How Proper Equipment can Reduce Injuries

The other day I was driving down a fairly heavily trafficked street.  I noticed a motorcycle behind me; he wasn’t driving recklessly (aside from not wearing a helmet), and was keeping a safe distance back.  As I approached an intersection, cars were backed up more than usual, and I hit my brakes firmly.  It wasn’t a sudden stop, but faster than usual.

I heard a loud scraping sound and what sounded like something shattering.  A glance in my mirror showed the biker on the ground behind me.  Traffic stopped, I quickly pulled over, and helped the rider move his motorcycle off the main road and onto a side street.  He was shaken up, one arm had bad road rash, but otherwise no serious injuries.

It turns out that he hadn’t expected traffic to stop like it did, and wasn’t paying close enough attention.  Braking hard caused him to lay the bike down.  Fortunately, no other vehicles were involved, and his motorcycle suffered what appeared to be merely cosmetic damage.

The incident could have been a lot worse.  His heavy, Harley-style motorcycle had crash bars that protected his legs, and other motorists stopped in time preventing further collisions.  Let’s see what the Car Crash Captain says about riding with the right safety equipment installed.

What are Crash Bars Anyway?

Crash bars attach to the sides of the motorcycle, beneath the fuel tank, and in front of the feet (see the images on this page for those visual folks).  They can come with the bike, or can be added on afterward.

These simple metal devices are sturdy and solid, and serve an important purpose to protect the rider.

Why Are Crash Bars Important?

Crash bars protect against three issues that arise during a wreck.

Protect the Rider – When a bike goes down, the rider goes down with it.  Often the motorcycle will land on top of the rider and crush a leg between the heavy piece of equipment and the road.  Crash bars keep the bike up off the roadway just a bit, so the leg doesn’t get smashed.

Protect the Motorcycle – Crashing on a motorcycle is going to cause damage.  Proper crash bars can mean the difference between cosmetic damage, and something much more serious and costly.

Protect Others – When a biker wrecks, the pieces of bike can hit other vehicles.  Crash bars provide structural integrity to the motorcycle, and reduce impact on the road.  This means less debris flying off into traffic and posing hazards to others.

Other Safety Gear to Consider

Keep in mind that while crash bars are a great way to reduce the impact, they’re not designed to take the place of other proper safety equipment.

Clothing – Wearing a motorcycle jacket (one that is abrasion resistant), the individual in the story at the beginning of this blog would not have had a severely scraped arm.

Helmet – A full helmet that is DOT approved should be worn at all times.  One that covers the entire face is especially protective.

Colors – Brighter clothing is easier to see.

There are plenty of other safety tips and gear, we have talked about them in our post about staying safe while riding.

Come to Herbert Law Group after a Motorcycle Wreck in Texas

No matter how much safety gear you have, there will always be other motorists out there that aren’t being safe.

If you have had the unfortunate circumstance of being in a motorcycle wreck due to someone else’s negligence, we should talk about how to make sure the insurance company is paying you what you deserve.

Call Herbert Law Group at 214-414-3808, or fill out our contact form and we’ll be in touch.

Motorcycle Myths Abound; Here are a Few to Dispel

There’s nothing wrong with a nice ride.  There’s a feeling you get on two wheels that you simply can’t get on four.  Over the years, however, certain myths have popped up that don’t seem to go away.  Well, it’s time to dispel these popular myths that actually make riding more dangerous.

If you have been injured, or a loved on has been killed, in a motorcycle wreck, then it’s time to talk with the Car Crash Captain.  Yes, he handles motorcycle wrecks as well.  Visit our contact page to fill out the form, or call us at 214-414-3808.  Our first goal is to have a conversation to see how we can help.

Motorcycle Myths we Can Say “Goodbye” To

There are plenty more motorcycle myths out there.  These are just a few of the most popular and why they’re not actually true.

Loud Pipes Save Lives

By design motorcycle pipes face backward.  That means the majority of the noise put out by a loud bike, shoots behind the motorcycle.  There may be a few times when a motorcycle is loud enough to alert another driver to their presence, but in these situations they are likely so close that the other driver already knows they are there.

