Comprehensive Legal Help After Serious Injuries

Seeking Compensation After Your Motorcycle Accident

Motorcyclists are especially prone to accident injuries because helmets and protective clothing provide limited protection in higher-speed accidents. When collisions and accidents are caused by someone else’s careless or reckless act, they should be liable for their actions and compensate you for your injuries.

At Law Offices of Mark D. VanCleave, PLLC, you can find aggressive legal representation to help you secure the compensation you deserve after your motorcycle accident. We are ready to take on the challenges of these claims on your behalf by using our skills in negotiation and litigation.

Motorcycle Accidents Are Uniquely Challenging

Motorcycle riders are more vulnerable to serious injuries in accidents, including head injuries and amputation. These can even become fatal accidents. There are other additional challenges motorcyclists face in comparison with other motorists. Decreased visual recognition from other drivers, increased road hazards, speed-involved instability of a motorcycle and increased difficulty of driving are all examples of these challenges.

These facts may mean that you now face serious injuries, including head injuries after being involved in a crash on your motorcycle. There are many hardships and steep expenses associated with a motorcycle accident. An attorney can help.

Common Injuries After Motorcycle Accidents

Riding a motorcycle can be exhilarating, but it also comes with risks. Accidents can cause injuries ranging from minor to very serious. Here are some common examples:

Head trauma: Concussions, skull fractures or more severe brain injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Neck and spine injuries: May lead to partial or complete paralysis
Road rash: Painful skin scrapes that can lead to infections if not treated properly
Broken bones: Particularly common in arms, legs and ribs
Internal injuries: Can be hard to detect but potentially life-threatening
Facial injuries: May require reconstructive surgery and leave lasting scars
Amputation: In severe cases, limb loss can occur

Remember, these injuries aren’t just physical; they can also cause emotional and financial hardship.

Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents In Texas

Motorcycle accidents in Texas often result from other drivers’ failure to notice or properly account for motorcycles on the road. The smaller profile of motorcycles can make them harder to spot, especially at intersections, where over a third of all motorcycle fatalities occur.

One of the primary causes is drivers turning left in front of oncoming motorcycles. This happens when drivers misjudge how fast a motorcycle is going, how far away it is or simply don’t see it. These crashes can be devastating for riders. Distracted driving is another major problem. Even a brief moment of inattention can be deadly, particularly for a motorcyclist.

Other common causes include:

Driver impairment
Failing to check blind spots when changing lanes
Not giving motorcycles enough room
Speeding and driving recklessly
Road hazards like potholes, debris or uneven surfaces, which are more dangerous for motorcycles

As a motorcyclist, you have the right to share the road safely. While you can’t control other drivers, knowing these common causes can help you stay safe. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident because another driver was careless, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries and losses.

Seeking Compensation After A Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle accidents, especially highway accidents and interstate crashes, can turn anyone’s world upside down in an instant. Fortunately, Texas law allows injured motorcyclists to seek significant compensation when another driver’s carelessness causes them harm. Medical expenses are often the biggest immediate concern. This includes costs you’ve already paid for like emergency room visits and surgeries, and also future medical needs, such as ongoing therapy or rehab.

If your injuries have kept you from working, you can also seek compensation for lost wages. This covers not just the paychecks you’ve missed, but also potential future earnings if your injuries affect your ability to work long-term.

Texas law recognizes that severe accidents cause more than just financial harm. You may be entitled to compensation for the physical pain and emotional suffering you’ve experienced. This covers the physical discomfort and emotional pain that comes with such a traumatic experience. While money can’t undo what happened, this compensation aims to provide some justice and support as you recover.

When Seeking Compensation, Remember The Deadline

In Texas, you don’t have forever to file a lawsuit after a motorcycle accident. The statute of limitations is generally two years. File your lawsuit within two years of the crash, or you may lose your right to pursue compensation. In addition, while there’s no legal deadline for notifying the insurance company, it’s best to do so right away.

Factors That Affect The Value Of A Car Accident Claim In Texas

When pursuing a motorcycle accident claim in Texas, several factors can influence its value. The following elements are important in determining your potential compensation:

How severe your injuries are: More serious injuries usually mean higher medical expenses and a longer recovery, which can increase the value of your claim.
Your financial losses: This includes lost wages, both now and in the future.
Who was at fault: Texas law has a “modified comparative fault” rule. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident, you may not be able to recover any damages.
Insurance coverage: The amount of insurance coverage available can affect how much compensation you can receive.
Legal representation: An experienced attorney can impact your case’s outcome

These factors often interact in complex ways, influencing the final amount of compensation you may be able to recover. A Baytown motorcycle accident attorney from Law Offices of Mark D. VanCleave, PLLC, is up-to-date on personal injury law and can guide you through the claims process.

What Should I Look For In A Lawyer?

Motorcyclists face unique risks on the road in Baytown, Texas, and surrounding communities such as Highlands, Crosby and Channelview. Motorcycle accident cases are often even less straightforward than typical car accidents. For effective legal representation, you need someone who understands the unique factors that come into play such as:

Bias against motorcyclists that is common among law enforcement officers, jury members, judges and insurance claims adjusters
The often inadequate insurance coverage of many motorcyclists
The severity of the injuries that are common in motorcycle accidents

Due to this, motorcyclists need skilled representation when pursuing a personal injury claim. If you were involved in an accident while driving a motorcycle, there are a variety of elements that contribute to your personal injury claim when seeking compensation.

Can I Handle My Claim Myself?

Once an injury claim is filed, the responsible insurance company will likely examine whether or not you complied with traffic laws and motor vehicle regulations in an effort to avoid paying damages. This challenge – along with seeking medical treatment, protecting your rights and proving liability – may create a complicated situation best handled by an attorney with experience.

Law Offices of Mark D. VanCleave, PLLC, navigates challenges skillfully and can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Get The Representation You Need

Injured motorcyclists involved in a crash should seek representation from an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Attorney Mark VanCleave can help you seek the treatment you need and get the compensation you deserve. Call 281-720-6881 or use our website to set up a no-fee consultation to start getting information and recovering. We only collect fees for our personal injury services if you recover damages.