Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Mesquite, Texas

Motorcyclists take on a certain amount of risk when they hit Texas’s open roads. They are much more vulnerable than passenger vehicle drivers in collisions, with nothing except personal gear between their bodies and the asphalt. Yet, it is not a motorcyclist’s duty to assume the risks of distracted, negligent, and dangerous drivers. Nor should a motorcyclist suffer for roadway defects such as potholes. In these accidents, someone else may be liable for the motorcyclist’s damages. Talk to a Mesquite motorcycle accident attorney at law firm Fielding Law for legal counsel after a crash.  They can help you understand your rights.

What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Accident?

After a motorcycle crash, stay calm and don’t move if you feel injured. Moving could make minor injuries more severe, especially if they involve your spinal cord. Wait for help to arrive in a safe location. If possible, get yourself and your disabled vehicle out of the roadway to prevent further collisions. Do not admit fault to the other driver if there is one involved in the crash. In Texas, you must remain on the scene and report a collision if it causes injuries, deaths, or more than $1,000 worth of property damage. Most motorcycle crashes fulfill these requirements.

Call 911 and report the motorcycle accident. Do not admit fault to the police. Simply state your version of what happened, in as much detail as possible. The officer should collect information such as the other driver’s name and insurance company, as well as the time and location of the crash. If the police officer does not file a report, document these facts for your personal records. You will need to file your own accident report within 10 days of your accident. Take photos of the scene if you can, including all property damage and injuries.

If you aren’t sure whether you have injuries, tell that to the officer. Saying you do not have injuries can make it more difficult to recover for injuries you discover later. Receive medical care for injuries right away after a collision. Waiting can worsen your prognosis and show a judge or jury that your injuries must not have been very serious. Follow your doctor’s instructions exactly. Report your crash to your motorcycle insurance company. Do not make a statement or accept a settlement offer until you speak to injury lawyers. Once you’re able to think about taking a settlement, call a Mesquite auto accident attorney for assistance with your free case evaluation.

Texas Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Texas is an immensely popular state for motorcyclists. Thousands of miles of beautiful coastlines, sprawling rural roads, and bustling city streets make motorcycling a popular pastime and way to commute in The Lone Star State. Unfortunately, other drivers aren’t always as careful as they should be around motorcyclists on rural and urban roads. Learning the facts about motorcycle accidents in Texas can help you avoid becoming a victim. Here is the most recent available data:

• There were 380,793 registered motorcycles in Texas in 2016. Dallas County had 26,751 registered motorcycles and Tarrant County had 34,094.
• In 2016, 463 motorcycle operators and 33 passengers died in motorcycle crashes throughout Texas. In these accidents, 217 victims were wearing helmets and 263 were not (16 were unknown). There were 2,008 incapacitating injuries.
• The age involved in the most fatal motorcycle accidents in 2016 was 23 years old (19 fatalities), followed by 57 (18 fatalities), and 25 (16 fatalities).
• Almost half of all fatal motorcycle accidents in Texas involved cars or trucks colliding with the motorcycle. Drivers often do not see smaller motorcycles or misjudge the distance and speed of the vehicle. Distracted drivers pose particular risks.

There is no arguing that motorcyclists face risks on the roadway. Motorcyclists can reduce the odds of collisions by obeying roadway rules and making themselves as visible as possible to other drivers. Being predictable can help other motorists recognize patterns and keep a safe distance from motorcycles on rural and urban roads. If you’re one of thousands of avid motorcyclists in Texas, your personal safety should be your top priority, as it is with the injury lawyers at law firm Fielding Law.

What are the most common causes of motorcycle accidents?

Motorcycle accidents are unique from typical vehicle collisions. They involve one or more individuals who face exposure to hazards such as impacts, flying debris, and contact with the roadway. The forces in most motorcycle accidents eject riders and passengers from the bike, resulting in serious injuries such as broken bones, road rash and traumatic head injury or scarring from embedded asphalt. There are dozens of crash risks motorcyclists face on the roadway daily. The most common are as follows:

