Motorcycle crashes often leave riders and their families reeling from sudden injuries, unexpected medical bills, and disrupted routines. When someone else’s careless driving causes a collision, you shouldn’t have to carry the financial burden alone. Working with a Richardson motorcycle accident lawyer at AMS Law Group gives you the support of a legal team that understands the unique risks riders face on local roads.
Richardson, Texas, sees steady traffic on routes like US 75, Belt Line Road, and Spring Valley Road, and drivers don’t always give motorcycles the space or attention they deserve. Our attorneys know how quickly a wreck can change your daily life and how insurance companies often push back against valid claims. We help you pursue fair results so you can focus on recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation with our team.
What Makes Motorcycle Accidents Different from Car Accidents?
Motorcycle collisions differ in several ways from car crashes. Riders deal with unique vulnerabilities, unfair treatment from insurers, and specific laws that can all affect the outcome of a claim, making it clear you need a lawyer after a serious motorcycle accident.
Severity of Injuries in Motorcycle Crashes
Motorcycles don’t have seat belts, airbags, or steel frames to absorb force. Riders often suffer serious injuries even in lower-speed crashes. A bump in a car might mean a dented bumper, while the same impact on a bike could send a rider onto the pavement with broken bones or worse. Some victims require multiple surgeries, and recovery can take months or years. Unlike car passengers who often walk away with bruises, riders may face lifelong changes to mobility.
Bias Against Motorcyclists
Drivers and insurance companies sometimes assume motorcyclists take more risks. That unfair stereotype can influence how adjusters evaluate claims. For example, an insurer might suggest that a rider must have been speeding or weaving even when there’s no evidence of it. An attorney helps counter this bias by presenting witness testimony, traffic camera footage, and police reports to prove responsibility.
Complex Insurance Issues
Insurance companies often try to argue about coverage limits, policy exclusions, or fault percentages. Motorcyclists may also face uninsured or underinsured drivers more often than car owners. These disputes can delay a fair settlement unless you have strong legal advocacy. Riders also sometimes carry separate motorcycle policies that don’t mirror their auto insurance, leading to confusion that insurers exploit.
Helmet Laws and Their Impact on Claims
Texas helmet law requires riders under 21 to wear helmets. Riders over 21 may choose not to if they meet certain conditions. Insurance adjusters sometimes try to argue that not wearing a helmet reduces the value of a claim. However, that argument doesn’t always hold up under Texas law, especially if the injury had nothing to do with head protection. For instance, a broken leg or spinal cord injury isn’t affected by helmet use, yet insurers may still attempt to lower settlement offers.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Richardson
Richardson’s roads see many of the same hazards as larger cities in North Texas. Still, certain patterns appear in motorcycle accident reports, many linked to driver distraction, poor decisions, or unsafe road conditions, showing why you have to file a personal injury claim to recover your losses.
Distracted Driving
Drivers on East Campbell Road or around Richardson Square often use phones, adjust GPS devices, or take their eyes off the road. That split-second distraction can keep them from seeing a motorcycle. Even a few seconds of inattention at 45 miles per hour covers the length of a football field, enough to miss a rider in the next lane.
Left-Turn Collisions
One of the most common crash types occurs when a driver makes a left turn in front of a motorcycle at intersections like Greenville Avenue and Arapaho Road. Motorcycles have a smaller profile, and careless drivers misjudge speed or distance. A rider traveling straight with the right of way often ends up with no time to avoid the car.
Lane Splitting Incidents
Although Texas doesn’t currently permit lane splitting, some riders try it in heavy traffic. Drivers who don’t expect a motorcycle between lanes may swerve or open a door, leading to a collision. These incidents often spark disputes over legality and fault, which a lawyer must sort through carefully.
Poor Road Conditions
Potholes, loose gravel, and uneven pavement along Plano Road or near construction zones can cause a motorcycle to lose traction. What might feel like a bump in a car could throw a rider off balance on a bike. Poor signage, sudden lane shifts, or broken streetlights also increase risks at night.
Impaired Driving
Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs pose a danger to everyone, but especially to motorcyclists. A single wrong move on stretches like Centennial Boulevard can end in a severe wreck. Impairment slows reaction times, blurs judgment, and makes motorcycles harder to detect.
What Types of Injuries Do Motorcycle Accident Victims Suffer?
Motorcycle crashes often bring injuries that take months or even years to recover from. Riders may need ongoing care, surgeries, and therapy, and some never regain full mobility.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Even with a helmet, riders may suffer concussions or more severe brain trauma. These injuries can affect memory, coordination, and daily living. Victims often require long-term rehabilitation and may struggle with concentration or personality changes.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Damage to the spine may leave a rider with partial or total paralysis. Even less severe spinal injuries can limit movement and require extensive therapy. Adjusting to daily life after such an injury often involves major changes at home and work.
Road Rash and Skin Injuries
When riders slide across pavement, layers of skin peel away, leaving painful wounds prone to infection. Severe cases may require skin grafts and leave permanent scarring. Many victims also endure nerve damage that causes chronic pain.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Arms, legs, ribs, and collarbones often break when a rider hits the ground. These injuries sometimes need surgery and hardware implants. Recovery can mean weeks in casts, months in therapy, and lost independence during healing.
Internal Injuries
A strong blow to the chest or abdomen can cause organ damage or internal bleeding. These injuries may not appear right away but can threaten a rider’s life if untreated. Doctors often detect them only with scans or exploratory surgery.
