Austin Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Austin Motorcycle Accident Attorney

REPRESENTING VICTIMS IN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

It’s possible for any vehicle accident to have life-changing effects, but the risk of severe or fatal injury is much greater in a motorcycle accident than in most other vehicle accidents. Motorcycles offer little protection in a crash, and it’s possible for a victim to suffer tremendous losses due to the negligence or misconduct of another driver. If this has happened to you, it’s important to consult an Austin motorcycle accident lawyer as quickly as possible.

Riding a motorcycle can be an extremely fun way to get around, and economical. Unfortunately, it can also be a very dangerous method of transportation since you are sharing the road with much larger vehicles, many of which are being driven by people who aren’t being careful. Other drivers often fail to properly monitor their surroundings when changing lanes, pulling out in traffic, or performing some other activity. Having a motorcycle accident lawyers Austin like The Sharp Firm will maximize your potential pay out.

Representing Motorcycle Accident Victims in Austin, TX

The attorneys at The Sharp Firm have decades of experience handling a wide range of complex cases for clients in Austin and the areas surrounding it in Texas. Motorcycle accidents have a much higher chance of resulting in severe or fatal injuries than most other types of accidents, and the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) reports that one motorcycle rider dies in a crash every day on Texas roads.

In 2023, nearly 600 motorcycle riders died, and nearly 2,500 suffered severe injuries. According to data from the National Safety Council, motorcycles only account for about 3% of all registered vehicles as of 2022, but they account for nearly 15% of all traffic accident fatalities. Helmet use is one of the most critical determining factors when it comes to the risk of fatal injuries, as traumatic brain injuries are the most common fatal injury from motorcycle accidents.

The results of a motorcycle accident can be devastating. Due in large part to the weight difference between cars and motorcycles, the rider on the bike is at much higher risk of serious injury. This is compounded by the fact that riders on motorcycles don’t have the protection of a steel frame around them. Sadly, this results in injuries ranging from ‘road rash’ to broken bones, and even serious brain damage.

It’s common for motorcycle accidents to cause catastrophic injuries. Some of these injuries will require extensive medical treatment and long-term rehabilitation. Victims may be unable to work during recovery or may be left unable to work at all due to permanent disability. Additionally, motorcycle accidents are more likely to cause fatal injuries than most other types of vehicle accidents.

While there is a certain level of risk that motorcyclists accept whenever they ride, this does not include having to accept the negligence of other drivers. According to the Florida Department of Transportation, 60% of the time the person driving the car is at fault. When there is a motorcycle accident that is caused by another driver, the driver or their insurance company needs to be held responsible.

Proving Liability for a Motorcycle Accident in Austin

Texas enforces a fault-based system for resolving motor vehicle accidents, meaning that when more than one driver is involved in a crash, the at-fault driver is liable for the resulting damages. Proving fault will be a necessary first step in your recovery process if you believe another driver is to blame for your accident, and it is possible for motorcycle crashes to happen in many different ways.

Most motorcycle accidents in Austin are the result of negligence. As the state’s capital and one of the busiest metropolitan areas of Texas, Austin is notorious for heavy traffic and frequent accidents on Highway 183 and I-35. It is also possible for crashes to happen in the busy downtown area. No matter where your accident happened, proving fault will be a crucial step toward recovering compensation for your damages.

Some of the most commonly reported forms of driver negligence in Austin include speeding, distracted driving, and moving violations like illegal turns and failure to yield the right-of-way. Motorcycles are smaller than most other vehicles, enabling them to slip into blind spots more easily. When other drivers are distracted by cell phones, speeding, or when they commit moving violations, nearby motorcyclists are especially vulnerable.

Your Austin motorcycle accident lawyer at The Sharp Firm can help gather the evidence you need to prove liability for the accident. Digital evidence, like cell phone records, vehicle computer data, and traffic camera recordings, is often valuable in these cases. If any witnesses saw your accident happen, your attorney can obtain their statements in support of your case.

Some of the evidence you may need may not be available for long. The police report from the accident will be one of the most valuable initial pieces of evidence, and if possible, taking photos of the scene of the crash is a good idea that can lend credibility to your case. If you do not remember how the accident happened because of your injuries, it’s vital to consult an Austin motorcycle accident lawyer shortly after receiving medical treatment.

Victims of motorcycle accidents can recover damages from lost wages, future earnings, medical bills, projected health care costs, and pain and suffering. Here at The Sharp Firm we will investigate the facts surrounding your motorcycle accident, and determine if another driver was at fault. If so, we can file suit on your behalf to begin the process of recovering the damages that you are entitled to.

Filing an Auto Insurance Claim After a Motorcycle Accident in Austin

Texas law requires every driver to have auto insurance that meets basic coverage requirements. An individual auto insurance policy in Texas must include bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage. When a driver causes a crash, their insurance will pay for the damages they caused.

Unfortunately, for many injured drivers, dealing with insurance company representatives is often challenging. Insurance companies will almost always try to push back against claims for compensation in whatever way possible, looking for justification to deny or devalue claims in whatever way they can.

Hiring an experienced Austin motorcycle accident lawyer can make dealing with insurance companies easier, and you will be more likely to receive a fair settlement offer. Your attorney can assist you with filing your claim and gathering all of the evidence you must send to the insurance carrier. If any disputes arise, your attorney can be ready to address them for you and help you secure a reasonable settlement.

Building Your Personal Injury Case After a Motorcycle Accident

When insurance will not fully cover your damages, or if an at-fault driver does not have auto insurance, a personal injury suit is likely to be your primary avenue of recovery after a motorcycle accident. To succeed with a personal injury case, a plaintiff must establish fault by a preponderance of the evidence, meaning the evidence they present must indicate that the defendant is more likely than not at fault for causing their accident.

