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Riding a motorcycle provides many people with an unparalleled sense of freedom. Although this is an inherently dangerous activity, bikers enjoy the same protections under the law while on the road as any other traveler. This includes the right of way and the receipt of respect from other motorists.
Sadly, other drivers do not always agree with this fact. Collisions between motorcycles and other vehicles are common. Incidents that do not involve direct contact may also result in injuries when a rider makes an emergency maneuver and falls to the pavement. In these situations, proving that another driver was responsible for the incident is key to your ability to collect compensation for your losses.
A Houston motorcycle accident lawyer could help you to demonstrate this concept. A knowledgeable attorney can work to explain your legal rights, investigate the crash, measure your losses, and demand full payments in settlement talks or in court.
The laws that apply to traffic in Houston are clear. Every traveler deserves protection from the reckless and careless decisions of others. A collection of laws combines to compose this concept. For example, a driver must yield the right to way to a traveler already in an intersection. In addition, speed limits and traffic control devices exist to make traveling a safer experience.
The fact that one traveler was on a motorcycle does nothing to change these facts. Although some people may believe that bikers take their own lives into their hands by choosing this mode of transportation, the fact that an injured person was riding a motorcycle plays no role in determining which party was at fault for a collision.
Even so, the law requires juries in accident cases to evaluate the actions of all parties to assign blame. According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.003, if a jury believes that a biker was partially at fault for a crash, that jury must reduce their award after trial. If this portion of fault rises to 50 percent or more, that jury cannot award any damages. It is vital to place as much blame as possible on another traveler.
A Houston motorcycle accident attorney could help to perform a full investigation into an incident. This includes understanding the local rules of the road, talking to witnesses who may have seen the crash, and obtaining police reports that may hold clues as to fault for the accident. These factors can allow a lawyer to form powerful demand packages that seek proper payments for a biker’s losses.
There is no doubt that a motorcycle accident can leave people in a difficult position. They may need extensive medical care, lose time on the job, or even endure harsh emotional and mental damage. Each of these are compensable losses when another party is at fault for a crash. Still, collecting payment is only possible if an injured person acts quickly.
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 provides the state’s statute of limitations. This is a time limit that all injured people must follow. Under the statute, injured people have only two years from the date of an accident to file a lawsuit in court. A motorcycle accident attorney in Houston could work to meet this vital deadline.
All injured people who suffer harm because of the actions of others deserve the compensation that they need to set things right. This even applies to people in dangerous positions, such as being on a motorcycle. Bikers have the same rights while on the road as all other people. This includes the right to demand compensation after an injury.
A Houston motorcycle accident lawyer could take the lead in seeking these payments. An attorney can explain the law, investigate the cause of a crash, evaluate how that crash has affected your life, and seek appropriate payments through settlement talks or a trial. Contact a Houston motorcycle accident attorney today to get started.