For many bikers, riding a motorcycle is a way of life. However, the road is not always kind or safe for motorcyclists.
Roughly one motorcycle rider dies every day in Texas. Over 400 bikers were killed in Texas in 2019, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident, you need a motorcycle accident lawyer who will fight for you. Contact Biggs & Greenslade today to schedule a free consultation and get help filing your motorcycle accident claim.
Motorcycle riders are often stereotyped as reckless drivers. Because of this stigma, they are often blamed for motorcycle wrecks. However, the data tell a different story.
Some data suggest that up to two-thirds of motorcycle wrecks are actually the fault of the other motorist. Unfortunately, such statistics do little to sway insurance companies from pointing the finger at the biker in most accidents.
Working with a motorcycle accident lawyer is crucial to ensure you are treated with fairness and compensated for your injuries. Our personal injury attorneys can help you acquire the restitution you deserve.
It’s no secret that bikers face a variety of challenges on the road. When a wreck occurs, those challenges can lead to numerous injuries and damages.
Motorcycle wreck injuries:
None of these facts make insurance companies any more likely to express empathy and compassion. That’s not only because insurance companies are focused on increasing profits and decreasing expenses. It’s also because motorcycle riders are stereotyped as unsafe drivers.
If you’ve been in a wreck, it’s crucial to work with a skilled Tyler, TX motorcycle lawyer who will protect your rights and help you recover from your motorcycle accident.
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, you need to take the appropriate steps to ensure that your claim–or potential case–is positioned to succeed:
Get out of harm's way and ensure you and the other driver aren’t injured.
Your adrenaline may be masking serious injury. Do not remove safety gear.
Report the accident. Police and medical reports will be vital to your motorcycle accident case
Take pictures of the scene to document the accident, including the area where the accident occurred.
Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver. Do not photograph sensitive information.
Get a free consultation with a motorcycle attorney and have them go over your case.
It can be difficult to know when you really need a lawyer for a motorcycle accident case. Because it’s best to get them in early on the process, it’s best to at least consult with one initially. They’ll be able to determine if your accident may need a lawyer.
You don’t need a lawyer for every motorcycle crash, though. If no one was injured in the accident and insurance will most likely cover any repairs to your bike, then a motorcycle lawyer won’t be able to help much.
If, however, there has been an injury–even a minor one–you should consult a motorcycle lawyer. A motorcycle attorney will help cut through red tape to get you in to see a doctor, and they have the resources and experience to document all of your expenses.
A motorcycle accident attorney will ensure that you’re reimbursed for all medical expenses, lost wages, and other things that are the result of your accident–allowing you to focus on getting better.
Personal injury lawyers offer free initial consultations so that potential clients don’t pursue a frivolous lawsuit. However, if you’ve sustained a motorcycle accident injury, you’ll probably want to get a lawyer.
Your personal injury lawyer will determine whether or not you have a case. This complaint will be served on the defendant in the case, and it will outline your accusations and the damages you are seeking.
After making the claim, your lawyer will begin collecting evidence that will prove it in court. This may include, for instance, a forensic report about the accident and the scene of the accident, interviews with witnesses, and other common pieces of evidence.
The lion's share of personal injury cases ends in a settlement–an out-of-court agreement between both parties that awards damages to the plaintiff. A personal injury trial could go before a judge or jury, who will determine both fault and how many damages to award.
At some point, every plaintiff in a personal injury case has to make a choice: whether to go to trial or to accept a settlement. It’s not an easy decision, but your motorcycle injury lawyer will help you understand which may be best for you.
Most personal injury claims end with a settlement agreement. It’s simpler, less time-consuming, and can immediately help with the plaintiff’s situation. It’s often less than the damages that were filed in court, though. A settlement helps you avoid a long trial, and it helps the insurance company save a little bit of money.
At the same time, you may get all of the damages if you go to trial. A trial takes longer, but it may be a good option if the insurance company is low-balling you. In a trial, damages are decided by a judge or jury, and they may award more than what the insurance company offered to settle for.
A motorcycle accident attorney will help you understand your options when it comes to your case. If you’ve been in a motorcycle crash, contact us to schedule a free initial consultation.
In Texas, bikers over the age of 21 are not required to wear a helmet, often resulting in worse injuries. Additionally, some injuries are internal and do not always show up right away. So your motorcycle injuries may be far more severe than you even realize.
Injuries from an accident can range from minor to severe and may include:
While car accidents can be bad, motorcycle wrecks are often much worse. Damages to both your motorcycle, body, and livelihood can become unbearable.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle wreck, you may be entitled to compensation.
Please do not speak with an insurance adjuster without a motorcycle lawyer. Insurance companies are notorious for short changing accident victims. If you accept a settlement without seeking legal advice, your compensation may not even cover your medical bills. With a strong ally on your side, you can recover far more than you could on your own.
The experienced motorcycle accident lawyers at Biggs and Greenslade have been fighting for motorcycle accident victims in East Texas for years. They can help you maximize your recovery and receive compensation for your pain and suffering.
Because each case is different, there’s no way to provide an estimated settlement amount without understanding your specific situation. However, the financial “damages” you can claim fall into two categories: monetary and non-monetary damages.
The insurance likely will not take all of these damages into consideration when they offer a settlement. That’s why you need a motorcycle attorney who can fight for fair compensation for you.
Monetary damages have an easily calculable financial value. They include:
Non-monetary damages do not have an easily calculable financial value. They include:
Finding a motorcycle accident attorney in East Texas isn’t hard. Knowing which one to trust with your case, however, can seem daunting.
Residents in Tyler, TX trust the BG Law Firm because of Kenneth Biggs and John Greenslade’s unique legal experience.
John Greenslade understands how insurance companies and their attorneys approach a case because he used to be an insurance litigator. Understanding the opposition has been crucial to his success.
Kenneth Biggs is a former prosecutor who has argued many cases before a jury. Very few injury attorneys have any actual trial experience because 95% of claims are settled outside the courtroom without filing a lawsuit.
However, suppose your case does end up in court. In that case, it’s comforting to know you have an attorney with real trial experience on your side.
Don’t settle for a less experienced personal injury lawyer to help you with your motorcycle accident claim. The nuances of your case require the care and attention of an experienced team of motorcycle lawyers.
For a free consultation regarding your motorcycle accident injury case, contact the Biggs & Greenslade Law Firm today.