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Motorcycle Accidents vs. Car Wrecks

Every time someone gets on a motorcycle, they are risking life and limb. Unlike a regular four-wheeled car, a rider travels in the open without the benefit of a shock-absorbing steel and plastic cage surrounding them in an impact. No matter how well designed the motorcycle is or what company manufactured it, the lack of an outer frame is characteristic of all motorcycles. This also explains why collisions between a motorcycle and a car result in more serious injuries and fatalities. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, motorcyclists are far more likely than other motorists to be seriously injured or killed in a crash — a large share of motorcycle wrecks send riders to the emergency room, and far too many prove fatal. For this reason, some riders and transportation experts say motorcycle makers should do more to make their products safer. If you suspect that your motorcycle’s lack of safety features contributed to your crash, that’s another reason to call the San Antonio motorcycle accident attorneys at our law firm to learn all of your legal options.

Civil court cases that involve a motorcycle and a regular passenger vehicle are a little different than the rest. If there are no serious injuries in a traffic accident, most people exchange contact and insurance information and walk away. But some injuries aren’t felt until hours or days later. And even in a minor fender bender, a motorcycle will be damaged, and motorcycle parts can be expensive. It’s in your best interest to gather as much evidence as you can, even if you have to use your cell phone to take pictures at the scene.

Nobody wants to go to the hospital, but motorcycle operators often don’t have a choice because of the severity of their wounds. Many bikers suffer back and neck injuries, which can indicate nerve damage if not tended to immediately. And in those cases where a rider has skin burned away from skidding on the pavement, some have to undergo painful skin grafts and reconstructive surgery — a common outcome when riders don’t wear proper safety gear.

Laws vary from state to state, but in Texas a rider under 21 is required to wear a helmet to protect the head and face. A rider 21 or older may go without a helmet only if they have completed an approved motorcycle safety course or carry qualifying health insurance to cover any injuries. A rider’s face and head aren’t the only parts of the body that need protecting — there are safety shirts and pants with pads built in for the elbows and knees in case they contact the ground. It’s unrealistic to think a rider will never fall or collide with another vehicle. The best approach is to ride like an agile, defensive driver: expect the best, but be prepared for the worst.

To help decrease the number of motorcycle accidents in Texas, motorcycle safety courses are taught at many community colleges and other state agencies. Much like driver’s education courses, these classes teach techniques designed to help riders appreciate their mode of transportation and coexist on the roadways with bigger vehicles without becoming the next blind-spot fatality. You can read more from our motorcycle accident lawyer here.

When Do I Need a Texas Motorcycle Accident Attorney?

If you or someone you love is the victim of a motorcycle accident, it’s in your best interest to consult a competent attorney without delay. Although there are many personal injury lawyers around, few have the credentials our motorcycle accident lawyers do. Our attorneys are experienced, successful courtroom litigators whose reputations speak volumes. Here are some indications that you need to call our law firm:

• If you left the scene of the accident in an ambulance, you may need an attorney.
• If your motorcycle had to be towed or carried away because it couldn’t be driven, you may need an attorney.
• If the other driver was visibly drunk, or there was evidence such as empty beer cans in the other vehicle, you may need an attorney.
• If the police officer gave the other driver a sobriety test, you may need an attorney.
• If the other driver’s insurance agent tried to bully you into signing papers or offered you a settlement right away, you may need an attorney.

There’s more to a good attorney than someone who has passed the bar exam and knows how to decipher law books, so don’t base your choice on who has the best TV commercials. Consider their credentials and their courtroom record. Call us for a free initial consultation.

Texas Motorcycle Road Burn or Road Rash Injury Accidents

Motorcycle accidents range from minor scrapes and bruises to more serious wounds that include spinal cord injuries or skull fractures. Road rash, another name for road burn, can start out as a minor injury but can end with the biker needing a skin graft if the skin does not heal on its own.

Road rash happens when a biker is thrown from the bike and their skin contacts the ground, much the way a baseball player’s does as he slides into a base. Any ground surface, such as rocks or gravel, can cause it. The intensity depends on the crash impact and how long the rider slides. These wounds can be agonizing, and if left untreated, they can worsen and lead to infection much like a burn — at which point reconstructive surgery may be unavoidable.

It’s hard to say whether an injured biker will need one day, one week, or indefinite treatment. Medical bills can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. So when the other driver’s insurance company has to pay those bills, their defense attorneys will do whatever they can to shift the blame onto the victim so they don’t have to pay. You can learn more about how we handle these claims on our San Antonio accident resource page.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact the experienced attorneys at our law firm. If you don’t have an attorney and you don’t know the law, the defense will use that to their advantage and try to get you to accept less than you deserve. Our firm has a reputation as knowledgeable, caring litigators who have won hundreds of cases, and skilled investigative work is what puts us ahead of the competition. If you know, suspect, or have reason to believe the other driver was drunk, you should call now. With more than 34 years of experience and courtroom wins in this area of Texas law, the attorneys at Carabin Shaw are ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (210) 222-2288 for a free consultation.