PRACTICE AREAS
At Dunk Law Firm, we truly care about each and every one of our clients. We know that being involved in an unexpected accident or losing a loved one in a tragic incident is overwhelming. We're here to help.
MEET THE TEAMcontact usWhat are Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable not only because they lack the protection, but because they are much smaller. This downside makes motorcycles more difficult for other motorists to see on the road. It also means that motorcycles and their passengers are more likely to be thrown further in the event of a collision.
Motorcycles are also more vulnerable to a wreck since other drivers don't always keep a close enough eye out for them. Only 8% of households possess a motorcycle, which gives us a rough estimate of just how common motorcycles are on US roadways. Since motorcycles aren't as prevalent as regular passenger vehicles, drivers might be less likely to look out for them.
For instance, a motorcycle riding in a driver's blind spot or crossing through an intersection at a 2-way stop may be less likely to be seen by a motorist who is only looking for other passenger vehicles.
Because motorcycles are more difficult to detect than other vehicles, motorcyclists should always drive defensively. Bikers can never presume that other drivers can see them, especially the drivers of vehicles in front of them. Motorcycle accidents often happen when drivers:
What Are the Most Common Motorcycle Injuries?
A motorcycle gives you little protection in an accident. This means your body ends up taking the full force of the impact with another vehicle.
Often, this leads to life-threatening and life-altering injuries to motorcycle accident victims. In fact, almost 5,000 motorcyclists were killed in crashes in just one recent year.
While motorcycles only make up 3 percent of registered vehicles, motorcycle crashes cause 15 percent of all vehicle collision deaths. Not every motorcycle accident will lead to death, yet it shows the severity these kinds of accidents inflict.
Some common injuries are:
That's not to say that survivors can never resume a normal life, but it may take some time and effort, including physical therapy. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you receive the compensation needed to pay for those treatments.
Liability for Austin Motorcycle Accidents
As these facts suggest, motorcyclists injured in collisions are commonly the victims of negligence. Every negligence case is made up of four major elements: a duty, a breach of that duty, an injury caused by the breach, and injuries suffered by the plaintiff. Drivers of motor vehicles owe a duty of care to everybody else who uses public roads. That includes bicyclists, pedestrians, and other drivers-- including motorcyclists.
When a driver breaches that duty by being careless, intoxicated, fatigued, or distracted, and ends up causing an accident which leads to injury or even wrongful death to another person, the driver may be held civilly liable to the injured party. They can seek a negligence case with the assistance of a motorcycle accident lawyer in Austin.
A motorcyclist wounded in a crash might have a claim if they can demonstrate that another motorist was at fault. When a motorcycle driver has followed all of the traffic laws however is still involved in an accident, odds are that it has been caused by the driver of another vehicle. It might be not seeing the motorcyclist, speeding, being intoxicated, or a mixture of the three.
What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Crash?
If You Have Been Involved in a Motorcycle Crash, immediately call the authorities to make a report if they are involved in an accident. This is particularly true if there is an injury or death.
If urgent medical help is needed, render what help you can, look for assistance, and call emergency medical help. If you are the one that is injured, you should seek immediate medical assistance. Even if your injury appears small and you do not need immediate help, it is a good idea to get medical care, as some injuries are not immediately noticeable.
Additionally, at the scene you should get the contact and insurance information for the other parties. And you also want contact information for independent witnesses, as investigating police officers do not always gather that information.
Contact a motorcycle crash attorney soon after the accident. We highly recommend that you do this before speaking to any insurance provider.
Contact Our Austin Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
After your accident, in addition to talking to the authorities and obtaining any necessary medical attention, you should contact a qualified and experienced personal injury lawyer with experience dealing with motorcycle accidents. Serving victims throughout the Austin area, the motorcycle crash lawyers at Dunk Law Firm can help you.
Too often, accident victims believe that an insurance carrier-- either their own or the other motorist's-- will properly compensate them for any injuries they have suffered. However, many insurance providers are unwilling to pay, even when liability and injuries are clear. This is especially accurate when the injuries are substantial.
Even when an insurance company seems liable, beware. Many insurance adjusters will try to settle insurance claims quickly. They will advise you to sign an agreement that will let them close the case-- and thus minimize their exposure.
Even if the offer seems sufficient or even generous, it is important to make sure your rights are defended. Consult an attorney and be sure you understand the consequences of the agreement.
The truth is, not all injuries are immediately apparent. And for some major injuries, even if you anticipate complete recovery, you can not be certain that the full recovery you expect will materialize.
In those instances, signing a release of claims prematurely can limit your settlement to an amount that is significantly less than what you need or what you legally have a right to recuperate. Severe injuries might include:
And, of course, some motorcycle crashes are deadly. If somebody you love has been killed in a motorcycle crash, contact an attorney to find out whether there's a wrongful death action to pursue against a negligent motorist.
