HOUSTON MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER
Top Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Houston, Texas
According to the Insurance Information Institute, in 2016 alone, over 5,286 people died in motorcycle accidents in the U.S. Motorcycle riders are 28 times more likely to die in crashes than passenger vehicle occupants. When motorcycle riders survive, they can often suffer serious and life-altering injuries such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, internal injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other serious injuries. Victims should contact a Houston motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible to seek compensation for their losses.
Some of the most devastating and life-altering collisions on the road involve those in which people are riding motorcycles, which is one reason that victims want the skilled motorcycle accident attorneys at Reich & Binstock on their side.
An experienced Houston motorcycle accident lawyer can review your case and fight to help you and your family receive the compensation you may deserve. Our motorcycle accident law firm offers a free consultation for motorcycle accident victims. To schedule a consultation about your case, please call our office at 713-622-7271 today.
Houston Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Fighting for Maximum Compensation
If you are not at fault for your motorcycle accident, but are suffering extraordinary consequences due to your crash, the ball is in your court. It’s time to speak up, fight back, and reclaim your life. Because of the level of impact involved in this type of collision, some common injuries include spinal fractures, pelvic fractures, road rash, and head trauma.
These types of medical problems often require extensive medical care and months, if not years, of painful rehabilitation. In many cases, a person can be left with permanent paralysis or brain damage, rendering the victim unable to work, support their family, or worse.
There are many different types of collisions involving both cars and motorcycles. But what is the most common collision between cars and motorcycles? Some of the most common collision types are multi-car crashes, left-turn accidents, and others. If you are a motorcyclist who was injured in any of these types of accidents, you deserve compensation.
We strongly recommend speaking with our Houston motorcycle accident attorneys about your case to have the best possible chance at a favorable outcome in your case.
How Common Are Texas Motorcycle Accidents?
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 2020 saw a total of 7,481 motorcycle crashes in the state, with 1,856 resulting in serious injuries and 482 resulting in death. Compared to 2019 numbers, this is a 17% increase in motorcycle wreck fatalities, despite there being less traffic on the road.
On average, at least one motorcyclist is killed in a motorcycle wreck on Texas roads daily. The deadliest months of the year are May through October, with more than 61% of fatal motorcycle accidents occurring during that period.
Motorcyclists have far less protection than other motor vehicles, so other drivers should exercise more caution around motorcycles. Failing to do so could lead to a motorcycle wreck that causes serious injuries to the cyclist. Motorcyclists could then initiate personal injury cases if another driver’s negligence resulted in a crash that caused their injuries.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Houston Motorcycle Accidents?
Generally speaking, some causes of motorcycle accidents occur more often than others. Unfortunately, drinking and driving is one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Houston.
Approximately 44% of all fatal motorcycle crashes in Houston involved alcohol. Drinking and driving continues to be a problem not only in motorcycle accidents, but also in motor vehicle accidents.
Other notable causes of motorcycle accidents in Houston, TX include the following.
- Failure to yield
- Improper lane changes
- Failure to check blind spots
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving, speeding, and tailgating
- Dangerous road or weather conditions
Most Common Houston Motorcycle Accident Injuries
As we already mentioned, motorcyclists have far less protection than the average motorist, making them more susceptible to severe injuries or even death. Even though motorcycles are inherently more dangerous, this does not affect an accident victim’s right to seek compensation for their injuries.
Some of the most common motorcycle accident injuries that we see in these accident claims include the following.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are common injuries in many personal injury cases, including motorcycle accident cases. Even while wearing protective gear, suffering head trauma can lead to developing a TBI.
TBIs can potentially affect victims for months or even years down the road. The most serious brain injuries may even physically or cognitively impair victims for the rest of their lives.
If you suffered a traumatic brain injury during a motorcycle accident, speak with a Houston brain injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Back and spinal cord injuries are also common in Texas motorcycle accident cases. If someone injures their spinal cord in an accident, this could result in paralysis. These injuries often produce expensive medical bills that can continue to build with ongoing treatment. Spinal cord injury victims should speak with a Houston spinal cord injury lawyer as soon as possible for their case.
Fractures
Virtually every broken bone requires medical treatment, which means virtually every broken bone generates medical bills. Even one broken bone could keep someone out of work for weeks or even months, leading to lost income. Having multiple broken bones from a crash can make medical expenses even worse.
Internal Injuries
Suffering trauma to the body could also cause damage to the internal organs. For example, harsh impacts could damage the kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, and other organs. Victims may even experience internal hemorrhaging, which is a very serious complication. Even if crash victims don’t feel any pain at first, they should always seek medical attention.
Doctors are better equipped to identify and treat internal injuries, so crash victims should always see a doctor as soon as possible. This will link their injuries more closely to the crash, which helps them fight for compensation in a motorcycle accident lawsuit.
