The specific laws regarding motorcycle accidents in Houston are the same as those that govern such accidents throughout Texas. A Houston motorcycle accident lawyer can talk with you about these laws, including:
- What kinds of insurance a motorcycle owner must carry
- When you can collect financial compensation even if you share liability for the accident
- Behaviors motorcycle riders should avoid to prevent accidents
- How much compensation you could recover for your accident damages
- How motorcyclists must behave after causing an accident
Motorcycle Riders in Houston Need Specific Kinds of Insurance
As the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) explains, state law requires bikers to carry insurance if they cause a collision. The minimum requirements are as follows:
- $30,000 worth of coverage for medical bills for each person’s injuries
- $60,000 worth of coverage for medical bills for each accident
- $25,000 worth of coverage for total property damage
What If the Liable Party Has No Insurance?
Despite the insurance requirements, not all vehicle owners buy the coverage they should. This could complicate things for you, as you would now have to either rely on your insurance company and/or sue the liable party personally.
Getting money from an uninsured driver is not easy, but it is not impossible, either. You can consult with a Houston traffic accident lawyer to learn more.
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Laws Regarding Motorcycle Accident Liability in Houston
In Texas, a motorcycle accident victim can sue for fair compensation only if they are not more than 50 percent responsible for the crash, according to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001. For instance:
- If the other driver is 100 percent responsible for the accident, they may have to pay 100 percent of your losses.
- If you are found to be 20 percent responsible for your injuries, your payout would be reduced by 20 percent.
- If you are found to be 60 percent responsible for your injuries, you cannot collect any compensation.
If you partially responsible for a motorcycle collision in Houston, a personal injury attorney can review the situation and explain how comparative negligence affects your motorcycle accident claim.
Proving You Did Not Cause a Houston Motorcycle Accident
To protect your right to compensation, you can hire a lawyer to investigate the crash. They will look for evidence to prove you are not liable for the accident, such as:
- Video footage depicting your actions and the liable party’s
- Witness statements confirming the other driver behaved negligently
- Expert testimony to attest to the fact that your collision probably happened because of someone else’s actions, not yours
- Police accident reports containing evidence and information against the liable party
Motorcycle Accident Prevention for Houston Riders
Many of the specific laws about motorcycle accidents in Houston aim to prevent crashes and serious injuries from occurring. For example:
- Texas Transportation Code § 545.0605 states that, at most, two motorcycles can ride side by side in a single lane. They cannot ride beside a car or weave indiscriminately between cars.
- You and your passenger(s) must wear a motorcycle helmet at all times, per Texas Transportation Code § 661.003. Failure to do so may result in a fine.
- Motorcycle operators must follow the same traffic safety laws that govern truck or car drivers. Speed limits, yield signs, stop signs, and traffic lights apply to all bikers.
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What Houston Law Says About Motorcycle Accident Damages
Many motorcycle accident survivors (or the surviving families of victims) can collect damages for their financial, physical, and emotional losses. The amount you could receive depends on how serious your losses are and the proof you have to support your case.
Texas law also permits you to ask for punitive damages, which penalize an extremely negligent party. The courts rarely award such damages, however.
Hit-and-Run Motorcycle Crashes Are Illegal in Houston
Texas defines a hit-and-run collision in Texas Transportation Code § 550.021, which says that “the operator of a vehicle involved in a collision” must take reasonable steps to help the person they hit, including providing their insurance information and ensuring victims get necessary emergency medical care.
This law does not include or exclude any particular type of “vehicle.” It does not matter if you operate a car, truck, or motorcycle. If you cause an accident, you must stop and help.
Motorcycle Accident Attorneys and Houston Law
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 allows you to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit for damages up to two years from the collision date. This may seem like a lot of time, but those two years can go by very quickly if:
- You are also seeking medical care or suffering from painful, debilitating motorcycle accident injuries.
- You are mourning the loss of a loved one.
- You don’t know how the law works and need time to learn about your rights.
A personal injury attorney handling a Houston motorcycle accident case will track the time limit for your case and file your lawsuit within the state’s statute of limitations.
Hiring a Houston Motorcycle Accident Law Firm to Represent You
It is a motorcycle wreck lawyer’s job to stay current about the specific laws regarding motorcycle accidents in Houston, Texas. If you have been in such an accident, you may find it much easier to let them manage your case instead of going it alone. You could rely on your legal representative to:
- Review economic and non-economic losses, including your medical expenses, property damage for safety gear, and intangible damages like mental anguish, emotional distress, and pain and suffering
- Determine how much money you should receive based on your motorcycle injuries and applicable state laws
- Identify all at-fault parties, including drivers, mechanics, and part manufacturers
- Speak to the other parties involved in your case, including insurance adjusters, and relay messages between both sides
- Assess proposed settlement offers from the insurer and let you know if they are worth your consideration
- Negotiate a fair settlement that will meet your present and future needs
- Speak for you in court, if you and your lawyer agree this is the best way to pursue maximum compensation
Learn More About Houston’s Motorcycle Accident Laws From Us – Call Today
Before you take legal action, you should know about several specific laws regarding motorcycle accidents in Houston. Getting legal counsel can help you take the right steps for your situation and ensure the legal process unfolds the right way.
If you cannot come to see us right away, we can begin your case virtually. We work on a contingency fee basis, so we will never charge you attorney’s fees unless you win your case. Call Loncar Lyon Jenkins to get a free case review.
