San Antonio Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Helping Motorcyclists Through Their Injury Claims

Any motorcyclist can tell you that riding a motorcycle comes with additional risks, yet those who drive passenger vehicles rarely seem to keep this in mind. When bikers are less visible and more exposed on the road, they commonly suffer far worse injuries in an accident. When a negligent or reckless driver causes these accidents, bikers deserve a San Antonio motorcycle accident lawyer who can help them maximize their compensation.

At The Law Offices of Miller & Bicklein, P.C., our lawyers have over 90 combined years of experience representing clients throughout San Antonio and the rest of Texas. Motorcyclists are vulnerable to many different causes of accidents, and understanding the risks can help them stay safe.

Common Kinds of Motorcycle Accidents in Texas

Even if you are a safe and competent operator of a motorcycle, accidents can still occur through no fault of your own. Other negligent or reckless drivers can put your life at risk every time you get on your bike and hit the open road. One of the leading causes of all motorcycle accidents includes driver error on the part of other operators of motorized vehicles on the roadways.

Individuals who text and drive, drive drugged or drunk, are fatigued, or break traffic laws can place you at extreme risk. The most common forms of motorcycle accidents in Texas include:

• Left-Turn Accidents: The operator of a motorized vehicle can fail to see an oncoming motorcycle and turn left into the path of that oncoming bike. These kinds of accidents are typically caused by driver distraction, inattention, not checking blind spots, or using poor judgment when driving.
• Lane-Change Accidents: These accidents typically occur due to driver distraction, inattention, or a failure to check blind spots before changing lanes. When a driver makes an unsafe merge into another lane, they can collide with motorcyclists, causing accidents that may result in extreme injuries and even death.
• Rear-End Collisions: This kind of accident can occur when the front end of a vehicle collides with the back end of a motorcycle. These can be fatal for the motorcyclist. The most common reasons for these accidents occurring are speeding, tailgating, or distracted driving on the part of the operator of the motorized vehicle.
• Head-On Collisions: These accidents occur when the front end of one vehicle makes an impact with the front end of a motorcycle. These can be extremely dangerous for the motorcyclists who are more vulnerable than the driver of the vehicle. These typically happen due to the distracted or reckless driving of the vehicle’s driver and can happen if they turn in front of the motorcycle or into traffic.
• Accidents Involving No Contact: In some cases, a negligent vehicle driver can cause an accident without actually colliding with the motorcycle. If a driver takes part in actions which force the motorcyclist to react in unsafe ways such as jerking the handlebars, making a quick lane change, laying down the bike, or leaving the road it can cause severe injuries or fatalities without making actual, physical contact.
• Car-Door Collisions: These accidents can occur when a motorcycle is traveling beside parallel parked cars and a driver, not paying attention, suddenly opens their door into the path of the motorcycle, causing the rider to crash.

When determining liability, your attorney can examine your case to discover the cause of your accident, therefore being able to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions.

The Law Offices of Miller & Bicklein, P.C.: Standing Up for Your Rights as a San Antonio Biker

After a motorcycle accident, you will likely have many questions. Who is responsible? What damages can you recover? How do you respond if the insurance company tries to blame you for the wreck? At The Law Offices of Miller & Bicklein, P.C., our attorneys can answer all those questions and more. Do not try to tackle this situation on your own. We are here to help you obtain the compensation and justice you deserve.

When you choose our law firm, you can rest assured knowing that you have picked a dedicated legal team to advocate for your rights under state personal injury law. Throughout the complicated claims process, our experienced and resourceful attorneys can help you in the following ways:

• Handling all the difficult aspects of your accident claim case so that you can focus on what is most important: your own rest, recovery, and healing
• Carefully gathering and reviewing the evidence involved in your case and in our own investigation
• Working with motorcycle accident specialists and accident reconstruction companies to determine liability
• Defending against any claims of your fault in the accident
• Negotiating with the defendant, their legal teams, and the involved insurance companies to ensure you receive the fair amount of compensation you deserve in your claim
• Offering compassionate guidance and support to both you and your family during this challenging time, and answer any questions regarding the claims process
• Litigating your case in court should a fair settlement not be reached in negotiations

At The Law Offices of Miller & Bicklein, P.C., we are here to help you, after a motorcycle accident in San Antonio, obtain the fair settlement you are entitled to.

Factors Which Can Lead to a San Antonio Motorcycle Accident

In the state of Texas, countless individuals are injured or even killed in motorcycle crashes. The most common factors which can lead to these devastating situations can include the following:

• Drunk or drugged driving
• Making illegal left turns
• Speeding or other forms of negligent or reckless driving
• Making an unsafe lane change
• Tailgating
• Road rage
• A failure to yield the right-of-way
• Roadway defects, debris, or poor conditions such as oil spills or potholes
• Distracted driving behaviors such as texting and driving, eating and driving, or interacting with passengers
• Inexperienced drivers
• A lack of sufficient lighting or a failure to see riders
• Failing to check blind spots
• Lane splitting
• Intelligent vehicle maintenances
• Vehicle defects
• Running stop signs or red lights
• Defective bike parts

If your motorcycle accident has included any of these various factors, the legal team at The Law Offices of Miller & Bicklein, P.C. will be able to review them and use these factors in order to help determine liability for your damages. You can trust us to keep your interests in mind when reviewing all evidence available in your case.

