A motorcycle ride is a thrilling experience in Texas, one of the country’s most iconic motorcycle destinations. The mild climate also makes it easy for Texans to choose the gas-friendly option of a motorcycle for transportation to work or school. Unfortunately, the same two-wheeled, open-air design that makes a motorcycle ride exhilarating also leaves riders vulnerable to serious or catastrophic injuries in a crash.
If a careless driver or another party caused your motorcycle crash, call the motorcycle accident lawyers in Addison who are ready to help you recover the compensation you deserve
Why Choose Our Law Firm as Your Addison Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
At GreeningLaw, we understand the severity of motorcycle accident injuries and the ripple effects throughout all aspects of an injury victim’s life. You need the time and energy to heal while you let your Addison accident attorney from GreeningLaw do the following:
- Use our investigative skills and the resources of an entire legal staff to prove the at-fault party’s liability
- Put our over 40 years of experience behind strategizing the best way forward for your claim
- Use our access to the best medical experts to calculate your damages to maximize the compensation available to you
- Put our well-earned reputation of success behind your case so you have a stronger, more compelling claim
We offer a free consultation and work for you on a contingency-based payment method, so you don’t pay us until after we recover your settlement or court award for damages.
What Causes Most Motorcycle Accidents In Addison?
Motorcyclists must follow Texas traffic laws and practice due diligence around larger vehicles on the road; however, it’s often a negligent car driver who causes a motorcycle accident. The common causes of motorcycle accidents in Texas include the following:
- A speeding driver
- Distracted driving
- Drivers who make unsafe lane changes without checking for motorcycles
- Drivers who fail to yield the right of way
- Drivers who “tailgate,” or follow too closely
- Car-dooring accidents
- Drivers who make a left turn while looking right and fail to see a motorcycle approaching from the left
Less commonly, motorcycle accidents may directly result from a negligent road maintenance agency if it failed to repair a dangerous pothole or clear debris such as loose gravel. The manufacturer of a defective part or tire could also be liable for damages if a faulty part caused or contributed to your accident.
The Process of Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim In Texas
Texas has fault-based insurance laws. Under this system, the victim of any traffic accident, including a motorcycle crash, must file a claim against the at-fault party if they wish to recover compensation for their damages. Filing a motorcycle accident claim typically proceeds as follows:
- After the accident, the motorcycle accident victim goes to a hospital for treatment and then reports the accident to their insurance company
- The motorcycle accident victim gathers any evidence available to them, like the accident report, their medical report, medical bills, photographs, and names of eyewitnesses
- They reach out to a motorcycle accident lawyer rather than accepting a low, early settlement offer by the insurance company or a denial of their claim
- The motorcycle accident lawyer conducts a thorough investigation of the accident and documents evidence of the other party’s fault to prove their liability
- They examine the medical report, medical bills, and employer records of income loss to calculate economic damages and then use a formula to determine an appropriate amount for pain and suffering and other non-economic damages
- They submit their findings to the insurance company and negotiate for the largest possible settlement
Only in cases of an insurance company’s wrongful denial or devaluation of a claim does the case require a court. In these cases, the attorney presents the evidence to a jury seeking a positive verdict and jury award for damages.
What to Expect When Hiring an Addison Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Choosing the right motorcycle accident attorney is an important decision. When hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer, you can expect a free initial consultation during which the attorney evaluates the merits of your case. At the consultation, the injury victim should ask for details about how contingency-based payment works and the percentage that the attorney charges for their fee after obtaining compensation for you.
Once you’ve hired a motorcycle accident lawyer, your attorney will handle all communication with the insurance company and begin protecting your best interests throughout the investigation, negotiations, and in court if required.
Most motorcycle accident cases end with a settlement, so the injury victim doesn’t have to go to court; however, if the insurance company wrongfully denies the claim or significantly undervalues it, your attorney will file a petition for court within the state’s two-year statute of limitations and argue for your rights before a judge and jury.
Most Common Injuries Motorcycle Accident Victims Face
DOT-approved motorcycle helmets are 37% effective in preventing fatal motorcycle accident injuries to the operator and 41% effective in preventing a motorcycle passenger’s fatal injury. Unfortunately, helmets cannot prevent all brain injuries, because a strong impact can cause the brain to bump against the inside of the skull. In addition, the motorcycle rider’s body is subject to trauma from direct impact with the road surface, obstacles, and vehicles in a crash. Common motorcycle accident injuries in Texas include the following:
- Knee and leg injuries
- Fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries like sprains, strains, torn ligaments, and tendon injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations and contusions
- Road rash (severe abrasions and friction burns)
- Traumatic amputations
Many motorcyclists wear tough outer clothing, such as leather, to protect against abrasions, but in a serious accident, these garments afford little protection.
How Much Is a Motorcycle Accident Case In Addison Worth?
There is no set amount of compensation or monetary award for an Addison motorcycle accident claim. Instead, it depends on whether or not your injuries were serious or catastrophic and the total expenses the injury involved. No two motorcycle accident claims are alike, but common damages awarded in motorcycle accident claims include:
- Property damage expenses
- Reimbursement of the medical expenses already paid
- Anticipated future medical costs
- Lost earnings
- Future income loss or diminished earning capability
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Compensation for pain and suffering
Because motorcycle accident injuries are often catastrophic, other damages may apply depending on the circumstances. For example, compensation for scarring, loss of enjoyment of life, PTSD, loss of limb, or diminished quality of life are sometimes awarded in Texas motorcycle accident claims. Choosing the expertise of our Addison personal injury lawyer will allow victims to explore all paths toward compensation
If a loved one died in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else, a close family member could recover compensation through a wrongful death claim.
Contact GreeningLaw for an Evaluation of Your Addison Motorcycle Accident Case
Instead of taking on a challenging legal process while also recovering from serious injuries, call GreeningLaw at (972) 934-8900 to navigate your financial recovery process while you focus on reaching your maximum medical improvement. We are the experienced motorcycle accident lawyers in Addison who can help you and your family through the assertive legal representation your case requires for success.