Were you injured by someone else’s negligence while riding your motorcycle? You need someone to stand up for your rights. When it comes to motorcycle accidents, the personal injury attorneys at Fleming Law understand the unique challenges and complexities injured riders face. We know that a motorcycle accident can result in devastating injuries, steep medical expenses, loss of income, and emotional distress – especially when someone else is to blame for your suffering. That’s why we are committed to building a strong case on your behalf and pursuing the best possible outcome for you.
With a deep understanding of Texas motorcycle laws and a proven track record of success, our dedicated team is ready to fight to demand maximum compensation for you. We believe every motorcyclist deserves justice, financial support, and peace of mind after a traumatic incident.
Contact Fleming Law today for a free consultation with one of our experienced Houston motorcycle accident lawyers.
Because motorcycles provide little to no protection from the full impact of an auto accident, their riders are at extreme risk of serious injury or death when one occurs. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), over 5,000 motorcyclists are killed every year on roads across the country, and another 80,000-100,000 are injured.
Were you injured by a negligent motorist while riding your motorcycle? You may have the right to compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and other crash-related expenses. An experienced Houston motorcycle accident lawyer from Fleming Law could help you pursue the financial relief and accountability you deserve from the at-fault driver. For over 30 years, we have advocated for injury victims in Houston and can do the same for you.
We know how to hold at-fault drivers accountable for the injuries they cause. Our attorneys have the experience and skill to handle even the most challenging motorcycle accident cases. We are ready to make sure you know your rights and explore your legal options. Contact our office today for a free initial consultation with a lawyer.
Even when wearing helmets and other protective gear, motorcyclists are at serious risk of suffering catastrophic injury and death when involved in an auto accident.
Most personal injury plaintiffs, including those seeking compensation for injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents, must prove that the at-fault driver was negligent. In law, negligence arises when someone fails to take adequate precautions to make sure they do not injure others through their actions.
If you successfully prove the at-fault party’s liability for your injuries, a court may order that they pay you a wide range of compensation. Though the precise amount will vary based on the severity of your injuries and losses, you may be reimbursed for both their economic and noneconomic aspects.
A Houston motorcycle accident lawyer can document your losses, calculate how much your claim is worth, and help you pursue the full financial recovery you are owed.
Nationwide passenger vehicle occupant and motorcyclist deaths as a percentage of all motor vehicle crash deaths 2000-2021.
Year | Cars | % | Motorcycle | % |
---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | 32,109 | 77 | 2,895 | 7 |
2001 | 31,938 | 76 | 3,195 | 8 |
2002 | 32,724 | 76 | 3,267 | 8 |
2003 | 32,166 | 75 | 3,710 | 9 |
2004 | 31,750 | 74 | 4,026 | 9 |
2005 | 31,455 | 72 | 4,575 | 11 |
2006 | 30,628 | 72 | 4,810 | 11 |
2007 | 29,155 | 71 | 5,174 | 13 |
2008 | 25,547 | 68 | 5,307 | 14 |
2009 | 23,507 | 69 | 4,467 | 13 |
2010 | 22,351 | 68 | 4,517 | 14 |
2011 | 21,413 | 66 | 4,630 | 14 |
2012 | 21,906 | 65 | 4,986 | 15 |
2013 | 21,361 | 65 | 4,691 | 14 |
2014 | 21,131 | 65 | 4,302 | 13 |
2015 | 22,741 | 64 | 5,026 | 14 |
2016 | 23,957 | 63 | 5,337 | 14 |
2017 | 23,866 | 64 | 5,229 | 14 |
2018 | 23,046 | 63 | 5,038 | 14 |
2019 | 22,557 | 62 | 5,044 | 14 |
2020 | 24,135 | 62 | 5,619 | 14 |
2021 | 26,585 | 62 | 6,084 | 14 |
Texas’s statute of limitations sets a two-year deadline for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit. Failure to file within this time frame can result in losing your right to seek compensation for your injuries and accident-related losses.
Motorcycle riders tend to suffer more severe injuries in motor vehicle accidents than car occupants for a few reasons. Motorcycles lack most of the safety features that protect car occupants in crashes, such as airbags and seatbelts. They also don’t have other collision-avoidance technologies like automatic emergency braking.
A motorcycle rider is not protected by the steel frame of an automobile either. Besides a helmet and riding leathers, they have little to protect them from injuries in an accident. Motorcycle riders risk getting thrown off their motorcycles in an accident, causing them to hit the ground violently.
Another reason motorcyclists tend to suffer more serious injuries in accidents is that these collisions often occur at higher speeds than most car accidents. Many motorcycle crashes happen because other motorists fail to notice a motorcyclist. This means drivers often collide with motorcyclists at high speeds without braking or swerving to avoid the collision. Drivers who make sudden maneuvers like changing lanes or braking may surprise a motorcyclist, leaving them no opportunity to avoid a crash.
While motorcycle accidents occur for various reasons, many collisions are caused by negligent, reckless, or careless drivers. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes in Houston include:
Other factors that contribute to motorcycle accidents in Houston include poor road conditions, bad weather, and poor visibility. Vehicle mechanical failures caused by defective parts or inadequate maintenance can also result in motorcycle collisions.
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident in Houston, you can take steps to protect your right to pursue compensation for your injuries and other losses. After you have received medical treatment, you should do the following:
You should also contact a Houston motorcycle accident attorney from Fleming Law as soon as possible after the crash. We can discuss your legal options for financial relief and the next steps to pursue compensation for your injuries.
