San Antonio Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Injured in a motorcycle crash in the San Antonio area? We may be able to help.
Calling a licensed attorney can be an important part of the recovery process. Your crash may have been caused by another driver’s negligence, which means you may have a case for compensation. While compensation cannot erase what happened, it can help to make the recovery process easier, physically, financially and emotionally.
At Lorenz & Lorenz, our San Antonio motorcycle accident lawyers provide our services on a contingency fee basis. This means we only get paid if we are successful in recovering compensation on your behalf. The initial consultation is free and there is no obligation to hire us.
We have secured compensation for countless motor vehicle crash victims. Founder and Co-Owner Ted Lorenz was selected for Super Lawyers five years in a row.
Benefits of Hiring a Licensed Attorney
The legal process can be complicated and intimidating, especially for those who were recently injured in a motorcycle crash. While you are not required to hire an attorney, it is something that could greatly benefit you.
For example, did you know injury victims who hire an attorney to represent them often recover more compensation than those who do not? Even studies by insurance companies bear this out, and insurance companies are looking to pay out the least amount of compensation possible.
There are many other benefits to securing representation from an experienced lawyer. Including having your attorney manage the legal process, freeing you up to focus on your medical treatment and recovery. You do not need to stress about what to say to the insurance company, or how to determine if an insurance company’s offer of compensation would fully cover your damages.
The San Antonio-based motorcycle accident lawyers at Lorenz & Lorenz have a proven track record of securing compensation for motor vehicle crash victims.
Do You Have a Valid Case?
The best way to get an answer to this question is to ask an experienced attorney. At our firm, the initial consultation to discuss the merits of your claim is free. There is no obligation even if we find you have a valid case.
There are numerous questions your attorney may ask you to determine if you may be eligible to seek compensation. Some of the factors we may consider include:
- Severity of your injuries
- Evidence you have already collected
- What you remember about the crash
- How the accident happened
- Where and when the crash occurred
- Insurance policies involved
- What the police said at the scene
It is difficult to determine if you may have a case on your own, and you cannot rely on the insurance company to take care of you since insurers routinely deny and undervalue claims; even for motorcycle crash victims who often have life-changing injuries.
Compensation That May be Awarded to Crash Victims
Many motorcycle crash victims need extensive medical treatment, which may include surgeries, physical therapy, prescription medications and numerous visits with doctors. These costs can add up quickly and put many people in a financial hole.
Our San Antonio-based motorcycle accident lawyers understand this and are prepared to seek maximum compensation to help you make the best recovery possible. This includes compensation for medical costs and other damages you may have suffered because of the crash including:
- Past and future medical bills
- Cost to have surgery
- Assistive medical equipment (wheelchair, crutches, cane, etc.)
- Cost of ambulance transportation
- Rehabilitation
- Prescriptions
- Lost wages from missing work
- Property repairs
- Loss of earning capacity if you suffered a permanent disability
- Funeral and burial costs
- Pain and suffering
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Lost companionship
Your lawyer must review your situation in detail to determine what your claim may be worth. It is important to note you cannot rely on the insurance company to determine a fair value of your claim. They are always looking for a way to undervalue victims’ damages to maximize their profits.
For 20 years, Lorenz & Lorenz has been focused on securing full compensation for Texas crash victims. We have a track record of success and we are ready to help you.
What if the Other Driver’s Coverage Runs Out?
Texas is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who caused the crash is financially liable for the damages that resulted. Generally, at-fault drivers turn to their liability insurance to cover these damages.
While Texas only requires drivers to have $30,000 per person and $60,000 per crash in bodily injury liability, many drivers purchase more than that. However, even if the at-fault driver has significantly more than the minimum coverage, it may run out before covering your damages.
This is when many riders turn to their underinsured motorist coverage, which is meant to make up the difference between the value of your damages and the limits of the at-fault driver’s coverage. While this coverage is not required, insurers are required to offer it to you, and you should strongly consider purchasing it.
Recovering compensation from this type of insurance policy is complicated. That is why motorcycle crash victims need an attorney with experience dealing with insurance companies.
Claims for Victims Who Were Not Wearing Helmets
You should still be able to seek compensation if you were not wearing a helmet – at the very least, you should discuss the situation with a licensed San Antonio motorcycle accident lawyer. Each case is unique, and your lawyer needs to review your specific circumstances to determine if there may be a case.
Helmets are not required if you are over the age of 21 and satisfy one of two criteria:
- You completed an approved Motorcycle Operator Training Course.
- You have at least $10,000 in medical insurance.
