Dallas Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcyclists are some of the most exposed and vulnerable travelers on Dallas roads – one wrong move by another driver can leave a rider facing life-changing injuries or worse – an average of one motorcycle driver dies every day on roads throughout the state of Texas.
As motorcycle accidents continue to rise across Texas, many bikers and their families are left with overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, and a long road to recovery. The impact of these crashes goes far beyond the initial collision, often requiring months or years of treatment and mounting financial pressure. Navigating the insurance system and holding the right parties accountable is rarely straightforward.
That’s why hiring an experienced Dallas motorcycle accident lawyer is so important – they have the skills and determination to fight for your rights, pursue the compensation you truly deserve, and make sure your voice is heard after a devastating crash. Contact Ferrer Poirot Feller to schedule a free consultation so we can help you get started with your case.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists in Dallas face real risks every time they head out on the road, often because other drivers just don’t see them or show enough care. Some of the most common reasons they occur include:
Left-Turn Collisions at Intersections
One of the most dangerous scenarios for riders happens when a car turns left in front of them at an intersection. Drivers may misjudge the motorcyclist’s speed, fail to see them entirely, or rush to beat the light, causing the motorcycle to slam into the side of the vehicle. These collisions happen in an instant and often leave motorcyclists with severe injuries because the rider absorbs most of the impact.
Cars Changing Lanes into Motorcyclists
Many motorcycle accidents are caused by drivers who don’t check their blind spots before moving into another lane. Because motorcycles are so much smaller than cars, they can be missed in a quick glance, placing riders in immediate danger. Even a slight nudge from a vehicle can send a bike tumbling or swerving out of control.
Distracted or Texting Drivers
Cellphones, touchscreen dashboards, and other devices give drivers more reasons than ever to look away from the road. A split second spent typing a text or scrolling through music can keep a driver from noticing a nearby motorcycle, leading to rear-end crashes, sideswipes, or cars pushing riders off the road altogether.
Drunk or Impaired Driving
Alcohol and drugs slow reaction times and cloud judgment. Drunk or impaired drivers may drift into another lane, run red lights, or fail to yield at intersections, making the road a deadly place for anyone on two wheels. These crashes often leave motorcyclists with life-altering injuries.
Road Debris or Hazards
Unlike those in cars, motorcyclists have little protection if they hit a pothole, loose gravel, or spilled cargo. What might just be a bump for a vehicle can cause a rider to wipe out entirely. It’s not just other drivers that cause accidents; sometimes, poor road maintenance or debris on the road puts bikers in danger.
Defective Motorcycle Parts
Sometimes it isn’t a driver or road hazard that causes the accident, but a mechanical failure. Faulty brakes, bad tires, or a malfunctioning steering system can mean disaster, especially at high speeds. Proving that a part was defective requires significant investigation, and the manufacturer or repair shop can be on the hook for damages.
Motorcycle accidents are rarely simple and often leave lasting scars, both physical and emotional. That’s why you need a lawyer who understands what you’re facing and can fight for the compensation you deserve. The best way to move forward is to speak with a Dallas motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.
How Are Motorcycle Accident Cases Different From Car Accidents?
Motorcycle accident claims in Dallas aren’t handled exactly the same way as car crash cases, and riders quickly feel the difference as soon as the process begins. Here’s what sets them apart:
Bias Against Motorcyclists
Many people, including jurors, insurance adjusters, and even police, view motorcyclists as risk-takers or thrill-seekers. This reputation can work against you when it’s time to prove someone else was at fault. Accident reports may even be written with this bias in mind, making it harder to get a fair shake without a Dallas motorcycle accident lawyer who can push back and accurately present your story.
More Serious Injuries Are Common
Unlike drivers in cars, motorcycle riders don’t have airbags, seatbelts, or a steel frame for protection. That means even minor-looking accidents can lead to broken bones, head trauma, or injuries that leave a lifelong impact. The higher risks and medical needs demand a unique strategy to fully capture the scope of your losses.
Expert Medical Testimony Can Be Essential
Because injuries are often complicated and long-lasting, it’s vital to have knowledgeable medical experts involved in your case. Their testimony shows exactly how the crash changed your future – from ongoing surgeries to permanent mobility issues – so insurance companies and juries truly understand what your life looks like now.
If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident, working with a team familiar with the unique hurdles you’ll face is essential. Choosing the right lawyer for you means finding someone who understands the physical, emotional, and financial aftermath of these crashes—and knows how to build a case that speaks to all of it.
Proving Liability in Motorcycle Accident Claims
Figuring out who’s to blame after a motorcycle accident in Dallas isn’t always straightforward. Building a strong claim for riders and their families means showing exactly who caused the crash and how. Here’s a closer look at who might be liable and how you or your lawyer can prove it.
Negligent Drivers
Most often, another motorist is responsible for a bike wreck. Evidence like police reports, witness statements, dashcam or surveillance footage, and even cell phone records can show if a driver was distracted, speeding, or failed to yield. Sometimes, accident reconstruction experts are called in to explain how the crash happened and who made the critical mistake.
Trucking Companies or Commercial Operators
If you were hit by a truck or company vehicle, responsibility might extend beyond the driver. Maintenance logs, hiring records, and black box data can reveal if the company pushed the driver to drive long hours, skipped safety checks, or sent someone unqualified out on the road. Your Dallas motorcycle accident lawyer can subpoena these records and expose unsafe business practices that led to your injuries.
Municipalities or Construction Companies
Dangerous potholes, broken signals, construction messes, or hidden debris can mean that a government agency or construction company may share some of the blame. Proving this type of liability often requires maintenance records, photos of the scene, and reports from others who’ve noticed the same hazards.
