Houston Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Getting Accident Victims Compensated

Avid motorcycle riders often speak fondly of their love of driving on the open road. Cruising through the city on a “chopper” can be thrilling, but unfortunately, it can also be extremely dangerous. Careless mistakes by other motorists can easily cause motorcycle accidents involving even the most skilled riders. Sadly, such collisions often result in catastrophic injuries and even fatalities. Following a motorcycle crash, it can be difficult to know what to do next. There’s certainly a tough road ahead, but you don’t have to travel it alone.

If you have been involved in a motorcycle wreck, you might be eligible for financial damages in a personal injury lawsuit. Before you speak with the insurance company or agree to anything, you should first seek an experienced injury attorney from Houston. Skilled Houston motorcycle accident lawyers can review the merits of your claim and help you pursue compensation for your losses.

Reach out to the Law Office of Denise Adkison-Brown today for a free consultation to better understand your rights and get the justice you deserve.

Understanding Motorcycle Accident Claims in Houston

Motorcycle accidents in Houston often result in severe injuries that leave victims facing significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Pursuing a motorcycle accident claim can help you recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering caused by the crash. At the Law Offices of Denise Adkison-Brown, we are dedicated to helping injured motorcyclists navigate this process and hold negligent parties accountable.

Motorcycle accident claims can involve unique challenges that require careful attention. Insurance companies may attempt to minimize payouts by unfairly blaming the motorcyclist or downplaying the severity of the injuries. Additionally, proving fault in a motorcycle accident often requires detailed evidence, including accident reports, witness statements, and expert analysis of the crash scene.

Factors That Cause Motorcycle Crashes

There are countless incidents that can lead to motorcycle wrecks, and many of these involve the negligence of passenger vehicle drivers. Even when another commuter isn’t the at-fault party, though, the results are often the same. The small size of motorcycles and the lack of protection they offer riders frequently results in the need for medical treatment due to severe injuries. This is why, statistically speaking, motorcyclists are some of the most at-risk individuals on the road. Even a minor accident can prove detrimental to someone on such an exposed vehicle.

When motorcycle accidents occur, the following reasons are most often to blame:

Motorcycle Visibility

Motorcycles are considerably smaller than cars, so they can be difficult for other drivers to see. This size discrepancy alone can contribute to crashes in numerous ways — even in cases where the other driver may be practicing the same level of care they typically do. Unfortunately, this often isn’t enough when two-wheeled vehicles are involved. For instance, many motorcycle accidents occur when the rider is lost in a car or truck’s blind spot. Everyone expects to see passenger vehicles on the road, but few drivers are automatically on the lookout for motorcycles.

It’s not just blind spots, though, that increase the risk of a motorcycle wreck. Cars making left turns at intersections are known to be especially dangerous for riders. That’s because drivers making left-hand turns often fail to see approaching motorcycles. This is particularly problematic in a city like Houston, TX — where a combination of weather and culture means there are an abundance of riders on the road at any time. When other vehicles turn left in front of a motorcycle unexpectedly, the resulting collision can send the motorcyclist flying through the air. Even when wearing a helmet and other safety gear, this frequently results in significant injuries.

Driver Actions

Motorcycle accidents aren’t always caused by other drivers. In fact, it’s often the case that riders put themselves in harm’s way. Distracted driving, speeding, riding while tired, drunk driving, and other unsafe acts can all put a motorcyclist’s life in danger. Some riders feel as if they can engage in such behaviors due to their experience level. Unfortunately, even the best rider in the world can experience a motorcycle accident. Even if you’ve cut in and out of lanes thousands of times before, it only takes one unexpecting driver to not see you for tragedy to strike.

