While motorcycles provide an exciting open-air experience and dependable transportation, they also leave riders vulnerable to severe or catastrophic injuries in a crash. Alarmingly, negligent drivers are a common cause of motorcycle accidents in Dallas and throughout Texas.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a motorcycle crash, call the Dallas motorcycle accident attorneys at GreeningLaw for a results-oriented approach to obtaining the compensation you deserve.
Why You Should Hire GreeningLaw as Your Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Dallas
At GreeningLaw, we understand the ripple effects a serious motorcycle accident has on the rider and their family. We are ready to put our 40 years of experience behind your claim by bringing the following advantages into play:
- We are trial-ready attorneys rated by Super Lawyers with a board-certified founding attorney
- Our firm’s policy of open communication keeps our clients involved, informed, and up-to-date on every aspect of their case throughout the process
- Our decades of experience, knowledge, and resources as Dallas car accident lawyers put a powerful voice behind your compensation claim
- You’ll have access to the best accident reconstruction specialists and medical experts to prove liability and the full scope of your damages
We offer free case consultations and contingency-based payment, so you only pay us after we obtain your settlement or jury award.
What Are the Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents In Dallas?
Motorcycle riders have to follow traffic laws and take all reasonable measures to avoid injuries; however, a rider cannot control other drivers on the road who fail to be as alert and aware of motorcycles sharing the roadway as they should be. Common causes of motorcycle accidents in Texas include the following careless, reckless, or wrongful actions on the part of car and truck drivers:
- Speeding
- Tailgating (following a motorcyclist too closely)
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Improperly passing
- Unsafe lane changes
- Failing to allow a motorcycle to merge safely into traffic
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
- Impaired driving
- Car-dooring accidents (opening the door into the path of a motorcycle)
- Left-turn accidents
- Hooking accidents
The slim profile of a motorcycle makes it more difficult for a driver to see them and accurately judge their speed in traffic; however, drivers have a duty of care to take all reasonable measures to avoid causing accidents to motorcyclists. Failing to do so leaves a driver liable for the motorcyclist’s damages in an accident.
Other Potentially Liable Parties in Dallas Motorcycle Accidents
Although negligent drivers commonly cause motorcycle accidents, they are not the only liable parties in motorcycle accident claims in Dallas. Sometimes, other entities cause or contribute to motorcycle accidents. Under the comparative negligence system of proportionate responsibility in Texas, one or more of the following parties may also be liable:
- The manufacturer of a defective motorcycle part
- A negligent road maintenance agency that left dangerous potholes, loose gravel, debris, or uneven pavement
- A negligent road construction crew
- A city road-planning agency
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Dallas carefully investigates a motorcycle accident and pursues compensation from all parties that caused or contributed to the crash.
Common Injuries In Dallas Motorcycle Accidents
Unfortunately, the same two-wheeled, open-air design that makes riding a motorcycle so exhilarating also allows the rider to make direct, unprotected impact with the road and obstacles during a crash. In accidents between cars and motorcycles, the rider is far more vulnerable to severe or catastrophic injuries, including the following:
- Fractures of the limbs, hips, pelvis, ribs, and vertebrae
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Facial and dental trauma
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Internal organ injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries to knees, shoulders, ankles, and wrists
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations and contusions
- Road rash (severe abrasions)
- Traumatic amputations
When a motorcycle accident causes even mild injuries, it can quickly result in financial anxiety with a single large emergency room bill and a few days of lost wages. Unfortunately, many motorcycle accident victims in Dallas suffer far more serious or catastrophic injuries with long-term or permanent consequences, including disability. Getting the help of a qualified Dallas personal injury lawyer will allow victims to seek justice and receive compensation for the damages they have suffered.
What Damages Can I Recover in a Dallas Motorcycle Accident Claim?
Motorcycle accident injuries tend to be expensive, with long-term adverse impacts on the injury victim and their family. A successful motorcycle accident claim recovers compensation such as the following:
- Property damage for repairing or replacing your motorcycle
- Reimbursement for medical expenses
- Anticipated future medical costs
- Lost earnings
- Future income loss and/or lowered future earning ability
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Compensation for any other damages that apply in your case, such as loss of limb, loss of vision or hearing, scarring, disfigurement, diminished quality of life, or PTSD
If you lost a close family member in a motorcycle accident in Dallas or the surrounding area, your family could recover compensation through a Dallas wrongful death claim.
What If I Contributed to the Cause of the Motorcycle Accident?
First, it’s critical to avoid saying anything at the scene of the accident that could be construed as admitting fault. Even a simple “I’m sorry” can be used out of context against you later.
Under the modified comparative negligence system in Texas, an injury victim can recover compensation for their damages after an accident, even if they contributed to the cause, as long as they are less than 51% at fault. The insurance company reduces the compensation by the injury victim’s percentage of fault. For example, if your motorcycle accident damages amount to a $100,000 claim, but the insurance adjuster finds you 30% at fault for the accident, they lower the payout on your claim to $70,000.
The comparative negligence system benefits victims who contribute to the cause of the accident by allowing them to recover a portion of their damages, but it may also incentivize the insurance company to shift liability to you by assigning you an undue percentage of fault for the accident to protect their profits. An assertive Dallas motorcycle accident attorney protects against these and other common insurance company tactics.
Call the Dallas Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at GreeningLaw
After a serious motorcycle accident, you deserve to take time to heal physically and emotionally and focus on spending time with your loved ones. Instead of taking on a distressing legal claim alone or leaving it in the hands of an insurance company that doesn’t have your best interests as their priority, call GreeningLaw today at (972) 934-8900. We take a results-oriented approach that makes your financial recovery our primary purpose.