What if The Government is At Fault for Your Motorcycle Wreck?

When we think of motorcycle wrecks, we often think about two motorists colliding.  Many of these wrecks are due to another motorist not paying enough attention, and then colliding with the biker.  What if the government is the at-fault party, though?

The Car Crash Captain takes a look at what can happen if your motorcycle wreck is caused due to city or municipality oversight.

How the City Could be At Fault

According to the Texas Tort Claims Act, governmental entities – which includes cities and municipalities – may be held liable for injuries resulting from road hazards.  This, of course, comes with certain exclusions and provisions.

• Knowledge – The city must have knowledge of the hazardous condition.  Suppose you hit a pothole and wreck, if the pothole is big enough to cause a crash, it has probably been around long enough that they city knows about it.
• Risk – The hazard has to pose an “unreasonable risk of harm.”  If the hazard is some dirt on the road due to city trucks coming and going, that’s probably not an unreasonable risk.
• Negligence – If the hazard is known, and poses a significant risk, the city can’t have it fixed overnight.  But if they ignore or fail to act on the repairs, then it’s considered to be negligent on their part.
• Causation – If all of the other factors are met, it must be shown that the hazard led to the wreck.  If you hit a pothole, but later crash while avoiding a cat in the road, that’s not causation.

Once we establish that the city knew about the hazard, and failed to act in a timely manner to repair it, then we can move forward.

There are Deadlines and Caps

In the Texas Tort Claims Act, there are certain rules to follow when making a claim.  Just like the statue of limitations in any other wreck, a motorcycle wreck with a hazard needs to be submitted in a timely manner.

• Deadline – The deadline to submit a written notice to the city is within six months of the incident.
• Description – That written notice should include a description of what happened, what injuries or damage were sustained, and the time and place of the incident.
• Damages – Damages are capped depending on who is determined to be at fault.  The state caps out at $250,000 per person; most cities cap out at $100,000 per person.

It Might not be The Government’s Fault

Just because the motorcycle wreck happened on a public roadway doesn’t mean the city or government is at fault.  There are instances where another party might be liable.

• Private Property – If the wreck occurred because a hazard was transported from private property onto the roadway, the property owner may be liable.  For instance, if a branch falls into the road.
• Hazards from an Individual – If the hazard comes from another individual.  For instance, if cargo falls out of the back of a pickup or commercial vehicle, the city wouldn’t be liable.
• Construction Companies – Sometimes a construction company might be liable.  If their gravel or dirt spills onto the public roadway, or if their equipment has caused damage to the existing road.

Herbert Law Group Helps Motorcycle Wreck Victims

Regardless of who is responsible for your motorcycle wreck, Herbert Law Group is here to help.  We’re in the business of helping you find justice.

If the city or state government is negligent, we will ensure that your case is pursued so you can receive compensation that helps you heal from your injuries.

If another party was found to be negligent, we will work hard to figure out who is liable, and pursue justice.

Let’s talk about what happened.  Call our offices at 214-414-3808 and we’ll have a free conversation to determine how we can help.  No time for a call right now?  Fill out the contact form and we’ll get something scheduled.

Reduce Speed; Reduce Risk

We are all well-aware that we shouldn’t be speeding.  The limits are there for a reason: either to protect you as the driver or rider, or to protect everyone else that could be harmed if you lose control of the vehicle.

However, every year thousands of people die in speed related accidents.  Those who are on two wheels are especially prone to injury or death when they crash.  How do you protect yourself on a motorcycle?  The Car Crash Captain gives us some pointers on what to do.

Reduce Your Speed to Save Lives

Car and motorcycle speeding increases the risk of fatal accidents.  According to the NHTSA 28% of all fatal crashes involved excessive speed; 33% of fatal motorcycle wrecks had speeding as a factor.  Imagine the number of lives we could save if we all slowed down a little bit?

Simply abiding by the speed limit will still get you to your destination.  If you’re running late, excessive speed usually doesn’t save enough time to justify the risk.

Wear the Appropriate Protective Gear

The only way to make riding a motorcycle safer is for the rider to wear the appropriate safety and protective gear.  Assuming the rider is being safe, wearing the right gear is going to decrease the risks of injury or death.

Without getting too much into it, that gear includes wearing an approved helmet, clothing, gloves, and having the right modifications on the motorcycle itself.  Read more about what protective clothing you should be wearing, and then brush up on what kind of helmet is essential.

