Houston Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Houston

Right after a crash, it is hard to think clearly. A basic checklist can help protect both your health and your claim.

If you are able, try to:

1. Get to safety. Move yourself out of traffic if you can do so without further injury.
2. Call 911. Report the crash and ask for an officer and medical help.
3. Get medical care. Let paramedics check you and follow up with a doctor, even if you think you can “walk it off.” Some injuries show up later.
4. Exchange information. Get the other driver’s name, contact details, and insurance information.
5. Gather evidence. Take photos or video of the scene, vehicles, skid marks, road conditions, debris, and your visible injuries if you can.
6. Get witness details. Ask for names and contact information for anyone who saw the crash.
7. Be careful what you say. Do not admit fault or guess about speeds or distances. Stick to basic facts.
8. Avoid recorded statements. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company before you speak with a lawyer.
9. Save all paperwork. Keep bills, receipts, time-off notes, and letters or emails from any insurer.
10. Talk with a motorcycle accident lawyer. Getting legal advice early can help you avoid mistakes and understand your options.

Small steps taken early can make a big difference later.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Houston

Many Houston-area motorcycle crashes can be traced to drivers who do not take the time to look for bikes. Common causes include:

• Left-turn crashes at intersections. A driver turns left across the rider’s lane, saying “I didn’t see you” or “you came out of nowhere.”
• Failure to yield. Drivers pulling out of side streets, driveways, or parking lots into a rider’s path.
• Unsafe lane changes. A driver changes lanes without checking blind spots, cutting off a rider already in the lane.
• Following too closely. Rear-end crashes when drivers tailgate and cannot stop in time.
• Distracted driving. Phones, screens, and in-car systems that pull attention away from the road.
• Speeding and aggressive driving. Drivers weaving, speeding, or braking suddenly.
• Drunk or drug-impaired driving. Impaired drivers have slower reaction times and worse judgment.
• Road hazards. Potholes, loose gravel, oil, or debris that may be a minor issue for a car but a serious danger for a motorcycle.

Understanding what caused the crash helps show who should be held responsible.

Texas Motorcycle Laws That Can Affect Your Claim

Texas has specific rules that apply to motorcyclists. Some of these may come up in a claim after a crash.

Key points include:

• Helmet rules.
  Riders under 21 must wear a helmet. Riders 21 and over may ride without a helmet only if certain conditions are met, such as completing a training course or having certain insurance. Whether you wore a helmet can affect how insurers argue about head injuries and damages.
• Lane splitting.
  Texas law does not allow lane splitting at this time. Riding between lanes of moving traffic can be treated as unsafe or unlawful conduct if a crash happens.
• Traffic and equipment laws.
  Motorcycles must follow the same basic traffic rules as other vehicles and must meet equipment requirements under Texas law.

Breaking a traffic rule does not automatically bar a claim, but it can affect how fault and damages are argued. The details of how the crash happened still matter.

Compensation You May Recover After a Motorcycle Accident

The fallout from a motorcycle crash can be physical, financial, and emotional. Depending on the case, an injured rider or passenger may be able to seek compensation for:

• Medical bills, including emergency care, surgery, hospital stays, and follow-up visits.
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy for ongoing recovery.
• Future medical care, such as additional surgeries, pain management, or assistive devices.
• Lost wages while you are unable to work.
• Loss of future earning ability if injuries affect your long-term career.
• Pain and suffering.
• Physical impairment and scarring.
• Loss of enjoyment of life, including limits on hobbies and activities you used to enjoy.
• Motorcycle repair or total loss.
• Wrongful death damages for eligible family members if the crash was fatal.

Any settlement or verdict should look at both what you have already dealt with and what you are likely to face in the future.

What If I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet?

Not wearing a helmet does not automatically mean you cannot bring a claim. But it can become an issue in certain cases.

Points to keep in mind:

• Texas law and helmet use.
  As noted above, helmet rules depend on age and other factors. Whether you followed the rule is one factor, but not the only one.
• Type of injuries.
  Helmet use is more likely to be argued in cases involving head or brain injuries. For leg or arm fractures, for example, helmet use usually has little to do with the cause of those injuries.
• Comparative fault arguments.
  An insurer may argue that not wearing a helmet contributed to the severity of certain injuries and try to reduce what they pay.

Every case is fact-specific. A lawyer can look at the details of your crash, your injuries, and the law to give more precise guidance.

Dealing with Insurance After a Motorcycle Crash

Insurance companies handle claims every day. Most injured riders do not. That difference in experience can affect the outcome.

Some practical tips:

• Be cautious with early calls. Adjusters may sound friendly, but they are gathering information to use later.
• Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer before getting legal advice.
• Do not sign broad medical releases that give an insurer access to your entire medical history, not just crash-related treatment.
• Be wary of quick settlement offers that arrive before you know the full extent of your injuries or future needs.
• Keep your own insurer informed, but be brief and factual.

A lawyer can step in, handle communication, and negotiate with insurers so you are not doing it on your own.