Humble Motorcycle Accident Attorney
In terms of vehicle collisions, the motorcycle rider fatality rate is almost thirty times higher than the vehicle occupant fatality rate. This one statistic speaks volumes about the risks riders face every time they hit the road. The serious injury rate is also much higher. Multiple restraint layers protect vehicle occupants in collisions. But motorcycle riders have no such protections.
The experienced Humble motorcycle accident attorneys at The West Law Office routinely handle motorcycle crash claims in Harris County and nearby jurisdictions. Therefore, our professional team is familiar with the unique issues these accidents present. As a result, we are well-positioned to obtain maximum compensation for these accident victims.
What Causes Motorcycle Crashes?
Driver error causes over 90 percent of the motorcycle wrecks in Texas. Alcohol impairment and failure to yield the right of way are the most common driver errors in this context.
Alcohol is a depressant which impairs motor skills. Impaired or intoxicated motorists cannot quickly react to unexpected situations. Furthermore, alcohol also gives people an artificial sense of euphoria and well-being. So, these drivers often take unnecessary risks.
There is a difference between impairment and intoxication. IMpairment begins with the first drink, and most people are intoxicated after three or four drinks. However, the overall effect is basically the same. It’s just a matter of degree.
Failure to yield motorcycle wrecks are often left-turn collisions. Generally, the tortfeasor (negligent driver) is waiting to make a left turn against traffic. The tortfeasor does not see an oncoming motorcycle and turns directly into the rider’s path.
Indeed, many riders who have gone down probably heard the tortfeasor say something like “I never saw you” or “You came out of nowhere.” Tortfeasors say these things to shift blame for the accident away from themselves. But in reality, they are essentially admitting that they failed to maintain a proper lookout.
Because of the serious nature of motorcycle wrecks, the victim’s medical bills often eclipse $100,000. These injuries also cause significant physical and emotional distress.
Your Claim for Damages
At The West Law Office, our team collects evidence to build a negligence claim. We also prepare for some common insurance company defenses.
Legally, most motorcycle wrecks involve ordinary negligence or negligence per se. Ordinary negligence is a lack of care. Most drivers have a duty of reasonable care. If their conduct falls below this standard, they could be liable for damages. Alcohol consumption and failure to yield both violate the duty of reasonable care. This duty requires drivers to be in good physical and mental condition. They must also drive defensively and avoid accidents when possible.
Negligence per se is the violation of a safety law. If the tortfeasor violates such a law, like speeding or DUI, the tortfeasor could be liable for damages as a matter of law.
Common insurance company defenses include comparative fault and assumption of the risk. Contributory negligence shifts blame for the accident from the tortfeasor to the victim. For example, the driver might have been speeding and the rider might have changed lanes illegally. Assumption of the risk usually involves the failure to wear a motorcycle helmet. This defense has only limited applicability in these claims.
Damages in a motorcycle crash claim usually include money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.
Contact an Assertive Texas Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Motorcycle wrecks often cause serious injuries. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in Humble, contact The West Law Office, PLLC. You have a limited amount of time to act.