In some instances, it’s not even necessary for other vehicles to be involved in motorcycle accidents. Riding a motorcycle in an unsafe manner can cause riders to lose control of their vehicles. Hitting the road after a wreck is just as detrimental — if not more so — as striking another vehicle. If this has happened to you, though, you should still consider contacting a Houston motorcycle accident lawyer. A legal professional may investigate the crash and determine there were other factors involved. This could mean other responsible parties can be held liable, even if you didn’t initially realize their negligence contributed to your collision.

Negligence Unrelated to Motorists

The negligence of motorcyclists and the drivers of passenger vehicles can easily lead to an accident. There are some instances, however, when collisions occur without any motorist being at fault. The important thing to remember is that the lack of motorist liability doesn’t mean there’s not a negligent party to blame. It all comes down to figuring out who is at fault. This is why filing a police report and reaching out to an attorney are both ideal following any motorcycle accident. This will ensure some form of investigation is done, and with this information documented, it becomes easier to pinpoint who may have acted negligently.

Other Factors Contributing to Motorcycle Accidents

Just consider some of the following issues that could result in injuries to motorcycle accident victims:

Uneven lanes
Unrepaired potholes
Unsafe construction activities
Improper drainage on streets
Repair shop neglect
Improperly maintained signage
Lack of roadside maintenance

Any of these issues can cause a serious accident. Unfortunately, such incidents can lead to traumatic brain injuries, a permanent disability, and a host of other harms. While there may not have been negligent parties on the scene at the time of the accident, it doesn’t mean that motorcycle accident claims can’t be successful. Even if shady repair shops or governments failing to maintain their streets led to your injury, it may still be possible for you to recover compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.

Don’t sit around wondering if you’re entitled to compensation. Contact the personal injury lawyers at the Law Office of Denise Adkison-Brown today.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Houston

The open-air design of a motorcycle brings a ton of joy to so many riders, but it also presents many dangers. Motorcycles have no steel frames, seatbelts, airbags, or bumpers. If a car is involved in a motorcycle accident, that car will almost surely strike the motorcyclist as well. It’s highly unlikely that the rider will be able to maintain control of their bike, and once it’s gone from under them, it’s just the rider facing the full force of impact.

The only thing that many motorcyclists have for protection is a helmet. Even when they have other safety gear, though, it’s simply not enough to protect against passenger vehicles and the asphalt pavement. As a result, many crashes that would have been simple fender benders between two cars turn out to be catastrophic. This is why it becomes so important for victims to recover compensation. Such serious injuries can lead to expensive and long-term medical expenses. The following common injuries are most frequently seen after such collisions:

Cuts and lacerations, such as the road rash burn caused by skin hitting the pavement
Broken bones
Back and spinal cord injuries
Neck injuries
Internal organ damage
Head injuries (e.g., concussion, traumatic brain injury)

Any severe injury suffered in a motorcycle crash can be permanently disabling — oftentimes causing lifelong pain and mobility issues that require ongoing medical care. Property damage is often the least of a rider’s worries, and in very tragic situations, such collisions can even lead to fatal injuries. Whether it was you or a loved one injured in a motorcycle accident, seeking the help of personal injury attorneys is the way to go. While it is possible to seek compensation you deserve on your own, doing so comes with a series of hurdles.

Take the time to contact the Law Office of Denise Adkison-Brown today. Not only does our legal team offer an initial free consultation, but we also work on a contingency fee basis. This means you have absolutely zero to lose — and potentially everything to gain — from seeking out an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer today.

What if I Caused My Motorcycle Accident?

There’s a reason an insurance company will try to convince riders that they’re at fault for motorcycle crashes. The simple fact is that negligence on the part of the rider reduces the liability of the other parties involved. As all personal injury lawyers in Houston will tell you, though, reducing their level of liability does not eliminate it. That’s because Texas is a comparative negligence state. This means that — even if a motorcycle rider contributed to their own injury — they’re not automatically barred from receiving compensation. This is why contacting an attorney is imperative — even if you think you’re at fault — following Houston motorcycle accidents.

