El Paso Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Common Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents

The list of injuries you might suffer from a motorcycle crash is infinite and can range in severity from minor to severe. Because motorcycles are not equipped with seatbelts or airbags, more often than not, injuries are catastrophic. Being thrown from the bike in a collision can result in devastating injuries and even death.

Many motorcycle injuries are common in other motor vehicles and bikes. However, some are more unique to motorcycle accidents.

Motorcycle accident injuries include:

• Road rash,
• Severe lacerations,
• Burns,
• Multiple compound fractures,
• Neck and back injuries,
• Internal bleeding,
• Spinal cord injuries, and
• Loss of limbs.

What might be a minor rear-end fender bender between two cars can be devastating in a motorcycle collision. Even a minor crash can result in permanent injuries.

You may be entitled to compensation if you suffered minor, temporary injuries or severe life-altering trauma. An El Paso motorcycle accident lawyer can help you determine your legal options.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Often, motorcycle accidents require a thorough investigation to determine the cause. Other drivers, responding law enforcement, and insurance companies quickly blame the motorcycle rider for the crash. However, other factors and individuals are commonly responsible for the wreck.

While there are many potential causes of any motor vehicle crash, including a motorcycle accident, three common causes exist.

Other Driver Negligence

The most common cause of motorcycle accidents is other drivers’ negligence. Car, truck, and bus drivers pose a significant danger to cyclists they share the road with if they engage in negligent or reckless conduct.

The driver may leave the accident unscathed while the motorcyclist suffers severe consequences.

Driver negligence can include an array of conduct and actions, such as:

• Driving while intoxicated (alcohol or drugs),
• Aggressive and reckless driving,
• Speeding,
• Talking on the phone while driving,
• Texting and driving,
• Unsafe lane change and
• Failing to obey traffic signals (e.g., running a red light).

The negative stigma surrounding motorcycles can lead to a general lack of respect and awareness for them on the road, posing an exceptional danger to riders and the public.

Poorly Maintained Roads

Poorly maintained roads can pose a danger to any motor vehicle but are particularly significant to motorcycles. Potholes, uneven pavement, and poorly lit roads can be catastrophic to a motorcyclist. If a municipality, county, or state fails to maintain the streets in a safe condition, it could be liable for injuries resulting from a motorcycle accident.

Motorcycle Manufacturing Defect or Malfunction

Although on a smaller scale than the average car, motorcycles comprise many different working and moving parts. If a motorcycle is manufactured with a defective or malfunctioning part, it can lead to a loss of control and, ultimately, a crash.

For example, if the motorcycle has a defective fuel line or the brakes malfunction while riding, it can be disastrous to the rider. If this occurs, the manufacturer or the bike and defective part can be held liable for your injuries.

What to Do After an El Paso Motorcycle Accident

After the initial shock, adrenaline, and trauma wear off from the accident, you may be wondering what to do next. It can be overwhelming trying to figure out your next steps when you are drowning in medical bills, unable to work, and trying to heal from mental and physical trauma. Here are three steps to guide you in those moments, weeks, and months after a crash.

Seek & Continue Medical Attention

You likely required emergency medical services immediately after the accident, including an EMS response and emergency room care. However, regardless of whether you sought emergency treatment, you should always be seen by a physician. Underlying injuries can creep up days and even weeks after the accident.

It is just as essential to continue with medical treatment prescribed by your doctors.

This can include:

• Primary care services (i.e., your family doctor),
• Radiology and other diagnostic services,
• Orthopedic treatment,
• Physical and occupational therapy,
• Chiropractic care,
• Pharmaceutical services, and
• Surgery.

Keep a detailed and organized record of all medical treatment you receive to ensure an accurate claim for damages later.

Document and Gather Evidence from the Accident

Depending on the severity of the accident and your injuries, if you are physically capable, you should document what you can at the scene. Even snapping some photos of the vehicle and bike damage, your injuries, and the road conditions can be conducive later.

Don’t worry if you cannot document it in real time because of your injury. We can further assist you in gathering what you need to pursue a claim.

We can assist you in obtaining the following:

• The police and accident report,
• Witness information,
• Nearby video surveillance,
• Insurance information and
• Weather and road conditions at the time of the crash.

While the events are still fresh, it is good to write down what you remember from before, during, and after the accident. This information and recollection can be helpful later.

Our El Paso motorcycle accident attorney can help you fill in any missing pieces and collect necessary evidence later.

Consult an El Paso Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Once you get past the initial shock and trauma of the accident, it is time to think about your legal recourse. Your injuries can financially, physically, and mentally hurt you for years to come. You are entitled to justice for the crash’s negative impacts on your life.

Even if you are unsure if you want to pursue a civil lawsuit, consult an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to preserve your rights. You generally only have two years from the date of your accident to bring a claim; otherwise, you may lose your right to compensation altogether. We can guide you.

Available Motorcycle Accident Damages

One of the most frequently asked questions we receive as El Paso motorcycle accident lawyers is, “How much compensation can I receive for my motorcycle accident?” The short answer is it depends on several factors, including:

• The severity of your injuries and whether they are temporary or permanent,
• Insurance policy limits,
• Who the defendants are (i.e., individual vs. company), and
• Applicable Texas law.

If your case is successful, you may be able to recover two types of damages: compensatory and punitive. Compensatory damages reimburse the victim for their economic and non-economic losses. These can include:

• Past and anticipated medical expenses,
• Past and future lost wages,
• Inability to earn,
• Pain and suffering,
• Mental anguish and
• Motorcycle repair or replacement.

Punitive damages, otherwise known as exemplary damages, are meant to punish or make an example out of a defendant for their horrific conduct rather than compensate the victim for their losses. Punitive damages are awarded only in situations of extraordinarily negligent or malice conduct by the defendant.

El Paso Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Rated by Super Lawyers and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, our El Paso motorcycle accident lawyers are seasoned attorneys experienced in serious injury cases. If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle wreck, you deserve justice and compensation. Let our team help you. Contact us today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.