If you ride in Dallas, you know motorcycle accidents are common, and they can cause severe injuries. If you've been in a motorcycle accident, it is imperative that you protect your rights and explore your legal options. Let the Dallas motorcycle accident lawyers at the Francis Firm help you understand your rights, and get the medical care you need and the compensation you deserve.
Texas law protects motorcyclists from negligent drivers. Before you obtain compensation for your accident injury, there are a few things you need to understand about Texas motorcycle law. If you have any questions or need immediate assistance, please call the Dallas motorcycle accident attorneys at the Francis Firm at (817) 329-9001 or submit the short form below.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents in Dallas?
Despite laws enacted to protect Dallas motorcyclists, motorcycle accidents are caused by negligent motor vehicle drivers every day.
In some cases, crashes are caused by a lack of understanding of motorcycle laws; in others, they are caused by the negligence of other motorists. In addition, other motorists on the road exhibit the following negligent behaviors that contribute to the number of Dallas motorcycle accidents. For example, here are some common causes of motorcycle accidents:
- Distracted driving. Distracted driving causes more than 3,000 deaths a year nationwide. Much distracted driving results from texting while driving, which is illegal in Dallas; other reasons include eating or drinking, using electronics or headphones, or being distracted by others in the car.
- Failure to use rear-view mirrors. A motorcycle attempting to pass a car may go undetected if the motorist neglects to check their rearview mirrors. The driver of the car might also cause an accident if they neglect to check their blind spot before making a lane change or fail to look for motorcycles before opening a car door in traffic.
- Failure to yield right of way. Vehicles must yield to motorcycles when motorcycles have the right of way. When a car neglects to do so, a serious accident may result.
- Speeding. Driving too fast causes over 9,000 fatalities a year and can result in significant injuries, particularly on highways. Speeding creates unsafe driving conditions that are particularly hazardous to motorcycles, which may not be able to avoid impact.
- Following too closely behind a motorcycle. If a motorcycle brakes suddenly for whatever reason, a vehicle following too closely can rear-end the bike, causing injuries. Vehicles must allow enough distance for adequate time to stop; when they fail to do so, a motorcycle accident may result.
- Driving aggressively or exhibiting road rage. Traffic causes tempers to rage, and that anger can promote dangerous driving. Reckless driving, or ignoring the laws of traffic, can also contribute to the cause of a motorcycle injury.
These negligent driving behaviors can lead to serious or even life-threatening injuries. Some examples of common motorcycle accident injuries include head injuries, concussions, and even traumatic brain injuries, along with sometimes serious damage to internal organs. Cuts, abrasions, fractures, and road rash are all common. Back, neck, and spinal injuries can occur—and in some cases, they can lead to serious complications. Our firm understands motorcycle crashes, and our skilled motorcycle accident lawyers out of Southlake Texas serving Dallas will help you seek full compensation.
What is the Process of Recovering From a Motorcycle Accident?
If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident, it is imperative that you first seek immediate medical attention for your accident-related injuries. Our experienced Dallas motorcycle accident attorney can help with that, as well as with the process of recovering from your injuries through a motorcycle accident claim.
Motorcycle accident victims with serious injuries need to file a claim with the at-fault party's insurance company. However, having your personal injury attorney handle the insurance adjuster is always best. Insurance companies prefer to talk to injury victims because they will usually take far less money than they deserve. In addition, a personal injury attorney has a better idea of what your motorcycle accident case is worth.
Generally, the process begins with the filing of a claim, usually for negligence. This means you will need to prove liability, meaning the other party's responsibility for the accident, as well as your damages. Motorcycle accident cases can be complex, and having an experienced personal injury attorney by your side is imperative, particularly as the case may involve multiple parties and insurance companies.
Texas is in a comparative fault state for personal injury damages. This means that if you were involved in a motorcycle accident in Dallas, the driver who caused the collision is responsible for paying damages in personal injury cases. If both drivers contributed to the accident, the driver with a greater contribution pays damages. If one driver was more than 50% at fault, that driver pays for a corresponding amount of your damages.
Dallas Personal injury law provides three types of damage awards after an accident involving personal injury :
Economic Damages
These are the actual financial losses suffered because of your motorcycle accident. These damages include the cost of repairing or replacing your motorcycle and reimbursement for medical bills, future medical expenses, and lost wages.
Non-Economic Damages
These are the damages intended to compensate you for pain and suffering, physical impairment, any scarring or physical disfigurement you experienced because of your accident, as well as the general decline in your quality of life.
Punitive Damages
A court sometimes awards punitive damages when a defendant’s behavior is particularly reckless. For instance, if you were involved in a collision caused by a texting or intoxicated driver, your lawyers may be able to recover punitive damages.
What Is the Motorcycle Helmets Law in Dallas?
Texas helmet law requires motorcycle drivers and riders under 21 to wear a helmet when operating a motorcycle. Riders over 21 may ride without a helmet after completing a safety course or if they carry motorcycle-accident health insurance.
You should also note that if you violate Dallas helmet laws, it could affect your ability to pursue compensation for your accident injury, as the insurance company will argue that a motorcycle rider who didn't wear a helmet is responsible for head and neck injuries.
In order to hold the other driver accountable for your injuries, you should consult the experienced motorcycle accident lawyers of the Francis Firm.
How Can a Dallas Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help You With Your Case?
If you or someone you love is injured in a motorcycle accident anywhere in Dallas or the surrounding areas, don’t risk handling the claim on your own.
Call the lawyers who have been serving Dallas for over 30 years: the Francis Firm. Insurance companies use their professional resources and legal knowledge to fight your claim. These adjusters are claims professionals and their only goal is to minimize your claim. They will use their knowledge, training, and experience against you, particularly if you've never been involved in a personal injury claim before. You need experienced Dallas motorcycle accident lawyers who will protect your legal rights and pursue full compensation available under Dallas, Texas law.
Lawyers at the Francis Firm will negotiate with the insurance adjuster and fight for the compensation you deserve. And if we cannot get the insurance company to offer fair compensation, our personal injury attorneys will file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in civil court on your behalf and advocate on your behalf.
Do not let yourself be a victim a second time: Get help from the Dallas motorcycle accident lawyers who make a difference
You need experienced Dallas personal injury attorneys who will protect your legal rights and pursue full compensation available under Texas law. The trial lawyers at the Francis Firm have more than 30 years of personal injury experience litigating motorcycle collision cases. We provide the legal expertise and resources to fight insurance companies, get cases settled and, when necessary, pursue justice for you in the courtroom.
If you are injured in a motorcycle crash, the Francis Firm can help. We have recovered millions for victims of traffic accidents. We offer free personal injury consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. This means you will never owe us anything, including legal fees, until we recover money for you.
We are here to help you, and we understand that traveling is challenging when you're injured. If you are unable to come to our Dallas office, we will come to you. Contact us today through our online form or call (817) 329-9001. If you or someone you love suffers a personal injury in Dallas, call us now! You don't have to fight this battle alone. We serve communities throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth and Dallas County.