San Antonio Motorcycle Accident Attorney
San Antonio Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Serving Bexar County
Most motorcyclists are well aware of the risks they face when operating their motorcycles on busy roads and around other types of vehicles. Since motorcycles are so much smaller than cars and trucks, they can be seriously damaged in a collision, and motorcyclists may suffer severe injuries. To prevent these situations, motorcyclists will usually take precautions, including following all applicable traffic laws, maintaining enough distance between themselves and others on the road, ensuring that they are visible to other drivers, and avoiding unsafe behaviors that may put them at risk of harm. Unfortunately, drivers of larger vehicles are less likely to take the same level of care. When drivers act negligently, this can lead to collisions that may cause motorcyclists to suffer serious injuries or permanent disabilities.
Motorcyclists who are injured in collisions can sometimes struggle to be treated fairly. Since they are often perceived as risk-takers, other drivers or insurance adjusters may attempt to blame a motorcyclist for a collision. To combat these perceptions, it is crucial for injured motorcyclists to receive legal representation as they pursue compensation for their injuries. When you work with Alford & Associates, you can rest assured that you will be represented by an attorney who is also a trained motorcycle rider. We know first-hand what it is like for motorcyclists to be on the road next to inattentive drivers, and we will treat your case with the care and compassion you deserve.
Legal Help Pursuing Compensation for Motorcycle Accidents
In many cases, motorcycle wrecks occur because of negligence by other drivers. This negligence can take multiple forms, but it commonly involves a failure by a driver to see and drive safely around motorcycles. Due to their smaller size, motorcycles can easily get lost in a vehicle's blind spot, and a driver may not notice a motorcycle that is traveling close to them. Cell phone use and other types of distracted driving can also affect a driver's ability to notice and respond to motorcyclists. If a driver does not remain aware of what is happening around their vehicle, they may collide with a motorcycle when changing lanes, traveling through intersections, entering or exiting the roadway, or making turns.
Even if drivers do see motorcycles, they may still act unsafely and put motorcyclists at risk. Drivers who act aggressively, such as by following a motorcycle too closely, attempting to pass a motorcycle that is in their lane of traffic, failing to yield to a motorcyclist who has the right of way, or cutting off a motorcycle that is attempting to pass them, may cause dangerous collisions. Other types of traffic violations, such as running red lights or speeding, may lead to motorcycle accidents. Drunk driving may also affect a person's ability to operate a vehicle safely, and they may be unable to maintain control or respond to conditions on the road correctly, leading to deadly motorcycle crashes.
Motorcyclists who are injured in collisions sometimes struggle to receive the proper compensation. When victims file insurance claims, adjusters will often do everything they can to minimize the amount paid out, or they may even deny a claim by stating that a motorcyclist was at fault for their own injuries. Our attorneys understand the tactics that insurance companies often use in these cases, and we are ready to advocate for you when negotiating a settlement. We can also help you determine when pursuing a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent driver or other parties may be your best option for recovering the full compensation you deserve.
Motorcycle Accident FAQs
Answer: Following a motorcycle accident in San Antonio, you should first prioritize your safety - move away from traffic and call 911 to get medical help immediately. It is crucial to report the accident to local law enforcement and get a police report. If possible, you can capture the scene with photos, gather witness accounts and their contact information, and exchange details with other drivers involved. Inform your insurance company as soon as possible, but only provide basic information. Let your personal injury attorney handle most correspondence with the insurance company.
Answer: A motorcycle accident lawyer in San Antonio can be a crucial ally, offering professional legal guidance and representation tailored to Texas law. Your attorney can help collect evidence, interview witnesses, and handle communication with insurance companies to secure a fair settlement. By managing legal documentation and negotiations, your attorney can ensure that you will be able to focus on your recovery. Additionally, if litigation becomes necessary, your lawyer will represent you in court, working to maximize your compensation for medical bills, lost income, and emotional distress.
Answer: Motorcycle accident compensation will usually be based on the severity of your injuries. Serious injuries like spinal damage or traumatic brain injuries may allow for higher amounts of compensation because of the long-term impact they can have on your health and well-being. You can receive compensation for medical bills, including immediate treatment costs and ongoing care expenses. If you are forced to miss work because of your injuries, you may also receive compensation for lost income, including the wages lost during your recovery and the loss of potential future earnings if you are unable to return to work.
Answer: Determining liability for a motorcycle accident involves assessing factors like traffic law violations, negligence, or impaired driving. Liability may rest with the other driver if they breached traffic laws or drove recklessly. However, it can sometimes involve multiple parties, including manufacturers of defective vehicle parts or local authorities who failed to correct road hazards. Comprehensive investigations performed by our attorneys with the help of accident reconstruction experts can help establish fault.
Answer: People who have been injured in motorcycle accidents in Texas have two years from the date when the accident occurred to file a personal injury claim. While two years may seem like a long time, it is a good idea to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after their accident. Waiting too long after an accident can result in the inability to file an injury claim. Acting quickly can also help ensure that evidence can be gathered and preserved, improving the chances of obtaining maximum compensation.
Answer: Yes, in Texas, you can file a claim even if you were partially at fault for a motorcycle accident due to the state's "modified comparative negligence" rule. You can recover damages if you were less than 51 percent responsible. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if you are found to be 20 percent at fault for the motorcycle accident, you would then receive 80 percent of the damages.
Answer: Motorcycle accidents commonly result from distracted driving, such as using smartphones. Drivers who are distracted may overlook motorcycles in their blind spots. Speeding and aggressive driving are also significant factors in motorcycle accidents, as they can reduce a driver’s reaction time. Poor road conditions, such as potholes, pose additional dangers that can lead to motorcycle accidents. Weather elements like rain can impair visibility and affect road grip, also leading to accidents when drivers fail to account for these conditions.
Answer: Avoid leaving the scene before authorities arrive, as this could lead to legal consequences. Do not admit fault or make statements that could be used against you later. Never decline medical attention, since not all injuries are obvious to the naked eye. Also, avoid negotiating directly with insurance companies without first consulting with an attorney, as insurance companies will often do everything in their power to minimize payouts to the greatest extent possible.
Answer: At Alford & Associates, we do not receive a fee unless we win your case. We do not bill clients by the hour or make them pay anything out of pocket. In the unlikely event that your case is lost, you will not owe our firm one penny. We also cover upfront costs, such as filing fees, record retrieval, and more. We will only collect legal fees after we recover compensation for you.
Answer: Evidence typically starts with photographs of the crash scene, vehicle damages, and any injuries sustained. Police reports can provide information about who was at fault for an accident. Statements from witnesses can provide unbiased perspectives on what happened and whether a driver acted negligently. Our attorneys can help determine whether surveillance footage from nearby cameras may have captured the accident. This type of footage can serve as valuable evidence that paints a clearer picture of the circumstances before, during, and after the accident.
Contact Our Bexar County Motorcycle Accident Injury Lawyers
At Alford & Associates, we can ensure that you will be able to meet your requirements and address all legal issues as you pursue compensation for a motorcycle accident. We will make sure you meet all applicable deadlines during your case, and we will fight to make sure you receive the maximum compensation possible. Our goal is to make sure your family will have the financial resources you need to make a full recovery and move forward with your lives. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, contact us today by calling 210-951-9467. In addition to evaluating your case free of charge, we will never charge legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you. We have offices in San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Austin, and Houston, and we provide legal representation to clients throughout Texas.