What to Do Following a Houston Motorcycle Crash
If you’ve been involved in a serious motorcycle crash, your next steps are crucial for the success of your case. The first step should always be to move away from the road and get to safety if possible. Then, contact emergency services to report the accident.
Once the police arrive, they will secure the area and record the details of the incident in a police report. Police reports serve as powerful evidence in nearly any personal injury lawsuit. We also recommend getting the name and badge number of the officer in case your motorcycle accident lawyer wants to contact them.
If you can, collect the insurance and contact information of all parties involved in the accident. Take pictures and videos of the accident scene, the vehicles involved, and any visible injuries you sustained. You should also gather the names and contact information of any witnesses to the incident.
Once you accomplish the above, you should seek medical attention. Even if you don’t feel or see any injuries, your body may mask the pain with adrenaline from the accident. Seeing a doctor is the best way to confirm that you have been injured in the accident. The medical records generated from your visit can be used as evidence in your case.
Then, speak with a Houston motorcycle accident injury lawyer. A skilled motorcycle accident attorney can help you protect your legal rights after an accident. They can also use their years of experience to help you fight for full and fair compensation.
Lastly, you should contact your insurance company to report the accident. You should give them the essential information, but don’t go into too much detail without your attorney present. Working with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney will help you protect your rights while navigating the claims process with your insurance company.
What Is My Houston Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?
This is difficult to answer without having your case evaluated by our skilled Houston motorcycle accident attorneys. Every case is unique, which is why Houston motorcycle accident victims should speak with an attorney about the value of their case.
Our legal professionals can analyze the facts of your case to give you an estimation of its value. Some of the factors that impact the value of a case include damages caused, the strength of your case, liability, and causation.
What Damages Can I Claim After a Motorcycle Accident in Houston, Texas?
In Texas, victims of motorcycle accidents may be entitled to seek damages for:
- Medical Bills
- Future Medical Bills
- Expenses
- Rehabilitation Costs
- Future Rehabilitation Costs
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
- And other damages
You may be entitled to make a claim against the other driver’s insurance, and may be able to seek additional damages, if the other party was at fault for your crash.
The amount of money you may be entitled to collect might depend on the percentage of fault of the other driver. This depends on many factors, including whether you were wearing a helmet, whether the other driver was speeding, or breaking the law.
The motorcycle accident attorneys at Reich & Binstock in Houston, Texas can review your case and gather evidence to support your claim.
Determining negligence might not always be straightforward. This is where having a Houston motorcycle lawyer on your side can make an immense difference in your case. Our firm can review police reports, investigate toxicology reports, and speak to witnesses to build the strongest possible case.
Economic Damages
These include damages that can be easily quantified. Examples include medical bills, lost income, lost earning capacity, loss of use of property, property damage, repair or replacement costs, and wrongful death costs. They have an objective monetary value and are easily calculated.
Non-Economic Damages
These include damages that are not easily quantified. The losses are more subjective without a clear way to quantify them. Examples include emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, and others. Your motorcycle accident attorney will have the knowledge and experience needed to calculate the approximate value of your non-economic losses.
How Are Pain and Suffering Damages Calculated for a Motorcycle Accident Victim?
There are two main methods that personal injury attorneys use to calculate pain and suffering. They are the multiplier method and per diem method. An insurance company may use complex programs to calculate these damages, while others will use daily rates.
The multiplier method adds up all the economic damages with a monetary value, then multiplies that sum by a number between 1.5 and 5. The factors used to determine the value of the multiplier include liability, seriousness of the injuries, permanency of injuries, length of recovery time, medical diagnosis and treatment costs, potential for future complications, and the disruption to daily life.
On the other hand, the per diem (per day) method usually uses the injured party’s daily earnings as their daily compensation rate. For example, let’s say the victim normally makes $200 a day at work. If their doctor estimates that the victim needs 60 days to recover, we multiply the daily rate by the number of days they could not work. In this case, losing $200 a day for 60 days equals $12,000 in damages.
Punitive Damages
Although they are extremely rare in personal injury cases, a victim may be able to seek punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded to victims if the court decides that the defendant’s behavior was particularly egregious or harmful. These damages both punish the defendant for their actions and deter others from repeating those actions in the future.
Other Factors That May Impact the Value of Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
Your motorcycle accident lawyer will know which factors may or may not impact the value of your personal injury case. Our experience and training allow us to analyze the unique facts of each case, then give an educated estimate on the value of those cases.
If you were injured in a traumatic motorcycle accident, you may have the following questions about the value of your claim.
Can I Pursue a Motorcycle Injury Claim if I Was Not Wearing a Helmet During the Crash?