How Is Fault Determined in Texas Motorcycle Accidents?
Proving fault in Texas motorcycle crashes involves evidence, testimony, and legal standards that define how much responsibility each party carries, and understanding the mistakes to avoid after the accident can help protect your right to compensation.
Texas Modified Comparative Fault Rule
Texas law follows modified comparative fault. If you share part of the blame, your recovery may be reduced by that percentage. However, if another driver holds most of the fault, they remain responsible for the majority of damages.
Evidence Collection at the Scene
Photos of the scene, skid marks, debris, and vehicle damage all play a part in showing what happened. The sooner this evidence is gathered, the stronger the case becomes.
Police Reports and Their Role
Police reports provide an official account of the crash. While not the final word, they give useful details about citations, witness names, and initial findings.
Witness Testimony
Neutral third-party witnesses can back up the rider’s version of events. A passerby at an intersection or another driver nearby may provide key information.
Expert Accident Reconstruction
In more serious cases, accident reconstruction experts can analyze measurements, speed, and mechanics to recreate how the collision occurred. This helps counter disputed claims.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Motorcycle Crash?
Victims of motorcycle accidents often face steep costs that go far beyond the first hospital bill. A claim can cover several types of financial and non-financial losses, and many riders ask can I sue after the crash to recover these damages.
Medical Expenses and Future Care Costs
Ambulance rides, emergency care, surgeries, therapy, and medication add up quickly. Long-term costs like rehabilitation and assistive devices also count.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
Time off work leads to lost paychecks. If injuries prevent you from returning to your job or limit future work, you can also claim reduced earning ability.
Pain and Suffering
Motorcycle wrecks often bring lasting pain, anxiety, and changes in how someone lives day-to-day. A claim takes these hardships into account.
Property Damage
Repairing or replacing a motorcycle costs thousands of dollars. Helmets, riding gear, and other personal property also fall under this category.
Punitive Damages in Severe Cases
If a driver acted with extreme recklessness, such as drunk driving, Texas courts may allow additional damages meant to punish that conduct.
How Long Do You Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Texas?
Deadlines play an important role in Texas injury claims. Missing one can cost a rider the chance to recover anything.
Texas Statute of Limitations
Most personal injury claims in Texas must be filed within two years of the accident date. This clock starts the day of the crash.
Discovery Rule Exceptions
In rare cases, injuries don’t appear right away. The discovery rule may extend the timeline if someone couldn’t reasonably know about their injury until later.
Government Entity Claims Deadlines
If the crash involves a city or state vehicle, you face shorter deadlines. Some government claims require notice within months, not years.
Insurance Claim Deadlines
Insurance companies often require prompt reporting. Waiting too long gives them an excuse to deny coverage.
How Our Richardson Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Can Help
Working with AMS Law Group gives you more than a legal voice in court. Our attorneys take an active role in building your case from the very beginning.
Immediate Case Investigation
We move quickly to gather photos, records, and witness statements. Preserving this information early prevents evidence from disappearing.
Medical Expert Consultation
Our team works with doctors and specialists who can explain the extent of your injuries and the care you’ll need in the future.
Insurance Company Negotiation
Insurance adjusters often try to cut down claims. We push back, showing documented proof of injuries and costs so they can’t undervalue your case.
Court Representation
If an insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, our attorneys prepare your case for trial and present it before a judge or jury.
Maximizing Your Settlement
We look at every possible loss, from lost income to therapy needs, to build a claim that reflects the full scope of what the accident has taken from you.
Why Choose Our Richardson Law Firm?
AMS Law Group brings local knowledge and proven results to every motorcycle accident case, offering guidance that every victim should know when seeking fair compensation.
Local Knowledge of Richardson Roads and Traffic Patterns
We know the intersections, highways, and traffic conditions in Richardson that often contribute to accidents. That insight helps us prepare stronger cases.
Proven Track Record with Motorcycle Cases
Our attorneys have handled many motorcycle claims, giving us insight into the tactics insurance companies use and how to counter them.
No Fee Unless We Recover Damages
We handle motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You don’t pay us unless we secure a settlement or verdict in your favor.
Personalized Attention to Each Case
We treat every client as more than a case number. You’ll have access to your lawyer, regular updates, and a clear explanation of the process.
FAQs About Richardson Motorcycle Accidents
Do I have to go to court for my motorcycle accident case?
Not always. Many cases settle before trial. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair amount, we’re prepared to take your case to court.
What if the other driver didn’t have insurance?
You may still recover through your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Our team reviews your policy to see what’s available.
How much is my motorcycle accident claim worth?
The value depends on medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and how the injuries affect your life. We calculate all possible losses before negotiating.
Do I need a lawyer if the insurance company already offered me money?
Yes. Initial offers often fall far below the actual value of a claim. Having a lawyer ensures you don’t settle for less than your losses.
What should I do immediately after a motorcycle crash?
Call 911, get medical help, gather evidence if possible, and contact a lawyer as soon as you can. Early steps make a difference in building a strong claim.
Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Richardson, TX, Now
If a motorcycle crash in Richardson left you with serious injuries or unexpected expenses, AMS Law Group is ready to help. Don’t let an insurance company undervalue your losses. Call (888) 960-8363 today to schedule a free consultation with a Richardson motorcycle accident lawyer and take the first step toward financial recovery.