Pearland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Given recent statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the website ValuePenguin, I-35 has been deemed one of the deadliest highways in America. 

Crashes on the interstate, including one that claimed the lives of two bikers not too long ago, happen all too frequently, and they only serve to highlight how treacherous the highway can be for motorcyclists who must travel along it, especially those in cities like Pearland, Texas.

Though the city’s motorcycling culture is certainly vibrant, given that it is home to several tourist routes, riding events, and biker enthusiast groups, motorcyclists in Pearland are often at serious risk of sustaining severe injuries in a motorcycle crash.

A Pearland motorcycle accident lawyer from DeHoyos Accident Attorneys may not be able to make the city’s roadways safer, but if you sustain injuries and thus incur lofty medical bills and other costs, they can assist you in pursuing compensation. 

Reach out right away for the dedicated service and representation you deserve after a motorcycle wreck.

Did I Really Need a Pearland Motorcycle Lawyer?

The financial consequences of a wreck are immense, and there is no reason you should bear them if someone else caused your wreck.

Bikers in Pearland who are involved in crashes, therefore, deserve knowledgeable and insightful representation. Given that they face elevated risks of severe and unique injuries like road rash, motorcycle accident victims need an attorney who will understand their needs and concerns.

Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident

When another person causes your motorcycle wreck, a Pearland motorcycle accident lawyer can bring a claim for damages against that person, which can result in you receiving monetary damages to cover the following aspects:

Pain and Suffering and Mental Anguish

The physical pain and turmoil you experience after your crash and during your recovery are compensable. So too, is any lasting mental trauma that you will face going forward.

Permanent Injuries

If you suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord injury, you might be left with partial or permanent disabilities following your accident. In many cases, compensation is available for your ongoing medical needs.

Medical Bills

Your Pearland motorcycle accident attorney will also seek compensation for your hospital bills and medical expenses, including the cost of an ambulance (if you needed to be transported from the scene of the crash), as well as continuing bills you are likely to receive.

Emotional Distress

As mentioned above, the physical pain you experience following a motorcycle wreck can be compounded by symptoms of depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. You are entitled to receive compensation for having to experience and treat each of these conditions.

Loss of Income

The financial impact of a motorcycle wreck goes beyond medical bills. Whether you cannot work for a week or are left unable to work for the rest of your life, lost wages do nothing but add to your pain and suffering. 

With that being said, an experienced Pearland motorcycle accident lawyer can pursue damages to cover your past and future lost wages.

Punitive Damages

A driver who causes your motorcycle wreck through especially careless or intentional acts may be ordered to pay punitive damages, which are special damages paid in addition to any compensation you might normally receive and meant to directly punish the liable party.

Wrongful Death

Surviving family members can bring forth a wrongful death lawsuit if their loved one dies due to their motorcycle accident injuries. These claims compensate the biker’s spouse, children, or certain other family members for the pain and grief they experience.

How Can I Maximize My Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit Recovery

Taking decisive action after being involved in a crash can help a motorcycle accident lawyer in Pearland work to seek the greatest compensation value for you. The steps you must take include the following:

Gather Important Evidence That Will Help Your Case

If you can take photographs of the accident scene and your injuries, do so. Otherwise, you must be certain to report the accident to law enforcement if you are injured. 

You or your attorney can then get a copy of the accident report, which will have crucial information about the accident, who was involved in it, and their respective insurance companies.

Document Evidence Proving Fault

The success of your claim will depend on proving that another person caused your accident and injuries. Make every effort to note and preserve evidence that proves the other person’s fault, and make sure to tell your Pearland motorcycle accident lawyer if the other driver apologized to you or if eyewitnesses saw how the wreck unfolded.

Next Steps After an Accident

Never assume you are okay because you do not feel immediate pain or discomfort, and always seek treatment at your nearest hospital emergency room. 

As a motorcyclist, even low-speed crashes have the potential to cause severe injuries, including internal organ damage, so pursuing immediate medical attention will ensure that any injuries are properly diagnosed and treated promptly.

