Houston Motorcycle Accident Attorney

How much are most motorcycle accident settlements?

Motorcycle accident settlements in Houston vary significantly based on multiple factors, but they typically range from tens of thousands to several million dollars. Such a wide range exists because motorcycle accidents have the potential to cause such a wide range of injuries, from scratches and bruises to catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. 

Some key factors that will determine the size of your motorcycle accident settlement include:

 The insurance coverage available also plays a huge role in settlement amounts. Commercial vehicles and well-insured drivers typically provide higher policy limits, while underinsured motorists may limit recovery options.

How to choose the best motorcycle accident lawyer?

Picking the right motorcycle accident attorney is one of the most important decisions you'll make following your crash. Because not all Houston car accident lawyers have the specialized experience to take on motorcycle crashes, the lawyer you choose will likely significantly impact both your recovery process and your final settlement amount.

These, in our opinion, are some essential qualifications for Houston motorcycle lawyers:

• Specialized experience in motorcycle cases. Look for attorneys who specifically handle motorcycle accidents rather than general personal injury lawyers. Motorcycle cases involve unique legal issues, insurance complications, and bias challenges that require specialized expertise. 

• Track record of success. Review the attorney's history of settlements and verdicts in accident cases. Ask about their experience with cases similar to yours and their success rate in achieving favorable outcomes. Client testimonials and case results can provide valuable insights into any attorney's effectiveness.

• Willingness to litigate. Insurance companies often offer lower settlements to attorneys they know won't take cases to trial. Choose a lawyer with proven trial experience who isn't afraid to fight for you in court when necessary. This reputation often leads to better settlement offers during negotiations.

• Resources and investigation capabilities. Motorcycle accident cases require thorough investigation, often involving accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and economic specialists. Make sure your attorney has the resources and network to build a comprehensive case on your behalf before hiring them.

• Communication and personal attention. Your attorney should be accessible, responsive to your questions, and able to explain complex legal concepts clearly. Your attorney should be an important resource during this challenging time, so choose someone who demonstrates genuine care for your situation.

What’s the legal process after a motorcycle crash like?

We know that the aftermath of a crash contains a lot of questions and very few answers. Knowing what to expect can both help you make the right decisions and help you prepare for the road ahead. 

1. Initial investigation and case evaluation. This includes gathering police reports, interviewing witnesses, obtaining medical records, and analyzing the accident scene. 

2. Medical treatment and documentation. Continuing medical treatment is just as important for your recovery as it is for your personal injury claim. Proper medical documentation creates a clear link between the accident and your injuries, supporting your claim for damages. Jose Calderon will connect you with medical providers who can get you the treatment you need.

3. Insurance communications and negotiations. Your attorney handles all communications with insurance companies, protecting you from making statements that could harm your case — and from initial lowball offers.

4. Filing suit and discovery process. If settlement negotiations fail to produce adequate offers, your attorney may file a lawsuit to protect your rights and continue pursuing fair compensation. 

5. Trial preparation and court proceedings. If your case proceeds to trial, your attorney will prepare witnesses, organize evidence, and present your case to a jury. Having an experienced trial attorney like Jose Calderon helps make sure you're protected throughout the trial process.

The timeline for motorcycle accident cases can vary from several months to several years, depending on factors like injury severity, case complexity, and the defendants' willingness to negotiate fairly.

Continue reading: How long do car accident settlements take?

Common causes of motorcycle accidents

Motorcycle accidents are generally caused by other drivers' failure to see motorcycles or respect their rights on the road.

Some of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents in Houston that we see at Calderon Law Firm include:

• Lane change accidents involving drivers changing lanes without checking blind spots, failing to signal lane changes appropriately, aggressive driving and unsafe lane changes, and following too closely before changing lanes.

• Rear-end collisions, including distracted driving leading to failure to stop, following motorcycles too closely, sudden braking situations, and poor weather conditions affecting visibility.

• Intersection accidents involving running red lights or stop signs, rolling through stop signs without complete stops, failing to yield right-of-way to motorcycles, or blocked views from other vehicles or structures.

• Road hazard incidents, including poor road maintenance creating dangerous conditions, construction zones with inadequate warnings, debris in roadways not being properly cleared, and defective road design or construction.

These accident scenarios often result from other drivers' negligence, creating strong foundations for motorcycle accident claims.

Common injuries in motorcycle accident cases

Motorcycle accidents frequently result in severe injuries due to riders' exposure and vulnerability during crashes. Understanding these common injury patterns helps illustrate why motorcycle accident settlements often involve substantial damages and long-term medical care needs.

Head and brain injuries

Despite helmet laws and safety equipment, head injuries are among the most serious consequences of motorcycle accidents. Traumatic brain injuries can range from concussions to severe brain damage requiring lifelong care. Even with proper helmet use, the force of impact in motorcycle accidents can cause significant head trauma.