• Speed
  • In 2015, 33% of motorcyclists involved in fatal accidents around the country were speeding. Compare this to just 19% of other motorists, and you can see how big an issue speed is for motorcyclists. Speed is a common factor in single-vehicle motorcycle crashes. Riders may take turns too fast and collide with guardrails or trees.
• Lack of visibility
  • Collisions with other vehicles often occur because motorists fail to see oncoming motorcycles. Their smaller size makes them easy to miss, especially if motorists aren’t looking carefully. Wearing bright colors and using daytime running lights can help prevent visibility-related collisions.
• Roadway defects
  • Potholes, debris, fallen trees, crossing animals, and loose gravel all pose greater risks to motorcyclists than other drivers. If a roadway defect caused your motorcycle crash, you may have a case against the City of Dallas or the State of Texas for negligent roadway maintenance.
• Motorcyclist incompetence or recklessness
  • Motorcyclists may contribute to their own accidents by speeding, riding under the influence, ignoring roadway rules, or operating vehicles without proper training and licensure. In 2015, 27% of motorcyclists in fatal accidents did not have valid motorcycle licenses, compared to 13% of other motorists.
• Lane splitting
  • Lane splitting, or riding a motorcycle on the line between two lanes of same-direction traffic, is not legal in Texas. Although there is much debate about the safety of this practice, lane splitting can startle other drivers and result in a motorcycle accident. The close proximity of motorcycles to other vehicles and reduced space to maneuver can increase the risks to motorcyclists.
• Broken roadway rules
  • Like all accidents, a motorcycle accident often stems from someone breaking a roadway rule. All roadway users must obey speed limits, follow traffic signals, yield to the right-of-way, and follow other state and local rules to help prevent collisions. Obeying the law as a motorcyclist can decrease your chances of a crash.

Calculating the risks inherent to motorcycle riding in Texas requires looking at the competence of the operator, roadway conditions, speed, and the actions of other drivers. Avoiding the most common factors involved in motorcycle collisions can reduce your risk of becoming a victim. If you’ve already been involved in an injurious motorcycle crash in Texas, learn the laws surrounding your motorcycle accident to discover your potential rights and legal opportunities.

Texas Motorcycle Laws

It is every motorcyclist’s duty to learn and obey applicable laws in Texas and any municipal laws while riding in Mesquite. Breaking the law and causing a motorcycle accident could land you with liability for subsequent injuries and property damage. Obeying the law will not only increase your safety but will also reduce your odds of legal responsibility for a crash. Here is a brief overview of the most important motorcycle laws in Texas:

• Licensing: Motorcycle operators must possess valid motorcycle, or Class M, licenses in Texas. This includes passing a written test and a road test.
• Equipment: Motorcycles must have all necessary equipment to be street legal. This includes requirements for tail and stop lamps, a red rear reflector, wheel assembly, exhaust system, horn, mirrors, steering, brakes, and tires.
• Motorcycle helmets: In Texas, motorcycle helmet use is mandatory for all operators and passengers, unless the individual is over 21 and has completed a training course or has at least $10,000 in medical insurance.

Motorcyclists have the same rights to the roadways in Texas as other vehicles. They also have the same responsibilities. Motorcyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic, and they may not ride next to vehicles in the same lane. They may, however, ride side by side with other motorcyclists. There are no limits to the rural or urban roads the law allows motorcyclists to ride. Mopeds, however, may have such limitations. Speak to a motorcycle accident attorney for any questions about local motorcycle laws.

Legal Issues and Settlement Factors in Motorcycle Accident Cases

Every motorcycle accident claim is different. There are, however, common liability issues that arise after these types of accidents. Motorcycle accidents often involve comparative fault, or the fault of the motorcyclist. If the motorcyclist was speeding, lane splitting, or engaged in other unlawful practices at the time, he or she may face comparative fault and partial liability. In Texas, modified comparative fault laws permit injured parties to collect partial compensation as long as they are 50% or less at fault for the crash.

Prejudices against motorcyclists at insurance companies and within the judicial system can make it difficult for these injured accident victims to recover just and fair compensation. This also includes family members who are looking at a Mesquite wrongful death lawsuit. Insurance companies may offer unreasonably low settlements under the assumption that the motorcyclist contributed to the crash. It takes aggressive accident lawyers to argue with an insurance company insurance claims adjusters and fight for the compensation the injured party rightly deserves for their pain and suffering, medical bills and more. An investigation of the motorcycle accident and subsequent injuries, along with eyewitness and expert testimonies, can help prove a case and valuate damages.

Factors that may come into play in your specific motorcycle accident claims include comparative negligence, availability of insurance, and shared fault among multiple parties. A good accident attorney in Mesquite is a wonderful asset to have during settlement negotiations. The right lawyer can help you understand your rights and take action against negligent parties. Law firm Fielding Law has the resources and expertise to help with any type of motorcycle accident in Texas. We will fight for maximum damage compensation and represent your interests. For a free consultation, contact our Mesquite Personal Injury attorneys online or call  (214) 661-1537 .

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