Dallas Negligent Motorcycle Rider Accident Lawyer
Motorcycles are fun and convenient forms of travel in Dallas, but they can also be dangerous. Inexperienced or careless motorcycle drivers can cause accidents and severe injuries. If a motorcyclist caused your accident, get help from a Dallas negligent motorcycle rider accident lawyer today.
Our Dallas car accident lawyers take on all types of auto accident cases. We’re here to fight for your compensation rights and the financial recovery you deserve. We can match you with the best attorney for your needs as soon as possible.
To get started with a FREE, no-risk consultation, call us at (469) 998-4069 or contact us online today. We do not charge a fee unless we win your case, so you can get started for FREE without any out-of-pocket costs.
How Motorcyclists Can Cause Accidents
According to facts and statistics on motorcycle crashes from the Insurance Information Institute (III), motorcycle riders need a unique set of physical and mental skills compared with passenger vehicle drivers. Motorcycles are also more defenseless when it comes to poor road conditions or weather hazards.
If a motorcycle rider is negligent, they can cause a crash that leaves many people injured. Here are some of the most common ways this can happen.
Lane Splitting
Lane splitting happens when a vehicle drives between two lanes of traffic. It is illegal in Texas, according to Texas Transportation Code Section 545.060. A driver on a road with two or more clearly-marked traffic lanes should:
- Drive within the entire lane
- Not move out of the lane unless they can do so safely.
Negligent motorcycle riders will lane split to pass multiple cars at once, often during heavy traffic. Although lane splitting is convenient for the biker, it’s reckless behavior that puts everyone on the road at risk.
The reduced space, close proximity to other vehicles, and the fact that most motorists are not prepared for a biker to lane split increase the risk of severe accidents.
If you can show that the motorcycle rider was lane splitting right before your accident, that’s a clear sign of negligence. Report the behavior to the police and make sure your lawyer knows about the lane-splitting so they can help you gather evidence of it.
Speeding
Around 50% of single motorcycle accidents happen because of drunk driving or speeding. The drunk or speeding motorcycle rider might run into an object on or off the roadway, but the accident can involve other motorists.
Speeding is dangerous in any situation, but it’s especially risky for motorcyclists. Avoiding hazards while on a motorcycle is much harder at high speeds, so motorcyclists are more likely to cause collisions.
Drunk Driving
A biker driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs has impaired:
- Vision
- Reaction time
- Concentration
- Coordination
- Decision-making
A drunk biker driving a dangerous vehicle is a recipe for disaster. If a drunk motorcycle rider caused your accident, contact a Dallas negligent motorcycle rider accident lawyer. You might be entitled to exemplary damages on top of your other costs.
To learn your full legal options during a FREE consultation, call (469) 998-4069 or fill out one of our online contact forms today.
High-Performance Bikes
A small percentage of motorcycles are high-performance varieties, and they make up a large portion of accident-related vehicles. There are two main categories of high-performance bikes:
- Supersport motorcycles
- Sport motorcycles
Supersport bikes are made on racing platforms before being adjusted for road use. Supersport motorcycles can travel up to 160 miles per hour and are very light. Young riders are most likely to own these types of bikes, which might encourage speeding and other reckless behaviors.
Sport motorcycles have a lower power-to-weight ratio than supersport motorcycles, but they are still owned by younger riders overall.
Bad Road or Weather Conditions
Poor road or weather conditions are riskier for bikers compared to other drivers. Examples of adverse conditions might include:
- Ice, rain, snow, or sleet
- Potholes
- Uneven pavement
- Dead animals
- Debris
- Slick pavement
If a motorcycle rider is not careful enough — which includes watching for and avoiding dangerous road conditions — they can cause an accident that injuries other drivers.
Younger Motorcyclists
Research has shown that motorcyclists in their first year of riding are at a higher risk of getting into an accident. Younger bikers are also more likely to get into severe accidents because they tend to be more reckless and less experienced. That being said, the number of older riders have increased significantly in recent years.
How to Build a Negligent Motorcycle Accident Claim
If a motorcycle rider caused your accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your damages. You can do this by filing a personal injury claim with the motorcyclist’s insurance company.
To have a successful motorcycle accident claim, you’ll need to prove that:
- The motorcycle rider owed you a duty of care.
- The motorcycle rider breached their duty of care.
- The breached duty caused your accident.
- You suffered injuries and other damages because of the accident.
All drivers, including motorcycle riders, on Dallas roads have a duty to drive safely and not cause harm. If a motorcyclist performs a careless action, it’s a form of negligence. The rider’s negligence means they have breached their duty of care, which makes them at-fault if their negligence caused your accident.
Proving that the motorcycle rider caused your accident is not an easy feat. You will need to gather evidence from the accident and evidence of your damages. Thankfully, a Dallas negligent motorcycle rider accident lawyer can help you obtain the most essential information for your claim.
Motorcycle Accident Damages You Can Claim
Your injury claim will need to include proof of your accident damages, such as:
- Medical bills
- Prescription medications
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Save all medical records, receipts, and other evidence of your losses. Your lawyer will need to help calculate the value of your pain and suffering damages, which don’t have a clear dollar value.
Talk to a Dallas Negligent Motorcycle Rider Accident Lawyer for Free Today
Get help with your personal injury claim after a negligent motorcycle rider caused your accident. We can assist you in building a strong insurance claim and fighting for the compensation you deserve. To get a FREE consultation to learn more, call us at (469) 998-4069 or contact us online today.
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