Comparative Negligence

Comparative negligence works by comparing the fault of all involved parties. Imagine a situation where a motorcyclist was zigzagging between lanes. This is obviously a dangerous activity, but then imagine a speeding passenger vehicle rear-ends the rider. The jury might think that the other driver was going too fast, but they may also think the rider shifted into a lane without proper warning. If they decide that the motorcyclist is 15% at fault for their accident, the final court award would be reduced by 15%. This could turn a $2 million award into $1.7 million. Even without the full compensation amount, a partial award can still cover medical bills, lost wages, and the help of an experienced legal team.

It’s important to speak with a law firm to decide how to move forward. While Texas motorcycle laws allow for compensation even when the fault is shared, there are nuances that could bar financial recovery. For instance, a personal injury claim will not be paid if it’s decided that the victim shares more fault than the other party. It’s not up to you, however, to decide percentages of shared fault. Following a serious motorcycle accident, speaking with a lawyer can help you decide whether you have a strong case while also figuring out the best way to move forward.

Do I Need a Houston Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

Following a motorcycle accident, injured motorcyclists will often wonder whether they need a lawyer. After all, no one is required to have legal representation to seek justice for themselves. Technically speaking, you should be able to receive a fair settlement or court award just as easily whether you’re on your own or represented by the most experienced Houston motorcycle accident lawyer in town. Unfortunately, this typically isn’t how it works.

While it might not be fair — particularly to the victims involved — individuals with legal representation have a better chance of fair compensation. Every insurance company knows how costly motorcycle accidents can be, so they’ll typically try to get the injured motorcyclist to quickly accept a settlement. This helps them avoid personal injury cases that can turn costly at trial, and it also frequently results in unfair payouts to motorcycle riders who suffered injuries. That’s because these early settlement offers rarely account for pain and suffering, lost wages, future medical expenses, and a variety of other types of damages.

If you accept a settlement without first speaking to a Houston personal injury lawyer, there’s a good chance you didn’t get the true value of your motorcycle accident case. Insurers will try to lowball you and trick you into admitting fault. When they’re unable to do so, they might not fear facing off against an individual who plans on representing themselves in court. When you have a Houston motorcycle crash attorney on your side, though, insurance adjusters won’t be able to take advantage of you. The American justice system says you don’t need a lawyer on your side to get maximum compensation, but when it comes down to it, it definitely improves your odds.

How a Houston Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help

Hiring a Houston motorcycle accident lawyer can significantly impact the outcome of your case. At the Law Offices of Denise Adkison-Brown, we work diligently to support injured motorcyclists through every step of the claims process. Our team investigates the accident thoroughly, collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and collaborating with professionals to determine the cause of the crash. We handle all communications with the insurance company, negotiating on your behalf to pursue fair compensation for your injuries and losses. If a settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to represent you in a personal injury lawsuit, advocating for your rights in court. If you’ve suffered severe injuries in a motorcycle accident, don’t wait to take action. Contact us today to discuss your case and learn how we can assist you in recovering the compensation you deserve.

Reach Out to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Houston

If you or a loved one has experienced a motorcycle accident in Houston, TX, there are many difficulties ahead. From deciding whether the insurance company’s settlement offer is fair to recovering from serious injuries, there’s a lot on your plate. Unfortunately, this often seems so daunting that the victim of a motorcycle wreck will accept the first offer the insurer throws their way — just so they have access to some financial assistance. With a team of motorcycle accident lawyers and legal professionals on your side, though, you don’t have to settle for anything less than fair compensation.

After experiencing a motorcycle accident, there are multiple legal avenues you can pursue for recovery. A personal injury attorney can work hard to help you obtain the maximum possible compensation you deserve so that you can get the care you need. At the Law Office of Denise Adkison-Brown, we fight hard both inside and outside of the courtroom to help our clients. If you need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Houston, we’re ready to help.

Contact us today by calling (713) 714-6206 for a free consultation so we can help you better understand your rights and the best way to move forward.