Category Blog

Fighting for your rights  

Motorcycles, unlike cars, don’t offer drivers any barrier of protection in crashes. For this reason, the risk of serious injury or even a fatality is particularly high in a motorcycle accident. In fact, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, more than 50,000 serious injuries and 2,300 motorcycle fatalities occur in the United States every year. Our motorcycle accident lawyers understand the inherent safety disadvantage motorcyclists have and the responsibilities and rights of all motorists. We know how to handle injury lawsuits when other drivers fail to honor motorcyclists’ rights. For nearly 30 years, we’ve advocated for victims and we have the experience to help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Motorcyclist rights and causes of motorcycle accidents

All motorists, including motorcyclists, have rights as drivers and responsibilities to protect others on the road. Some responsibilities are unique to motorcyclists, such as motorcyclists under the age of 21 are required to wear a helmet.

Some rights that owners of large vehicles take for granted are consistently infringed upon when it comes to motorcyclists. For example, all motorists have the right to a full road lane. For car and truck drivers, this is practically a given, since only one of their vehicles fits into a lane at once. But because motorcycles are small, many other drivers think they can share a lane with a motorcycle or just pass it. Unfortunately, this poses a serious threat to the motorcyclist, who could be edged off the road, boxed in or involved in a serious collision with the other vehicle.

Often motorcycle accidents occur because of negligent drivers or other parties who do not respect motorcyclists’ rights, not because the motorcyclist was driving irresponsibly, which is a common misconception. Also, when those responsible for maintaining roads fail to clean up debris, spills and other hazards, the conditions pose more of a threat to motorcyclists than to other types of drivers.

If any of these scenarios describes your situation, or if a negligent driver in any capacity caused a motorcycle accident that resulted in your injury, you may have a valid claim for compensation.

Representing injured workers in our community since 1990

If you’ve been injured on the job, you may need to seek benefits through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. This can be a difficult process, as some companies and insurers may challenge claims and try to prevent injured workers from receiving the compensation they deserve. To get the representation you need, consult the skilled workers’ compensation lawyers at our law firm. We are experienced in all facets of workplace injury law, whether your injury is related to an on-the-job accident or long-term exposure to hazardous materials.

The basics of workers’ compensation

Employers who purchase workers’ compensation insurance do so to protect both themselves and their workers in case a workplace injury occurs. Through these programs, injured workers receive medical and disability benefits, while employers are shielded from personal injury claims. In Texas, private employers can choose to carry workers’ compensation insurance coverage, but it is not required in most cases.

Although workers’ comp covers most types of injuries, there are some situations that may complicate matters. If faulty or defective equipment was the cause of an accident, for example, it might be necessary to file a personal injury claim against the manufacturer. A claim might also be filed when an outside party, such as an independent contractor, is at fault for an accident.

Common causes of workers’ comp claims

Depending on your job and the industry you work in, you may face a number of hazards in your employment. Some jobs are more dangerous than others, including those in construction, manufacturing and firefighting. The following are some of the most common injuries and accidents resulting in claims for workers’ compensation benefits:

Back and neck injuries

Spinal cord injuries

Broken bones

Head and brain injuries

Electrical accidents

Lead paint exposure

Strains and tears

Tendonitisa

Toxic chemical exposure

Carpal tunnel

Our experienced lawyers can help you file a workers’ compensation claim and receive compensation for your injuries.

How can a workers’ compensation attorney help?

In some cases, employers and insurers can be aggressive in fighting against claims, leading many workers to fear they’ll be retaliated against if they pursue benefits. Insurance companies may use a number of tactics to deny benefits for claimants, but an experienced attorney will recognize these strategies and know how to address them. You may be entitled to temporary total disability, permanent partial disability or compensation for medical bills under the law, so be sure to secure sound legal counsel if you have questions or concerns about filing a claim.

Advocating for you when a negligent driver causes personal injuries

The National Transportation Safety Board reports that car accidents occur every 10 seconds in the United States, resulting in more than 40,000 deaths per year. In fact, the most common type of personal injury is from an auto accident. The number of potential distractions on the road has been on a steady rise for some time now, and it is not surprising that most car crashes occur when drivers fail to focus exclusively on driving. An auto accident attorney at our firm can investigate the unique circumstances of your accident. We are well-prepared to help you obtain the compensation to which you are entitled for your car accident injury.

Causes of auto accidents

Negligent driving is the leading cause of car accidents and subsequent injuries. The following behaviors and circumstances can greatly increase the risk of all types of collisions on the road:

Distracted driving

Drunk driving or driving while under the influence of drugs

Speeding or reckless driving

Debris on roads, which can cause tire blowouts

Fatigued driving

Talking on a mobile phone or texting while driving

Eating or drinking while driving

Inattentive driving is hazardous behavior. When a driver operates a vehicle carelessly, it presents a danger to everyone in the vicinity. Drivers who cause accidents due to negligence are responsible for any resulting damages and may even be found grossly negligent in fatal car accidents.

When you can pursue damages for a car accident

If you suffer an injury or property damage in a car accident due to the negligent acts of one or more parties, you have the right to pursue compensation for your losses. Even if you share as much as 50 percent of the fault, you can potentially recover up to 50 percent of the expenses you incur for injuries and other losses. And if the responsible party lacks the proper insurance, you should still be able to collect damages, depending on the terms of the uninsured and underinsured motorist provisions in your own policy.

Accidental injury cases can become quite complex when two or more parties share liability for an accident. With car accidents, you must pursue separate cases against each liable party based on the proportional share of negligence. An auto accident attorney from our firm can help you navigate the complexities of such a situation.

In every case, we provide dedicated and caring support. We have helped thousands of satisfied clients in a wide variety of personal injury cases.