However, if you do not meet these criteria and did not wear a helmet, and it can be shown your damages would have been less severe had you worn a helmet, it may hurt the value of your claim. You could be found partially at fault for the crash.
I Was a Passenger. Can I File a Claim?
You are in the same boat as the one driving the motorcycle. You should both be eligible to seek compensation from the at-fault driver. If the rider caused the crash, you may be able to file a claim against his or her liability policy.
Keep in mind, you are not filing a claim against the driver. We understand many times passengers are friends with or are related to the driver of the motorcycle. However, you are likely to be seeking compensation from the insurance company, not your friend or relative.
Claims for No-Contact Crashes
What if you did not get hit by a car? Can you still seek compensation?
It is possible road conditions were the culprit. There are also some accidents where another driver is at fault, even though is or her vehicle did not collide with yours.
In these situations, it is important to talk to an experienced attorney about your potential options. Your injuries could be serious, and you do not want to be stuck paying out of pocket for your medical treatment.
What if I am Partially at Fault?
This should not prevent you from contacting a lawyer to review your claim. Unless you are more than 50 percent at fault, you may still be eligible to obtain compensation.
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence law allowing you to recover compensation if you are no more than 50 percent at fault. However, your compensation award will be reduced based on your percentage of fault. If your lawyer secures a $100,000 settlement, but you are found to be 10 percent at fault, you will only receive $90,000.
If you were lane splitting, which is illegal in Texas, it may be determined that you bear most of the fault for the crash. If you were assigned 70 percent of the fault, you would be barred from securing compensation.
You would probably need to establish a few things to avoid being held fully or partially liable if you were lane splitting:
- The other driver involved in the crash did something more dangerous than you.
- You are an experienced rider.
- You took and passed a motorcycle safety course.
- You were being careful and no other traffic violations occurred.
Deadline for Seeking Compensation
Insurance companies often have deadlines for filing compensation claims, and if you miss the deadline you may lose the right to pursue compensation. That is why it is important to call a lawyer right away to see if you have a case, and if you do, he or she can get the claims process started on your behalf.
However, there is another deadline to be aware of – the personal injury statute of limitations. In Texas, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. While many crash victims do not need to file a lawsuit, sometimes this may be the last resort for pursuing full compensation.
Can You File After the Two-Year Deadline?
While there are exceptions that may extend the deadline, it is important to discuss the situation with an experienced attorney. If there is no exception for your claim, and you do not file before the two years pass, you will be prohibited from doing so.
Motorcycle Accidents That Often Occur
While some crashes are the fault of motorcycle riders, many others can be attributed to the negligence of other drivers. Other drivers often fail to look for motorcyclists and this can lead to life-changing accidents for riders.
Driver negligence can lead to many types of crashes, including:
- Rear-end collisions – Riders could easily get thrown off their bikes, even if the crash happens at a relatively slow speed.
- Lane-change crashes – When a driver does not check his or her blind spots before changing lanes, he or she risks hitting motorcyclists. The motorcyclist could get thrown from the bike or slam into a nearby car, resulting in serious injuries.
- Left–turn accidents – These often happen when a driver attempts to make a left turn and does not see an oncoming motorcycle or misjudges the speed of the motorcycle and thinks he or she can make the turn before the motorcycle. These crashes are often fatal for motorcycle riders, particularly at high speed.
- Car-door collisions – Riders must be cautious when traveling next to parallel-parked cars, as drivers could suddenly open their doors and riders could crash into them.
If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced San Antonio motorcycle accident lawyer.
Common Motorcycle Collision Injuries
Many crashes prove fatal, but even those who survive may be left with debilitating injuries that can change the course of their lives. Some of these injuries include, but are not limited to:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Fractures
- Internal injuries
- Road rash
- Burns
- Amputation of a limb
- Neck injuries
- Whiplash
- Severe bruises
- Concussions
Motorcycle crash victims should always seek immediate medical attention – if you wait, your injuries could quickly worsen.
Contact a San Antonio Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
At Lorenz & Lorenz, we know how devastating many motorcycle crashes can be. We also know how difficult it can be for victims and their families to manage the aftermath of these accidents.
If you call our firm, we can explain how we may be able to assist you during this difficult time. If the crash resulted from another driver’s negligence, we may be able to seek compensation on your behalf. If you hire us, we are prepared to manage every step of the process, including communicating with insurance companies, negotiating for a settlement, and even going to court if need be.
There are no legal fees for our services. We only earn payment if we obtain compensation for your accident. What this means is there is no risk in calling us. We are here to help, and we have obtained millions on behalf of many crash victims in Texas.