Motorcycle Passenger Rights After an Accident in Galveston, TX
Motorcycle passengers have little control over what happens on the road, but they can suffer serious injuries when a crash occurs. Depending on the circumstances, the motorcycle operator, another driver, or multiple parties may be responsible.
If you were injured as a motorcycle passenger in Texas, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. A Galveston motorcycle accident lawyer can investigate the crash, determine who may be liable, and pursue a claim on your behalf.
What Should a Motorcycle Passenger Do After an Accident?
Motorcycle passengers can suffer serious injuries in a crash because they have little protection from the force of an impact. What they do in the hours and days afterward can also affect their ability to document the accident and their resulting losses.
After a motorcycle accident, passengers should:
- Seek medical attention
- Take photos of the accident scene and injuries
- Get contact information from witnesses
- Keep medical records, bills, and receipts
- Document missed work and lost income
- Avoid signing a release or accepting a quick settlement
Taking these steps can help preserve important information about the accident, your injuries, and the losses you suffered.
Can a Motorcycle Passenger File a Civil Claim?
Yes. A motorcycle passenger may file a personal injury claim when someone else is responsible for the crash. The fact that you were riding on the motorcycle does not prevent you from seeking compensation.
For example, you may have a claim against another driver who caused the collision. If the motorcycle operator caused the crash, you may instead have a claim against the operator.
Who Can Be Liable for a Motorcycle Passenger’s Injuries?
Liability for a motorcycle passenger’s injuries depends on the cause of the crash. Determining fault may require looking at the actions of everyone involved, as well as other circumstances that contributed to the accident.
Depending on what caused the crash, potentially liable parties may include:
- Another motorist
- The motorcycle operator
- A commercial driver or trucking company
- A motorcycle or parts manufacturer
- A business responsible for negligent maintenance
- Another party whose conduct contributed to the crash
An attorney can investigate the accident before deciding which claims should be pursued.
What Evidence Can Help Prove a Motorcycle Passenger Claim?
Passenger claims often turn on proving exactly how the accident happened. That can require more than simply obtaining a police report.
Useful evidence may include:
- Photographs of the scene
- Witness statements
- Surveillance footage
- Dashcam video
- Vehicle damage
- Motorcycle damage
- Skid marks
- Electronic information
- Medical records
- Cell phone records
The passenger’s own recollection can also be important. For instance, you may remember the motorcycle traveling normally before another car entered the lane, or you may remember the motorcycle accelerating moments before losing control aggressively.
An attorney can work with an accident reconstruction expert in a serious or disputed case. The goal is to create a clear picture of the collision and determine who had the opportunity to prevent it.
What Is My Galveston Motorcycle Passenger Case Worth?
There is no average value for a motorcycle passenger injury claim. Some passengers recover relatively quickly, while others suffer permanent injuries that affect their ability to work and perform daily activities. The amount you may recover depends on the extent of your losses and the facts surrounding the accident.
Factors that can affect your case’s value include:
- The severity and permanence of your injuries
- The length of your recovery
- How your injuries affect your ability to work or cause reduced earning capacity
- How your injuries affect your daily life, including pain and suffering
- The strength of the liability evidence
- Whether you share any fault for the accident
- The number of liable parties
- Available insurance coverage
These factors can vary considerably from one motorcycle passenger accident to another.
Contact The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers To Schedule a Free Consultation With a Galveston Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
A motorcycle passenger should not assume that being “just the passenger” means there are no legal options after a crash. In many cases, the opposite is true. If you were injured while riding as a motorcycle passenger in Galveston, TX, don’t wait to get legal help.
Please contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer at The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers to get a free initial consultation today. We have offices in Friendswood and Galveston, Texas:
The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers – Galveston Office
2101 Mechanic St. Suite 253
Galveston, TX 77550
(409) 207-9299
The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers – Friendswood Office
312 S. Friendswood Dr.
Friendswood, TX 77546
281-992-8633