Look Twice Save a Life

A motorcycle is smaller than other vehicles, and thus harder to see.  A motorcycle speeding is even harder to see than one that’s moving slower.  If you’re riding around in a passenger vehicle, you should be especially attentive during days with nicer weather so you don’t miss seeing someone on two wheels.

If you’re riding a motorcycle, looking twice is still going to be helpful.  You’re probably already well aware of the other bikers on the road, but what you’re looking for here is a motorist that doesn’t appear to see you.  You don’t have to make eye contact, but being on the lookout for a driver that might not be planning to yield can save your life.

Quit Being So Distracted

Back in 1996 a 32-foot-tall mural featuring Dennis Rodman was erected along the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago.  Known for his crazy hair, tattoos, and piercings, Rodman was quite the spectacle to watch as he played basketball, and quite the spectacle off the court as well.  His mural caused so much gawking and staring that people slowed down, caused traffic jams, and a wreck or two occurred.

Today, of course, we don’t have to have murals to distract us.  We have pocket sized electronics to take our focus off the road.  Imagine if a speeding motorcycle was on the expressway and didn’t see the traffic slowing or stopping?

Talk with Herbert Law Group after a Wreck

Motorcycle speeding isn’t the only cause of a wreck, but it’s a major one.  If you’re riding while speeding, and you’re involved in a wreck due to another motorist’s negligence, all isn’t lost.  Even though you shouldn’t have been speeding, you might not be liable for the accident.

Let’s talk about what happened, what injuries you sustained, and determine if we can pursue compensation for the wreck.  Call our offices at 214-414-3808 and we’ll have a free conversation to get things started.

No time for a call right now?  Fill out the contact form, and we’ll reach out to you.

Why Riders Are 28 Times More Likely to Die in a Crash

According to the NHTSA you really don’t want to be involved in a motorcycle crash.  For millions of riders, however, the thrill of the ride is worth the risk.  So, for those who do decide to have the freedom that two wheels provides, the Car Crash Captain has some information on the leading causes of Texas motorcycle accidents.

When you know what to watch out for, you can minimize the risks of being involved in a wreck.

The Leading Causes of Texas Motorcycle Accidents

There’s one factor that leads to far more motorcycle accidents than others – driver negligence.  Because it’s such an encompassing term, let’s break it down a little more.

Distracted Driving – Texting, eating, fiddling with the radio.  Anything that takes your eyes off the road is distracted driving.

Failure to Yield – This doesn’t always apply to yield signs.  Yielding simply means letting the other driver go first – when they have the right of way.

Tailgating – Motorcycles can stop faster than cars.  Following too closely is never a good idea, but when a rider is followed too closely, they can be seriously injured or killed when a wreck happens.

Left-Turn Accidents – The most common fatal motorcycle wreck is when a motorist turns left in front of the biker.

As a rider, avoiding these types of wrecks entirely depends on you being more aware of your surroundings.  Be on the lookout, and be ready to take evasive action.  It’s unfortunate that more drivers aren’t prepared to share the road, but until that time it’s on the motorcycle rider to ensure their own safety.

Other Factors that Lead to Motorcycle Wrecks

There are, of course, numerous other factors that can lead to motorcycle wrecks on Texas roadways.  They include:

• Speeding or Reckless Driving
• Road Hazards or Conditions
• Driving Under the Influence
• Mechanical Defects
• Inexperience

Sometimes it’s the other motorist’s fault, but sometimes these factors can be due to the rider as well.  To avoid being the at-fault party in a Texas motorcycle accident, it’s imperative that you ride safely, legally, while ensuring your skills and your motorcycle are up to the task.

Contact Herbert Law Group after a Texas Motorcycle Accident

No matter how safely we ride or drive, there are bound to be accidents.  Maybe someday, when most vehicle travel is automated, will we get by without being in wrecks that cause injury or death, but that’s not likely to happen in our lifetime.

If you are a motorcycle rider, and you have been in a wreck where you were injured, we should talk about it.  If your loved one was killed in a Texas motorcycle accident, then we should discuss what your options are to ensure that you’re compensated fairly.

It all starts with a free phone call.

Simply call our offices at 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form on our site and we’ll reach out to you.

How do You Calculate Pain and Suffering?

When you’re injured in a motorcycle accident, your compensation should be based on pain and suffering and more than the sum of your calculable losses.  Yep, a cumbersome sentence to say, so let’s clarify.

