Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Dallas-Fort Worth
How much is your injury compensation claim worth?
Motorcycles are a popular form of transportation in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and throughout Texas.
But motorcycle accidents involving larger vehicles often result in serious injuries or even fatalities. In addition, you might suddenly find yourself facing unfair accusations of causing the crash from insurance companies and other drivers who are quick to point the finger at motorcyclists for causing accidents.
Many people cling to outdated characterizations of motorcyclists for "daredevils" or "risk takers." Other times, drivers fail to take responsibility for their actions by simply claiming they didn't see you or another motorcyclist before causing a crash. Protect your rights and get the legal representation you deserve with an experienced DFW motorcycle accident attorney.
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Frequently asked questions about motorcycle accidents in Dallas-Fort Worth
- What causes motorcycle accidents?
- What are the most common motorcycle accident injuries?
- What should I do after a motorcycle accident in Fort Worth?
- What if the driver who hit me was uninsured?
- How much is my motorcycle accident settlement worth?
- Why do insurance companies try to blame motorcyclists for accidents?
- How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim in Texas?
What causes motorcycle accidents?
Many motorcycle accidents happen not because of reckless riding, but because other drivers fail to share the road responsibly. A moment of inattention, a rushed decision, or simple carelessness can have life-altering consequences for a motorcyclist. Here are some of the most common ways these accidents happen:
- Left-turn accidents: One of the leading causes of motorcycle crashes happens when a driver makes a left turn at an intersection without noticing an oncoming motorcycle. Whether due to distraction, impatience, or misjudging a rider’s speed, these accidents often leave motorcyclists with devastating injuries.
- Dooring incidents: Imagine cruising down the street when, without warning, a parked car’s door swings open in front of you. With no time to react, a motorcyclist can crash directly into the door, often being thrown from the bike.
- Rear-end collisions: A fender-bender between two cars might be a minor inconvenience, but for a motorcyclist, getting hit from behind (especially at a stoplight or in slow-moving traffic) can lead to catastrophic injuries. Even a low-speed impact can throw a rider off their bike, causing broken bones, head trauma, or worse.
What are the most common motorcycle accident injuries?
Motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries due to the lack of protection compared to passenger vehicles. Even with proper safety gear, riders are vulnerable to catastrophic injuries that can lead to long-term medical complications, financial hardship, and emotional distress.
Common motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Broken bones and fractures: The force of impact in a motorcycle crash often leads to fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, and collarbone.
- Brain injuries: A severe impact to the head can cause concussions, brain swelling, or internal bleeding, which may lead to long-term cognitive issues, memory loss, and personality changes.
- Amputation: The sheer force of a motorcycle crash can lead to limb loss, either from direct trauma during the accident or due to severe injuries that require surgical amputation.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can lead to partial or complete paralysis, depending on the severity of the injury and where it occurs along the spine.
What should I do after a motorcycle accident in Fort Worth?
A motorcycle accident can be overwhelming, but taking the right steps can protect your health, your legal rights, and your ability to seek compensation. Here’s what to do:
- Move to safety if possible: If you’re in a dangerous position, such as in the middle of the road, and you’re physically able to move, get to a safe location. However, don’t attempt to move if you suspect a spinal injury.
- Call 911 right away: Even if you think you're okay, emergency responders can assess your condition, and police can create an official accident report, which can be crucial for your claim.
- Document the crash scene: If you can, take photos and videos of:
- Your motorcycle and any other vehicles involved
- Road conditions, skid marks, traffic signals, and hazards
- Your visible injuries
- The surrounding area, including weather conditions and lighting
- Exchange information: Get the other driver’s name and contact information, driver’s license number, insurance details, and vehicle make, model, and license plate number.
- Speak to witnesses: If anyone saw the motorcycle accident, ask for their contact information. Witness statements can help prove what really happened, especially if the other driver tries to shift blame.
