Hurt In a Motorcycle Accident in Henderson County? Call Jeff
The Athens, TX attorney who knows how to fight insurance companies
Motorcycles are popular in Henderson County. There's lots of open road, and the weather is right for riding year-round. But one negligent driver on the road can cause an accident that can leave you seriously injured. Attorney Jeff Weinstein of Weinstein Law helps the injured overcome legal obstacles to get the financial compensation they deserve.
The truth is that many car and truck drivers only think of motorcycles as a nuisance they are trying to get around. They don't treat motorcycles as they would other vehicles. So they take risks on the road that can quickly lead to a dangerous crash. Or sometimes, they don't notice motorcycles near them at all.
The result is an accident that leaves motorcyclists hurt. Common injuries include:
Insurance companies and motorcycle accidents
Insurance companies are well aware of how the system operates, and they will work to shift as much blame onto you as possible. The more responsibility they can place on you, the less money they have to pay out, which, in turn, increases their profits.
One way insurance companies accomplish this is by labeling motorcyclists as reckless thrill-seekers who drive dangerously on the roads. This allows them to attribute fault to you for any motorcycle accident that occurs, even though most motorcyclists are safe, responsible operators.
We refuse to let insurance companies get away with this. Our legal team is dedicated to uncovering the truth behind your motorcycle accident. We meticulously gather evidence, review accident reports and medical records, interview witnesses, and consult with accident reconstruction experts and other specialists if necessary. We leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of justice for you.
Common Athens, TX motorcycle accidents
Motorcycle accidents happen for many reasons, but usually it’s because the other driver wasn’t paying attention when they hit the person riding a motorcycle. Two of the most common types of motorcycle accidents in Athens are “dooring” accidents and intersection accidents.
Doorings happen when a vehicle is stopped, and occupants are exiting or entering the cab. If a motorcyclist is riding down the street at that moment, a driver or passenger may swing open their side door right into the path of an oncoming motorcyclist. The biker either crashes into the door or swerves into traffic and hits something else.
Many motorcycle accidents happen at intersections. Drivers typically cause intersection motorcycle accidents in Texas by speeding through a red light, making a negligent turn, or rear-ending a bike. Often, motorists making left turns fail to yield to oncoming motorcycles, causing severe injuries.
We build strong cases that get results
When a negligent driver caused a motorcycle accident that left you injured, it should be simple. The driver admits fault. The insurance company adds up the damages you've suffered and covers the costs. But Jeff knows that the process is always much more complicated than that.
Drivers often don't admit they did anything wrong. And insurance companies would prefer to protect their profits rather than pay you. They also tend to think of motorcyclists as dangerous and reckless. So they may try to put at least 51% of the blame for the accident on you - which in Texas means they wouldn't have to pay you anything.
That's why you need an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer to fight for you. Jeff knows the games that insurance companies play and he doesn't put up with them. He knows the majority of motorcyclists are responsible and safe riders. And he will fight to help you recover the compensation you need and deserve for your injuries.
We start by investigating your motorcycle accident. Our legal team gathers evidence. Jeff reviews accident reports, medical records and other documentation. We identify any witnesses and interview them. And if needed, Jeff consults with accident reconstruction experts and other specialists who can help us understand what happened.
Jeff is ready to fight for injured bikers
He also determines the total damages you suffered. This can include medical expenses for treating your injury - both now and in the future. It may include any lost wages you suffered while your injuries left you unable to work. Jeff may also seek other damages, such as pain and suffering caused by the accident.
Jeff builds a strong case that proves negligence caused your crash. Then he fights to hold negligent parties accountable and recover financial compensation. Jeff knows you can't wait for insurance companies to do the right thing. Many times, insurance companies agree to talk about a settlement when they see that he is prepared to fight them all the way to court.
If you're wondering if you can afford an attorney for your motorcycle accident, the answer is yes, you can. We work on a contingency fee basis. That means you don't owe us a dime unless we recover money for you. Jeff covers all the costs to move your case forward. If you don't get paid, he doesn't get paid.
Jeff will guide you through the legal process every step of the way. He will also keep you informed about how your case is going. If you ever have questions or concerns about your case, all you have to do is call. Our clients get Jeff's cell phone number can call him directly any time.
Learn more about the difference an experienced motorcycle accident attorney can make for you. Meet with Jeff for a free consultation. You can come to our Athens, TX office, or Jeff can come to your house or any location that is convenient for you. Just call 903-677-5333 or contact us online to schedule a time.
Common types of motorcycle injuries
These types of injuries are common in motorcycle accidents and can be very serious. They can occur when a motorcyclist is hit directly by a car or truck. They can also happen when a motorcyclist is thrown from the bike onto the ground.
The biggest concern is that during impact, the brain will crash into the skull. The result can be bruising, bleeding or swelling. A motorcyclist can be left with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). This can cause people to have problems with speech, thinking and motor skills. Some have problems or balance or walking, or have muscle weakness.
Victims of head and brain injuries may require long-term or even lifelong care. This care can be very expensive. The costs can become overwhelming for families.
In a motorcycle accident, the motorcyclist can be hit directly by a car or truck and thrown off the bike onto the ground. The force of impact in either situation can lead to broken bones. Motorcyclists can have broken bones in their arms, legs, wrists, hands or hips.
When accident victims suffer broken bones, they have a loss of mobility until the bones heal. This can take several months. And in some cases, an injured motorcyclist may need surgery to make sure the bones set properly. The bones may have been crushed or fragmented during the accident.
While many broken bones eventually heal, injury victims may be left unable to work for some time. That means there is less income coming in just as their medical bills are going up. Sometimes, motorcyclists who suffered broken bones are left with a permanent disability.
Immediately following an accident, a motorcyclist may feel fine. But motorcyclists have very little protection during a crash. The accident may have caused damage internally that is extremely dangerous. Examples include:
- Cuts or trauma to the liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas or other organs
- Tears in the aorta of the heart
- Bleeding around the lungs
- Collapsed lung
- Bleeding near the brain
That's why it is extremely important to seek medical attention following a motorcycle accident. A medical professional can detect a problem and take quick action. An injured motorcyclist may require surgery, hospitalization and medication. In some cases, these internal injuries can lead to permanent disability.
During a motorcycle crash, a motorcycle is hit and knocked down or a motorcyclist is thrown from the bike. In both cases, the natural instinct is for you to hold out your arms for protection. Unfortunately, this can result in a condition known as "biker's arm."
Basically, this means that there was damage to the nerves in the arm. The damage often occurs in the brachial plexus, median nerve, radial nerve and ulnar nerve. The result is a loss of feeling and limited arm movement. People with biker's arm may have trouble using their hands or fingers.
The symptoms of this condition may not show up right away. They can take days or even weeks to appear. Treatment can help, but sometimes there is a permanent disability.
When there's a motorcycle accident, the motorcyclist is often thrown to the ground and slides down the road for a bit. This can result in "road rash" - another name for serious cuts and bruises to the skin. In some cases, the result can be as serious as third-degree burns.
Road rash is very painful, but it can be treated. However, there can be complications. Cuts and bruises can become infected. There may be nerve damage or scarring in some cases. In more serious cases of road rash, skin grafts may be necessary. And motorcyclists may need medication while they heal.
The medical expenses for treating road rash and any complications can add up quickly. Injured motorcyclists may have limited mobility in the affected parts of the body for some time. They may also be unable to work until the road rash heals.