Have you been injured in a motorcycle accident in Austin, Texas? You may be entitled to significant compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Heaton McLean Personal Injury Lawyers can help you seek the money you deserve. Call (512) 503-4878 for a free consultation with an Austin motorcycle accident lawyer.
Our legal team has more than 32 years of combined experience representing injured Texans. We’ve recovered millions of dollars for clients and know how to stand up to insurance companies and negligent drivers.
Contact us today to get started, and let us take over the legal burden of seeking justice and accountability. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you only pay attorney’s fees if we win.
Why Choose Heaton McLean Personal Injury Lawyers After a Motorcycle Accident in Austin, TX?
After a motorcycle crash in Austin, TX, you need a lawyer who understands both the legal and personal challenges you face. At Heaton McLean Personal Injury Lawyers, our commitment to clients goes beyond the courtroom; we fight to help you rebuild your life.
Here’s what sets our Austin personal injury lawyers apart:
- With over 32 years of combined experience, our attorneys bring veteran insights into every case.
- We have recovered millions for injury victims, including cases involving catastrophic crashes.
- We treat each client with the dedication they deserve. We’ll take the time to listen to your story, answer your questions, and keep you informed about your case.
- We prepare every case for trial to maximize results and ensure we’re ready for anything.
Call us today to schedule a free consultation with an Austin motorcycle accident attorney. We’re here to guide you and put you on the path to recovery.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Austin
Motorcycle crashes in Austin happen for many reasons. Most are the result of preventable negligence. Common causes include:
- Distracted driving, such as texting, phone use, or in-car distractions.
- Failure to yield to motorcyclists at intersections or when changing lanes.
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Opening car doors (dooring accidents)
- Defective roads or infrastructure, including potholes, poor signage, and unsafe road designs
In many cases, accidents have more than one cause. Our attorneys conduct thorough investigations to determine the true cause of your crash and identify all responsible parties who owe you compensation.
What Injuries Do Motorcyclists Sustain in Accidents in Austin?
Unlike drivers in passenger cars, motorcyclists are fully exposed to the force of impact during a collision. This lack of protection means a minor collision can cause severe and fatal injuries, even when wearing helmets. Common motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries leading to partial or complete paralysis.
- Broken bones and fractures
- Road rash and soft tissue injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Amputations
Riders often face long recovery periods and permanent changes to their lives. Such injuries are not only painful but also financially devastating, often involving extensive medical costs, rehabilitation, and lost earning capacity.
What Is My Austin Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?
Every case is unique, and there is no set formula to determine how much your motorcycle accident claim is worth. Several factors will influence the value of your case, including:
- The Severity of your Injuries: More serious injuries generally lead to higher compensation.
- Medical Costs: Both current bills and anticipated future treatment are considered.
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: Compensation may include both time missed from work and reduced future earning potential.
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain and emotional trauma are also factored into damages.
- Property Damage: Repair or replacement costs for your motorcycle.
- Shared Fault: Your compensation may be reduced if you’re found partially at fault.
- Available Insurance Coverages: Applicable policies may impact how much compensation you’re eligible for (and from whom).
The best way to determine the value of your case is to speak with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Austin. We can help you estimate the value of your case and even consult with experts to assess your long-term damages.
What Types of Compensation Can I Recover After a Motorcycle Accident?
Injured riders may be entitled to recover several categories of damages. Economic Damages cover direct financial losses, including medical bills, lost wages, future treatment costs, and property damage.
Non-economic damages account for intangible losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement.
Wrongful death damages may be available after fatal accidents to cover a loved one’s medical and funeral expenses and provide compensation for your loss of support. In rare cases, Texas courts may also award punitive damages if the at-fault driver acted with gross negligence, such as driving drunk.
What if I’m Partially at Fault for My Motorcycle Accident in Texas?
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means your compensation can be reduced if you are found partially responsible for causing the crash.
For example, if you are awarded $100,000 but determined to be 20% at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $80,000. However, if you are found 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover anything at all.
Insurance companies often try to use this rule to their advantage by shifting blame onto motorcyclists. Adjusters may argue that you were speeding, weaving through traffic, or not wearing visible gear to reduce or deny your claim. An experienced Austin motorcycle accident lawyer can push back against these tactics and ensure you receive full compensation.
Proving Negligence in a Texas Motorcycle Accident Case
To recover compensation after a motorcycle crash in Texas, you must show that another party’s negligence caused your accident.
This typically involves proving four key elements:
- Duty of Care: The other driver had a legal obligation to operate their vehicle responsibly and follow traffic laws.
- Breach of Duty: They violated that duty by driving carelessly, recklessly, or unlawfully.
- Causation: Their actions directly caused the collision and your resulting injuries.
- Damages: You suffered measurable harm, such as medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
Meeting these elements requires strong, persuasive evidence.
Our legal team builds compelling cases using resources such as:
- Official police accident reports
- Eyewitness testimony
- Photos and video footage of the crash scene
- Medical records and expert evaluations
- Cell phone data, vehicle black box data, and traffic camera recordings
- Testimony from accident reconstruction specialists
We can help you present the evidence needed to prove liability and hold negligent drivers accountable.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Austin?
At Heaton McLean Personal Injury Lawyers, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing up front to hire an attorney. Instead, your lawyer only collects a fee if they successfully recover compensation for you, either through a settlement or a jury verdict. The fee is typically a percentage of the recovery, agreed upon at the start of representation.
This arrangement ensures that injured riders can access high-quality legal representation even when facing other costs like medical bills. We offer contingency fees in all personal injury cases.
What is the Texas Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accident Claims?
Texas has deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits. For most motorcycle accident cases, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. If the accident was fatal, you’ll have two years from the rider’s death to initiate a wrongful death lawsuit.
Missing this deadline can bar you from recovering compensation, no matter how strong your case may be. While there are limited exceptions that may extend or shorten the time to file, you shouldn’t rely on them. It’s important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after a crash to identify the deadlines and comply with them before it’s too late.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Austin
The steps you take immediately after a crash can make a big difference in your safety and your legal case.
If you’re able, you should:
- Seek medical attention right away: Even if you feel fine, some injuries don’t show symptoms immediately.
- Call the police: An official accident report will be important evidence for your claim.
- Document the scene: Take photos of your injuries, the vehicles, road conditions, and anything else relevant.
- Gather information: Collect contact and insurance details from the other driver, as well as names and numbers of witnesses.
- Avoid admitting fault: Even casual statements can be used against you later.
You should also contact a motorcycle accident lawyer right away. The sooner you involve an attorney, the better they can guard your rights and protect you from mistakes that could hurt your claim.
Contact an Austin Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today for Help
Motorcycle accidents can leave you facing painful injuries, financial strain, and an uncertain future. You don’t have to go through this alone. At Heaton McLean Personal Injury Lawyers, our attorneys bring over 32 years of combined experience and a proven record of recovering millions of dollars for injury victims in Texas.
We know the unique challenges motorcyclists face after a crash, from biased insurers to complicated medical recoveries. Our mission is to fight for the justice and financial stability you need to move forward.
Call today to schedule a free consultation with an Austin motorcycle accident lawyer. We’ll listen to your story, explain your options, and help you pursue the compensation you’re entitled to under Texas law.