Conroe Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Lawyers Handling Texas Motorcycle Accident Claims

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that motorcycle-related deaths have increased by 55 percent since the year 2000. They also report that the economic burden from crash-related injuries and deaths totals $12 billion annually.

Motorcycle riders are one of the most vulnerable roadway user groups. Even with helmets, boots, gloves, and jackets, motorcycle crashes involving other motor vehicles can be devastating, catastrophic, or even fatal. Bikers are further put at risk due to the increased number of distracted and texting drivers on U.S. roadways.

Whether you were injured in a left-hand turn accident or struck by a distracted driver, you need to speak with a personal injury attorney who has proven motorcycle accident case experience as soon as possible after your crash.

Contact Scott Law Firm online or by phone at (936) 243-4299 for a free consultation with one of our Conroe motorcycle accident lawyers. Hablamos español.

On This Page:

• U.S. Motorcycle Crashes by the Numbers
• Motorcycle Riders: a Tough but Vulnerable Roadway User Group
• Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
• Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim
• Damages in Motorcycle Accident Claims
• What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
• Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accident Claims in Texas
• Motorcycle Accident Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Contact Us for a Free Consultation

U.S. Motorcycle Crashes by the Numbers

According to the most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (released March 2021):

• A total of 5,014 motorcyclists died in crashes in the United States in 2019.
• 39% of motorcycle deaths in 2019 occurred in single-vehicle crashes, with the remaining 61% involving multiple vehicles.
• Each year, the United States could save more than $1,00,000,000 in economic costs if all motorcyclists wore helmets.
• 91% of motorcyclists killed in 2019 were males.
• Most motorcycle fatalities occur on weekends after 6 pm.
• In the late 1970s, the proportion of fatally injured motorcyclists who were 50 and older started to increase, rising from 3% of all rider deaths in 1978 to 14% in 1997 and 37% in 2019.

Motorcycle Riders: a Tough but Vulnerable Roadway User Group

The image of bikers as incredibly tough and resilient men and women is a cultural standard in Texas and across the nation. We can’t forget that although these men and women are strong and tough, they’re actually one of the most vulnerable roadway user groups.

Collisions with cars, trucks, and other larger passenger occupant vehicles can be absolutely devastating for motorcycle riders. Unfortunately, even minor crashes at relatively low speeds can have catastrophic consequences for bikers. They don’t have airbags, seatbelts, or steel safety cages to protect them in the event of a crash. Ejection is a high likelihood in the event of a collision. Even with helmets, boots, jackets, and other protective gear, motorcycle riders can become injured or killed in accidents involving other motor vehicles.

Some of the most common injuries associated with motorcycle accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Neck and spinal cord injuries
• Friction burns (“road rash”)
• Fractures
• Internal bleeding
• Paralysis
• Facial injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Severe lacerations
• Dismemberment

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

The most common cause of motorcycle accidents is negligence. Sadly, this negligence is often on the part of another driver, meaning the motorcyclist has no way to predict or prevent an accident from occurring.

Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

• Swerving in front of motorcycles
• Pulling out in front of motorcycles
• Failing to yield
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence
• Speeding or aggressive driving
• Cutting off motorcycles at intersections
• Failing to leave sufficient room between your vehicle and a motorcycle

Left-Hand Turn Accidents

Left-hand turn accidents can be particularly devastating for motorcycle riders. Motorcycle riders are acutely aware of the dangers of cars making left-hand turns in front of them. This type of crash happens when cars make left-hand turns directly in front of motorcycles. Drivers are distracted, not paying attention to oncoming traffic, or they inappropriately judge the distance between their cars and the motorcycles involved. Subsequently, motorcyclists don’t have enough room to stop or maneuver around the vehicle and slam into the offending car. With this type of crash, it’s common to hear the driver say something like “I didn’t even see the motorcycle.” Distracted driving is a common cause of left-hand turn accidents.

Road Hazards, Distracted Drivers & Motorcycle Safety

Motorcycle riders are also very aware of their surroundings and potential roadway hazards. A pothole might not be a big deal for somebody in a minivan, but it could send a motorcyclist to the hospital—or worse. Slick roads, debris, gravel, potholes, and a variety of other hazards make Texas roadways potential minefields for riders. Motorcycles can’t stop on a dime either, so it’s critically important to give them the space and respect they deserve. If you’re tailgating a motorcycle or trying to share a lane with a rider, you’re putting that rider’s life at great risk. Motorcycle riders need additional room to maneuver in the event of a roadway hazard. Crowding a motorcycle is dangerous and deadly serious. A rider needs the appropriate amount of space to maneuver in the event of a roadway hazard or emergency.

Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim

After an accident, it is important that you obtain proper medical attention. Even if you believe you were not injured or that your injuries are minor and will heal on their own, it’s critical that you see a healthcare provider and receive professional care. It’s also important that you follow all of your doctor’s instructions, from attending follow-up appointments to participating in rehabilitation therapy to taking all prescribed medications.