Every wreck will have economic and non-economic damages.  Economic damages are the ones you can calculate – how much did your wrecked motorcycle cost, how much did your medical bills cost, how much did you lose out on because you couldn’t work, and so on and so forth.  Non-economic damages are those that you can’t put a price tag on.  Keep reading as the Car Crash Captain explains pain and suffering after a motorcycle accident.

What Does Pain and Suffering Mean?

Pain and suffering is generally used to describe what you’re going through on top of the financial impacts that are easy to see.  We can quickly add up the economic losses, but there are many other losses that you are suffering from that you can’t replace with money.  Those include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Loss of consortium (legalese meaning – what you feel when a loved one is killed)
• Insomnia
• Embarrassment
• Fear
• Scarring
• Pain – literally living with chronic pain the rest of your life

There are more, but you get the idea.  How much is a dollar amount that can help you with the embarrassment you suffer because you’re now disfigured?  And that has led to social anxiety, and being stuck indoors leads to depression, and now you can’t sleep…

A therapist can help with psychological trauma, but there’s more to it.

How is Pain and Suffering Calculated as a Dollar Amount?

There are a few different ways to calculate your losses.  The insurance company is going to minimize the pain and suffering, and hope that you won’t think it’s as big of a deal as it actually is.

Even when they acknowledge the problem, they still want to use a calculation that won’t be entirely in your best interest.  Your motorcycle accident lawyer will argue for one of the two methods of calculating losses.

Multiplier vs Per Diem Pain and Suffering

The multiplier method uses a static formula based on the amount of your calculable losses.  Usually, this is between 1.5 and 5 times the amount.  For instance, if you wreck and all of your economic losses tally up to $20,000, then the amount sought for pain and suffering might be $60,000 using a multiplier of 3.  The more severe and long lasting your injuries, the higher the multiplier.

Alternatively, the per diem method calculates your pain and suffering based on how many days transpire between your motorcycle accident, and when you reach full medical recovery.  The dollar amount per day rises based on the severity of the injuries.  So, if you crash and two years later, you’re “back to normal” you receive 730 days of per diem for your pain and suffering.

Insurance companies will often use the per diem method based on algorithms and how long it “should” take you to recover.  This way they can minimize things and say you “should” recover in one year, but then you find out it’s going to take five years… if you’ve already settled, you’re a bit out of luck.

Why You Need Herbert Law Group

Sounds complicated?

Yep, that’s why you need Herbert Law Group to help you fight against the powerful insurance companies.  You’re already laid up and recovering from injuries; you don’t want to be dealing with representatives and adjusters that are basing your pain and suffering on a computer program.

Herbert Law Group has helped a lot of motorcycle accident victims.  We know when you’re being served a low-ball settlement offer, and we know what would be more reasonable.  We have the proof to show that pain and suffering after a motorcycle accident is something that you deserve.

Let us do the hard work for you.  All we need to get things started is a phone call to 214-414-3808 (or fill out the contact form on our site and we’ll get back to you).  Let’s have a free conversation, we’ll find out what happened, and develop a plan that will get you the compensation you deserve.

What to Expect with TBI Recovery

Nothing is going to change your life more than suffering from a major traumatic brain injury (TBI).  Just like any injury, these things have a spectrum from minor to major, and recovery is largely dependent on what parts of the brain were actually injured.

The Car Crash Captain looks at what to expect if you have suffered from a TBI, and how long that recovery is going to take.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

TBI injuries are just about any injury to the head.  Most of the time, if you are hit in the head, your brain will suffer from some sort of damage.  Just like if you injure another part of your body, the injuries may be minor (bruising or scratches), moderate (lacerations or burns), or severe (fractures or amputations).  Recovery times and expectations depend largely on what happened in your motorcycle wreck, and how bad the injuries are.

Recovering from a Mild TBI

Mild brain injuries often show up in the form of a concussion.  Symptoms include headache, nausea, insomnia and more (read all about motorcycle wreck concussions).  These symptoms can persist for days or even weeks.

Recovering from a mild TBI like a concussion usually is just a matter of time.  Slowing things down, avoiding stressful situations, and getting plenty of rest will allow the body to do what the body does: repair itself.  Being monitored by a doctor is essential, because sometimes symptoms can point to a concussion, but worsen into a more moderate form of traumatic brain injury.

