MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

As Houston motorcycle accident attorneys, we’ve seen far too many worlds come to a halt. After an accident, thoughts swirl through your head, and you don’t always know what to do next. This all assumes that you’re conscious afterward. We understand what it’s like to be in this situation, and our team is here for you. 

There are specific steps you should take after an accident. However, we know that not everyone is in the condition to take these steps. Here are a few things to keep in mind, when you’re able to.

When You Have Serious Injuries 

If you have suffered serious injuries, stay up. If there are others involved, do not try to move them from the scene unless they are in danger. Moving injured people has the potential to worsen their injuries. If people stopped to help, ensure they call 911 immediately. In these situations, paramedics often transport people directly to the hospital. 

Try not to worry about what’s happening at the scene at this point. In certain cases, motorcycle accident victims wake up at the hospital. Try to stay calm as you go over what happened and why you’re in the hospital. Follow your doctor’s orders and hope for the best in your treatment. 

When You Feel “Okay” 

If you are able to remain at the scene after a collision, you likely still need treatment. However, it’s essential that you utilize your time carefully before the paramedic whisk you away. 

• Move off the road and call 911. 
• Take photos before you move your bike. Documenting the scene helps prove liability. 
• When the other driver seems agitated or drunk, stay away from them until the police arrive. DO NOT confront them. 
• As the paramedics arrive, have them look you over to see whether you need to go to the hospital immediately. 
• Talk to the police and tell them everything you remember. DO NOT apologize or make statements that can be twisted into admissions of fault. 
• Take pictures of your injuries, property damage, and the surroundings. (ie. if someone hit a tree or a sign)
• If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information so that they can provide testimony. 

After You Leave the Scene

Once you can safely leave the scene of the crash, head towards an emergency room or urgent care center. Even when you don’t need to go in an ambulance, there might still be injuries that aren’t noticeable at first. It’s crucial that you get a proper and timely diagnosis of your condition. 

Prompt, proper care is a vital component of your case. This allows you to get medical records that prove your diagnosis and show treatment recommendations. In turn, these records prove your injuries in your case. Your Houston motorcycle accident lawyers will work with your doctor to gather all of these documents so that you can focus on your treatment. 

Every accident has the potential to be traumatic. When you finally get home, we understand how shaken you might feel. When you need an advocate to bear the weight of your case, call on AP Law Group. Oftentimes, accident victims can seek compensation to cover their medical bills and other damages and losses. 

However, the insurance companies try every tactic at their disposal to pay out as little as possible. That’s why you need a Houston motorcycle accident lawyer on your side. Let us guide you through the process so that we can minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. 

AP Law Group offers free consultations to victims of motorcycle accidents. We want to show you that we are the advocates you deserve when medical costs pile up and the world feels overwhelming. 

We understand how overwhelming and terrifying these situations can be. As your Houston motorcycle accident attorneys, we carry the weight for you. Moreover, we provide the aggressive representation you need to gain you the compensation you deserve.

Why it is necessary to have an attorney if your case is not going to court?  Settlement negotiations between insurance companies and accident victims are meant to determine the amount the case would be if it had gone to trial. Without understanding personal injury law, the victim may find it difficult to understand what an acceptable settlement may be. In addition, when a victim is unrepresented, the risk the case goes to trial is diminished and gives the insurance company the upper hand with the settlement . Furthermore, it is highly advisable to have an attorney even if the insurance company handling your case has indicated its intention to settle.

There are so many ways that a Houston Motorcycle Accident Attorney can help you. Basically, it all comes down to having a team of experts on your side that you can trust, and who will fight for your rights. AP Law Group thrives on defending the rights of our clients, we know how to investigate claims and negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company. If they refuse to cooperate, AP Law Group will not hesitate to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit on your behalf.

Motorcycle Accidents in Texas

Motorcycles aren’t just fun to ride. They’re economical. It costs a lot less to buy and maintain a motorcycle, and they use less gas too. Couple that with the generally pleasant weather in Texas, and it’s no wonder so many residents make motorcycles their preferred mode of transportation. 