Typically, a driver who hits a motorcyclist will bear liability for the injuries and other damage resulting from the crash. But depending on the circumstances surrounding a motorcycle accident, other parties may also be liable. For example, the following parties could be responsible:
Determining liability for a Houston motorcycle crash will likely require a thorough investigation into the collision and what caused it. A lawyer can handle this process for you and secure the evidence you need to build a strong claim.
When evaluating liability in auto accidents, Texas courts apply the principle of comparative negligence (also known as “proportionate responsibility”). This means that injured victims who contributed to the cause of the accident could still be entitled to significant compensation, so long as they did not contribute more than 50 percent to the cause of the accident. However, their compensation will be reduced proportionately to their degree of fault.
For instance, suppose you are going 10 miles over the speed limit as you prepare to exit I-45 on your motorcycle. As you approach the exit ramp, a car cuts you off. You crash and suffer injuries worth $1,000,000.
In this scenario, if a jury finds that your speeding contributed 10 percent to the cause of the accident, your compensation will be reduced proportionately to $900,000. On the other hand, if it finds that you contributed more than 50 percent, you will be barred from receiving any compensation. One of our Houston motorcycle accident attorneys can help protect your right to the full compensation you’re owed.
Texas law requires motorcycle riders to wear helmets that meet the standards set by the Texas Department of Transportation. However, the motorcycle helmet law exempts riders 21 and older who have completed a motorcycle operator training and safety course. Motorcyclists with health insurance covering injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident are also exempt.
In Texas, a motorcyclist not wearing a helmet in a crash is not automatically disqualified from pursuing compensation for their injuries – even if they were not exempt from riding without a helmet. However, failing to wear a motorcycle helmet could affect the compensation a motorcyclist can recover in a motorcycle accident case. For instance, an insurance company might argue that wearing a helmet would have prevented or reduced the severity of the head, facial, or brain injuries a rider suffered.
If you were in a motorcycle accident and were not wearing a helmet, you need dedicated legal representation to help you pursue maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney will be familiar with the tactics that insurance companies use to deny or minimize liability and can aggressively advocate for you.
Lane-splitting refers to riding a motorcycle on top of road lines or in between lanes of traffic. Advocates of lane splitting argue that the practice helps reduce traffic jams by allowing motorcycles to bypass slow or stopped traffic. This reduces the risk of a motorcyclist getting rear-ended in stop-and-go traffic.
Opponents of lane splitting argue that the practice puts motorcyclists at greater risk of accidents. Drivers may not expect motorcycles to travel between rows of vehicles in stopped or slow traffic.
Some states have laws clearly forbidding lane splitting, while others do not have a law directly addressing the practice. However, only California has legalized lane splitting. Texas law prohibits lane splitting, requiring motorists to drive within a single lane.
Texas treats motorcycles like cars for registration, titling, and insurance purposes. As a result, motorcycle operators must have an insurance policy that provides the minimum coverage required by state law. This includes liability insurance to cover their financial responsibility for an accident. Operators must have policy limits of at least:
Riders can purchase higher liability coverage limits and other optional coverages such as collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist, and underinsured motorist coverage.
While motorcycle riders cannot control the actions of negligent drivers, they can take steps to decrease the likelihood of being involved in a collision. Essential safety tips for motorcyclists to follow include:
Even after following all these safety rules, you may still be harmed in a traumatic motorcycle accident because of someone else’s actions. If that happens, the team at Fleming Law is here to help you demand the compensation you need through a Texas motorcycle accident claim.
The duration of a motorcycle accident claim can vary depending on multiple factors. Some cases settle in a few months, while others take years. Unfortunately, no one can predict how long it may take to resolve your Houston motorcycle accident case. However, some of the factors that may affect the timeline of your claim include:
Personal injury cases are complex, and the job of your attorney is to fight for your legal rights and avoid all pitfalls on the road toward compensation. Importantly, it is your attorney’s legal and professional duty to put your best interests first. At Fleming Law, we take that responsibility very seriously.
Read more on:
While a car accident can be devastating and cause life-threatening or long-term injuries, the chances of being seriously injured or killed in a motorcycle accident are even greater. In just one recent year, there were about 7,500 motorcycle accidents in Texas. Of those, almost 2,000 motorcyclists were seriously injured, and nearly 500 were killed. If you’ve been in a motorcycle crash, a motorcycle injury lawyer in Houston can help.
Injuries from a motorcycle accident can range from minor injuries like broken bones to catastrophic or disabling injuries, including loss of limbs to loss of life. Our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers are often contacted to help victims get the assistance they need to pay for medical bills, physical therapy, or loss of life or limb or to help them recuperate monies lost due to the loss of work. It is important that you consult with a qualified Houston motorcycle accident lawyer.
Because of their near-complete exposure, motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable to severe injury and death when involved in an auto accident. The Houston personal injury lawyers at Fleming Law understand how devastating these accidents can be for motorcyclists and their loved ones. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Houston, do not hesitate to contact us to learn about your legal rights and options in a free, no-obligation consultation. Our Houston motorcycle accident lawyers are here to help.
Acres Homes, Aldine, Bellaire, Briarforest, Central Business District, Central Northwest, Chinatown, Deer Park, Dickinson, East Aldine, East Downtown, East Houston, Energy Corridor, Fourth Ward, Friendswood, Galeana Park, Greater Fifth Ward, Greater Hobby Area, Greater OST/South Union, Humble, Hyde Park, Independence Heights, Jacinto City, Jersey Village, La Marque, League City, Magnolia, Magnolia Park, Mission Bend, Northside, Northwest Houston, Pasadena, Pearland, Pinehurst, Rice Military, Second Ward, Shady Acres, South Central Houston, South Main, South Park, Southeast Houston, Southwest Houston, Spring, Spring Branch East, Texas City, Tomball, The Memorial Villages, Westchase.