Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle Accident Attorney in El Paso
Seeking Damages After a Texas Motorcycle Accident
There are millions of registered motorcycles in the United States. There are numerous motorcycles on our roads today. Motorcycles are, of course, quite vulnerable on the roads against automobiles, trucks, and 18-wheelers.
The Law Offices of Rios, Parada & Seañez, PLLC has represented many motorcyclists. We helped them claim damages to assist with medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering. If you have suffered an accident on your motorcycle, look for an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer who can help you get your life back on track.
Call (915) 532-2333 today to arrange a phone consultation with an El Paso motorcycle accident attorney.
Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident
If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, you are likely dealing with substantial pain. The moments and days following the accident are key in helping you build a legal case. Here are the steps to take:
- Seek medical help right away: Depending on the severity of the collision, people often resist seeking proper medical attention. This is not only key in making sure a medical professional thoroughly examines your injuries, but also so you receive proper care.
- Contact a motorcycle accident attorney: The less time between your accident and your lawsuit, the better. Doing things quickly will ensure a more positive outcome.
- Avoid sharing details: Calling an attorney immediately is important. Do not speak to the insurance company. Adjusters are trained to get statements that reduce or deny your claim. Once you hire us, we handle every communication so nothing you say is taken out of context.
- Keep documentation: If possible, take pictures of the accident. Hold onto any medical records, doctor’s visits, police reports, and photographs.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
The road can be a dangerous place, especially for motorcycle drivers, who are far more vulnerable than regular motorists. Common scenarios for motorcycle collisions include:
- Head-on collisions: A large number of accidents involving motorcycles are head-on collisions (when the vehicle strikes the bike from the front).
- Left-hand turns: Another common scenario includes cars making left-hand turns. The car will usually strike the motorcycle when they are trying to pass the car, overtake the car, or is going straight through an intersection.
- Lane Splitting: This refers to a motorcycle going in between lanes when traffic is slow or stopped, such as in traffic jams.
- Distracted Drivers: Motorcyclists are often struck by distracted or reckless drivers.
Common Injuries Motorcycle Drivers Sustain
The injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident can be anything from minor to severe. Over the years, we have seen different motorcycle accidents with varying injuries and consequences after the fact. This is a difficult time, as many of these injuries can be debilitating and affect one’s personal life in a profound way. Common injuries you can seek damages for include:
- Amputations
- Back injuries
- Fractures
- Burns
- Neck and back injury
- Concussions or traumatic brain injury
Damages From a Motorcycle Accident
Injuries from a motorcycle accident can have a major impact on your daily life. Many times, people struggle to return to their normal routine after an accident. This causes ripples in people’s personal lives, family life, and income stability. Our motorcycle accident attorneys can help you get compensation for:
- Past, present, and future medical bills
- Lost earning capacity
- Lost wages
- Permanent or semi-permanent physical impairment
- Permanent disfigurement
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
- Other expenses
Overcoming Challenges With a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
It’s quite possible the insurance company will try to convince you that there is no need to involve a personal injury attorney, as the settlement can be reached without one. It is their job to try and pay you the least amount possible for your injuries and losses. Choosing an attorney will guarantee you higher chances of recovering greater amounts of compensation than working directly with insurance companies.
Some of our main objectives in helping you after your accident include:
- Helping you get the care you need. Part of our expertise includes guiding you toward the best medical care possible.
- Investigating the crash. There are layers of variables and factors to be analyzed after a crash. We use our expertise to examine every detail and collect the necessary evidence.
- Properly file a lawsuit with the court. Some cases cannot be settled without litigation, and this is when we submit and file the suit in the proper courts.
- Negotiate a settlement or take it to court. Our responsibility lies in getting the highest amount of damages for your injuries and losses. We will intensely negotiate with another lawyer or insurance adjuster and go to court if the case requires it.
What to Expect During Your First Consultation
As with all injury cases, we offer phone consultations for motorcycle accidents. During our initial consultation, our personal injury attorneys will discuss the following:
- Details of the accident (how, when, and where)
- Request any photographs of the scene
- Review of the police report
- Inquire about potential witnesses and witness statement
- Injuries sustained
- Doctor or hospital visits
Why Choose Rios, Parada & Seañez?
Our law firm understands the unique dangers motorcyclists face while riding. Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable people on the road. Without the protective frame of a car around them, riders suffer disproportionately severe injuries in collisions, even at relatively low speeds. Our attorneys understand the serious nature of the injuries these accidents cause, and what it takes to build a compensation claim that reflects the true impact on your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Call 911 and get a police report filed. This is one of the most important pieces of evidence in your case. Seek medical attention right away, even if your injuries seem minor. Delayed treatment can also be used by insurance companies to question the severity of your injuries. Take photographs of the accident scene, your motorcycle, the other vehicle, road conditions, and your injuries. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses. Then contact Rios, Parada & Seañez before speaking with any insurance company.
Not necessarily. Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule, so you can still recover damages as long as you are found to be 50% or less responsible for the accident. The other driver (and their insurer) have every incentive to shift blame onto you. Our attorneys know how to investigate the facts, gather evidence, and establish a clear picture of what actually happened to counter those claims.
Yes, and often not in your favor. Insurers frequently apply greater scrutiny to motorcycle claims and are quicker to characterize riders as reckless or speeding without evidence. They may also undervalue your injuries or argue that your gear (or lack thereof) contributed to the severity of your injuries. We anticipate these tactics and build cases that stand up to them.
Dangerous road conditions are a legitimate cause of motorcycle accidents, and in those cases a government entity or road maintenance contractor may share liability. These claims have their own specific rules and shorter deadlines for filing notice, so it's especially important to contact an attorney quickly if a road defect played a role in your crash.
You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses (including future surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing care), lost wages and reduced earning capacity, motorcycle repair or replacement, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent disability or disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. If your injuries are catastrophic, the long-term value of your claim can be substantial. We fight to make sure it is fully realized.
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El Paso Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Ready to Fight On Your Behalf
The Law Offices of Rios, Parada & Seañez, PLLC, is dedicated to your case. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact our trusted and competent personal injury attorneys in El Paso. We are willing to fight for you and help you get your life back on track. Call us at (915) 532-2333 to arrange a phone consultation.