Unfortunately, Texas also leads the nation in motorcycle deaths. In 2019 alone, 412 motorcyclists were killed in Texas, and 1,800 were reported as seriously injured. Not surprisingly, the largest numbers of motorcycle accidents occur in congested cities like Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin–and Houston.

Motorcycles and the Motor Vehicle Hazards

Houston, like all urban areas, presents specific challenges for motorcyclists. A motorcycle’s smaller size makes it difficult to spot for motor vehicle drivers changing lanes, and it’s harder to judge how close a motorcycle really is when making a left turn in front of one. It’s also a given that without a protective shell, a motorcyclist is more apt to sustain serious injuries in a collision. 

As a Houston rider, if you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident, you’ll want an experienced motorcycle accident attorney on your side. The Houston motorcycle accident lawyers at AP Law Group will work to get you the maximum compensation for your losses.

Road Hazards for Houston Motorcyclists

It’s not just other drivers that can pose a danger for Houston motorcyclists. Potholes, poor drainage, obstruction from unmowed vegetation, and poorly designed roadways are just a few of the road hazards a motorcycle rider needs to be acutely aware of. If any of these types of dangerous road conditions caused your motorcycle accident, our Houston motorcycle accident lawyers may be able to make a claim for you under Texas law. 

If the situation meets certain requirements, a smart and informed motorcycle accident attorney from AP Law Group may be able to prove the responsible government agency owes you damages. But don’t delay. Although most accident claims must be filed within two years, when filing a notice of claim against a government agency, your window of time is reduced to only six months.

How the Houston Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at AP Law Group Can Help

A motorcycle accident can result in serious injuries to yourself and the loss of or damages to your bike. If you’ve been involved in an accident, you may incur immediate and long-term medical expenses, costs for medications, and rehabilitation. 

You may lose wages or even your ability to work. There may be substantial pain and suffering. Texas awards damages based on the modified comparative fault theory, which means, for example, that if a court determines you bear 20 percent of the responsibility for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by 20 percent. 

That’s why if you’re the victim of a motorcycle accident, you need to speak to one of the experienced Houston motorcycle accident lawyers with AP Law Group. A motorcycle accident attorney from AP Law Group will leave no stone unturned to get you the full compensation you deserve.

Noted Houston motorcycle accident lawyers implore the people of that city and surrounding regions to realize just how problematic motorcycle mishaps have become.

How Serious Are Motorcycle Accidents?

Statistics compiled by Texas’s Department of Transportation underscore this issue. In 2019, the agency concluded that more than 400 motorcyclists were killed and in excess of 1,800 were involved in what were labeled serious incidents.

A team of Houston motorcycle accident lawyers maintain that even more startling is the simple fact that at least one person is killed each day in such unfortunate events.

Why Motorcycles Are More Accident Prone?

A motorcycle accident attorney, law enforcement, and traffic safety officials opine that these transportation crafts hold a greater vulnerability to collisions and other mishaps for several key reasons including:

Less Visibility

Motorcycles are almost always smaller than vehicles like cars and trucks. This size difference sometimes renders said crafts difficult for motorists operating larger apparatuses to see. This is particularly true during events like merging, turning, or at nighttime.

Greater Susceptibility To Challenging Conditions

A motorcycle accident attorney explains that a motorcycle’s smaller size also often makes such apparatuses harder to control in adverse weather and when encountering road hazards.

What Safety Tips Can Motorcyclists Employ?

Houston motorcycle accident lawyers advise that past and prospective clients may be able to avoid or appreciably lower their risk of involvement in a collision by practicing the following suggestions:

Don Proper Protection

Arguably, the most important safety measure a motorcycle accident attorney implores motorcyclists to take is to wear the appropriate protective gear.

For the most part, Texas law requires motorcycle operators to wear helmets. There are certain notable exceptions to this rule. However, pure common sense dictates that such action is simply the correct action to take. Cyclists not donning helmets are at a far greater risk of sustaining significant, potentially fatal head injuries.

Additionally, operators are exposed to harsh elements like wind and, when occasion arises, inclement weather. Ergo, riders are also firmly encouraged to protect other bodily regions, such as their hands, feet, and eyes.