Although Texas has no “universal” helmet law, you must wear a helmet if you are under the age of 21. This applies to both drivers and riders. However, those who are over 21 must also wear helmets if they don’t meet the following requirements.
- You have completed an official motorcycle operator safety and training course.
- You have health insurance that offers medical benefits for injuries resulting from a motorcycle accident.
If you are required to wear a helmet, and you do not, you may be held liable for your own injuries. In cases where someone else is at fault for the crash, this becomes more complicated. For example, let’s say you suffered head injuries during the crash and you were not wearing a helmet.
The insurance company may claim that failing to wear protective gear makes you partially liable for your injuries. You can still file a claim, but your maximum compensation may be reduced by the percentage you are found to be at fault. If you are believed to be 50% or more at fault, you can no longer file a claim.
How Could Lane Splitting Affect My Case?
Lane splitting is the practice of motorcycles or mopeds driving between the established lanes of traffic. In the state of Texas, lane splitting is an illegal practice. Many states maintain that this practice is illegal because it increases the risk of accidents and injuries.
If a motorcyclist was lane splitting when the accident occurred, they may be barred from seeking compensation, or their compensation may be reduced. Speak with a motorcycle accident lawyer to learn more about the factors that may affect your ability to recover compensation.
Who Is Liable for My Houston Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
Several parties may be held responsible for any injuries you suffered in the accident. Texas is an at-fault state, which means any party that contributes to the accident could be financially responsible for the outcome. Examples of parties who may be liable in a motorcycle accident lawsuit include the following.
- Drivers of passenger vehicles
- Passengers of motorcycles
- Negligent drivers of trucks or buses
- Pedestrians
- Bicyclists
- Rideshare drivers
- Manufacturers of defective motorcycle parts
When you work with our motorcycle accident lawyer in Houston, we will identify all liable parties in your case and fight to recover compensation on your behalf.
Do I Need to Prove Negligence After a Motorcycle Crash in Houston?
Yes. Negligence is the basis of every personal injury case. Most accidents are avoidable, but negligence cannot be accounted for, even for the best drivers. If you want to file a personal injury claim for yourself or a wrongful death claim for a lost loved one, you will most likely need to prove negligence. Briefly, the elements of negligence are as follows.
- The defendant owed the victim a duty of care to drive safely and follow traffic laws.
- The defendant breached this duty of care in some way. Examples include distracted driving, drunk driving, and others.
- The defendant’s actions directly caused your injuries when they breached the duty of care.
- You suffered actual damages as a result of the liable party’s negligence.
How to Protect Your Rights After a Motorcycle Crash
Personal injury lawsuits can be complicated, even in the most straightforward cases. The insurance company you deal with will likely offer you a lowball settlement to resolve the issue quickly. However, you should never accept a settlement offer without first speaking with a personal injury lawyer.
Some specific ways to protect your legal rights after a crash include the following. These will help strengthen your case during settlement negotiations or a trial.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible after the crash.
- Collect as much evidence as you can, including pictures, videos, and witness information.
- Refrain from posting about the accident online.
- Do not speak to an insurance company without your legal team present.
Texas Motorcycle Insurance Requirements
Texas law requires all motor vehicle drivers, including motorcyclists, to have insurance that covers expenses for any accidents they might cause. The minimum liability insurance that a motorcyclist must have includes $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage per accident. This is referred to as 30/60/25 coverage.
Getting into an accident without the required insurance makes the situation much more complicated. If someone does not have insurance and is found partly to blame for the crash, they may have to pay out of pocket.
Why Do You Need a Houston Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Passenger vehicle drivers and Texas insurance companies sometimes have a bias against motorcyclists. The reality is that in many motorcycle accident cases, accidents are the fault of the passenger vehicle driver, not the motorcyclist.
When it comes to seeking justice after your motorcycle accident, you need a qualified Houston motorcycle accident lawyer on your side.
If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle crash, you may be entitled to receive money to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages.
Reich & Binstock is a motorcycle accident law firm in Houston, Texas that may be able to assist you with your claim. Our legal team will fight for full and fair compensation on behalf of injured accident victims.
Strong Representation from an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Law Firm in Houston
After a collision occurs and you or your loved one are sent for medical treatment, your next call should be to our aggressive and knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorneys in Houston, Texas, such as those of Reich & Binstock. We understand that the person responsible for an accident should assume responsibility and liability in every sense of the word.
How can a Houston motorcycle accident law firm like Reich & Binstock help you after a motorcycle accident? Our firm can handle the legal aspects of your claim so that you and your loved ones can focus on healing.
How Can a Houston Motorcycle Accident Attorney Help Me?
When someone is injured in a motorcycle or car accident, the entire situation can feel overwhelming. This is especially true if they suffer painful catastrophic injuries. Working with a qualified accident lawyer in Houston will give you the support and breathing room you need to get through your claim.
