How Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers Helps After a Bedford Motorcycle Accident
A Bedford motorcycle accident lawyer protects you from the bias riders often face and builds the evidence that the crash was the other driver’s fault. Insurance adjusters know some people assume motorcyclists are reckless, and they use that to shift blame and lower offers.
Brad Parker has represented injured people in Northeast Tarrant County since 1985. He is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is a former president of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and the Tarrant County Bar Association.
When you hire us, we:
- Investigate the cause of the crash
- Gather witness statements, photos, video, and the police report
- Calculate your current and future damages
- File insurance claims and negotiate for you
- Protect you from unfair blame
- Track every deadline and handle the paperwork
- Go to trial if a fair settlement isn’t offered
Why Are Motorcycle Accidents So Dangerous?
Motorcycle crashes cause more serious injuries because riders have no seat belts, airbags, or steel frame around them. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that motorcyclists are far more likely to die in a crash than people in passenger cars.
Motorcycles are smaller and lighter than cars and can speed up and slow down quickly. That makes them harder for other drivers to see and to judge. When a collision happens, the rider takes the full force of the impact.
In Texas, the Texas Department of Transportation reported that 521 motorcycle operators and passengers died in crashes in 2021. Riders in Bedford share busy roads with commuters traveling between Fort Worth and Dallas, and too many crashes here start with a distracted driver.
What Causes Most Motorcycle Accidents in Bedford?
Most motorcycle crashes happen because another driver wasn’t paying attention to the rider. Weather, traffic, and road debris play a part, but a careless driver is the most common cause. We often see crashes caused by:
- Failure to yield, especially left turns in front of a rider
- Changing lanes without checking blind spots
- Misjudging a motorcycle’s speed or distance
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Dooring, when a parked driver opens a door into a rider’s path
- Objects thrown or falling from other vehicles
Drivers often say they “didn’t see” the motorcycle. That is not an excuse. Every driver is responsible for watching the road, and a rider should not pay the price for someone else’s inattention.
Who Is Liable for a Motorcycle Crash, and How Do I Prove It?
The driver whose carelessness caused the crash is usually liable, and sometimes others share responsibility, such as an employer, a vehicle owner, or a parts manufacturer. Texas is an at-fault state, so you must prove negligence: the driver owed you a duty, broke it, and caused your injuries.
Useful evidence includes:
- The police crash report and any citations
- Photos of the scene, vehicles, and your gear
- Witness statements
- Traffic camera, business, and dashcam video
- Damage patterns on the bike and the other vehicle
- Your medical records
What if I share some of the blame? Texas uses modified comparative fault. If you are 30% responsible, you recover 70% of your damages. If you are 51% or more responsible, you recover nothing. Insurers sometimes point to a missing helmet to argue your injuries were worse than they would have been. See how the helmet defense works in Texas and our page on Texas motorcycle laws.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Riders are especially likely to suffer catastrophic injuries because nothing stands between them and the road. Common motorcycle injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries and other head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Road rash and burns
- Internal injuries and bleeding
- Amputations
Some injuries, like head trauma and internal bleeding, may not show symptoms right away. See a doctor promptly even if you feel fine. If a crash took the life of someone you love, our Bedford wrongful death lawyer page explains your family’s options.
What Compensation Can I Get After a Bedford Motorcycle Accident?
You can recover economic and non-economic damages from the person who caused the crash. The value of your case depends on how badly you were hurt, the care you’ll need, your lost income, and how the crash has changed your life.
Economic damages can include:
- Emergency treatment, surgery, and hospital bills
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Medical devices such as prosthetics or wheelchairs
- In-home or long-term care
- Lost wages and lost future earning capacity
- Repair or replacement of your motorcycle and gear
Non-economic damages can include pain and suffering, mental anguish, permanent disability or disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.
Keep your bills and receipts, and consider keeping a journal of your pain, sleep, and the activities you can no longer do. Those notes help prove losses that don’t come with a receipt.
Insurance on your side. Personal injury protection (PIP), if you carry it on your motorcycle policy, can pay medical expenses and part of your lost income regardless of fault. If the other driver had no insurance or not enough, an uninsured motorist claim may fill the gap.
How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Texas?
In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. If you miss it, you usually lose your right to recover in court.
If a road defect or a government vehicle played a part, the deadline to give notice can be six months or less. Video footage is often erased within days, so reach out as soon as you can.
About Brad Parker
Bedford Motorcycle Accident FAQs
How much does a motorcycle accident lawyer cost in Bedford?
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers handles motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee. You pay nothing upfront, and you don't owe attorney's fees unless we recover compensation for you. The fee is a percentage of the recovery agreed in writing before we start, and our fee will never exceed your recovery.
Can I recover if I wasn't wearing a helmet?
Often, yes. Riding without a helmet doesn't cause a crash, so it doesn't decide who was at fault. The insurer may argue it made a head injury worse and try to reduce your damages. Texas uses modified comparative fault, so you can still recover as long as you were not more than 50% responsible.
The driver says they never saw me. Does that matter?
No. "I didn't see the motorcycle" is one of the most common things drivers say, and it isn't a defense. Every driver must watch for motorcycles, check blind spots, and yield the right of way. Failing to see a rider who was there to be seen is usually evidence of carelessness.
What if the driver who hit me had no insurance?
If you carry uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, you may be able to claim against your own policy. Personal injury protection (PIP), if you bought it, can pay medical bills and part of your lost income regardless of fault. We review every policy that might apply.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Texas?
In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. Claims against a government agency, such as for a dangerous road condition, can require notice within six months or less. Evidence fades quickly, so it's best to contact a lawyer soon after the crash.
Visit Our Bedford Office
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Bedford Office
2317 Plaza Pkwy #100, Bedford, TX 76021
- Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday – Sunday Closed