Loud pipes aren’t the answer to being noticed.

Motorcycle Helmets Break Necks

The idea here is that when you put more weight on top of your head, it means it puts your neck through more stress in the event of an impact.  The myth, however, is that the added 3.5 pounds isn’t enough to really cause much harm.  In fact, modern DOT approved helmets are designed in such a way to absorb the shock and lessen the strain on the neck.

Impacting the ground at speed means energy has to be transferred somewhere.  In a vehicle it’s into the crumple zones, but on a motorcycle it’s in the protective equipment.

A Helmet Usually Doesn’t Help

As long as we’re on the topic of helmets, let’s tackle a big myth that a helmet isn’t usually necessary.  This motorcycle myth comes from the idea that the bulk of those who survive wrecks, do so with serious injuries to their arms, legs, and backs.  It’s a case of we don’t see what’s not in front of us.

The truth is that studies show there would be significantly more fatal motorcycle wrecks if helmets were not worn.

Don’t Crash; Lay it Down

It’s possible that 50 or 60 years ago, you could slow a motorcycle much faster by laying it down and letting it slide instead of applying the brakes.  It’s also possible that many people think by laying the bike down, they can “slide” out of the way of a collision.

What happens, however, is that the metal on roadway doesn’t slow down.  It skids across the top.  And now, instead of being up higher, where you have a chance of being thrown clear of the other vehicle, you’re sliding underneath it.  Let the tires and anti-lock brakes do the work to get rid of the most speed before impact.

A Helmet Blocks Your View

Back to helmets for a minute before we’re done.  The safest helmet is one that not only covers your head, but your full face too.  That face shield will save you from losing half of your face to the pavement if you’re thrown off face first.  While it might diminish your view a small bit, it’s not going to be enough to have an effect.

If you need some in-your-face (no pun intended) evidence of why full face helmets are important, do a quick search on what the helmet looks like after a wreck.

Let Herbert Law Group Help with Your Wreck

Motorcyclists are often hit by inattentive motorists.  If that has happened to you, and you were injured in the crash, then Herbert Law Group would like to help you receive a settlement that will cover your expenses.

Let’s chat about it.  Just call us at 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form on our site.

Deadly Motorcycle Wrecks Have Risen

Motorcyclists make up about 3% of the traffic on US roads.  They contribute to 14% of all traffic fatalities.

It’s certainly not difficult to see why.  With little to no protection around the rider, even a minor fender bender can turn deadly very quickly.  Combine that with the fact that motorists don’t pay enough attention (and actually can become “blind” to bikers) riding is incredibly dangerous.  One of the big issues, however, is that fatal motorcycle wrecks could be reduced easily.

Let’s take a look at what the Car Crash Captain says about riding and its risks.

Using this Piece of Equipment Lowers the Risk of Dying

In 2021, the latest year statistics are available, 65% of motorcycle riders wore DOT-compliant helmets.  That number is slowly rising over the years, but still a long way from the 100% that would help to save many more lives.

Studies consistently show that wearing a helmet improves the odds of not dying in a wreck by 37%.  If we do the basic math using the numbers we know and understand, we can quickly determine how many more people would survive these crashes if they wore helmets.

The NHTSA reports that in 2020, there were 5,579 motorcyclists killed in traffic fatalities.  If everyone wore helmets, using that 37% increase in survivability rate, we can assume that about 2,000 of those riders would still be alive today.

Of course, the math isn’t perfect, but the point is that wearing the right protective equipment means more likely to survive if something terrible happens.

The Two Most Common Motorcycle Injuries

Wrecking on a bike almost always means there will be at least some sort of injury.  The greater the speed, the more likelihood of serious injuries.

Head Trauma – If you wear your helmet, your risk of head trauma is reduced by 70%.  Without helmet use, the biggest risks a motorcycle rider faces are skull fractures, TBI, brain hemorrhaging, and spinal cord injury.

Facial Injuries – When crashing, the head and face usually hit first.  The result is massive injuries to the cheekbones, nose, jaw and teeth, and eyes.