Moreover, a cyclist’s clothing should be marked with reflective tape. Said item enables other motorists to better see them, especially during the evening hours.

Obey Traffic Regulations

Naturally, safer vehicular operation involves following established traffic laws, particularly remaining at mandated speed limits.

Drive Defensively

Practically everyone who has ever operated some type of transportation craft has heard some variation of this advice. However, for motorcyclists, said wisdom certainly pertains. Paying close attention to the movements of others may lessen an operator’s chances of a mishap.

Avoid Bad Vices

Motorcycle operators are firmly urged to refrain from dangerous actions, like drinking, ingesting fatigue-inducing or inhibitions-limiting medications, or riding while excessively tired.

Ensure The Craft Stands In Optimal Functioning Order

Bike owners should make sure their crafts continually stand in solid working order. In many instances, correctable mechanical issues precipitate serious accidents.

Why Choose The AP Law Group

Our team of highly-experienced, compassionate, learned, Houston motorcycle accident lawyers have successfully handled countless such events and produced positive results for many clients.

Why Buy Underinsured Or Uninsured Motorist Coverage In Texas?

Motorcycle accidents are often more serious than typical vehicle collisions and could cause serious injuries and economic distress to impacted parties. Fortunately, Texas law enables those hurt in such incidents to seek compensation from perceived negligent parties through actions known as civil suits.

Unfortunately, however, certain motorists lack necessary insurance coverage. Said occurrence could significantly complicate the civil process and potentially leave the incident’s victim unable to recoup the funds they need to adequately recover.

Luckily, Houston motorcycle accident lawyers wish to inform potential clients that said circumstances might be overcome through the investment in automobile insurance policy provisions called under and uninsured coverage.

Statistics

A motorcycle accident attorney stresses that all Texas motorists are required to carry liability car insurance. This provision covers said individuals in the event they are found to be responsible for causing an injury-inducing accident.

Despite this mandate, researchers have concluded that as many as 14 of Texas drivers lack such coverage.

Complications Associated With Under Or Uninsured Drivers

Houston motorcycle accident lawyers regret to inform motorcyclists that involvement in an incident with under or uninsured drivers could result in serious complications.

Many under or uninsured drivers lack coverage because they simply do not possess the funds to maintain said policies. Hurt parties might attempt to circumvent this pitfall by initiating a civil action against said individual.

That said, motorists unable to afford basic liability coverage will not likely be able to remit damages even if found guilty and instructed to do so by a judge or jury.

Under And Uninsured Insurance Policy Provisions

Houston motorcycle accident lawyers are happy to report that many automobile insurance providers offer policyholders the opportunity to invest in additional provisions known as under and uninsured coverage. Though these safeguards are often mentioned together, they execute different functions.

Uninsured Coverage

This policy provision provides the holder coverage in the event they are involved in an incident precipitated by an uninsured party’s negligent actions.

Underinsured Coverage

A motorcycle accident attorney wants prospective clients to know that this form of coverage ensures that a hurt policyholder will receive compensation for their injuries even in the event the motorist ruled at fault’s coverage does not address all necessary expenses.

A motorcycle accident attorney alerts Texas drivers to the fact that State law only requires said motorists to invest in what is often referred to as 30/60/25 coverage. Under this commonly employed blueprint, drivers are only required to invest in $30,000 per injured person or $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage.

That said, the plain truth is that the medical expenses and property damage incurred by a discernible percentage of motorcycle accident victims greatly exceeds the preceding numbers. Those whose policies contain underinsured provisions will likely receive far more than these basic coverage levels.

Granted, these policy additions will yield more pricey premiums. However, researchers opine such protections are definitely worth investing in. The United States-based health organization called the Centers for Disease Control, often abbreviated as the CDC, maintains that the average accident victim incurs $57,000 in total expenses.

Reaching Out To Us

Texas motorcyclists hurt in accidents involving under or insured drivers are urged to contact our team of Houston motorcycle accident lawyers. The AP Law Group holds significant experience serving clients facing such circumstances. To learn more about us, schedule your free case evaluation today.