Motorcycle accidents can be extremely serious, largely because someone driving or riding on a motorcycle doesn’t have the protection they would have in a car.
If you’ve been in a motorcycle crash, working with the insurance company to get your medical costs covered and be compensated for your injuries is important.
Being injured in a motorcycle accident isn’t uncommon, and most of the time, the fault doesn’t lie with the motorcycle rider. Instead, it’s often another driver who strikes them.
You can get a free consultation in your motorcycle accident case, so you can decide if you want to work with an attorney for an injury claim.
While motorcycle accidents occur quite frequently, many of them are minor. For those accidents that are more significant, finding the right attorney to help you is very important. Not only does that create a higher chance of compensation, but it can also add to your peace of mind.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accidents that cause serious injury happen every day all around the country. If you’ve been in a Dallas motorcycle accident, it’s important that you know what to do.
First, make sure you get medical treatment. That’s the most important factor after a crash because you need and deserve medical care for your injuries. You should contact the police, as well, and make sure there’s a report filed. You’ll want a copy of that.
You also want to get in touch with your insurance company and let them know about your accident. Getting the information about the other party in the accident and their insurance provider is also important, so you can make sure the accident is properly reported.
Next, it’s time to have a consultation with motorcycle accident attorneys who can help you seek fair and just compensation for the injuries you’ve sustained.
Because motorcycle crashes can be so severe, you need a trusted law firm that can protect you. Getting compensation can be a battle, and it’s one you don’t want to fight on your own. With an attorney to help you, you’ll have more opportunities to get your medical expenses and other damages covered.
Why You Need a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
You need a Dallas motorcycle accident lawyer to help you when you’ve been involved in a collision. You could try to settle with the insurance yourself, but you’re not going to get offered as much as your case is actually worth.
By working with motorcycle accident attorneys, accident victims can get quality legal representation that gives them help, hope, and support.
You need to make sure you have the police report if you’re injured in a motorcycle accident, and the best motorcycle accident lawyers can take that and use it to help you seek punitive damages for your injuries.
With legal representation on your side, you’ll be much more likely to get a larger amount of compensation, and that can mean more bills covered. You may have injuries that go far beyond current medical care, and if you have permanent injuries or need ongoing care, you want to make sure you’re compensated for those things.
How Can a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Help You?
When you make a motorcycle accident claim, you need trusted professionals to help you. Your Dallas motorcycle accident can be life-altering, and you don’t want the insurance company to only pay a small amount.
Since motorcycle crashes cause such a high level of devastation, a free consultation with an attorney for your injury claim can make all the difference. The at-fault party and their insurance company may have to provide compensation for your injuries, and you’ll also have peace of mind in knowing you’re being helped.
How to Choose the Best Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Dallas
After your Dallas motorcycle accident, you need to get the right motorcycle attorney. There are many motorcycle accident attorneys throughout Texas, but you don’t want to just pick one.
Instead, you need one who has the skills and experience you’re looking for. An insurance adjuster will try to get their client off the hook for paying for your injuries, and you don’t want to let that happen.
With serious injuries from your accident, you deserve fair compensation and proper medical treatment. The best motorcycle attorney for your needs will be one who fully understands the extent of your injuries and is very comfortable with motorcycle cases.
Personal injury lawyers often handle a lot of different kinds of cases at their law firm, but choosing someone with strong motorcycle accident experience is the best choice for the value of your case.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Texas
Motorcycle accidents can be caused by a lot of things, including speed and mechanical failure. But most of the time, a motorcycle accident is caused by the driver of a car who doesn’t see the motorcycle and turns into its path.
The insurance company for that driver will then generally have to pay out on a personal injury claim for the rider. Common motorcycle accident injuries include broken bones, cuts, abrasions, spinal cord damage, and head trauma.
Unlike car accidents, in which the victim has some protection from the vehicle around them, a motorcycle accident caused by a negligent driver doesn’t offer the rider any protection.
That’s why motorcycle accident claims are often so large because the level of damage done is typically higher. There are many causes of motorcycle accidents, but other drivers are among the most common causes.
Factors That Can Impact Your Motorcycle Accident Claim in Dallas
Motorcycle accidents can occur at any time, day or night. Even experienced riders can have a problem with their motorcycle, their health, or a vehicle that allegedly didn’t see them on the roadways.
If you’re making a personal injury claim because of a motorcycle wreck, there are some specific factors that might impact the success or value of that claim.
Motorcycle crashes that are fully caused by another vehicle are generally the most solid claims, while motorcycle riders can be ruled to be partially at fault in some claims. That will affect the strength and value of the claim in most cases.
Having a driver open their car door into the path of a motorcycle is another way that a motorcycle accident in Dallas could take place and cause damage to the motorcycle driver and their passenger. Understanding what actions the driver took and whether any at-fault actions occurred on the part of the motorcyclist is important when addressing the impact of an accident claim.
