible outcome. You can depend on us to be relentless in our negotiations and pursue the maximum available compensation, so you’re not forced to pay for anything out of your own pocket.
Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycles don’t offer much protection from the elements. Bike riders can’t protect themselves from adverse weather conditions or out-of-control vehicles. When you take your bike out on the road, you’re at the mercy of other drivers. If someone swerves into your lane or becomes distracted, you could end up suffering the consequences.
Driver error is a common factor that contributes to motor vehicle accidents. Motorists must remain focused on the task at hand at all times. Even the slightest mistake or one second of inattention can lead to a collision. The most common causes of motorcycle accidents are:
- Distracted driving – Texting while driving is one of the most common forms of distraction drivers face. Distracted driving accounted for 3,142 fatalities in 2019.
- Drunk driving – Driving under the influence of alcohol is reckless and puts other people at risk of severe injury or death. Texas law prohibits operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration at or above 0.08%.
- Drowsy driving – Driving while feeling tired is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. Being tired impairs a person’s motor skills, reaction time, and decision-making. Drivers also risk falling asleep at the wheel.
- Disobeying traffic signs and signals – Traffic lights, stop signs, and yield signs are there for a reason. Drivers who decide to disobey them place other people in danger. If someone runs a red light at an intersection, they could T-bone a motorcyclist.
- Speeding – Driving above the speed limit isn’t the only reckless form of speeding. If there are potholes or heavy rain, driving too fast can prevent the driver from controlling their vehicle. They could hydroplane and end up on a collision course with another motorist.
- Tailgating – Following someone too closely doesn’t allow for enough distance to stop safely. Drivers need adequate space between themselves and the vehicle ahead. If someone tailgates you, they could crash into the back of your bike if traffic suddenly stops.
One of the best decisions you can make after a motorcycle accident is to hire a Houston motorcycle accident attorney. Design 9 has the resources to track down negligent drivers and find a way to hold them liable for the suffering they cause.
Most Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents
Various types of accidents involving motorcycles can occur. They include:
- Left-turn accidents – A T-bone collision can result from a driver turning left at an intersection without checking for crossing motorcyclists.
- Dooring accidents – Motorists should always look for approaching bikers before opening the door of their parked car.
- Head-on collisions – A distracted driver could drift into oncoming traffic and crash into the front of a motorcyclist.
- Rear-end accidents – Tailgating is a common contributing factor in rear-end collisions. The driver can’t stop in time and ends up crashing into the back of a motorcyclist.
Design 9 is familiar with the dangers of these and other types of motorcycle collisions. They can cause devastating injuries to bike riders. You shouldn’t leave your future in the hands of an inexperienced lawyer. Our legal team can take on the insurance company and hold the at-fault driver accountable.
Possible Compensation Available in an Insurance Claim
Texas follows a fault car accident system. That means the law requires the responsible driver to compensate for the victim’s injuries and resulting expenses. You can pursue the compensation you need by filing a claim with their insurance company.
The Texas Department of Insurance requires all motorists to buy and maintain insurance coverage with minimum liability limits. If someone causes an accident, their liability insurance could compensate for the injured party’s medical expenses, prescription medications, and other costs.
When you file a liability claim, you can seek a settlement to pay for your past and future accident-related losses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost future earnings
- Physical impairment or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of household services
- Mental anguish
- Cost of car repair or replacement
Motorcycle accidents can upend your entire life. You must endure daily pain from your injuries and spend time away from work to attend doctor’s appointments. If you can’t afford your bills, you could end up with significant debt.
The Houston motorcycle accident attorneys of Design 9 understand the financial burden many people face following motorcycle crashes. It’s stressful and unfair that you’re forced to deal with the ramifications of another person’s misconduct. Our team will aggressively pursue the maximum settlement possible to compensate for your past losses and pay for any necessary medical treatment you need in the future.
Texas Motorcycle Accident Laws
Design 9 can review your case and determine the available legal options. It might be better to file an insurance claim in some situations if there’s adequate liability coverage. However, insurance companies don’t always play fair. They might look for any valid reason to deny your claim or offer a lowball settlement.
If necessary, we can file a lawsuit and take your case to court. Texas has a two-year statute of limitations. This is a strict deadline for initiating legal action against another person following an accident. That means you have only two years from the date of the crash to sue the at-fault driver. After the statute expires, you will likely lose your opportunity to hold them liable in court.
The jury will look at evidence of fault for each party involved in the motorcycle accident. If they determine that your actions contributed to your injuries, you could end up with much less compensation than you need. Proportionate responsibility diminishes a plaintiff’s monetary losses by their percentage of shared fault.
For example, if you have $20,000 in losses, but the jury determines you were 20% at fault for the crash, you could only seek up to $16,000 in compensation. The 51% rule could bar you from financial recovery altogether if the jury finds that you were at least 51% to blame for the accident.
Contact Design 9 for Your Free Consultation
If a negligent driver or another party caused your injuries in a motorcycle accident, contact Design 9 for a free consultation. We can review the details of your case and advise you about the available legal options for seeking justice.
Our Houston motorcycle accident attorneys are ready to be your advocates during this traumatic experience. Call us today at (555) 555-5555.