I Have Been Hurt in a Motorcycle Accident – Do I Need an Attorney?

In Texas, more than one million motorcycles are registered. In 2020, at least one motorcyclist died in a roadway accident every single day. There were 7,481 motorcycle accidents in which 482 motorcycle riders were killed and another 1,856 were severely injured. At Springer & Lyle, we want to help you understand why you need an attorney to help you collect for your damages.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Almost all collisions of motorcycles with other vehicles are caused by the negligence of car and truck drivers. Some common causes are:

• Drivers simply do not see the motorcycle.
• Drivers misjudge the motorcycle’s distance and speed.
• Motorcycles appear farther away than they really are.
• Nearly one-third of all motorcycle accidents occur at intersections when a vehicle is turning left and broadsides a motorcycle because the vehicle driver did not see it coming.
• Distracted drivers change lanes without seeing the motorcycle.
• A driver of a parked car opens the car door without looking, causing a motorcyclist to ram into the door.

Motorcycle Accidents Result in Severe Injuries to the Motorcyclist

The average motorcycle weighs about 700 pounds. When rammed into by a 3,000-pound automobile or 10,000-pound, even the most protected motorcycle rider is likely to die or suffer a life-changing injury. Some of the most common injuries are:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI). This injury often happens even to a rider or passenger who is wearing a helmet.
• Broken bones. The natural reflex of riders is to put their foot down on the ground to try and keep the motorcycle upright and reach out their arm to help stop their fall. This results in broken legs, broken shoulders, broken arms, and even broken backs.
• Road rash. This can be severe as the skin is burned or ripped off as a rider slides across the roadway.
• Internal injuries and organ damage due to the impact of the vehicle on the motorcyclist’s body.

Why You Need an Attorney

To collect for your damages, you must prove the driver who hit you was at fault for the accident. Then, you must prove that the injuries you suffered in the motorcycle accident were caused by the accident. This is often more difficult than it sounds, and you need the help of an experienced and skilled attorney to help you.

The personal injury attorneys at Springer & Lyle can help you obtain the reasonable compensation you are entitled for your injuries, lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, permanent impairment, and other physical damage. Contact us at 940.387.0404 for a free consultation.