A helmet that covers the whole head, including the face shield, is the best way to avoid these two head and face injuries that show up in the majority of motorcycle wrecks.

Herbert Law Group Helps Motorcycle Crash Victims in Texas

We can work toward 100% helmet usage while riding a motorcycle.  And we can strive to ensure that all motorists are diligent and pay attention to motorcycles on the road.  But no matter how much care you take, as a motorcycle rider, there is always the risk that someone else’s negligence will result in a wreck and serious bodily injury to you.

If that happens, you need to have a motorcycle wreck lawyer on your side to ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve from the insurance companies.  They are in the business of collecting premiums, so when it comes time to pay out settlements, they try to minimize that amount as much as possible.

Here at Herbert Law Group, we know what a victim deserves.  We know how to argue for it, so that you can focus on healing from your injuries.

Let’s find out what happened to determine how we can help you.  Call us at 214-414-3808, or fill out our contact form and we will be in touch soon.

Safety Tips for Spring Riding in Texas

Spring is underway, and that means more and more bikers will be out on the road.  Whether you ride yourself, or you are sharing the road with a motorcycle rider, it’s important to know your rights and responsibilities when it comes to sharing the road.  That also means knowing what the weather in North Texas can throw at you during the spring months.

The Car Crash Captain has rounded up a few tips to help ensure we all arrive at our destinations safely.  Just remember, if you are injured, or a loved one is killed, you need a Texas personal injury lawyer on your side to ensure you receive the full compensation that you deserve.

What can the Texas Spring Weather Throw at You

Spring in the Dallas area means mostly great weather… with some unpredictable storms mixed in.  Often it’s not a huge deal, but when you’re on two wheels, those storms can be a source of worry.

Be Prepared for Sudden Storms

A lot of our Texas storms are predictable.  We know they’ll come up, and when they should taper down or end.  But sometimes, there are some storms that sneak their way in.  They hit harder than expected, or last longer than we anticipated.

If you’re caught in a storm, it’s important to pay even more attention to traffic around you.  It’s going to take longer for everyone to stop, visibility will be diminished, and hazards could end up in the road.  If it gets too bad, pull off the road and wait it out.  It’s not worth getting to your destination early.

Don’t Discount High Winds

Often storms come in without a lot of rain, but with a lot of wind.  Those gusts can get fierce and end up leading to a variety of problems.

• Dust storms are nothing to be taken lightly.
• Downed trees, powerlines, billboards, or other foreign objects could end up in your path.
• It takes surprisingly small gusts to move a motorcyclist around the road.
• Wind often precedes rain.

While it might not seem like it, wind can often be more dangerous than the rain.

Hot Days are Common

The cool nights of spring make for some lovely mornings and evenings.  Those cool mornings, however, quickly give way to hot days.

You may bundle up for your morning commute, and when you’re whipping down the road and it’s barely 50 degrees out, it feels good to be completely bundled up.

However, on your ride home, when it’s over 80 degrees, all that extra clothing can quickly cause you to overheat.  Depending on how long your commute is, or if you’re out riding in the afternoon and into the evening to enjoy the nice weather, heat stroke can sneak on in.  Check out our previous blog on how to prevent heat stroke while riding.

Don’t ditch the protective gear, but be aware of your body temperature and what’s going on when it starts getting hot out there.

A Few Tips for Safe Riding

Of course, it’s not all about the weather.  It’s about being able to read the other traffic on the road, and making sure that your riding abilities are on par.

If you took the winter off, do a couple of shorter rides to get your biker legs back under you.  Regain the feel for two wheels, so you’re comfortable out there.

Pay extra attention in the spring weather.  Motorists aren’t used to as many bikes on the road, so they’re not watching nearly as well.

Loud pipes save lives is largely a myth.  Don’t rely on sound alone.

Go through the T-CLOCS list to ensure all is working properly.

And, as always, make sure you’re wearing the proper safety gear.  Many wrecks that end up being lethal could have had a much better outcome.