How Long Do You Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Texas?
If you want to work with Dallas motorcycle accident lawyers about a claim in Texas, you have two years from the date of the accident.
If you don’t file a motorcycle accident claim in that length of time, you may not be able to seek compensation for your Dallas motorcycle accident at all.
Make sure you get a copy of the police report if you’re injured in a motorcycle crash that supplies a date for the accident and a lot of other important information.
After the accident occurs, you’ll want to focus on your health and medical care, but you’ll also want to work with an attorney who can help you understand the causes of motorcycle accidents and how the driver may have been negligent.
The right law firm will take your case and make sure it’s filed on time so you don’t lose out on the potential for proper compensation for your injuries.
Recovering Damages in a Dallas Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
Working with Dallas motorcycle accident lawyers gives you the best opportunity to recover damages. That’s because Dallas motorcycle accident attorneys understand the seriousness of these kinds of accidents and know what the judge will be looking for in your case.
A motorcycle accident attorney can provide you and others involved in the case with Texas motorcycle accident statistics to show how your motorcycle accident lawsuit is justified and has merit. The at-fault driver will likely be deemed negligent, causing your collision.
When you choose to work with personal injury attorneys, it’s easier for you to get the help and support you deserve, and that includes recovering damages and being fairly compensated for any injuries you sustained at the hands of a negligent party while riding your motorcycle.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies After a Motorcycle Accident
As you work through your case with a motorcycle accident lawyer, that attorney will need to negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company for a settlement in your personal injury claim. If you have serious injuries and the insurance doesn’t want to pay, your case may even have to go to court.
Significant injury motorcycle crashes aren’t uncommon, even though there are many Dallas motorcycle accidents that don’t cause a lot of damage. You don’t have to try to negotiate with the insurance company on your own or back down and accept what they offer.
That’s why you want to hire a personal injury law firm to fight the insurance for you. Choosing a law firm can give you a better result, but it can also provide you with a lot more peace of mind.
What If the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance in a Motorcycle Accident?
Because motorcycle accidents are so serious, you’re likely to rely on an insurance settlement in your Dallas motorcycle accident that will cover your medical bills and other expenses.
However, it’s always possible that the insurance adjuster will tell you the other driver wasn’t insured at the time of the accident. If you have insurance on your motorcycle, you can work with your personal insurance company for help.
While most motorcycle accident injury cases don’t end up in this situation, it’s not impossible. You should have coverage to protect you in these circumstances, but for serious injury cases, the amount that you have might not be enough.
When attorneys deal with Dallas motorcycle accident cases in which the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance, they may go after the driver’s personal belongings and finances. If the other driver doesn’t have much, getting a settlement may be more difficult, but there are usually options to pursue.
What If You Were Partially at Fault in a Dallas Motorcycle Accident?
Motorcycle accident lawyers understand that it’s not always just the other party who’s at fault. Sometimes, in a Dallas motorcycle accident, Texas law will show that the motorcyclist was also partially at fault.
Attorneys who work with motorcycle crashes, car accidents, and similar events work through these kinds of issues with their clients. There may be some times when the motorcyclist is partially at fault in injury motorcycle crashes, but they can still receive compensation.
Even the best motorcycle safety information doesn’t mean a rider won’t make a mistake or become distracted. At the scene of the accident, the police officer making the report can document the placement of the vehicles and other details that can help determine fault.
The injuries sustained by the rider are also an important way to gain more detail about the accident itself. These injuries can help show what the rider was doing right before the accident, along with their placement on the road and other specifics.
If you’re involved in a motorcycle accident in which you’re partially at fault, you may still be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Anything you’re doing at the time of the accident doesn’t negate the actions of the other party, who may also be at fault.
Can You Still Recover Damages If You Weren’t Wearing a Helmet in a Dallas Motorcycle Accident?
If you were in a motorcycle accident and you weren’t wearing a helmet, you may still be able to recover damages. However, motorcycle accident lawyers could have a harder time winning your case because the argument could be made that you were negligent in not protecting yourself.
Many motorcycle accident victims who don’t wear helmets don’t survive their injuries, and even with a helmet, there are no guarantees. Still, Dallas motorcycle accident attorneys will take cases from riders who aren’t wearing helmets as compensation is still an option.
When there are motorcycle accident cases in which the rider is deemed to be less than 51% at fault for their injuries, they can seek compensation. That could mean they get their medical bills paid and receive additional treatment for severe injuries.
Motorcycle riders who are dealing with these particular issues can work with a personal injury attorney for help, but they may receive significantly less compensation than they would otherwise be offered.
Despite this, working with an attorney can still typically provide you with the best opportunity to receive fair and just compensation for any injuries you sustained through the actions of another party.