Recovering from a Moderate TBI

Moderate TBI’s are a bit worse than the concussion; even if they seemingly are caused the same way.  Suffering a blow to the head causes the brain to move around inside the skull.  When the brain bumps against the bone (lighter impacts aren’t as serious as it’s cushioned by cerebrospinal fluid), it becomes bruised and damaged.  A moderate TBI is usually characterized by a period of unconsciousness of at least 30 minutes (but less than 24 hours).

Recovering takes a lot more time than recovering from a concussion.  Confusion and headaches may persist for weeks.  These are compounded by tiredness, dizziness, irritability, light sensitivity, and more.  The more severe damage to the brain may require ongoing medical care and assistance in activities of daily living.  Recovery is usually measured in months and years rather than days and weeks.

Recovering from a Severe TBI

Severe brain injuries are generally those that result in an unconscious period lasting more than 24 hours.  Those suffering often will enter into a coma for an extended period of time as they’re unable to respond to external stimuli.  Convulsions, seizures, severe nausea, and loss of motor control are common.

Most people who suffer from severe TBI’s don’t recover.  Some might live for many years, but never without extensive care, special accommodations, and a severely diminished quality of life.  The body will work hard to heal itself, but often the damage is too extensive, and it will shut down over time.

Why You Need a Texas Motorcycle Lawyer to Help

Insurance companies will try to diminish the severity of what actually happened, so they don’t have to pay out nearly as large of a claim.

It’s important to work with a personal injury lawyer, especially one with experience in Texas motorcycle wrecks, so you know your case is being handled expertly.  Since a moderate TBI can be very similar in symptoms to a mild one, being monitored by a doctor to fully understand what happened is imperative.

Don’t complicate matters by trying to deal with insurance companies on your own – let Herbert Law Group do that.  You focus on healing from your injuries.

Call our offices at 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form, and we’ll be in touch for a free conversation on how we can help.

Motorcycles Have to be Extra Vigilant

When you’re on a motorcycle, there are times when you’re put in harm’s way simply because you’re on a motorcycle.  Road hazards that may not be a big deal to a car or truck, can turn deadly quickly for those riding on two wheels.

Today, the Car Crash Captain is looking at some of those road hazards, and seeing who ultimately could be liable if you’re injured in a crash due to one of them.

1 – Uneven Pavement or Potholes

Local governments are largely responsible for maintaining the roads.  When the roads are neglected, and damage is done to a vehicle or injury to a rider, they can be held liable.  Hitting a pothole can blow out tires and throw a rider from his or her motorcycle.

The problems come up with proving negligence.  With hundreds, or even thousands, of miles of roadway to maintain, it may be difficult to prove that the government had notice of the hazard and failed to act accordingly.

2 – Gravel and Debris

Gravel and other debris get onto the roads quite often.  From construction zones, to truck spills, to poorly maintained roads that are literally crumbling away, that debris becomes road hazards that cause motorists to lose control of their vehicles, and can cause motorcyclists to crash and be injured.

Property owners or construction companies can be held liable if their debris led to an accident.  That includes property owners who blow fallen leaves into the street instead of disposing of them properly – protect yourself from a lawsuit by maintaining your property instead of pushing it into the street and making it someone else’s problem.

3 – Improper Drainage

Most streets have storm drains.  After a heavy deluge, the water heads into the drains and is whisked away to nearby rivers.  They are generally fast and effective means of removing the water from the roads, and eliminating potential risks.

But they’re not always as effective as they should be.  Sometimes they get clogged with debris and aren’t cleared in time.  Sometimes the roads are improperly designed and they don’t drain as they should.  Large puddles are road hazards and can lead to hydroplaning and wrecks.  The municipality in charge of maintaining the road, or the construction company that built the road, could be at fault here.

4 – Overgrown Vegetation

Vegetation can block views, traffic signs, signals, and more.  It can become a problem for motorists and those riding motorcycles.

If growing on private property, the property owner is responsible to trim their trees and shrubberies so vehicles have a clean line of site.  If this isn’t done, the liability for an ensuing accident could lie, at least partially, on them.

5 – Construction Zones

Construction is essential to ensure the roads don’t become dilapidated and lead to wrecks mentioned earlier due to potholes.  And as much as it’s frustrating to deal with construction, it’s something we have to put up with so we have good roads.

It is to be expected that there are some hazards in the construction zone.  However, the company doing the work is responsible to ensure motorists know about those road hazards – such as loose gravel, abrupt drop-offs, entering equipment, and more.  If they don’t warn motorists, they can be held liable for a wreck that ensues.

