Motorcyclists are at a much higher risk of injury than drivers of other vehicles, and unfortunately, there are a large number of fatalities and serious injuries from motorcycle accidents in Texas every year. If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle accident because of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. The Dallas motorcycle accident lawyers at Steinger, Greene & Feiner know Texas injury laws in and out, and we will aggressively pursue the compensation you deserve.
What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Dallas
To protect your legal rights and ensure the best outcome for your claim, you should know the steps to take after a motorcycle accident, and you should also know what not to do.
Here’s what you should do following a motorcycle accident:
- Call the police immediately after your accident, and ask for a copy of the police report. The evidence in this report is vital for your personal injury claim.
- Seek medical attention right away, even if you don’t think you’re injured. Once the shock and adrenaline of the accident wear off, you may realize you’ve sustained more serious injuries than you thought. Visiting a doctor also creates a record of your injuries and what caused them.
- Take many photos of the accident scene, including damage to your motorcycle, damage to the other vehicle, and any visible injuries you have sustained. If you can, take photos that show the location and position of your motorcycle and the other vehicle, as well as any obstacles or road hazards that could have contributed to the accident.
- Contact a motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible after the accident, even if you’re not sure if you want to file a claim. An experienced motorcycle accident can help you determine if you could benefit from filing a claim.
- Keep good records after your accident. Keep track of medical bills, expenses, time missed from work, and how you feel in the aftermath of your accident.
Here’s what you should not do after a motorcycle accident:
- Move any vehicles involved in the accident. The position and direction of your motorcycle and the other vehicle can help the responding officer determine who was at fault.
- Apologize or make careless remarks to the other driver—your words could later be construed as admitting fault for the accident.
- Sign any paperwork before talking to a lawyer. Insurance companies will likely send you a lot of paperwork after your accident, and you should have your lawyer review any document you are asked to sign.
- Trust the insurance representative or agree to offers made over the phone. The representative is trained to protect the interests of the insurance company, not yours.
Understanding Your Rights and Legal Options
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, you have the right to file a claim to receive compensation for your losses. Even if you were partially at fault, if the other driver is determined to be 51% or more responsible for the crash, you can still recover compensation.
If your injuries were caused by an uninsured driver, you may still have options for recovery. You may be entitled to insurance benefits if you carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage or personal injury protection (PIP). You can also file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you determine the best way to pursue the compensation you deserve.
When you retain an attorney to help you through the process of filing a claim or a lawsuit, here’s what you can expect them to do:
- Assist you in getting the medical care you need
- File claims to repair or replace your motorcycle
- Thoroughly investigate your accident
- File a lawsuit in the proper court
- Negotiate a settlement or file a lawsuit
- Collect your verdict or settlement
How To Choose the Right Dallas Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
The right Dallas lawyer for your case will have experience dealing with motorcycle accidents and bringing such cases to court. At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, our Dallas personal injury attorneys have extensive experience in dealing with motorcycle accident claims and securing maximum payouts for our satisfied clients. We’re ready to handle every aspect of your case and get you the compensation you deserve.
Experienced motorcycle accident lawyers have worked with health professionals and experts for years to build convincing cases. They will make sure you get the right treatment for your injuries from reputable doctors who can establish the relationship between your accident and your injuries. They work with experts who are immediately on the accident scene to collect and preserve evidence and begin building a strong case.
As your case progresses, your attorney will make sure you follow through on your medical plan of treatment so they can present these facts to the insurance company and the jury if your case goes to trial. A great attorney will handle your case as if it is going to trial, even if it doesn’t need you, to secure the best outcome for you and the maximum compensation.
The Cost of Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Dallas
It’s understandable to be concerned about the cost of hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer in Dallas. You can protect your best interests by hiring an attorney who operates on a contingency fee basis and charges no upfront costs.
A contingency fee basis means you are not charged any fees unless your attorney wins your case. This is how we work at Steinger, Greene & Feiner, meaning we don’t get paid unless you get paid. We also provide free case evaluations to help you determine the best course of action for your claim.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Dallas
Although motorcycles make up only 3% of all registered vehicles across the country, motorcyclists accounted for 14% of all traffic fatalities in 2021, for a total of 5,932 motorcyclist fatalities.
Fatalities from motorcycle accidents are directly influenced by whether the rider was wearing a helmet. In Dallas in 2021, there were 522 motorcycle accident fatalities, and 268 of those victims were wearing helmets. There were 2,320 suspected serious injuries, and 1,226 of those injured were wearing helmets.
