austin motorcycle accident lawyers

The State of Texas has over 300,000 miles of highway within its borders.

Unsurprisingly, the number of fatalities caused by motorcycle accidents in Texas each year is one of the highest in the nation.

As cities in Texas continue to grow, so does the congestion of its major roadways.

This includes an increase in motorcycle registrations. More motorcycles on the road means more motorcycle accidents. 

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Austin, you need the help of an experienced motorcycle accident attorney.

Whether you or someone else is at fault, the Austin personal injury lawyers at The Zimmerman Law Firm, P.C., can help you get the best outcome for your case. 

Call us at (254) 752-9688 or submit the short form below to get started.

Motorcycle Laws in Texas 

Motorcycle accidents are handled differently than accidents involving passenger vehicles, both because the nature of the accidents differ and because motorcycles are subject to different laws. 

In Texas, all motorcyclists under 21 are required to wear a helmet.

Motorcyclists over the age of 21, however, are not required to wear a helmet if they have completed a motorcycle safety course or are covered by appropriate insurance. 

Lane-splitting, or when a motorcycle drives between lanes of traffic to pass other cars, is prohibited in Texas. 

With reduced protection, decreased visibility, and no helmet requirement, motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to the reckless driving of other motorists.

In spite of public bias against motorcyclists, the truth is that often motorcycle accidents are caused by other drivers. 

Knowing the laws specific to motorcyclists in Texas can help protect you in seeking financial compensation if you’ve been involved in an accident.

The best way to protect yourself is to hire an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to fight for your case. 

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What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Austin

Motorcycle accidents can be devastating, both medically and financially. The rate of accidents for motorcycles in Texas is substantially higher than for other vehicles.

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident in Austin, there are steps you can take to protect yourself, starting at the time of the accident:

  • Seek medical treatment for the injured;
  • Call the police and ask the officer to provide a full crash report;
  • Take pictures of the scene, the vehicles, and your injuries;
  • Gather contact information from witnesses and other drivers involved, as well as other drivers’ insurance information; 
  • Contact your insurance company to notify them of the accident; and
  • Remember to save paperwork you receive at the scene, bills and records from medical providers, and any documents you get in the mail related to the accident.

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File Your Austin Motorcycle Accident Claim Before the Deadline

It is important to act quickly to seek the financial compensation you deserve. In Texas, you have two years from the date of the accident to file your claim.

Failure to file within that time may mean you are barred from ever filing suit. Hiring an experienced motorcycle accident attorney will ensure that you don’t miss important deadlines. 

We know that filing a lawsuit can seem difficult or overwhelming.

If you hire an experienced motorcycle accident attorney, that attorney will make sure that you file on time and that you seek the recovery you deserve.

Studies show that a person injured in an accident is more likely to recover financial compensation if they hire an attorney to represent them.

Furthermore, accident victims who are represented by an attorney stand to recover significantly more money. 

An experienced Austin motorcycle accident lawyer will help you to develop the facts of your case, make sure you file the appropriate claim, and will negotiate with the other side to seek the best outcome for your case, whether it be settlement or taking the case to trial.

Not only that, but the insurance companies and individuals responsible for your injury will have attorneys representing their side. 

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Damages Available to Injured Austin Motorcycle Accident Victim

The number of motorcycle accidents in Austin totaled 710 in 2019, with 40 of those accidents resulting in death and 169 resulting in serious injury.

These numbers mean significant financial, emotional, and physical losses in the lives of people affected by motorcycle accidents.

The Zimmerman Law Firm, can help individuals to recover the following damages:

  • Medical expenses,
  • Pain and suffering, 
  • Mental anguish,
  • Lost wages, 
  • Disability, 
  • Loss of enjoyment of life, and
  • Motorcycle damage.

The amount of damages you can recover after a motorcycle accident in Texas depends on the court’s determination of who was at fault for the accident. Texas is a “modified comparative fault” state.

This means that if you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you may not recover damages. If you are 50% at fault or less, you may be able to recover for your losses. 

The Zimmerman Law Firm has helped many Texans seek financial compensation as a result of motorcycle accidents. 

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FAQs

What Is My Motorcycle Accident Worth?

Several factors help guide your attorney in determining the value of your motorcycle accident lawsuit. These factors include the following:

  • The severity of your injuries, 
  • Determination of liability, 
  • Insurance coverage of parties.

There is no one general formula to calculate the value of a motorcycle accident case. However, your attorney considers these factors and applies them to the facts of your accident.

Understanding a general value for your case helps guide more productive negotiations for settlements and also gives you a better idea of possible compensation values.  

What Are Common Injuries Suffered in Motorcycle Accidents? 

Motorcycle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.

Motorcyclists don’t have a layer of steel protecting them like drivers. As a result, when a motorcyclist collides with a car, the motorcyclist often suffers serious harm.

The most common injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents include: 

  • Traumatic brain injuries, 
  • Spinal cord injuries, 
  • Lower-extremity injuries, such as bone fractures, 
  • Internal injuries, 
  • Fractures,
  • Road rash. 

These injuries range in severity, but they all require some period of recovery and rehabilitation.

As a result, you may be unable to do the same things you could do before your accident.

You may also be unable to work or care for your family in the same way.

You need an Austin motorcycle injury lawyer to help you recover what you deserve in the wake of such a traumatic experience. 

What Are Common Causes of Austin Motorcycle Accidents

Common causes of motorcycle accidents in Austin are: 

  • Distracted drivers and cyclists,
  • Cars turning into motorcycles,
  • Doors opened suddenly,
  • Lane sharing,
  • Another vehicle rear-ending your motorcycle, 
  • Driving too fast for conditions or circumstances, 
  • Hitting the brakes on a curve or turn, and
  • Bad road conditions.

Regardless of the cause of your motorcycle accident, our attorneys will work with you to seek the best outcome for your case.

And remember, we don’t recover our fees unless you recover compensation.

What If a Motorcyclist Was Partially at Fault for an Accident? 

Texas uses a system called comparative negligence for motorcycle and car accidents.

The rule of comparative negligence in Texas allows injured victims to pursue compensation for their damages as long as their fault for the accident does not equate to or exceed 51%.

For example, if you were awarded $100,000 in damages after a motorcycle accident but were determined to be 25% at fault for your accident, your final compensation amount will be $75,000. 

Why Do You Need an Austin Motorcycle Accident Attorney? 

Suffering injuries in a motorcycle accident causes severe disruption to your daily life. Injured victims often suffer permanent injuries that change their way of life forever.

It may be difficult to determine just how to pursue a personal injury lawsuit as you recover from your injuries.

If you lost a loved one due to a motorcycle accident fatality in Austin, you also need an attorney for help in a wrongful death lawsuit.

An Austin motorcycle injury attorney can help you get the compensation you need. 

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Contact an Austin Motorcycle Accident Attorney

With your financial compensation at stake, you need experienced motorcycle accident lawyers on your case. The Zimmerman Law Firm has represented Texans involved in life-changing accidents since 1962.

Call our firm at (254) 752-9688 or 1-800-INJURIES or contact us online for a free consultation.

Our attorneys will discuss your claim with you and help you determine the best strategy to obtain the best outcome for your case. 

Where You Can Find Our Austin, Texas Office