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 particularly vulnerable not only because they lack the protection, but because they are much smaller. This downside makes motorcycles harder for other motorists to see on the road. It also means that motorcycles and their passengers are more likely to be thrown farther in the event of a wreck.
Motorcycles are also more vulnerable to a wreck because other motorists don't always keep a close enough eye out for them. Just 8% of households possess a motorcycle, which provides us a rough estimate of how common motorcycles are on US roadways. Because motorcycles aren't as prevalent as regular passenger cars, drivers might be less likely to watch 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 driver who is only watching for other passenger vehicles.
Because motorcycles are more difficult to detect than other cars, motorcyclists must always drive defensively. Bikers can never assume that other motorists can see them, especially the motorists of cars in front of them. Motorcycle accidents typically occur when motorists:
What Are the Most Prevalent Motorcycle Injuries?
A motorcycle gives you little protection in a crash. This means your body ends up taking the full force of the impact with another vehicle.
Commonly, this results in serious and life-altering injuries to motorcycle accident victims. In fact, approximately 5,000 motorcyclists died in crashes in just one recent year.
While motorcycles just comprise 3 percent of registered vehicles, motorcycle accidents cause 15 percent of all vehicle accident fatalities. Not every motorcycle accident will lead to death, but it shows the seriousness these types of crashes lead to.
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 rehabilitation. A motorcycle accident attorney can help you recover the compensation required to pay for those treatments.
Liability for Dallas Motorcycle Accidents
As these facts suggest, motorcyclists injured in collisions are commonly the victims of negligence. Every negligence case is comprised of four essential elements: a duty, a breach of that duty, an injury caused by the breach, and injuries sustained by the plaintiff. Drivers of motor vehicles owe a duty of care to everybody else who uses public thoroughfares. That includes bicyclists, pedestrians, and other drivers-- including motorcyclists.
When a driver violates that duty by being careless, intoxicated, fatigued, or distracted, and ends up causing a collision which leads to injury or even wrongful death to another person, the motorist may be held civilly liable to the victim. They can pursue a negligence claim with the assistance of a motorcycle accident attorney in Dallas.
A motorcyclist wounded in an accident may have a claim if he can demonstrate that another motorist was at fault. When a motorcycle driver has obeyed all of the traffic laws but is still involved in a collision, chances are that it has been caused by the driver of another vehicle. It might be not seeing the motorcyclist, speeding, being intoxicated, or a combination 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 a crash. This is especially true if there is an injury or death.
If immediate medical help is needed, render what aid you can, seek assistance, and call emergency medical help. If you are the one who is injured, you should seek immediate medical assistance. Even if your injury seems small and you do not need immediate aid, it is a good idea to seek medical care, as some injuries are not immediately noticeable.
Furthermore, at the scene you need to collect the contact and insurance details for the other parties. And you also want contact info for independent witnesses, as investigating police officers do not always collect that information.
Call a motorcycle accident lawyer soon after the accident. We strongly recommend that you do this before talking to any insurance provider.
Contact Our Dallas Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
After your accident, in addition to talking to the police and getting any necessary medical attention, you need to contact a qualified and experienced personal injury lawyer with experience dealing with motorcycle accidents. Serving victims throughout the Dallas area, the motorcycle accident lawyers at Dunk Law Firm can assist you.
Too often, accident victims believe that an insurance company-- either their own or the other driver's-- will properly compensate them for any injuries they have sustained. However, many insurance providers are reluctant to pay, even when liability and damages are clear. This is especially true when the damages are substantial.
Even when an insurance provider appears liable, be wary. Lots of adjusters will try to settle claims quickly. They will advise you to sign an agreement that will let them close the case-- and thereby minimize their exposure.
Even if the offer appears adequate or even generous, it is crucial to make sure your rights are protected. Contact an attorney and be sure you know the consequences of the agreement.
The reality is, not all injuries are readily apparent. And for some major injuries, even if you anticipate complete recovery, you can not be certain that the complete recovery you hope for will happen.
In those situations, signing a release of claims too soon can limit your settlement to an amount that is substantially less than what you need or what you legally have a right to recuperate. Serious injuries might consist of:
And, of course, some motorcycle crashes are deadly. If someone you love has been killed in a motorcycle crash, contact a lawyer to find out whether there's a wrongful death action to pursue against a negligent motorist.