Motorcycle Manufacturers and Mechanics
Sometimes, the cause of a crash can be traced to a defect in your bike itself, like faulty brakes or a defective tire. Mechanics or shops who did subpar work might also be partly at fault. Product recalls, expert opinions, and repair invoices are key for these kinds of claims.
Establishment That Sells Alcohol
Under Texas law, a bar, restaurant, or other business that serves alcohol can sometimes be held responsible if it contributed to a motorcycle accident. If it was clear that a customer was already visibly drunk and the staff kept serving them anyway, that business may share liability for any crash the intoxicated person causes.
To establish this responsibility, it must be shown that the person was obviously intoxicated to the point of being a danger, and that their impairment directly led to the accident and injuries. Evidence like receipts, surveillance video, bartender or witness statements, and police reports can help prove the establishment’s role in what happened.
When the Motorcyclist Shares Fault: Modified Comparative Negligence in Texas
Not every motorcycle accident is completely one person’s fault. Sometimes, the biker might have contributed by speeding, weaving between cars, or not wearing visible gear. Texas follows modified comparative negligence. Here’s how that impacts your case:
Understanding the 51% Bar in Texas
If you’re found to be 51% or more at fault for the crash, you won’t be able to collect compensation from the other driver or their insurer. But if you’re 50% or less responsible, you can still recover some damages, though your award will be reduced in proportion to your share of the blame.
For example, if you’re awarded $15,000 but are found 20% at fault, you’d receive $12,000. Proving liability in a motorcycle accident involves gathering the evidence, understanding the law, and showing exactly how each decision led to the crash.
What Types of Compensation Can Motorcycle Accident Victims Recover?
When you’re recovering from a motorcycle accident, money may be the last thing on your mind – until the bills start stacking up. Medical care, missed work, emotional trauma – it all adds up quickly. The good news is that Texas law allows you to pursue compensation for more than just the obvious costs. Here’s a breakdown of what you may be entitled to if someone else’s negligence caused you to crash your motorcycle.
Medical Expenses
This includes everything from the ambulance ride to long-term physical therapy. Motorcycle injuries often require surgeries, hospital stays, medication, and follow-up care for months, sometimes years. If it’s related to the crash, you can claim it. That includes mobility aids, prosthetics, home modifications, or even future treatments your doctor anticipates you’ll need. Lawyers can help maximize your compensation by making sure none of these expenses are overlooked or undervalued.
Lost Income and Reduced Earning Capacity
If your injuries keep you out of work for days, weeks, or even longer, you can recover the paychecks you missed. And if you’re permanently unable to return to your former job or earn what you used to, you can seek compensation for how your future earning potential has changed.
Physical Pain and Suffering
Pain isn’t just a temporary side effect of a crash; it can become a daily reality that interferes with every part of your life. You can recover compensation for the physical pain you’ve endured, whether it’s temporary or chronic. This isn’t based on medical bills. It’s about how much your quality of life has changed because of your injuries.
Mental Anguish and PTSD
Motorcycle accidents can leave invisible scars, too, like nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety in traffic, or depression. Mental health treatment, therapy, and even testimony from loved ones can help demonstrate just how much you’ve been through emotionally.
Property Damage
Most riders are deeply attached to their bikes. You can recover the full cost to repair or replace your motorcycle, helmet, riding jacket, and any other gear damaged in the wreck. Photographs, repair bills, and receipts are all useful for this part of your claim.
Permanent Disfigurement or Disability
If the accident leaves you with lasting scars, loss of a limb, major burns, or another permanent injury, you may be entitled to additional damages. These injuries affect not just how you look, but your confidence, mobility, and independence.
Wrongful Death Damages
If your loved one lost their life because of a motorcycle crash, your family can seek damages for funeral costs, lost income, and the loss of companionship by filing a wrongful death lawsuit. These claims can’t make things right, but they can help ease the financial burden during a very painful time.
Punitive Damages
This type of compensation is reserved for cases where the driver acted with malice, fraud, or gross negligence. The purpose of punitive damages is to punish and deter the responsible party, not just compensate the victim.
No amount of money can undo the damage caused by a motorcycle crash, but holding the right people accountable and securing the resources you need can make a real difference in your recovery.
Why Choose The Dallas Motorcycle Accident Lawyers At Ferrer Poirot Feller
When you’re struggling after a motorcycle accident in Dallas, you need an advocate who truly puts you and your recovery first. Call a lawyer who understands what’s at stake and can step in to protect your rights. Here’s what sets our motorcycle accident lawyers apart and why so many riders and families trust us to help them during one of the most difficult times in their lives.
Over 35 Years of Legal Experience
With decades of hands-on trial work and negotiation experience, our attorneys know the ins and outs of Texas law, the tactics insurance companies use, and what it takes to build a powerful case.
We Hold Corporations Accountable
Our team isn’t afraid to take on big insurance companies, transportation firms, or any business that puts profits ahead of people’s welfare. We dig deep, uncover safety violations, and force responsible parties to face the real impact of their decisions.
You Don’t Pay Unless You Win
Hiring our firm costs you nothing upfront and nothing out of pocket. We only get paid if we win compensation for you, so your financial worries never keep you from getting the representation you deserve.
Choosing the right lawyer can mean the difference between struggling to recover and having real peace of mind. If you’ve been hurt in a Dallas motorcycle crash, let us put our experience and dedication to work for you so you can focus on healing while we focus on results.
Contact Ferrer Poirot Feller today by calling (800) 210-8503. Let our Dallas motorcycle accident lawyers help you set up a free consultation to discuss your case.