This may sound straightforward, but any personal injury case has the potential to evolve into a complex legal battle that the average person will not be able to navigate successfully on their own. Additionally, there is a time limit for filing a personal injury case in Texas, and the evidence the plaintiff may need to establish liability may not be available to collect for very long.

It is crucial to consult an attorney at your first opportunity to start building your case. It can take time to accurately calculate the full scope of the damages you are eligible to claim, but you may only have a limited window in which to obtain certain types of evidence. Additionally, witness testimony is most reliable when it is obtained shortly after an accident.

When you choose The Sharp Firm to represent you, we can immediately begin gathering the evidence you will need to prove liability for your accident. Trust us to obtain witness statements and collect all the physical and digital evidence necessary to build the strongest possible case. We can also accurately assess the full range of damages you are eligible to claim to ensure you maximize your recovery.

Damages in Your Motorcycle Accident Case in Austin

Whenever a driver causes an accident in Austin, they are liable for the resulting damages. It’s possible for motorcycle accidents to result in life-changing injuries, and after a victim proves fault for their accident, they must assess the total scope of damages the at-fault driver caused. When you choose The Sharp Firm to represent you in a motorcycle accident case, you can rest assured that we will do everything we can to maximize your compensation as much as possible.

Economic damages in most motorcycle accident cases are relatively straightforward. The defendant who caused the accident is liable for the victim’s medical expenses, lost income, vehicle repair costs, and any anticipated future damages. For example, if the victim suffered a severe injury, the defendant would be liable for their immediate medical expenses as well as the cost of future medical care they need to recover as much as possible.

In addition to these economic damages, the plaintiff also has the right to seek compensation for their pain and suffering. The average person may find it hard to determine a suitable amount to seek for intangible losses like physical pain, emotional suffering, and psychological trauma, but their attorney can help them determine a fair amount. Generally, more serious injuries tend to lead to more substantial pain and suffering compensation.

Other variables may also influence the final value of a motorcycle accident case in Austin. For example, if a plaintiff bears partial liability for causing the accident, it could result in a diminished recovery under Texas’ modified comparative fault rule. If the defendant caused the accident by breaking the law, such as by driving under the influence of alcohol, they may be required to pay punitive damages alongside the other damages owed to the plaintiff.

Resolving Your Motorcycle Accident Case in Austin

Many vehicle accident cases in Austin can be resolved solely through auto insurance, but this isn’t always feasible, especially when a victim has suffered extreme and life-changing permanent injuries. Personal injury cases are often resolved through private settlement, a process that allows both parties to avoid the time commitment, stress, and expense of litigation, but both parties must be willing to compromise on a mutually acceptable resolution.

If a personal injury case must be resolved through litigation, the final outcome of the case depends on the court. The Sharp Firm prepares every case for trial and has decades of experience in litigation and appeals. You can expect our firm to provide comprehensive and results-driven legal counsel through all stages of your proceedings. Our goal is to help you maximize your recovery as efficiently as possible.

Ultimately, every motorcycle accident case in Austin is unique, and every injured victim will face different challenges in their efforts to recover. With the right attorney representing you, you can approach your case with confidence and have a much better chance of maximizing your total recovery. You have limited time to file your case, so reach out to The Sharp Firm at your first opportunity after your motorcycle accident so we can start helping you recover.

FAQs

Q: How Do You Prove Liability for a Motorcycle Accident in Austin?

A: You can prove liability for a motorcycle accident in Austin using various forms of evidence, along with witness testimony from anyone who saw the accident happen. Texas law requires establishing fault for any accident before you recover compensation for your damages. An experienced Austin motorcycle accident lawyer can help gather the evidence needed to prove liability and build the strongest case possible.

Q: What Happens if I Share Fault for My Recent Motorcycle Accident?

A: If you are found to share fault for your recent motorcycle accident, Texas’s modified comparative negligence rule will apply to your case, and you will have a fault percentage assigned to you. As long as your fault percentage is lower than the defendant’s, you can still recover compensation, but your case award will be reduced by your fault percentage. Shared fault may also negatively impact an auto insurance claim.

Q: How Much Compensation Can I Receive for a Motorcycle Accident in Austin?

A: The amount of compensation you could receive for a motorcycle accident in Austin will largely depend on the severity of your injuries. If you can prove another driver caused the accident, it’s possible to hold them accountable for your medical bills, lost income, vehicle repair costs, and the pain and suffering they caused. Your Austin motorcycle accident lawyer at The Sharp Firm can be a crucial asset for helping you maximize your compensation.

Q: What Are the Most Common Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents?

A: Some of the most common injuries from motorcycle accidents include bone fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, damage to internal organs, and friction burns from sliding on road surfaces after a crash. Motorcycle accidents tend to result in severe injuries due to the fact that the victim may be injured from the initial impact with the other vehicle, as well as the secondary impact of hitting the ground.

Q: Why Do I Need to Hire an Austin Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

A: You need to hire an Austin motorcycle accident lawyer to have the greatest chance of success with your case. The right attorney can be a tremendous asset when it comes to gathering the evidence you will need to prove liability, and they can also help you uncover the scope of the damages you are eligible to claim. Additionally, you will be more likely to resolve your case in an efficient timeframe when you have legal representation.

Contact Us

The Sharp Firm can provide the compassionate and responsive legal representation you need after you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident caused by another driver. If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, please contact us. We offer a free consultation and evaluation of your accident to see if a case can be made. We’ll talk with you openly and honestly about your situation and help determine what the next course of action should be.