What Evidence Do You Need for a Strong Motorcycle Accident Case?
Any motorcycle accident lawyers you work with will want to build a strong case for your compensation. After a Dallas motorcycle accident, collecting evidence can help you work with the insurance company and settle your case.
Asking your motorcycle accident attorney specifically what they’d like to see from you can help, but you need to be prepared to document your motorcycle accident injuries through medical records.
You should also provide the police report and any witness statements, pictures, or video footage of the accident or the aftermath.
Personal injury claims can be difficult to prove at times, but working with a law firm makes this process easier. Not only that but the more evidence you have, the more likely it will be that you receive proper compensation for your injuries and any ongoing medical needs you have in the future.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Motorcycle Accident Case in Texas?
Working with a motorcycle accident lawyer is the fastest way to settle a case involving a motorcycle wreck. Especially if you have serious injuries, you want to get your case settled quickly to help with the costs of your continued care and medical bills.
Since motorcycle crashes can create large medical expenses, settling a serious accident or injury claim fast is important. If the other driver has good liability insurance, it may be easier to settle more quickly. Of course, it also depends on whether the insurance fights against the claim.
Many motorcycle accidents can be resolved in weeks to months, while some may continue for a longer period of time. Every case is different, and yours may settle faster or slower than the average based on the specifics of the case itself.
What Is the Role of a Dallas Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
When motorcycle accidents with severe injuries occur, a motorcycle accident attorney has a very important role. They’re your advocate and counsel, and they fight to get you the most compensation.
Especially in a motorcycle crash where the other driver was the only at-fault party, laws covering motorcycle accidents in the Dallas, TX, area can help you get payment for your medical bills, ongoing care needs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
You may have to work with your own insurance company as well as the other party and their insurance, and that’s much easier to do when you have the right attorney on your side. You need a trusted legal advisor who understands Texas motorcycle law, so you can feel confident that you’re getting the best help for your case.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Dallas Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
A motorcycle accident lawyer typically doesn’t charge money upfront. Instead, attorneys who handle these kinds of accidents work with motorcycle accident victims to get them compensation for their injuries.
Then the attorney is paid from that settlement, so they only make money from motorcycle accident cases when they win and recover compensation for the accident victims.
In fatal motorcycle crashes, it can involve recovering on behalf of the family members of the person who lost their life. The Texas Department of Insurance can provide information on medical insurance coverage and other considerations recommended for motorcyclists.
While this won’t cover everything in the event of a serious crash, and it doesn’t negate the importance of seeking compensation for injuries, it can help motorcyclists protect themselves and their loved ones with strong coverage.
How to Prepare for Your Initial Consultation With a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may want to set up a consultation with an attorney who can talk about your case and suggest options for compensation and other details.
You want to prepare for any consultation with motorcycle accident lawyers, so you can ask them the questions you need to know and get as much valuable advice during that consultation as possible.
If you don’t ask a motorcycle accident attorney questions, or you don’t have the police report and other important information about your motorcycle wreck, you won’t get as much value from the consultation.
The report of the accident scene, proof of lost wages, and records detailing your medical attention and ongoing care needs should all be brought to the meeting as well. You may be asked for copies, so the attorney can look things over more carefully and get back to you on your rights and options.
The more prepared you are for your initial meeting with the attorney, though, the more easily you can get information and make a knowledgeable decision about whether to proceed with your case. You want to have all the facts before seeking compensation.
Questions to Ask a Dallas Motorcycle Accident Lawyer During Your Consultation
Consultations with Dallas motorcycle accident lawyers are so important because they can help you decide for or against pursuing a case. You don’t want to miss out on important compensation you could receive through working with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney.
But most accident victims also don’t want to pursue something they don’t have a good chance of winning because that’s a stressful and difficult prospect when they’re already injured. Consulting with a motorcycle accident law firm will help them make their decision.
At your free consultation with a single attorney or a legal team, make sure you ask whether you have a case worth pursuing, along with the estimated length of time it takes to settle a case like yours.
Also, ask the law firm about similar cases they’ve handled and the level of compensation they’ve collected from insurance adjusters for those victims.
Find out what the law says about the maximum compensation in your case, and talk to the attorney about your odds of receiving that. It’s not possible for an attorney to guarantee you any specific outcome in a motorcycle accident case, but they can discuss your odds.
If there’s a strong likelihood of winning your case for a lot of compensation, ask them about the timeline, their fees, and what they need from you. That way, you have the facts and can make a decision from there.
While you have a statute of limitations to consider, don’t rush into choosing an attorney just to get the process started. You want the best attorney for your particular case, and that comes down to expertise, education, experience, and how comfortable you feel with the attorney who will be helping you.
By choosing the best attorney for your needs, you can have more peace of mind and confidence as you move forward with pursuing compensation for your motorcycle accident.