Herbert Law Group Helps Texas Motorcycle Accident Victims

Whether you’re a novice or an advanced rider, wrecks happen.  And when you’re on two wheels, there’s a high probability that injuries, or death, will be the result.

If you have been in a motorcycle accident in Texas, and you have been injured, you need Herbert Law Group to help you receive the settlement that you deserve.  A settlement that will cover your expenses and allow you to heal completely.

It all starts with a phone call to see how we can help.  Just dial 214-414-3808, or fill out our contact form, and we will be in touch with you.

What are Traumatic Brain Injuries and What are My Rights?

One of the most common injuries from a motorcycle wreck is the traumatic brain injury (TBI).  But what exactly is that?  How does it affect your quality of life?  What are your rights if you’re the victim of a wreck that results in this common injury?

The Car Crash Captain has some information for us, and encouragement for anyone who is suffering from a TBI, as well as the family that often has to care for these victims.

What Causes Traumatic Brain Injuries during a Texas Motorcycle Wreck?

More importantly, can wearing an appropriate helmet prevent a TBI?

The answer is, yes, a proper helmet will reduce the risk of suffering from a TBI if you’re involved in a motorcycle wreck.  It’s not guaranteed to always stop it, but it can help lessen the effects; the next section will get into what the different kinds of TBI are, and how some aren’t as severe as another.

Essentially, TBI’s all have the same cause.  The difference is how “big” the impact was.  Any time you hit your head, there’s the potential for a TBI.  The harder you hit, the more severe the injury.  This is because your brain is essentially floating around in your skull.  When you bonk it really hard, the brain can move and bump into the inside of the skull.

Just like any other part of the body, the harder you hit it, the more damage it will do.

What are the Different Kinds of Traumatic Brain Injury?

If I smack my arm, it might sting a little, or it might turn red, or it might bruise, or it might break.  If you bonk your head, the same things can happen; from mild to severe, TBI’s run the gamut of severity.

• Headaches are the mildest TBI, they will often clear up within hours.
• Concussions are loosely considered bad headaches; they can take days to heal as the brain has suffered a bit larger of a blow.
• Contusions are like concussions, but when there is bleeding involved.  Generally, it’s when the brain hits hard enough to cause a bruise.
• Coup-Contrecoup injuries describe the location of the injury.  If you hit the front of your head, and the brain slams forward and is injured right behind where you hit; that’s a coup injury.  If your brain hits the front, then slams back to the opposite side, that’s a contrecoup injury.
• Diffuse Axonal Injuries are almost always deadly.  These happen when the brain bounces around inside the head with no exact location; instead with widespread damage.

Yes, there is some overlap.  You can have a contusion contrecoup injury, as one describes the location and the other describes the process.

The bottom line is that any head injury that’s the result of a motorcycle wreck can be defined as a traumatic brain injury.  The big differences are the severity.  The compensation you receive will depend on the extent of the brain damage.

Which leads us to our next question.

Can a Person Recover from a TBI after their Motorcycle Wreck?

Based on the loose definition, everything from a headache to massive bruising, the answer is that you certainly can recover from mild TBI.  Most people who suffer from severe TBI – those that don’t succumb to the injury and pass away – have lifelong effects that can severely hinder their quality of life.

While headaches and concussions may heal, there can be lasting effects.  Some physical, and some mental lasting effects are:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Migraines or chronic headaches
• Nausea
• Loss of coordination
• Confusion
• Slurred speech
• Agitation
• Memory loss

Often these symptoms will require a major change in lifestyle, and in some cases an ongoing caretaker may be required for the remainder of the victim’s life.

Herbert Law Group Specializes in Helping Motorcycle Wreck Victims

If you suffered from a TBI, and you required a caretaker, would you be able to argue with the insurance company to pay out what’s necessary to cover all of those expenses?

Would your loved ones understand what’s necessary so they didn’t feel the financial pinch while you’re recovering?

That’s why Herbert Law Group helps motorcycle accident victims in Texas.  These matters can be complicated, and take a long time.  This piles up stress on top of an already stressful situation.