Herbert Law Group Motorcycle Accident Victims

Road hazards will always be there.  Ideally, they’re handled in a fast and effective manner, but things are overlooked.

If you’re a rider, and you’ve been injured in a crash due to road hazards, it’s important that you speak with an attorney from Herbert Law Group right away.  We can help you find justice so you can focus on healing from your injuries.  Call our offices at 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form on our site and we’ll be in touch with you.

Who is At Fault in a Lane Filter Motorcycle Accident?

We all know the importance of watching out for motorcycles.  These vehicles are open to the air, and the riders are much more susceptible to bodily injury if hit.  As motorists we all have the obligation to watch out for each other, and to take care of one another on the road to prevent accidents when possible.  Despite making up just 3.5% of registered vehicles, motorcycles represent 15% of fatal traffic deaths (NHTSA Data from 2022) because they’re that much more vulnerable.

But what happens if a biker is hit while lane filtering?  Who will be found liable, where does the fault lie, and what’s going to happen to the injured party?  The Car Crash Captain has some answers.

Lane Splitting, Lane Filtering, Lane Sharing

First of all, these three terms aren’t interchangeable, even if some use them interchangeably.  When we’re looking into the legality of things, we have to make sure we’re using the proper definition of the words.

Lane splitting is when a motorcyclist passes vehicles by driving between the two lanes.  In this situation vehicle are moving along as regular traffic, perhaps going slower than the speed limit due to congestion, and the biker “creates another lane” by essentially riding the white line between vehicles.  Lane splitting, in Texas, is illegal.

Lane filtering is when a motorcyclist rides between stopped vehicles as he or she approaches an intersection.  They filter their way to the front of the line to ease congestion and reduce the risk of being rear-ended by an inattentive driver.  Lane filtering, in Texas, is illegal.

Lane sharing is when two motorcyclists ride side-by-side in the same lane.  In Texas, lane sharing legal when it is only two riders side-by-side (or slightly staggered) and they aren’t otherwise impeding traffic.

There is currently only one state that allows lane splitting (California), and five others that allow lane filtering (Montana, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Hawaii); each has their own rules on how to filter.  Several others, including Texas, are considering adjusting the laws to allow either splitting or filtering as there’s quite a bit of evidence that shows it’s a safer method of travel (when done correctly).

What if a Motorcyclist is Hit While Lane Filtering?

So, what if a motorcyclist is hit while lane filtering or lane splitting?  Since they’re violating a traffic law, does that automatically make them the at-fault party?

The answer is, sort of.

Because Texas has a comparative fault law, you can still recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the accident.  If you are deemed to be more than 50% responsible, however, then you likely won’t be able to recover compensation.

What’s that look like?  It’s going to change depending on the situation.

If you’re lane filtering, and a driver doesn’t like that you’re “cutting” the line, so they swing their door open – you’re likely going to be less at fault than some other situations.

If you’re lane splitting, and a driver changes lanes but doesn’t see you in their blind spot, you might be more at fault because you shouldn’t be there in the first place.

If you’re lane filtering, and a driver decides to try to change lanes, and they’re crossing a solid white line to do so… that’s where things can get pretty murky.  Is lane filtering a “worse” offense than crossing a solid white line?

That’s why you need a personal injury lawyer if you’ve been injured in a Texas motorcycle accident.

How Does Herbert Law Group Help?

Herbert Law Group knows how to deal with insurance companies and juries if your case goes to trial.

If you’ve been injured, even if you might be partially at fault, then let’s talk about what happened and see if we can help.  Our attorneys will give your situation a look, and take it from there.

It all starts with a free phone call.  Get in touch with us at 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form on our site and we’ll reach out to you for a conversation and initial consultation.

Healing from a Wreck Can Take Time

Motorcycle wrecks can result in some serious injuries.  Without the protection a car offers, the body is exposed to far more.  Those injuries are much worse, and often fatal, when proper riding safety gear isn’t worn.

How long do these injuries take to heal?  What can be expected?  The Car Crash Captain has some insights for us.

What Injuries are Common after a Wreck?

Nearly any injury you can think of can and will happen with a severe motorcycle wreck.  There are, however, some that are much more common.

