Knowing what steps to take after a motorcycle accident in Texas may help you deal with an accident and its aftermath. Call emergency services, document the scene, exchange details with those involved, and get medical attention. Follow doctors’ orders, avoid speculations about fault, and consider retaining a lawyer to represent you.
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident in Texas, legal advice may benefit you. Our Corpus Christi motorcycle accident lawyer offers a free initial consultation.
When to Call Emergency Services After a Motorcycle Accident in Texas
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident and someone has been killed or injured, or if any vehicles can no longer be operated safely, the first step to take after a motorcycle accident in Texas is to call emergency services, usually by dialing 911. You should also call for help if you believe a driver is intoxicated or if there has been a hit-and-run.
If you are able to assist injured people, do so, but do not move them unless they would be in danger if you do not. When first responders arrive at the scene, they will help anyone who has been injured, and police will document their observations to generate an accident report.
Although you may not be required to report the accident to law enforcement if no one was injured and the vehicles can still be driven, it may still be wise to do so. Not all injuries are immediately apparent. At the very least, you should exchange details with the other driver, document the scene, get a medical checkup, and report the accident to your insurance company.
We have offices in Houston, Corpus Christi, and Victoria; and will travel to any corner of Texas if we are capable of preventing an injustice.
Documenting the Scene if You Are Able and it is Safe to Do So
Photos of vehicle damage, accident debris, marks on the road, license plates, traffic signs, and road conditions may help fill gaps in evidence or settle disputes later on.
You may also be able to identify witnesses willing to give their account of events. However, you should not place yourself at risk or attempt evidence gathering if your injuries make it difficult to do so.
As a motorcyclist, you have minimal protection in the event of a collision and may well be severely injured. Always prioritize your health and safety, even if it means remaining where you are until help arrives. Police will document the scene, and a lawyer may follow up with their own investigations on your behalf.
Exchanging Information With Other Drivers
Exchanging information with other drivers involved in the accident is a required step to take after a motorcycle accident in Texas. Once again, it is only necessary if you are not so badly injured that you are unable to do so. Per Tex. Transp. Code § 550.023, the information you should share includes:
- Names and addresses
- Vehicle registration numbers
- Insurance information
- Driver’s licenses (to be displayed on request)
This step allows everyone involved in the accident to properly report it to their insurance companies so they can file claims against their own or the at-fault driver’s insurance policies. Leaving the scene without sharing information may result in legal consequences, including potential hit-and-run charges.
Representing the injured in all areas of Texas that extends back over 40 years
Getting Medical Attention is a Key Step to Take After a Motorcycle Accident in Texas
Even if you think you are uninjured, it is wise to get a medical evaluation as soon as possible. Internal injuries are not always immediately apparent, and seemingly minor injuries may be more serious than you think. For instance, it may be difficult to tell if a head injury is mild or severe.
Prompt medical attention can help keep you out of danger from hidden injuries, and medical records may help link any injuries to the accident. They will also show that you did not delay treatment, forestalling any claim that you were injured in a different incident or that you made your injuries worse through neglect.
You need a skilled advocate to protect your legal rights and present your claim in such a way as to maximize your recovery.
Why Hiring a Lawyer as Soon as Possible May Benefit a Case for Compensation
Although it isn’t always necessary to consider hiring a lawyer after a motorcycle accident, you may wish to do so if you were injured or if there seem to be disputes about who was at fault.
Acting quickly may help a lawyer build a stronger case on your behalf and may mean you have representation when dealing with other parties.
Time-Sensitive Tasks a Lawyer May Undertake on Your Behalf
The evidence police officers gather after an accident primarily focuses on determining whether an offense was committed and what immediate actions should be taken.
A lawyer may investigate more deeply, and their aim is to establish civil liability and prepare your case. Certain evidence may only be available for a short time. An attorney may seek and preserve:
- Data from vehicles’ event data recorders (EDRs)
- Surveillance or dashcam footage
- Evidence remaining on the scene of the accident
- Statements from witnesses
This evidence may support your case if other parties later dispute what occurred. Even though you are still assessing the full extent of your damages, preparing for a case may help protect your right to compensation.
Representing You When Doing Business With Insurance Companies
There are many steps to take after a motorcycle accident in Texas, some of which require interaction with insurance companies.
Apart from the fact that you may be so severely injured that doing business yourself is out of the question, some insurance companies may handle claims in a way that involves early communications that can be difficult to navigate without guidance.
Working to Protect Your Right to Compensation
The facts of a case lead to determinations of fault, which may affect your eligibility for compensation after your motorcycle accident. While an attorney cannot promise you a positive outcome, they may be able to predict challenges that are likely to arise and prepare evidence to counter them.
Since Texas is not a no-fault state, proportionate responsibility has a decisive role to play. In Texas, you must be no more than 50% responsible for an accident to qualify for compensation, and possible defendants may be willing to go to additional effort to show you were more than 50% to blame.
If they are able to do so, Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.001 specifies that you will not be eligible for compensation. By retaining a lawyer early on, you may be better positioned to protect your interests, respond to allegations of fault, and present evidence supporting your right to compensation.
Choosing Us to Represent Your Interests After a Motorcycle Accident in Texas
At Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC, you have direct access to the attorneys. We offer a free initial consultation to help you explore your options and answer your questions.
Beyond what you have already done, we can help guide you on what steps to take after a motorcycle accident in Texas from a legal perspective. We may be willing to assist with your case, representing you so that you can rest and recover. Reach out today.
At Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC we can talk to you about your options and rights.
