College Station Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
A motorcycle crash can change your life in an instant. And the insurance companies certainly don’t make it easy to move forward. They tend to take a dim view of the men and women who ride, calling them irresponsible thrill-seekers. That’s why you deserve an experienced College Station motorcycle accident lawyer at Chad Jones Law, P.C.
Across the state, many men and women enjoy the open air and warm Texas weather by taking to the road on motorcycles. Unfortunately, many motorists fail to share the road, and when they cause wrecks, riders get hurt. You may have sustained a serious injury, or you may have even lost a loved one in a crash. In either of these situations, you should seek legal counsel from a personal injury attorney.
Causes of Motorcycle Crashes
Our lawyers in College Station are dedicated to motorcycle safety, fiercely representing our clients in many accident situations.
- Car Turned In Front of Motorcycle
- Hit From Behind
- Lane Change Collision
- Hit a Car Door
- Forced Off Road
- Distracted Driver
- Speeding Driver
- Road Hazard
- Motorist Failed to Yield
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
After a motorcycle wreck, make sure the scene is safe before doing anything else. This may include moving the motorcycle to avoid blocking traffic. Next, call emergency services and assist if properly trained and physically able to do so. Get the name and badge number of the police officer investigating the wreck as well as contact information for any other operators involved.
Even if a motorcyclist feels fine after a crash, they should still seek medical attention. It is very common for motorcyclists to sustain internal injuries and traumatic brain injuries that may have delayed onset symptoms. The sooner a doctor checks a motorcyclist out, the better their health can be and the sooner they can hopefully get back on the road. Moreover, this allows for documentation of any injuries, which can be important if a person makes an insurance claim later. Insurance companies typically will not pay until medical treatment is complete. After an injured party has sought medical attention, they should contact a College Station attorney to discuss their motorcycle accident case. Our team has extensive experience helping motorcycle riders get the compensation they deserve to pay their medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses.
Negligence in Motorcycle Accident Claims
Remember, someone other than the motorcyclist causes most motorcycle wrecks, they must prove this fact in order to receive compensation. Just because a crash did not involve contact does not mean an injured party cannot hold the other driver responsible. If a case was a hit-and-run, the legal options depend on whether the police can find the driver that caused the crash. If they can, an injured motorcyclist may file a claim with their insurance company. If not, they should be able to file an uninsured motorist claim with their own insurance company. In either case, our motorcycle wreck attorneys in College Station could help deal with the insurance while a claimant focuses on getting better.
Importance of Helmets
Under Texas law, most motorcycle riders are required to wear helmets, with some exemptions. However, even if a motorcyclist was supposed to be wearing a helmet and did not, they may still be able to recover. For instance, if they sustained injuries to their legs or back during the crash, the fact that they were not wearing a helmet is not relevant.
Texas uses the legal doctrine of comparative negligence, which states that an injured person who is partially responsible for their injuries can still recover damages proportional to someone else’s degree of fault. Therefore, if a claimant was 30 percent responsible for their injury due to their failure to wear a helmet, but the other motorist is found 70 percent responsible, the injured party could still recover damages equal to 70 percent of their costs.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
In some situations, insurance companies may claim that the motorcyclist drove recklessly or that the claimant “assumed the risk” of injury by getting on a motorcycle. However, the reality is that nearly two-thirds of motorcycle crashes are caused by motorists, not motorcycle riders. Injured parties should not accept any offer they receive by an insurance company before they have retained a College Station motorcycle wreck lawyer. Once a claimant has taken an insurance company’s money, they cannot go back and ask for more if it turns out that the wreck cost more than they originally thought. An attorney could advise on whether the offer will likely cover all medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. An insurance company’s offer is usually a “low-ball” amount, and working with an attorney can often get someone significantly more.
Speak with a College Station Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you were involved in a serious wreck while riding your motorcycle, reach out to Chad Jones Law today. Our College Station motorcycle accident lawyers could assess your case and help you recover full and fair compensation. For more information on how our team could help, call today.