Don’t worry, we are here for you.  Let’s talk about what happened, and see how we can argue for a settlement that will cover all of your needs.  Call us at 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form on our site to get started.

How to Protect Against Financial Disaster

If you have ridden for any period of time, you have likely had at least one close call.  Statistically speaking that close call is probably someone turning in front of you.  Motorists can, in a sense, become blind to motorcycles because they’re not looking for anything other than cars and trucks.

The problem isn’t as much that someone’s negligence has wrecked up your bike and put you in the hospital.  The problem is that state minimums might not be enough to cover all of your expenses.  To make matters worse, when there aren’t assets to collect, you may be out of luck.

Let’s take a look at how the Car Crash Captain sees these situations play out.

What Happens if You’re in a Wreck that isn’t Covered?

Here’s the scenario: you’re hit by another motorist who does the right thing and stops.  Your brand new Harley Davidson motorcycle is destroyed, and you’re in the hospital with severe injuries.  That other driver has insurance, but it’s just the state minimum coverage.  Currently, in Texas, that’s $30,000 per person for injuries (a total of $60,000 per accident) and $25,000 for property damage.

That means their insurance company will pay you up to $25,000 to replace the motorcycle that was destroyed… a brand new motorcycle that you just paid $45,000 for.

And their insurance will pay up to $30,000 for medical bills.  But if you’re in the hospital for a week, and your injuries require surgery, rehab, and more, you’re going to blow on past that limit quickly.  Your  medical bills could soar past $100,000, and they could keep going as rehab, physical therapy, and chiropractor visits continue for years to come.

What happens when the other driver’s insurance stops paying, and they have no assets to cover your expenses?

Understanding how Uninsured Motorist Coverage Works

Insurance companies are required to offer uninsured motorist (UM), and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage.  If you don’t want it, you can save a few bucks on your premiums, but you have to specifically decline it… something nobody (especially those on a motorcycle) should do.

When someone hits you, and they don’t have insurance (an uninsured motorist) or their insurance maxes out before your medical bills are completely paid for (an underinsured motorist), your insurance will kick in and make up the difference.  Since it’s pretty cheap to increase these amounts (usually just a few dollars per year to double your coverage), it’s generally recommended that you max out these amounts.

Talk to your insurance agent to make sure you’re on the right track.

But that still leaves the issue with your motorcycle.  That insurance will cover the rest of the damage too, right?  Maybe.  UM/UIM, with most insurance companies, does not cover personal property; it only applies to medical bills and injuries.

To make sure that your motorcycle is fully protected, you need to opt for uninsured property damage (UMPD) coverage.  This will pay out in the event that the negligent party’s insurance isn’t sufficient to completely pay for the damage they did to your ride.

Whew, that sounds exhausting.  Your insurance agent should be able to clear these things up for you.  If you have multiple motorcycles, vehicles, houses, ATV’s, and more, it might be worthwhile to look into an umbrella policy that can wrap all those things up into one.

Your Biggest Mistake as a Motorcycle Rider

So, what’s that mistake we’re talking about?  What’s the biggest mistake motorcyclists make?

It’s thinking that when they get hit, the other party will have sufficient coverage to take care of the damage to property and body.

In reality, minimum coverages are so low (some states are even lower than Texas limits) that many accidents exceed those limits.

The second biggest mistake that motorcyclists make is not protecting themselves with the right coverage for when the at-fault driver’s insurance stops paying out.

Visit with Herbert Law Group to Collect What you Deserve

Insurance companies are designed to collect as much in premiums as possible, and to pay out as little as possible.  Sometimes they need a little extra encouragement to do the right thing.

That’s why you need a motorcycle accident attorney on your side.  Like those found at Herbert Law Group.  We have helped a lot of motorcycle accident victims in the DFW metroplex collect the compensation that they deserve to sufficiently pay for the financial loss they suffered in an accident.

Have you been in a motorcycle wreck?  Was a loved one killed in a motorcycle wreck?  Let’s chat about it and see how we can help.  Call us at 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form on our site.