After the accident, it is also important that you reach out to a Conroe motorcycle accident attorney who can help you protect your rights. We encourage you to do this before speaking to anyone from the other person’s insurance company. Their adjusters may reach out to you to try to get you to make a statement; you do NOT have to give any written or verbal statement to the other person’s insurance company. In fact, doing so could hurt your claim. You may unintentionally say something that the insurance adjuster can use to dispute what happened or devalue the worth of your claim. We strongly recommend that you contact us first before talking to any insurance adjusters.

Damages in Motorcycle Accident Claims

Because motorcyclists are at such a great risk of being severely injured in an accident, they are also highly likely to face a number of physical, emotional, and financial challenges after the accident. The cost of treating catastrophic injuries can reach hundreds of thousands—or even millions—of dollars over the course of the victim’s lifetime. The victim may be unable to work and earn a living to support themselves and/or their family. They may also be learning to live with a new disability and chronic pain, all of which can be extremely stressful and overwhelming for both victims and their loved ones.

At Scott Law Firm, we help injured motorcyclists seek fair compensation for all of their damages, including but not limited to:

• All medical expenses related to the accident
• Future medical costs
• Current and future lost income/wages
• Lost earning capacity (disability)
• Pain and suffering
• Anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc.
• Counseling services

Our goal is to maximize your recovery so that you can get back on your feet. Our firm will handle the details of your claim, allowing you to spend time focusing on what matters: healing.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

Your actions in the immediate aftermath of a motorcycle accident can have a profound impact on your health as well as your ability to recover compensation through a subsequent insurance claim or lawsuit. If you have been involved in a crash, it is critical you follow these steps closely and get in touch with our attorneys as soon as possible.

• Seek medical help: Your health should always be your first priority. If you are seriously hurt, call for an ambulance immediately. If you are lucky enough to "walk away" from the crash and are not immediately rushed to the hospital, seek medical help as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. The force of a motorcycle wreck can cause injury to virtually every area of the body, including your internal organs. There is a chance you may be critically injured but are numb to the symptoms due to your body's adrenaline response.
• Call the police: A responding police officer will help get the scene under control and create an accident report. This report will contain important information such as the date, time, and location of the crash, the identities of any involved parties, eyewitness testimonies, and the responding officer's assessment of who is at fault. The police officer's determination of fault is not the final say, but it can be a good starting point for your attorney's investigation.
• Find a safe place: If you are mobile and can get to a safe place, do so. Get as far away from the flow of traffic as you can without leaving the scene to protect yourself.
• Exchange information: If the police do not respond to the crash, you will need to exchange insurance information with the other involved drivers on your own. Be sure to get their names, addresses, insurance policy numbers, driver's license numbers, license plate numbers, and other contact information. It is very important that you do not discuss the crash at this time.
• Take photos / videos of the scene: If you have a smartphone, take photos and/or videos of the accident scene. Get detailed images of the damage to all vehicles and their positioning, tire tracks or skid marks, traffic patterns, weather conditions, and any other details that help explain what happened. If you can, get photographs of your injuries before they are treated.
• Keep your gear: If you were wearing safety gear such as a helmet, motorcycle jacket, or other padding that may have been damaged in the wreck, do not throw them away. These items can be important pieces of evidence.
• Follow your doctor's orders: It is important you take the necessary time to heal from your injuries and do not do anything that could potentially extend your recovery period. Attend all follow-up appointments and do not attempt to return to your normal activities until you are cleared by your doctor.
• Do not give a recorded statement: You will likely be contacted by a representative from the other driver's insurance company soon after the collision. Anything you say to an insurance adjuster can potentially be used against you. It is best to leave all communications with the insurance company to your attorney.
• Do not talk about the crash on social media: Anything you post online can potentially damage or destroy your motorcycle accident case. It is best to avoid social media altogether until your case is resolved.

Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accident Claims in Texas

Motorcycle accident lawsuits in Texas are subject to a two-year statute of limitations, meaning you typically have until the second anniversary of your accident to take legal action against those responsible. If you do not file a claim before the filing deadline, you will essentially lose your right to sue and you will be unable to recover compensation for your injuries. For this reason, it is best that you get an attorney involved early on in your case to guard your rights and protect yourself against potentially costly pitfalls.

Motorcycle Accident Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

You will undoubtedly have many questions after being injured in a motorcycle wreck. Our attorneys have put together some answers to the most frequently asked questions to help put your mind at ease.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

Even seemingly minor motorcycle accidents can leave victims in the hospital, out of work, and feeling like they’re out of options. Whether a distracted driver injured you in a left-hand turn accident or you were run off the road, the sooner you speak with a personal injury attorney, the better.

If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident in Texas, contact the Scott Law Firm at (936) 243-4299 for a free case evaluation today.