Amarillo Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Understanding Motorcycle Crashes in Texas

More than 80% of motorcycle accidents result in injury or death of the motorcycle rider, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you face challenges rarely seen in other types of motor vehicle accidents. At Wood Law Firm, LLP, we believe that bikers deserve full and fair compensation, and we are ready to fight for you.

In Texas, motorcyclists encounter unique risks such as unpredictable weather patterns and diverse road conditions, from busy urban areas to remote highways. At Wood Law Firm LLP, we're committed to safeguarding your rights as a rider in Amarillo, providing not only legal representation but also educating our clients on preventative measures and safety practices to help reduce risk when riding. Understanding local traffic laws and statistics can empower you as a motorcyclist to stay safer on the road.

Call Wood Law Firm LLP today at (806) 304-0447 or contact us online and we’ll help you navigate the complexities of your case and fight for the compensation you deserve!

Why Hiring an Amarillo Motorcycle Accident Lawyer is Crucial

The majority of motorcycle accidents involving other vehicles are caused by the other driver—not the motorcyclist. But jurors tend to be biased, still believing that bikers are reckless risk-takers by nature. And the insurance companies know how to play on that misconception.

You need an experienced motorcycle accident attorney on your side to level the playing field. That’s where we come in.

Some of the many challenges you may be facing include:

• Serious or catastrophic bodily injuries
• Lack of witnesses or unreliable witnesses
• No personal memory of your accident due to your injuries
• Jurors who do not ride and do not understand how motorcycle accidents happen
• Bias against bikers that may have affected your treatment at the scene and may influence statements and testimony of law enforcement, EMTs, the other driver, and any witnesses

Detailed investigations and strategic planning are essential steps in our practice. This encompasses collecting every scrap of evidence, interviewing witnesses, obtaining accident reconstructions, and consulting with medical professionals to establish a robust narrative that accurately represents our clients' situations to a jury.

At Wood Law Firm, LLP, we know how to fight back against unjust bias and overcome the many challenges you face. Our goal is to maximize your recovery and help you get back on your feet by securing the full, fair compensation you are owed.

Common Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents are more likely than passenger vehicle accidents to cause severe and catastrophic injuries due to the fact that motorcycle riders do not have the same protections as people in a car, truck, or SUV.

Even with proper motorcycle helmets and other safety gear, motorcyclists are at risk of suffering serious injuries in accidents, including:

Road rash is an often-misunderstood injury. Road rash can be so severe that it is life-threatening. Severe road rash should be treated in a burn unit when possible. Early complications can include infection and sepsis. Severe road rash can cause permanent muscle damage and can even cause amputation of digits or limbs.

Motorcyclists often face longer recovery periods, requiring extensive medical intervention and rehabilitation. This impacts not only their physical health but also their financial stability and emotional well-being. It's crucial that legal claims encompass all aspects of a motorcyclist's recovery, including unseen psychological trauma and lost quality of life, to ensure comprehensive compensation.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Amarillo

Motorcycle accidents in Amarillo can be attributed to a range of factors that often place riders at a higher risk compared to other motorists. One prevalent cause is driver inattention. Many car drivers fail to notice motorcycles, especially when making turns or lane changes. This oversight often results in collisions where the motorcycle rider has limited room to maneuver and avoid impact. Additionally, high-speed roadways like Interstate 40 and U.S. Route 287, which cut through Amarillo, are locales where speeding and aggressive driving exacerbate the danger for motorcyclists.

Weather conditions in Amarillo can also contribute to accidents. Sudden changes in weather, such as high winds and storms common in the Texas Panhandle, can make riding particularly hazardous. These elements reduce visibility and road traction, significantly affecting a motorcycle's stability. At Wood Law Firm LLP, we work diligently to analyze the specific conditions of each accident, ensuring all contributing factors are investigated and presented in our clients' claims.

Understanding Damages in Motorcycle Accident Claims

Due to the severe nature of their injuries, motorcycle accident victims often experience significant economic and non-economic damages.

These might include:

• Emergency medical care
• Ongoing treatments and rehabilitative therapy
• Follow-up care
• Pain management/treatment
• Medications and medical equipment, such as wheelchairs
• Professional in-home care
• Lost income, wages, and other benefits
• Lost earning ability
• Lost future earnings and benefits
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and trauma
• Counseling
• Disfigurement
• Lost quality of life

At Wood Law Firm, LLP, we strive to help our clients recover compensation for all of their damages, including both financial and intangible losses caused by the accident. We know how to take on the insurance company and aggressively advocate for you.

Calculating the full extent of damages involves meticulous assessment of immediate costs and potential long-term needs. Our approach ensures claims cover future medical costs, rehabilitation, necessary modifications to living environments, and ongoing adult care. Each claim should reflect the true impact on victims’ lives and safeguard their financial futures against uncertainties.

Compensation If You Were Not Wearing A Helmet

Texas law does not require you to wear a motorcycle helmet if you are 21 or over and meet either of the following conditions:

• You have completed an approved motorcycle operator training and safety course
• You carry medical insurance that specifically covers motorcycle accident injuries

If you did not wear a helmet during a motorcycle accident in Amarillo, TX, you can still recover compensation for your motorcycle accident injuries. If you have head or neck injuries, the defendant may try to use your lack of a helmet against you to reduce the amount of your damages by saying that you contributed to the seriousness of your injuries.

While helmets do save lives and minimize brain injuries, they do not save everyone, and they do not even prevent all brain injuries. If you do not have adequate representation, the insurance company’s attorneys have an easy job convincing the jurors that you, or your loved one, would have been fine if you had only worn a helmet. Our Amarillo motorcycle accident lawyers work with medical experts, accident reconstructionists, and other specialists to paint the full picture to the jury in an effort to recover maximum compensation for your injuries.

Navigating the legal complexities associated with helmet use and non-use is critical to obtaining fair compensation. We carefully examine each aspect of the accident scenario, using empirical evidence and expert witness testimony to counter arguments that may unfairly attempt to shift blame onto the rider, thus safeguarding your rights and interests effectively.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Amarillo, the road to recovery can be challenging. Reach out to our Amarillo motorcycle accident lawyer today to ensure your legal rights are protected and get the support you need.

FAQs for Motorcycle Accident Victims