Fort Worth Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Motorcycle accidents can result in serious injuries to the victim. This is due to the fact that a rider is no match for an oncoming car. Such cases can result in serious injuries and lifelong harm to the victim. When this occurs then it is important that one take immediate steps to protect their rights. Retaining an experienced attorney can be one of those steps. The personal injury attorneys of Noteboom – The Law Firm focus exclusively on assisting those who have been harmed by another. If you or a loved one are in need of assistance then contact our office today to speak with a Fort Worth motorcycle accident lawyer.

Motorcycle accident attorneys assisting DFW area victims

Motorcycle accidents can result in catastrophic injuries to a victim. Such harm may include traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and even wrongful death. These types of cases can often include disputes over liability as a defendant may claim that the motorcyclist was riding erratically, that they failed to signal before changing lanes, or that they were riding too close to a lane marker. A defendant may also attempt to claim that they should not be liable for a victim’s injuries if they were not wearing a helmet. This can occur even if a helmet was not required under Texas law.

The victim of an accident should seek immediate medical attention. It is important to then retain an attorney as soon as possible. Counsel will contact the insurance company for the at fault driver and inform them of the representation. They will also stay in contact with the victim while they are receiving medical treatment. Once one has a better estimate of their long-term prognosis then a settlement demand will be sent to the insurer. The insurer will typically make a counter-offer and the two sides will engage in negotiation. If a settlement cannot be reached then a lawsuit will be filed. Comparative fault will often be a key issue in these types of cases.

An injury victim may be entitled to compensation for the economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include past and future lost wages, past and future medical bills, and reimbursement for other money expended as a result of the injury. Non-economic damages include payment for emotional distress, scarring, pain endured, and the overall reduction in one’s quality of life. If the jury finds that a victim was partially at fault for the accident then any compensation will be reduced by the extent to which the jury believes that they are to blame. If, however, the jurors believe that the victim was at least fifty-one percent responsible for the accident then they will be barred from recovery.

Our Fort Worth motorcycle accident attorneys pride themselves on providing a high level of representation. Once retained, we will immediately contact the defendant’s insurer. If the insurer attempts to deny liability, or does not make a fair offer, then we are prepared to initiate a lawsuit. We will retain any necessary experts in order to establish your damages. Also, we are experienced in handling matters before a jury and will make the best possible arguments against any claims of comparative fault. Chuck Noteboom and Brian Butcher are Board Certified in Personal Injury Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. We bring this level of experience and representation to each and every case we handle. Contact us online or by telephone to schedule an initial consultation.

Fort Worth attorneys with the resources necessary to handle motorcycle accidents

It is important to select an injury lawyer with significant resources when you are selecting a lawyer to handle a motorcycle wreck. If liability is disputed then it may be necessary to retain an expert known as an “accident reconstructionist” so that they may testify before the jury. It may also be necessary to retain vocational medical experts. These various professionals can be expensive and your attorney will pay these costs up front, with the potential of not being reimbursed. Retaining a firm without meaningful resources may, unfortunately, result in a case not being given the attention it needs.

In addition to having multiple attorneys, our firm also has the financial resources needed to litigate against insurance companies. This is part of the quality representation which we provide. In addition to Texas’ greater DFW area, we also handle matters in Arlington, Austin, Denton, Frisco, Irving, Lufkin, Garland, Houston, McKinney, Richardson, San Antonio, and the rest of the state.

Common questions in motorcycle accident cases

How do Texas’ helmet laws impact motorcycle accidents?

Texas law requires all motorcycle operators and passengers under 21 to wear protective headgear. Riders 21 and older can qualify for an exception if they have completed a safety course or are covered by medical insurance for motorcycle accident injuries. With that said, defendants are permitted to argue that the lack of a helmet contributed to a victim’s injuries. This means, for example, that if one suffers a serious brain injury then the jury is permitted to consider whether the failure to wear a helmet is what caused the injury.

How does comparative fault impact a motorcycle accident?

Texas prohibits a Plaintiff from recovering damages if they are found to be at least fifty-one percent responsible for an accident. If they are less than fifty-one percent responsible, however, then they may recover damages. Any award will be reduced by their share of fault.

How long does it take to settle a motorcycle accident case?

Motorcycle accidents may take longer to settle than some other types of matters. This is due to the fact that insurance adjusters may be more likely to dispute liability or to attempt to challenge the victim’s damages. The Plaintiff’s attorney will give an honest assessment as to when the best time is to request or reject a settlement.