Motorcycle accidents are traumatic, debilitating, too often fatal – and most always, preventable. Texas Department of Transportation and other states' Departments of Transportation across the U.S. report more than half of all motorcycle-vs.-car accidents are caused by drivers entering a rider’s right-of-way.
Texas motorcycle accident Attorney Rob Ward knows motorcycle crashes can be life-altering, leaving victims severely injured, disabled or dead. Crashes involving motorcycles often cause severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, neurological injuries, neck injuries, and spinal injuries that have lasting effects. In many cases, there is legal recourse for compensation, but you will need to address these issues early on with an experienced law firm.
We understand well the many complexities involved with motorcycle injury and wrongful death cases, including:
- Texas Motorcycle Law
- Motorcycle Accident Causes
- Common Motorcycle Injuries
- Motorcycle Accident Injury Claims
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the economic cost for motorcycle crash-related injuries and deaths every year is $12 billion. That’s the cost incurred by the public for medical expenses, emergency medical services, loss of productivity and loss of life.
The cost to individuals and families is enormous. It may involve a prolonged time off work. It might mean never being able to return again to a once-lucrative job. It could be a lifetime of medical treatments or constant care. And all of that doesn’t even consider the loss of life enjoyment and profound impact on personal relationships that such an accident can have.
Our motorcycle accident attorney will fight to make sure you and your family are compensated to the fullest possible extent for these losses. Our experienced injury attorney is dedicated to fighting for the rights of the injured and offer private consultations at our office in the county seat of Johnson County - Cleburne, Texas.
We encourage motorcycle accident victims to contact our offices as soon as possible after the crash, so we can start a preliminary review. The sooner you involve an attorney, the better your chances that the investigation will preserve key information critical to your case.
Top Motorcycle Crash Causes
A number of factors could play a role in motorcycle accidents, but for the most part, serious crashes involve cars or trucks. In those situations, research tells us that other drivers are most often to blame.
Distraction, too, is an increasing problem on roadways that affects all motorists, but disproportionately impacts motorcyclists.
These problems underscore the common, “I didn’t see him!” refrain we hear so often after motorcycle crashes. Because drivers owe a duty of care to operate cautiously and with appropriate consideration for all vehicles, this is not an adequate defense in a negligence lawsuit.
The NHTSA reports half of all motorcycle accidents involve another vehicle. In those cases:
- Two-thirds of the time, these are frontal collisions;
- 6 percent of car-vs-motorcycle accidents are rear-end collisions;
- In 42 percent of these cases, the other vehicle was turning left while the motorcycle was traveling straight, passing or overtaking other vehicles;
- Excessive speed is a factor in one-third of all motorcycle accidents.
Other commonly-cited issues were driving under the influence, following too closely and drivers swerving in front of bikers.
Compensation for Texas Motorcycle Accidents
If you suffer an injury in a Texas motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to damages, including:
- Past and Future Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
- Mental Anguish
- Loss of Consortium (spouses)
Your personal injury protection (PIP) benefits through your motorcycle insurance should cover your expenses if you suffer minor injuries, as Texas is a no-fault car accident state. In addition, if you suffer a broken bone, a disfiguring injury or other injuries, you may proceed with a claim for further damages against the other driver.