Additional Precautions For Bikers

While there is no way to ensure other people on the road are driving responsibly, you can take extra measures to protect yourself from a reckless or negligent driver. Some things to keep in mind while driving include:

• Being aware of blind spots – Smaller vehicles like a motorcycle can fit into smaller blind spots for other cars
• Giving proper signals – Some bikers take their lane changes for granted, and a distracted driver may not notice this change and sideswipe a motorcycle
• Watching for signs of a reckless driver – If someone is neglecting traffic laws, speeding or tailgating, chances are they are not looking out for motorcycles.

These extra securities can help you avoid the devastating consequences of a motorcycle accident.

Common Biker Injuries

In an accident, a motorcyclist is more prone to some forms of injury than others. A few typical injuries include:

• Extreme road rash after being thrown from a bike
• Broken bones and crushed limbs from direct collisions with other vehicle
• Traumatic brain injuries from blows to the head
• Spinal cord injuries which may result in paralysis
• Permanent scarring, disability, or disfigurement
• Lacerations, cuts, bruises, puncture wounds
• Whiplash
• Concussions
• Skull fractures
• Leg fractures
• Severe thermal burns
• Broken ribs
• Facial wounds
• Dislocated shoulders
• Herniated discs
• Amputations
• Damages to tendons, muscles, and ligaments
• Organ failure
• Damage to nerves
• Internal bleeding

Insurance companies may try to avoid liability by pushing the blame onto you in your claim or alleging that your injuries are not as severe as you claim. As your injury representation, we aim to maximize the compensation you receive to earn every penny you need for the best possible recovery you can achieve.

Determining Liability in a Texas Motorcycle Accident

In a Texas motorcycle accident compensation claim, one of the most difficult steps will be determining who is liable for the accident and the damages you have suffered. This can be extremely challenging without the assistance of an attorney. There are various parties who might be at fault, including:

• A Business: If the individual who caused your motorcycle accident was working at the time of the crash, such as a delivery driver, government agent, or commercial trucking driver, you may be able to hold their employer liable for both the accident and the damages you suffer as a result.
• A Driver: In the state of Texas, drivers are required to carry a minimal amount of liability insurance in order to pay for any accidents caused by their negligent behavior. You may qualify for property damage or bodily injury liability insurance coverage through the at-fault driver’s policy.
• The Manufacturer of a Defective Part: If a defective vehicle part contributed to the cause of your accident and the subsequent injuries or property damage, you may be able to file a product liability claim against the designer, distributor, or manufacturer of that defective vehicle part.
• The Government: If your motorcycle accident occurred as the result of certain road defects such as loose gravel, dangerous construction zones, potholes, or uneven shoulders, this could cause the government to be held liable for failing to maintain safe roadways.

In determining this liability, your attorney from The Law Offices of Miller & Bicklein, P.C. will conduct an in-depth investigation into the accident to gather further evidence. With the help of an experienced attorney, the liable parties can be identified, which can improve your odds of gaining maximum compensation.

Compensation Available in a Motorcycle Accident in San Antonio

At The Law Offices of Miller & Bicklein, P.C., we understand that no amount of money can reverse the damages you have experienced or bring your loved ones back if you have lost them in a motorcycle accident. However, filing a claim for compensation can seek justice and accountability from the at-fault party and help you move forward following the accident.

Compensation can allow you to pay for the necessary medical care and plan ahead for the future with peace of mind. The recovery of damages can include:

• Medical Costs: You may seek compensation for any past or future medical costs, including hospital stays, doctor visits, medications, medical devices, procedures, surgeries, follow-up appointments, physical therapies, or rehabilitation related to the injuries you have sustained in a motorcycle accident.
• Property Damages: You may seek coverage for any necessary repairs for the damage done to your bike during the accident or obtain the full pre-crash value of your motorcycle if it has been totaled. You can also be reimbursed for any damage done to your motorcycle gear, helmet, or other forms of personal property that have been damaged, such as cell phones.
• Lost Wages: You may obtain compensation for reimbursement of any wages lost because of your accident or future wages if you have suffered permanent disabilities that will cause you to be unable to return to work.
• Pain and Suffering: This can include damages for physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, post-traumatic stress disorder, the loss of the enjoyment of life, the loss of consortium, or any therapy or counseling bills related to these mental or emotional damages.
• Punitive Damages: In rare cases, you may be awarded punitive damages to dissuade the defendant from acting in such a reckless or negligent way again. This, however, only happens if the defendant’s actions were egregiously reckless or negligent. These damages might be awarded in the case of a drunk driver.
• Wrongful Death Damages: If your loved one has lost their life due to a motorcycle accident, you may be able to seek certain wrongful death damages. These can include any costs involved in the loss of life, such as funeral and burial costs, lost wages, or lost inheritance.

Your knowledgeable attorney from The Law Offices of Miller & Bicklein, P.C. will be able to determine the forms of compensation you can pursue and their overall value.

FAQs

We Stand For Motorcyclists

We understand that motorcyclists commonly face a bias in these claims, and we are committed to helping you through your claim in any way we can. Meet with our committed lawyers to develop a personalized representation strategy for your compensation claim today. Call 855-861-8773 or email us here to schedule your initial consultation at any of our Texas offices.