Dallas Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Pursuing Justice for Injured Motorcyclists in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

There’s nothing quite like hitting the open road on your motorcycle. While it can be freeing and fulfilling to take your bike out for a spin, it’s important to remember that motorcyclists are more exposed than other motorists on the road, making them more vulnerable in a crash. With approximately 1.3 motorcyclists killed every day on Texas roads, even the most experienced riders can find themselves in unexpected accidents, making it crucial to seek sound counsel from a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. 

At J. Alexander Law Firm, we know the last thing you need after a wrongful injury is additional stress. That’s why our Dallas motorcycle accident attorneys are committed to holding liable parties accountable for inflicting life-altering harm on the lives of motorcyclists and their families in Dallas. With a proven track record of results and over $10 million recovered for clients in DFW, you can trust our trial lawyers to protect your rights while advocating for the maximum compensation you deserve.

Injured in a Dallas motorcycle accident? Don’t pay the price for someone else’s negligence. Call (214) 206-3264 to schedule a complimentary case evaluation. 

What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcycle accidents can happen for a wide range of reasons. Most of the time, these crashes occur due to errors made by other drivers, not the motorcyclist. Common causes of motorcycle accidents include: 

• Distracted driving: Driving while texting, calling, eating, drinking, fiddling with the radio or temperature settings, or engaging in other distractions can make it difficult to notice motorcyclists on the road, increasing the risk of accidents. 
• Drunk driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol impairs judgment, making it difficult for motorists to judge the distance and speed of a motorcycle. 
• Traffic violations: Disregarding traffic laws not only leads to unsafe driving, but endangers everyone on the road, especially motorcyclists who are hard to spot. Common violations that lead to motorcycle accidents include running red lights, speeding, driving recklessly, illegal lane changes, and failure to yield. 
• Failure to yield on left turns: One of the most frequent causes of motorcycle accidents is when a driver makes a left-hand turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle, often misjudging its speed or simply not seeing it.
• Following too closely: Tailgating is particularly dangerous for motorcyclists because they may need to stop suddenly. When drivers don't leave enough space, rear-end collisions can occur, which can be devastating for a motorcyclist.
• Changing lanes without checking blind spots: Motorcycles can easily be missed in a driver’s blind spots. Negligent drivers who fail to check their mirrors or blind spots before changing lanes can sideswipe or cut off motorcyclists.
• Opening car Doors without looking ("dooring"): When a driver of a parked car opens their door without checking for approaching motorcycles, they can cause a collision, especially in city traffic.
• Road hazards: While potholes, debris, and other hazards can be dangerous for any vehicle, poorly maintained roadways are especially dangerous to motorcycles, who only have two wheels to navigate unexpected obstacles or conditions.

Understanding the Modified Comparative Negligence Rule in Texas

Texas follows the modified comparative negligence rule in injury lawsuits. This means that even if you are partially to blame for the accident, you can still seek compensation as long as you bear less than 51% of the fault. If your share is more than half, you won’t be eligible to recover damages. 

If the court determines you to be partially at fault for the accident, the total damages will be reduced by your specific share of the fault. For example, if you are 10% at fault for a claim totaling $100,000 in damages, you may only recover $90,000 in compensation (10% less than the original amount). 

Can I File a Motorcycle Accident Claim if I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet?

Under Texas law, all motorcyclists under the age of 21 are required to wear a helmet. However, even lawful riders who are 21 and older can face challenges in court if they weren’t wearing a helmet when the accident occurred. In some cases, insurance companies may attempt to pin undue blame on the victim in hopes of avoiding a fair payout. This is why securing high-quality representation is critical, especially in claims involving multiple liable parties. 

Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries due to the lack of protection between the rider and the surrounding road. Common injuries in motorcycle accidents include: 

• Road rash: For motorcyclists without high-quality protective gear, road rash is a very common injury. It occurs when skin makes contact with the pavement, resulting in severe abrasions. While these injuries can range from mild to severe, any type of road rash requires immediate medical attention to prevent dangerous  infections and permanent scarring. 
• Amputation: Due to the lack of protection between a motorcyclist and the road, collisions with vehicles and heavy objects can result in loss of limbs. This type of injury can have lifelong consequences and require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
• Internal injuries: Motorcyclists have very little protection from the road around them, making riders more susceptible to internal injuries after being ejected from their motorcycles in a crash. This can lead to devastating internal injuries, including organ damage and hemorrhaging due to blunt force trauma. 
• Spinal cord injuries: Motorcycle accident injuries can lead to spinal cord injuries and even permanent paralysis, resulting in lifelong pain, disabilities, and health challenges for many riders.  
• Broken bones and fractures: Injured motorcyclists commonly sustain broken bones and fractures due to their legs getting caught under the bike or using their arms and wrists to break their fall. This can lead to expensive surgeries, lengthy recovery periods, and even permanent disabilities for some riders. 
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Even motorcyclists with helmets can sustain traumatic brain injuries in crashes. In a group of over 104,000 motorcyclists, the NHTSA determined that 21% of riders not wearing helmets and 15% of riders with helmets suffered traumatic brain injuries. Additionally, brain injuries were the cause of death in over half of fatal crashes.