Nearly All Fatal Motorcycle Wrecks have One Thing in Common

Riding a motorcycle is dangerous.  But it’s a danger that many accept because being on two wheels offers a bit more freedom than being enclosed in a box.  You can, however, mitigate that danger by using the proper safety gear.  In fact, better safety gear means you reduce your risk of being involved in one of the many fatal motorcycle wrecks that occur every year.

Let’s check in with the Car Crash Captain, to see what many of these wrecks have in common, and how you can survive a potentially lethal wreck.

Safety Gear While Riding Your Motorcycle

There is a lot of gear that you can wear while riding.  From armored clothing, to helmets, to gloves; this gear is specifically designed to help keep you safe while riding.

But that gear only does so much good if you’re wearing it.

Having the proper safety equipment, and using it, is the best way to ensure that you won’t end up a statistic on the NHTSA website.

Lack of Helmet Use Accounts for 41% of Fatal Motorcycle Wrecks

Our bodies aren’t nearly as resilient as the movies like to imply.  We can take quite a bit, but when it comes down to it, we’re really just fragile skeletons wrapped in muscle.  Our command center is right up at the top; we have to protect that brain to ensure that we can continue to function.

Scott Pohl died in a motorcycle crash a little over a decade ago.  He had only recently started riding, and the mandatory law requiring helmets in Michigan was just lifted.  A risk-taker he loved the thrill found with the dangers of riding helmet-less; a motorist in an SUV didn’t see him, and that risk caught up to him.

In September, 2022, a wreck in South Carolina claimed the life of a passenger.  Two motorcycles were involved in a collision with each other.  While all involved suffered injuries, the passenger on one of the bikes died at the hospital; she was not wearing a helmet.

It’s not all doom and gloom, though.  Here’s a wild tale of how a helmet saved a life.  Summer of 2021, in Brazil, a biker was attempting to avoid a bus that turned in front of him.  Laying the bike down, he slid under the bus and his head went beneath the rear wheels.  The bus driver reacted quickly, slamming on the brakes.  While the man was dragged for a bit, he was able to walk away from this potentially fatal wreck.  There’s a short video in the news article.  Warning: it’s intense but not graphic.

The bottom line is that when you risk it, and you don’t wear a helmet, the odds of dying in a crash go up considerably.

If Your Loved One Died in a Fatal Motorcycle Wreck

Fatal motorcycle wrecks are hard to process.  Things are even harder when your trauma, as the survivor, is all interior.  The insurance companies won’t recognize your pain and suffering, and their settlement offer will likely be little more than replacing the motorcycle and covering funeral expenses.

That’s where an expert motorcycle wreck attorney helps you.  We have the experience to understand what you’re going through, what your loss actually entails, and how to pursue justice for you and your loved one that was killed.

Let’s get started with a phone call to see if we are a good fit.  Call 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form on our site, and we’ll be in touch.

Motorcycle Wrecks are Most Common in these Circumstances

Whether you ride because you love the freedom, the sound of the bike, or the ease of transportation, motorcycle riders all have one thing in common: motorcycle wrecks happen because they might as well be invisible to other motorists.

Despite campaigns, grim tales, and pleas from the biking community, those with four wheels are just less likely to watch for those with two wheels.  That means when you get on your motorcycle, it’s important to pay extra attention.

The Car Crash Captain lines up 5 areas where anyone riding should pay extra attention to avoid a wreck.

Motorcycle Wrecks Cause Thousands of Deaths Every Year

In 2020 there were over 5,500 motorcycle fatalities representing 14% of all traffic fatalities.  There are many factors that led to this high number (the highest total number since 1975, when data was first tracked).  Regardless, it’s imperative for bikers to be on alert.

Head On Collisions

74% of motorcycle vs car crashes were head on collisions.

Since a motorcycle is harder to see, a passenger vehicle may fail to pay enough attention when passing another vehicle.  The oncoming traffic lane looks clear, but a biker is coming.

Along those same lines, winding rural roads and construction zones may cause a four-wheeled vehicle to cross the center line to straighten their travel or give wider clearance for construction debris.