• TBI: Traumatic Brain Injuries may occur whenever you receive a sudden blow to the head.  Neglecting a DOT approved helmet means the likelihood of a TBI (or death) is much higher.
• Head: The head tends to get hit a lot in wrecks.  Even if the impact isn’t severe enough to cause a TBI, other injuries including fractures, scrapes, and lacerations can occur.
• Back and Neck: Our spines are made up of dozens of bones; each with multiple joints.  All-in-all there are 364 joints in the spine and neck, they can all become damaged in a motorcycle crash.
• Broken Bones: All of the bones are at risk during a motorcycle wreck.  Legs and arms are especially prone to breaking due to their location and size.
• Road Rash: Road rash is a serious issue that shouldn’t be taken lightly.  Abrasion wounds can easily become infected and bigger issues may result.
• Disfigurement: Injuries are often so severe they will never heal properly.  Long-term the body may become disfigured.

How Long Does it Take to Heal?

The short answer: it all depends on the type of injury.

For minor scrapes and bruises, healing can be as quickly as a week or two.  However, issues like broken bones may take many months to heal.  Road rash that becomes infected can be an ongoing problem for many weeks or months.

The real trauma, however, is that some injuries are so severe, that you will never heal from them.

Lifelong Issues After a Texas Motorcycle Wreck

Major injuries to the body, such as traumatic brain injury, severely broken bones, and disfigurement cause problems that will last for your entire life.  Not only will the body be physically different and weaker, other issues can pop up.

Ongoing medical care means that doctor visits become a normal part of life.  As healthcare costs continue to rise, these bills can rack up considerably fast.

Assistive devices might be necessary for a while, or forever.  If your back is severely broken, legs and feet no longer work.  That means a wheelchair for mobility, but also modifying the home to accommodate a chair.

Decreased earnings at work might be the new normal.  If your body can’t handle long working hours, then you’re limited on what you can do.  If you were working manual labor, but physically are unable to do so, opportunities may be limited.

There is a major factor that many people overlook, and insurance companies are hoping you will too.

Pain and Suffering is a Real Issue

Pain and suffering aren’t just buzzwords.  They real issues that nearly everyone will experience after being involved in a wreck.  How does that look?

• Relationships are strained.  If your spouse now has to empty your colostomy bag several times a day, will they stick around?
• Quality of life is diminished.  If you were an avid outdoorsman or woman, and now you’re confined to a wheelchair, how is your sense of identity changed?
• Happiness vanishes.  Many people who have life altering injuries struggle to find happiness or enjoyment in life.  If you were healthy one day, and a quadriplegic the next would you struggle to be joyful?

Come to Herbert Law Group Immediately After a Crash

Herbert Law Group has dealt with hundreds of motorcycle crashes.  We know what happens, how long the healing process takes, which injuries you can recover from and which will result in ongoing and lifelong challenges.

We also know how to talk to the insurance companies so you receive compensation that’s going to adequately cover those injuries.

You have up to two years to file your claim, but the longer you wait, the harder it’s going to be.  As soon as you can after the wreck, call our offices at 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form on our site and we’ll reach out to you.  We’ll have a free conversation to determine how we can help.

Fewer Rides Happen in the Winter

As the fall progresses, we still have plenty of time to ride comfortably here in the Dallas area.  But soon the temperatures are going to dip even more, we’ll have rain and perhaps even some ice forming on the roads.  Most motorcycles will be put into the garage for at least a few months as the coldest part of the year comes and goes.

Before you tuck your bike away for the winter, make sure it has been winterized.  A properly cared for motorcycle now means it will function optimally when the spring rolls around.  Here are a few tips from the Car Crash Captain to help you avoid an accident when the spring comes back.

Motorcycle Winter Preparation Tips

Keep in mind that all motorcycles are different.  Newer bikes may need less prep, and older bikes may need more.

• Change the Oil and Filter – An oil change and filter change should be a regular occurrence with your bike anyway.  Get it done now so anything that happens to be in the oil and filter won’t settle out and cause a clog or major problems when you fire it back up in the spring.
• Give it a Wash – It’s not entirely necessary to wash, dry, and perhaps even wax your motorcycle.  But any little bits of dirt on it, when a cover rubs against it, can scratch the paint.
• Fill the Tank and Stabilize – Most gas tanks are fine when they are less than full.  But to be on the safe side it should be filled up and stabilizer added to it.  Gasoline can “crystallize” over time, and cause problems in the engine.  Stabilizer prevents this.
• Disconnect the Battery – No sense in trying to fire up a motorcycle with a dead battery.  You can set it on a trickle charger all winter, but that also isn’t necessary.  Put it on the charger a couple of weeks before your first ride of the spring and you’ll be fine.
• Clean the Air Filter – Pull that air filter out and clean or replace it.  Just regular maintenance here, nothing that must be done in the fall.
• Protect the Tires – Tires can crack over the winter, especially if they’re left in the sunshine.  You can coat them with a tire protectant, but the most important thing will be to get them out of the sun light.  At a minimum, cover them.  But if you can store your motorcycle indoors (in a garage) that is climate controlled, that is even better.
• Cover It – There are plenty of high-quality motorcycle covers out there.  Even better is to get your bike inside, tucked into a corner of the garage.  If that’s not an option, at least cover it, and make sure that the entire wheel is covered to prevent dry rot.