Things to Avoid After an Accident

Never admit fault after an accident, even if you think you might have done something wrong. Likewise, do not make any agreement on the scene to either settle the matter with cash or not file an insurance claim, as these actions can make succeeding with your claim far more difficult.

Following a Treatment Plan

If your treatment team recommends any follow-up care or procedures, it is important for your claim that you follow these directions, even if it is difficult to do so. Not only could you jeopardize your physical health by neglecting that additional treatment, but your compensation award could also be reduced in response.

Can I File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Texas if I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet?

You should wear a helmet whenever you ride your motorcycle, as doing so can significantly reduce the chances of traumatic brain injury and death. It is also, quite simply, what responsible motorcyclists do, and the compensation you receive following a motorcycle accident will take into account whether you were wearing a helmet as well.

The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that wrecks involving cyclists who were not wearing helmets can result in anywhere between $15,000 and $30,000 in hospital bills alone, and even then, those wearing helmets could still face between $10,000 and $17,000 in hospital-related expenses. 

In any case, though, your choice to wear a helmet does not excuse another rider’s careless or reckless driving, nor does it mean you deserve to be hurt in an accident. 

You can still pursue a claim for compensation after a wreck caused by another, even if you did not don a helmet before setting out. Your Pearland motorcycle accident lawyer can review your case and inform you of how your decision not to wear a helmet might impact your claim.

Most Common Motorcycle Injuries and How They Affect Compensation

The circumstances surrounding every motorcycle crash may be unique, but every accident exposes bikers to the risk of suffering similar injuries. You might recover fully from some of these injuries, but others can impact you for years to come. 

These common injuries include the following:

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Taking a blow to the head after being ejected from your motorcycle in an accident can result in a concussion or more serious forms of trauma, and though a helmet can help reduce the risk of a severe TBI, the risk cannot be completely eliminated. 

In severe cases, you may need compensation for emergency care and to help manage the long-term effects of your TBI.

Back Injuries

Landing on your back in a motorcycle crash can harm your spinal cord and damage the bundle of nerves that comprise it, causing you to feel intense pain that radiates outward from the injury site. 

Back injuries can affect your ability to work or do manual labor, and severe damage to your spinal cord can also cause temporary or permanent paralysis. As a result, any compensation you receive will address your hospital bills as well as lost past and future wages.

Arm and Leg Injuries

Your hands, feet, arms, and legs are most susceptible to injury in the event of a motorcycle crash. Broken bones are common, and when these happen, the resulting disfigurement could permanently affect your mobility and independence.

Thankfully, broken bones often heal, although some may take longer and require more treatment. Compensation is available for these costs, and you can also receive monetary damages for the lost income you suffer during that time.

Amputations and loss-of-limb injuries resulting from crushing or shearing accidents can also be physically painful and emotionally difficult to deal with, and your Pearland motorcycle accident lawyer should pursue compensation for these injuries and losses as well.

Road Rash

Road rash refers to the serious, widespread abrasions that motorcyclists typically suffer from when they skid across the pavement after being dislodged from their bike. These abrasions are more than just scrapes; they can have foreign debris lodged in them and become infected, and they could also result in permanent scarring. 

If you suffer from road rash, make sure you consult with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. 

DeHoyos Accident Attorneys has helped countless motorcycle accident victims get the compensation they deserve thanks to a deep understanding of how bikers can be injured, as well as taking the time to understand the full scope and impact of your own injuries.

Texas Motorcycle Accident Claim Process and How Long Will It Take

Following a motorcycle wreck, you will have two years to bring forth a claim for damages against the person (or people) who caused the crash. If their insurance company does not pay, or if the policy’s benefits are not enough to cover your injuries, you will need to file a lawsuit and bring the matter to court.