On two-lane roads, be vigilant to watch for motorists who may cross the center line.

Road Hazards

Road hazards include anything that’s in the road that shouldn’t be there.

That means everything from potholes, to wet pavement, to animals can be a road hazard and ultimately lead to two wheels giving way, where four wouldn’t have a problem.

When riding, stay back far enough to avoid debris.  Often a car can pass right over it, but a motorcyclist would need to swerve.

Left-Hand Turns

Similar to the head on collision, the left-hand turn deals with motorists not paying enough attention.

Left-hand turns cross the oncoming lane of traffic.  There might appear to be a break in traffic, so the passenger car makes their turn.  But if they didn’t take the time to really look, they miss the motorcycle coming their way.

Stationary Objects

A significant number of motorcycle fatalities occur when a rider hits a stationary object.

Often this is due to the motorcycle going at excessive speeds, but it does occur when another motorist changes lanes and forces them off the road.

Stationary objects include guard rails, trees, fire hydrants and more.  When riding next to another vehicle, be aware if they look as though they will change lanes, and always give yourself an out.

Distracted Driving and Driving Under the Influence

While drunk driving instances have diminished over the years, there are still a lot of deaths from those driving impaired.  In fact, Bankrate tells us that someone in the US dies from a drunk driving accident every 52 minutes.

If you’re riding, you know not to be distracted or drunk.  But what about other drivers?

Pay attention to how they are acting, if they seem impaired or distracted, keep far away from them and call them in to law enforcement if possible.  Your call may save a life.

Visit with Herbert Law Group if You’ve been in a Motorcycle Wreck

Motorcycle wrecks almost always end in injury or death.

Any crash where someone is injured or killed, is going to put the insurance company on high alert.  Their goal is to settle as quickly as possible before the victim understands the true extent of what happened.

That’s where Herbert Law Group comes in.  We have seen plenty of motorcycle wrecks, we know the process, and we know what it’s going to take for you to heal completely.

Let us take the stress of insurance away.  Call us at 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form on our site, and we’ll be in touch.

Stay Safe on Your Motorcycle this Winter

Unless there’s some ice on the road, a great rider doesn’t slow down just because there is cold weather.

As we progress through fall and into the winter, it’s important to make sure you’re wearing the right clothing while you ride.  Then, when you’re warm and toasty, you can think clearly and have the dexterity necessary to maneuver out of those dangerous situations.

The Car Crash Captain has rounded up four cold weather essentials to keep you safe and riding all year round.

Cold Weather Clothing for your Motorcycle

There are a ton of great brands out there.  Choose your favorite, and keep warm on a bike as the cars around you keep their heaters blasting.

Heated Winter Gloves – As technology progresses, one of the most amazing inventions are heated clothes.  Sure, they’ve been around for a while.  But they’re much more efficient with rechargeable batteries.

Heated gloves will ensure that your fingers stay toasty warm.  Warm fingers mean that you have the dexterity necessary to operate your motorcycle safely.  Of course, heated isn’t a requirement, but make sure you have something with a good shell (leather is always a great option) that will block the wind and keep the heat in.

Moisture Wicking Base Layer – When you’re all bundled up, there’s a chance that you might get a little too warm.  When you start to sweat, your clothing gets wet.  Wet clothes can be a disaster if they’re not the right kind of clothes.

Moisture wicking means it moves the moisture away from the body.  You don’t want cold damp clothes if the temperatures drop even more.  A good base layer is your first line of defense against this.  Multiple layers help to keep you from overheating by allowing some to be removed.

Full-Face Helmet – No matter when you’re riding, summer or winter, a full-face helmet is your best bet for protection on your motorcycle.  With a visor that closes, and vents that can be manipulated, you can keep as warm, or as cool, as necessary.

In the event of a crash, the full-face helmet is going to provide maximum protection to some of the most delicate parts of your body.

Neck Protection – Neck protection isn’t about armoring up your neck.  It’s about protecting it from the wind and possibly the rain.