Do you have other tips that you have found are helpful in keeping your motorcycle well protected over the winter, so when the spring rolls around you’re ready to get back on the open road?

Herbert Law Group Helps Motorcycle Accident Victims

The best winter preparation can help you avoid an accident when the spring rolls around.  But even the most careful riders can find themselves the victim of a negligent motorist.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, and you were not the at-fault driver, then we need to talk.  Insurance companies will try to diminish your claim and pay out less than what you actually need to fully recover.  We have worked with hundreds of claims, and we know how to fight for you.

Let’s talk about what happened and see how we can help.  Call our offices at 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form on our site, and we’ll have a free conversation to establish a plan.

How to Prevent a Mishap on a Bike

We know that riding a motorcycle can be dangerous; you’re much more exposed than those enclosed in a car or truck.  Today, the Car Crash Captain is looking at the top causes of motorcycle accidents, and what those on two wheels and those with four wheels need to pay attention to so nobody gets hurt.

Safety While Riding a Motorcycle

Depending on the statistic, roughly half of motorcycle accidents are the fault of the rider and half are another motorist (some stats put this at 60% other motorists and 40% riders).  Sometimes it’s just the rider losing control, sometimes it’s a negligent motorist, sometimes it’s all parties not paying enough attention.

Whether you’re driving a car, a truck, or riding a motorcycle, be aware of these causes of motorcycle accidents.

Left Hand Turns – Turning left means you’re crossing an oncoming traffic lane.  The majority of fatal motorcycle crashes are because a car or truck turns in front of the motorcycle because they “didn’t see them coming.”  Motorcycles are harder to see, so take a second, third, or fourth look before making that left-hand turn.  For those riding, pay extra attention if an oncoming vehicle is about to turn left.

Lane Changes – Due to the smaller footprint that a rider and the motorcycle make, they fit into that blind spot more easily.  If you’re riding on two wheels, get out of that blind spot quickly.  If you’re driving a vehicle, remember SMOG – Signal, Mirror, Over-the-Shoulder, Go.  Many drivers skip looking over the shoulder where they would have seen the biker and cause a collision.

Open Doors – Cars parked along the side of the road may swing their door open and cause a collision (this is especially a problem with bicycle riders as they tend to ride closer to the edge of the lane).  Just like the previous three scenarios, it’s easier to see an approaching vehicle than a motorcycle, so look another time to be safe.

Speeding – One of the biggest causes of motorcycle accidents and car accidents is people simply going too fast.  If you have 10 miles to drive, driving 50 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour zone only saves you 5 minutes.  It’s almost never worth the risk.  Besides, being pulled over and written a ticket is going to take much longer than the 5 minutes you were hoping to save.

Distracted Driving – Talking, texting, snapchatting, even applying makeup, eating, or fiddling with the radio – they’re all forms of distracted driving.  Be aware of other drivers and if their actions seem “off” give them a little more room and don’t put yourself in danger.

Driving Under the Influence – We shouldn’t really even need to talk about this.  It’s just a bad idea no matter how “sober” you might feel after drinking.

Road Conditions – A small patch of gravel, a branch, a pile of leaves, or a pothole might not be a big deal for a car (other than the potential for some mechanical issues).  But it’s one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents because if you lose traction with one of the two wheels, you’re quite likely to wreck.

Herbert Law Group Works with Motorcycle Accident Victims

When you’re riding on two wheels, and you’re the victim of someone else’s negligent driving, you shouldn’t have to face off with the insurance companies by yourself.

Let Herbert Law Group do the hard legal work for you.  You focus on healing from your injuries.

Before we can help, though, we need to know what happened.  Call our office at 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form on our site, and let’s have a free conversation about what happened.