Spinal cord and back injuries

The impact of motorcycle accidents often affects the spine, potentially causing herniated discs requiring surgery, spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis, compression fractures in vertebrae, or chronic back pain affecting daily activities.

Extremity injuries

Arms, legs, hands, and feet frequently suffer damage in motorcycle crashes, resulting in complex fractures requiring multiple surgeries, road rash causing permanent scarring, crush injuries from vehicle impact, and amputations in severe accidents.

Internal injuries

The force of motorcycle accidents can cause internal organ damage, including internal bleeding requiring emergency surgery, rib fractures puncturing lungs, abdominal injuries affecting digestive organs, and cardiac injuries from chest impact.*

Psychological trauma

Beyond physical injuries, motorcycle accidents often cause lasting emotional effects like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety about riding or driving, depression related to lifestyle changes and losing the freedom to ride, and sleep disorders affecting recovery.

The severe and long-term effects related to common motorcycle accident injuries shows why motorcycle accident settlements are regularly worth so much: they often involve substantial medical expenses and long-term care needs.

*Continue reading: What to do about chest pain after a car accident

Am I required to wear a helmet on a motorcycle? What if I wasn’t wearing one?

Texas motorcycle helmet laws actually do impact injured motorcycle riders and their personal injury claims. First, let’s clear up who has to wear a helmet on a motorcycle in Texas. 

Texas requires motorcycle helmets for:

• All riders under 21 years of age

• Riders over 21 who don't have the required insurance coverage

• Riders over 21 without motorcycle safety course completion

According to the Texas helmet laws, riders over 21 are not required to wear a helmet if they have adequate insurance coverage and have completed any approved motorcycle safety course. Now, onto the impact on your claim.

Not wearing a helmet when required doesn't automatically prevent you from recovering damages, but it can complicate your case. Insurance companies often argue that failure to wear a helmet contributed to injury severity, in an attempt to reduce settlement amounts under Texas's comparative negligence laws.

There are a few important things that your attorney can use to protect you from these insurance company tactics, namely:

• The other driver's negligence remains the primary cause of the accident

• Helmet use doesn't prevent many types of injuries common in motorcycle accidents

• Expert testimony can demonstrate that helmet use wouldn't have prevented certain head injuries

• Comparative negligence only reduces damages proportionally; it doesn’t eliminate them entirely

The Texas motorcycle helmet laws are just another reason why it’s absolutely necessary to hire a skilled Houston motorcycle accident attorney to help protect you during the claim process. Everyone you’re up against will be trying to protect their bottom line — hire someone who can look after yours.

Is it worth it to hire an accident attorney?

Whether you hire an attorney or not will have a massive impact on your recovery and your final compensation. While you’re not legally required to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer, the complexity and severity of motorcycle accidents often make it necessary to protect your interests. 

An experienced Houston personal injury attorney can change your case in the following ways:

Your attorney is a lot more than just an administrative professional — they’re a support system designed by our legislative system to protect your best interests. This comprehensive support system can not only maximize your financial recovery but can also allow you to focus on your physical and emotional healing during this challenging time.

How much do accident lawyers charge in Texas?

One of the most common concerns for motorcycle accident victims is whether they can afford quality legal representation during an already financially stressful time. This is why Calderon Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis — so that you only pay if we win your case. 

This payment structure provides several important benefits:

• You pay nothing upfront for legal services

• Attorney fees only come from successful settlements or court awards

• If you don't receive compensation, you owe nothing for legal services

Many people worry that hiring an attorney means losing money from their settlement, but this concern reflects a common misconception. The reality is that without quality legal representation, you're likely to receive a significantly lower settlement offer that doesn't come close to fair compensation.

Insurance companies routinely offer lowball settlements to unrepresented accident victims because they know these individuals lack the knowledge and resources to fight for what they truly deserve.

Injured in a motorcycle accident? Jose Calderon can help.

From the moment you contact the Houston motorcycle accident attorneys at Calderon Law Firm, you receive comprehensive support covering all aspects of your case. This includes immediate medical care coordination, thorough accident investigation, aggressive insurance negotiations, and trial-ready preparation.

You'll have direct access to Jose and his team, with regular updates about your case progress and immediate responses to your questions and concerns. Whether you were involved in a motorcycle accident, are looking for a bicycle accident attorney in Houston, or were hit by a truck and need the best Houston truck accident lawyer you can find, Jose Calderon is here to help.

Time is always of the essence in motorcycle claims. Don’t let the clock run out, and don’t let insurance companies minimize your claim. Call Jose Calderon and Calderon Law Firm today at (346) 999-5673 or contact us online for a free consultation and take the first step towards justice.