With a good helmet and a good jacket, you have two means of keeping the warmth in.  But then there’s the neck, an opportunity for all that hard earned heat to escape.  While you can wrap a scarf around there, a neck gaiter is going to be a more secure option.  There are plenty to choose from, including many that are windproof and water resistant.

Visit with Herbert Law Group if You’re Injured

Winter is a dangerous time to ride.  There are more obstacles on the road, visibility is reduced, and people aren’t paying nearly enough attention to those on two wheels.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle wreck, or if your loved one was killed while riding, then we need to have a conversation.

Motorcycle wrecks can be complicated.  Many insurance providers, courts, and juries don’t fully understand what it means to ride a motorcycle.  A lot of them have the wrong impression that bikers are just out there being dangerous and stupid.

Herbert Law Group has your back.  But first we need to get to know you, and see if we can help.  It just takes a quick no-obligation conversation.  Call us at 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form on our site.

4 Ways to Get what you Deserve after a Motorcycle Wreck

After a wreck, the insurance company is likely to offer a settlement that’s incredibly low.  Sometimes their initial offer is so low it would be a funny joke… if the stakes weren’t so high.  A personal injury claim is one thing, but what if you need to maximize your property damage claim after a motorcycle wreck?

You have to prove the amount of your loss.  Often insurance adjusters will greatly diminish the value of your equipment so they don’t have to pay out as much.  The Car Crash Captain lays out four steps to making sure that your claim is paid to a maximum.

4 Ways to Maximize Your Property Damage Claim

Let’s be clear up front, this isn’t a way to manipulate the system.  This isn’t a method to receive a million bucks when your bike is only worth a thousand.  This is to ensure that you’re not out a financial loss if you have to replace the motorcycle you know and love.

Ensure Proper Motorcycle Valuation

There are numerous ways to value your property.  Insurance companies will take the quickest and easiest, but most of them don’t fully understand how this valuation process works.  This is especially true if you have upgraded and customized your bike.

Keep good track of how much the parts cost for your motorcycle, and how much time you have invested installing them.  This valuation will be critical to recover if you have an adjuster that doesn’t understand you need compensated for both the parts and the time you put in.

Always Use OEM Parts

If your motorcycle wasn’t a total loss (check out our previous blog about determining a total loss), you have the right to replace OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts with other OEM parts.  There are some body shops that will try to reduce costs by using aftermarket parts; make sure you specify that you want original parts replaced with original parts.

Some auto body shops will always use OEM parts, others will use after market unless you request otherwise.

Be Willing to Stand up for Yourself

Years ago I had recently tinted the windows on my car.  After I was in a collision that totaled the vehicle, I sent in the receipt for window tinting; somewhere around $250.  The insurance company raised the amount they would pay for the car by $80.  I knew there was no way the window tinting depreciated that much in a matter of a few months, and I argued that I’m suffering a financial loss due to no fault of my own.  We went back and forth, and settled on an increase of $200.

If I hadn’t stood up for what I knew the value of my vehicle was, I would have received less than what my vehicle was actually worth.

Have Two Numbers in Mind

We know what our motorcycles are worth.  The insurance company is very likely going to make an initial settlement offer that’s much lower than what we feel will reasonably replace a damaged or destroyed bike.  To combat this, one of your best negotiation tools is to have two numbers in mind.

Being well prepared to show the value of your motorcycle and the amount of loss is key here.  Then, you can approach the situation like this.  Suppose your bike is valued at $40,000.  But the insurance company is only offering $25,000.  You prove that the value is $40,000 and then say that you’re willing to accept $35,000 (or whatever number you feel is still fair) so this process doesn’t get dragged on any longer than necessary.

Come to Herbert Law Group for Personal Injury Help

When you’re dealing with a motorcycle property damage claim, there’s not a lot that a personal injury attorney can help you with; calculating replacement costs is fairly straightforward.

But if you have been injured in that wreck as well, then you absolutely need a motorcycle wreck attorney on your side.  You have more important things on your plate (like recovering), so let the experts at Herbert Law Group handle that for you.

Give us a call at 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form on our site and we’ll be in touch shortly.