Here are the top 10 most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Dallas in 2021:
- Speeding: 66 (23.6%) motorcycle accidents were caused by excessive speed
- Failure to yield right of way when turning left: 39 (13.8%) motorcycle accidents were the result of unsafe left turns
- Changing lanes when unsafe: 35 (12.8%) motorcycle accidents were caused by unsafe lane changes
- Faulty evasive action: 33 (11.7%) motorcycle accidents were caused by faulty evasive action
- Failure to drive in a single lane: 26 (9.3%) motorcycle accidents were caused by driving in multiple lanes
- Unsafe speed: 23 (8.2%) motorcycle accidents were caused by unsafe speed in light of weather or road conditions
- Failure to yield when entering or exiting a private drive: 15 (5.3%) motorcycle accidents were caused by not yielding when turning across traffic into a private drive or exiting a private drive
- Ignoring a stop-and-go signal: 14 (5%) motorcycle accidents were caused by ignoring stop lights
- Running a stop sign or red light: 14 (5%) motorcycle accidents were caused by running stop signs or red lights
- Tailgating: 14 (5% of motorcycle accidents were caused by following too closely
Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Victims
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer knows how serious and far-reaching injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident can be. Victims should receive full damages for their injuries, including medical bills, mental suffering, lost wages and ability to work, and negative impacts on quality of life.
There are two types of damages you can receive in a motorcycle accident claim or lawsuit: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are things that can be calculated, like medical care costs, and non-economic damages are non-tangible things like pain and suffering.
Compensation you can receive after a motorcycle accident:
Economic damages
- Past and future medical costs
- Hospital visits, doctor visits, surgery, and medical treatment
- Therapy or rehab expenses
- Medications
- Medical equipment and supplies
- Costs necessary to make your home accessible after an accident
- Lost pay, lost future earnings, and lost opportunities
- Vehicle rental and motorcycle repair or replacement
Non-economic damages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Discomfort
- Mental disorders like depression and anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment
- Physical impairment
- Disfigurement and scars
- Loss of consortium
Other types of damages
- Punitive damages
- Wrongful death and survival damages
Your lawyer will estimate the full amount of damages you deserve after an accident that was not your fault.
Motorcycle Safety and Accident Prevention Tips
Because motorcycles are smaller than cars, they are sometimes hard to see, especially at night and in poor weather conditions.
As a motorcyclist, you can decrease the risk of accidents by following these tips:
- Be as visible to other drivers as possible: Keep your headlights on during the day, wear reflective gear, and equip your bike with a fairing or windshield.
- Get proper training: Motorcyclists who are trained in riding and caring for their bikes are statistically less likely to be involved in motorcycle accidents than riders who are self-taught. Training and experience can help you respond to a dangerous situation in time and avoid a collision.
- Wear the right gear: The best way to protect yourself against serious injury or death in a motorcycle accident is by wearing a helmet. It’s also important to wear eye protection, as wind and glare can reduce your ability to see and respond to an obstacle in your path. Gloves, appropriate footwear, leg guards, and jackets will help limit abrasions if an accident does occur.
Navigating Insurance Claims After a Motorcycle Accident
Dealing with insurance companies after a motorcycle accident can be a complicated and time-consuming process. When you hire a motorcycle accident attorney, they will handle negotiations for you and ensure that you don’t receive a lower settlement than you deserve.
Here are the steps for filing an insurance claim after a motorcycle accident:
- Report the claim to the at-fault party’s insurance provider. An insurance representative will then call you to obtain information about the accident and your injuries.
- The at-fault party’s insurance company will conduct a detailed investigation of your accident. You’ll likely be asked to provide any evidence or documentation you possess about the accident, and you may be asked to attend a medical examination by an independent physician chosen by the insurance carrier.
- Once the insurance carrier has completed the investigation and gathered all the necessary documentation about your motorcycle accident, an adjuster will review the facts and determine the losses that you suffered in the accident. The adjuster will provide you with a dollar amount to settle your claim.
If the insurance company offers you a settlement just a few days or weeks after your motorcycle accident, you should consult with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney before accepting the offer. Quick offers are meant to bait and pressure injured victims into accepting a settlement before they’ve had the chance to fully assess their injuries and determine the full amount of compensation they need and deserve. That’s why it’s so important to discuss any settlement offers with a personal injury attorney, because you cannot go back later and ask for more compensation if you realize you need it.
Choose Steinger, Greene & Feiner As Your Dallas Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Dallas, contact Steinger, Greene & Feiner to handle your claim so you can focus on your recovery. We’ll inform you of all your rights and legal options to pursue the compensation you need.
We provide free no-obligation consultations, and you pay nothing until we win your case. Contact Steinger, Greene, & Feiner for a free case evaluation today.