Relying on a law firm that is highly experienced in personal injury trial law is a must, as accidents involving severe injuries tend to be very complicated. Some of the biggest benefits of hiring an attorney for your case include the following.
Estimating the Value of Your Claim
The value of your motorcycle accident claim will depend on many factors, like the seriousness of your injuries, the time you’ve missed from work, the cost of your medical expenses, and other losses you might have suffered. Reich & Binstock are motorcycle accident attorneys in Houston, Texas who can use formulas and other estimates to help you understand what your case might be worth and to help you fight for the best possible settlement permitted under the law.
Determining Whether You Have a Motorcycle Accident Case
You might wonder whether you have a case following your motorcycle crash in Houston, Texas. Whether you have a case or a claim will depend on whether you or the other party was at fault for your crash. Seldom is determining negligence straightforward, so even if the other party or police are blaming you, consider speaking to the motorcycle accident lawyers at Reich & Binstock in Houston, Texas today to learn more about your rights and options.
Speaking to Insurance Adjusters
Insurance adjusters sometimes use special formulas when estimating the value of your case, and they may sometimes use computer programs to estimate your claim. Before accepting any settlement from an insurance company, consider speaking to Reich & Binstock, Houston, Texas motorcycle accident lawyers today to learn more about your rights and options. Our firm can speak to insurance adjusters, write demand letters, and assist you with getting the best possible settlement permitted under the law.
Seeking Proper Medical Care
Not all injuries are immediately apparent after a motorcycle crash. For example, sometimes, traumatic brain injury may take days or weeks before symptoms become evident. If you’ve suffered serious injuries in a motorcycle crash, Reich & Binstock are motorcycle accident lawyers in Houston, Texas who may be able to help you get the proper medical care you need.
These are just some of the things Reich & Binstock, motorcycle accident lawyers in Houston, Texas might be able to do for you. If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident, you may only have a limited amount of time to make a claim under the law. Reach out to Reich & Binstock, motorcycle accident attorneys in Houston, Texas today.
Why Should I Hire a Houston Motorcycle Accident Attorney After My Accident?
Victims in personal injury claims are not required to hire an attorney, but it is in their best interest to do so. If you decide to pursue a legal claim, an experienced attorney can provide you with the following benefits.
- Investigate the accident and gather evidence to identify all liable parties
- Fight for maximum compensation on your behalf
- Handle all communications with insurance companies so you can focus on healing
- Advise you on the best steps to take for your case
- Go to trial and fight to prove your case to a judge and jury if necessary
Simply put, hiring an attorney could mean the difference between recovering nothing and recovering full financial compensation.
What Evidence Could Help Me Win My Houston Motorcycle Accident Claim?
To have a favorable outcome in a personal injury case, you’ll need considerable evidence to prove the extent of your injuries, as well as the other party’s negligence. Examples of strong pieces of evidence include the following.
- Photographs and videos of the accident scene
- Eyewitness testimony
- Police reports
- Medical bills and invoices
- Toxicology reports
- Repair bills
- Pictures of injuries
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim After a Houston Motorcycle Crash?
Starting from the crash date, injury victims generally have two years to file a claim in Texas. However, a few specific exceptions may extend this filing deadline.
- If the victim was a minor during the accident, the two-year clock does not count down until their 18th birthday.
- For accidents involving government-operated vehicles, victims must give the government entity notice of their intent to file within 6 months of the accident. They still maintain the two-year filing deadline aside from this notice requirement.
- If the victim does not discover their injuries until much later, they have two years from the day they discover their injuries to file a claim.
Why Is It Important to Quickly File a Claim After a Motorcycle Accident?
With very few exceptions, missing the filing deadline will almost certainly bar you from seeking compensation for your losses. The longer you wait to file a claim, the more likely you are to miss the filing deadline. You also risk damaging your credibility as a plaintiff if you wait a while before filing. The defendant’s attorney might try to argue that your injuries were not that serious if you don’t file as soon as possible.
An experienced accident lawyer in Houston can help you start the claims process as soon as possible to help you avoid missing the filing deadline. They will handle all the paperwork and red tape on your behalf, so you won’t have to worry about anything but your recovery.
Call Our Award-Winning Houston Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury from a motorcycle accident, contact one of the motorcycle accident attorneys at Reich & Binstock in Houston, Texas for a free consultation. Either use our contact form or call 713-622-7271. You have nothing to lose and our attorneys can help you understand your rights and whether you have a case. If you need an honest assessment of your motorcycle accident claim, speak to Reich & Binstock in Houston, Texas today.
There is never a fee unless we recover on your behalf.
Additionally, clients are not obligated to pay expenses if a recovery is not made.