- Get immediate medical attention: Some injuries, (such as concussions, internal bleeding, or soft tissue damage) may not show symptoms immediately. Seeing a doctor as soon as possible not only protect your health but also creates a medical record linking your injuries to the crash.
- Notify your insurance company: Let your insurance provider know about the crash, but don’t go into details or accept a settlement offer before speaking to a lawyer. Insurance companies often try to settle quickly for less than you deserve.
- Contact a Fort Worth motorcycle accident lawyer: Trucking and insurance companies will move fast to protect themselves. Coby L. Wooten can ensure your rights are protected and increase your chances of getting fair compensation.
What if the driver who hit me was uninsured?
Finding out the driver who hit you doesn’t have insurance can be frustrating, but it doesn’t mean you're out of options. Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can help cover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages if the at-fault driver can’t pay. However, insurance companies don’t always make it easy to access this coverage, even when it’s part of your own policy.
Beyond UM/UIM coverage, other legal options may be available. You might be able to file a personal lawsuit against the at-fault driver to pursue compensation directly, though their ability to pay can be a factor. In some cases, other parties may share liability, such as a bar that overserved a drunk driver or a company responsible for a defective vehicle.
Attorney Coby L. Wooten can investigate all possible sources of compensation and fight to get you what you deserve.
How much is my motorcycle accident settlement worth?
Expenses can add up fast after a serious motorcycle accident. That’s why our Fort Worth motorcycle accident attorneys take great pride in the settlements and verdicts we routinely obtain for motorcycle injury victims.
When it comes to motorcycle accident settlements, amounts can vary. On average, motorcycle accident settlements tend to range from $50,000 to $200,000. However, depending on the specifics of your case, your settlement could fall well below or even reach into the millions, significantly exceeding the average. Factors such as the severity of your injuries, the impact on your ability to work, and the level of negligence involved all come into play when calculating compensation amounts.
The money we secure for injury victims and their families often helps pay for medical bills, vehicle repairs, lost wages, and other expenses. Such settlements and verdicts also send a strong message to insurance companies, which often do everything they can to pay injured motorcyclists as little as possible. That message is loud and clear – if someone causes a motorcycle crash, they should be held accountable for their actions.
Why do insurance companies try to blame motorcyclists for accidents?
Unfortunately, insurance companies hold unfair biases against motorcyclists, assuming they are reckless or take unnecessary risks. They often use this bias to deny or reduce compensation, and they might argue that you were speeding, lane splitting, or otherwise acting irresponsibly, even when the evidence says otherwise.
Additionally, insurance companies try to exploit common misconceptions, such as the idea that riding a motorcycle inherently means accepting a higher level of danger. However, motorcyclists have the same rights as other drivers, and if another party was negligent, they should be held accountable.
Coby L. Wooten and his legal team can push back against these unfair tactics by gathering evidence, consulting accident reconstruction experts, and ensuring the facts (not bias) determine the outcome of your case.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim in Texas?
In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, acting quickly is in your best interest. Evidence can disappear, and insurance companies will start working against you right away. The sooner you contact a Fort Worth motorcycle attorney, the stronger your case will be.
Learn more about how a Fort Worth motorcycle accident lawyer can help
When you are injured on a motorcycle, one of the biggest problems you might face is the prejudice from those who don't ride motorcycles and feel that you have intentionally exposed yourself to an unnecessarily high risk activity. Coby L. Wooten, Attorney at Law, P.C. is a Fort Worth motorcycle accident attorney who has successfully handled a significant numbers of motorcycle cases. He knows how to get the compensation accident victims and their families rightfully deserve for their crash.
You might think that you don't need a lawyer. You might think your case is a straightforward legal matter. Don't be so sure. Even the simplest cases can quickly spiral out of control and leave victims feeling powerless. Contact Coby L. Wooten, Attorney at Law, P.C., today. Call (866) 408-0940 to schedule an appointment with a Fort Worth motorcycle accident attorney. Your initial consultation is free and we don't get paid a dime unless we win your case.