High-impact collisions with other motor vehicles can result in significant harm to motorcyclists. While car collisions can also lead to serious injuries, motorcyclists are significantly more vulnerable. In many cases, the motorcyclist isn’t even to blame for the accident, making it crucial to know your rights and seek sound counsel as soon as possible after a crash. 

Proving Liability in a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit

In a motorcycle accident lawsuit, suffering an injury isn’t enough to recover damages. Proving liability vital to recovering a fair settlement. That’s where a knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorney in Dallas can make all the difference. To recover damages, you must establish four key elements: 

1. The defendant owed you a duty of care. 
2. The defendant breached their duty by acting negligently. 
3. The defendant’s negligence directly caused your injuries.
4. You suffered compensatory harm (“damages”) as a result. 

In most cases, the opposing party’s insurance company has one goal: To protect its bottom line. Typically, insurance companies offer victims the lowest amount of money possible, making it crucial to work with a motorcycle accident lawyer in Dallas who can help you meet the standard of proof in your case by gathering evidence and negotiating with opposing counsel. If the insurer refuses to budge from a lowballed offer, your lawyer can take your case to trial if necessary to pursue fair compensation.     

Bias Against Injured Riders

One of the most pervasive challenges motorcyclists face is the prejudice they encounter from insurance companies, juries, and even law enforcement. Many people assume motorcyclists are reckless or inherently dangerous drivers, even if the rider was following the law. This bias can influence how a claim is handled, how fault is determined, and ultimately how much compensation the motorcyclist receives.

Insurance companies may use this bias to argue that the motorcyclist was partially or fully responsible for the accident, even when the evidence doesn't support that claim.

Insurers often employ the following tactics to reduce or deny motorcycle accident claims:

• Lowball settlement offers: Insurers may offer quick settlements that don’t cover the full extent of the victim’s injuries and losses.
• Disputing medical treatment: Insurers often challenge the necessity or cost of medical treatments, or claim that the motorcyclist's injuries were pre-existing.
• Delay tactics: Insurers may delay processing claims to frustrate victims, in the hope they will settle for less or drop the claim.

Do I Need to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer? 

Motorcycle accident lawsuits can be long and arduous, leading to additional stress for victims and their loved ones during their recovery period. While it may be tempting to cut costs by forgoing your right to legal representation, hiring a qualified motorcycle accident lawyer is essential to hold responsible parties accountable and seek compensation for your injuries. Seeking high-quality representation can be advantageous for many reasons, including: 

• To cover costs: While hiring a lawyer may seem expensive, forgoing your right to a lawyer can cost you far more in the long run. The average motorcycle accident can cost thousands of dollars just for basic healthcare—a high price tag to get back on your feet after an accident that wasn’t your fault. Even if you were lucky enough to walk away from the motorcycle accident with minimal injuries, the road to recovery can still have life-altering consequences, leaving you unable to work while accruing medical bills and everyday living expenses. 
• To seek a fair settlement: While it’s possible to recover some financial compensation without legal representation, the chance of receiving a just settlement is very slim. Insurance companies have a reputation for taking advantage of plaintiffs and pushing lowballed settlements to avoid fair payouts, robbing you of the justice you deserve. Having a skilled lawyer on your side can motivate opposing parties to take your claim seriously while knowing your rights are safeguarded at every step. 
• To reduce stress: Recovering from an unexpected injury can leave victims in a great deal of pain and take a substantial toll on their physical, emotional, and financial well-being. By seeking sound counsel, you can minimize stress during your recovery while your attorney takes the lead in the claims process, negotiations, and other legal matters related to your case, allowing you to focus on healing. 
• To prove fault: Being injured in a motorcycle crash isn’t sufficient to recover compensation. Your lawyer can improve your chance of obtaining a successful outcome by helping you navigate the legal complexities of your claim, gathering evidence to establish negligence, and representing your best interests in litigation if your case ends up going to trial. 
• To win a fair settlement: While a modest settlement might cover immediate economic losses, you deserve full financial coverage for all losses incurred in the accident. Your lawyer can conduct an in-depth analysis of your claim to identify responsible parties, calculate all available damages, and pursue maximum compensation by negotiating effectively on your behalf. 

Diligently Advocating for Injured Texans in DFW

At J. Alexander Law Firm, our Dallas motorcycle accident lawyers are dedicated to serving our community by preventing greedy insurers from taking advantage of fellow Texans in need. If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle accident, consulting with a qualified attorney is paramount to recovering fair compensation. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Dallas are well-versed in personal injury law and have recovered millions of dollars for clients who were once in your shoes, giving you peace of mind that your rights are protected at every turn. When you partner with our firm, you’ll put years of experience in your corner while receiving personalized representation tailored to your unique circumstances. 

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, time is of the essence. Contact us online by calling (214) 206-3264 to discuss your case and learn how our Dallas motorcycle accident lawyer can help you pursue justice.