The aftermath of a Texas motorcycle accident is overwhelming, especially when the accident causes serious injuries. It’s difficult to move forward on your physical recovery without first understanding how to manage the process of financial recovery. A serious motorcycle accident can make it difficult or impossible to return to work, either temporarily or permanently, depending on the type and severity of the injury.
A dedicated Texas motorcycle accident lawyer can help you understand your rights, deal with the insurance company, and pursue the full compensation available for your medical bills, lost income, and long-term recovery needs.
After a motorcycle accident, it’s common to have many questions about the process of recovering the compensation you deserve, including those described below.
Do the Police Come to the Accident Scene After a Texas Motorcycle Accident?
Those involved in an accident must call the police to report the accident if it caused injuries, fatalities, or property damage of $1,000 or more. The police typically arrive at the accident scene along with paramedics and firetrucks.
After a motorcycle accident, the responding officer generates a police report with their findings at the scene. This becomes crucial evidence in a claim seeking compensation for accident-related damages.
Is There Anything I Should Do at the Accident Scene?
Often, a motorcycle accident victim is incapacitated after an accident and unable to do anything except wait for help. However, if an injury victim is conscious and able to safely use their cell phone—or ask an uninjured person to use a phone for them—they can protect themselves physically and financially by first calling 911, and then using the camera to photograph the accident scene, damaged vehicles, and any visible injuries. Adding the contact information of anyone involved and any eyewitnesses to the accident is also important.
How Do I Recover Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident In Texas?
Texas has fault-based accident laws that require an injury victim seeking compensation to file a claim against the person or entity responsible for the accident. Typically, this requires a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance along with substantial evidence of the policyholder’s liability. The insurance company assigns an adjuster to investigate the accident to determine whether or not its policyholder is wholly or partly responsible for the accident and assess the damages.
Do I Need an Attorney for a Motorcycle Accident Claim In Texas?
Motorcycle accidents often cause serious trauma, resulting in medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. Sometimes the accident results in permanent injury, chronic pain, or disability. Unfortunately, insurance companies often hold a bias against motorcyclists. It’s not uncommon for an insurance company to undervalue or deny motorcycle accident claims. The insurance adjuster’s investigation requires them to assign a percentage of fault to all involved in an accident. If an injury victim is less than 51% at fault, they can still recover compensation even if they contributed to the cause of the accident, but the insurance company subtracts the injury victim’s percentage of fault from the payout on the claim. Unfortunately, this incentivizes the insurer to assign a percentage of fault to an injury victim with a large claim or shift liability to them by claiming that they are 51% or more at fault. A trusted motorcycle accident attorney defends against these and other tactics.
Do I Have to Go to Court for a Texas Motorcycle Accident Case?
Most claims end with a settlement before you ever have to go to court. When a crash victim hires a skilled Texas motorcycle accident lawyer, their attorney conducts an independent investigation of the accident, documents evidence of liability, carefully calculates damages, and makes a compelling claim to the insurance company. Then, they negotiate with the insurance company to obtain the maximum compensation for their client. An experienced car accident attorney prepares the case as though for trial in case the insurance company denies or undervalues the claim. Only about five percent of cases require a trial for a motorcycle accident victim to obtain a jury award for their damages through a lawsuit.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, don’t wait to understand your options. Contact a knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyer early to help protect your claim, preserve key evidence, and prevent insurance companies from undervaluing your case.