The at-fault party’s insurance company and their attorneys may approach you about a settlement, a sum of money meant to compensate you in exchange for you abstaining from pursuing a lawsuit. If you receive such an offer, discuss it thoroughly with your lawyer to ensure it fairly compensates you.

If a settlement cannot be reached or is not offered, your case will need to go to trial, and you will need to prove that the other person caused the crash and your injuries.

Motorcycle accident claims can be resolved in a few weeks when all parties agree on the compensation you deserve. Where there are contested issues or a trial is necessary, it can take several months or even years before your case is finished. 

As such, the process can be especially challenging to take on by yourself, so having a skilled attorney from DeHoyos Accident Attorneys by your side is more than recommended

Interesting Texas Motorcycle Accident Statistics

You may not realize just how dangerous it is to ride a motorcycle in Texas. Some statistics from the Texas Department of Transportation that help illustrate the risk include the following:

• A total of 562 motorcycle riders were killed in 2022
  • Of these, 39 percent were not wearing a helmet
• The number of motorcycle fatalities has increased in recent years, with 482 occurring in 2020 alone
• In 2020, a total of 7,481 motorcycle crashes injured 1,856 motorcyclists
• More than one motorcyclist per day has been killed in Texas since 2020, on average
• The median motorcycle injury verdict between 1999 and 2006 was $73,700
• Two of the highest awards in recent Texas history were $5.22 million and $2.55 million

If you are hurt in a motorcycle accident in and around Pearland, you may feel as though you are all alone, but fear not, as the experienced firm of DeHoyos Accident Attorneys is here to help you recover and secure a compensation award that puts you back on firm financial footing.

Pearland, Texas

Pearland is located in southeast Texas, within Brazoria, Fort Bend, and Harris Counties. It is part of the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metropolitan area and boasts a population of 125,990 as of 2021.

Aside from its motorcycle culture, tourists can find plenty to do and see in the city. History buffs might enjoy Old Settler’s Cemetery or a stroll through either Zychlinski or Hunter’s Park.

Events are held throughout the year that cater to various tastes and interests, such as Pearland Art on the Pavilion and the Pearland Country Music Showcase. The International Cuisine Trail invites visitors to sample the various flavors that make the city unique.

Major metropolitan areas are not too far away from Pearland, either. Houston is only a 30-minute drive north, and Dallas and Fort Worth are both reachable in about four hours.

Experienced Motorcycle Injury Law Firm

DeHoyos Accident Attorneys is prepared and eager to help you or your loved one following a motorcycle wreck in Pearland. With years of experience assisting motorcyclists throughout Texas with claims big and small, you can count on DeHoyos Accident Attorneys to handle your claim quickly and professionally. Contact us today and enlist our firm’s help in your recovery.

Motorcycle Accident FAQ

If you are a motorcyclist and you have just been hurt, you likely have questions. The following is some information you might find helpful.

If My Motorcycle Accident Was Multi-Vehicle, How Will This Affect My Case?

When more than one other vehicle is involved in your motorcycle collision, you still have the right to file a claim for compensation. To do so, however, you and your Pearland motorcycle accident lawyer will need to uncover all of the people whose carelessness played a role in your crash and injuries and file claims against each of them.

Roughly How Long Will My Motorcycle Accident Claim Take?

If an appropriate settlement is reached quickly, you can expect your motorcycle crash claim to take only a few months to resolve. A trial may be necessary in situations where fault for the crash is disputed or where you cannot reach a settlement. With that said, it can take several months or even years before such a case is finished.

My Accident Happened During a Lane Split — Is Lane Splitting Illegal in Texas?

Lane splitting is not expressly permitted by Texas law, so it is considered illegal. Still, that does not mean that you are not entitled to compensation if you lane split and are involved in a crash.

Can I Sue for a “No Contact” Motorcycle Accident in Texas?

A no-contact motorcycle accident is one where another person’s careless driving or behaviors cause you to lose control of your motorcycle and crash. But even if there’s no collision, a negligent driver can still be held liable for injuries and property damage.