Nobody gets behind the wheel of a car and expects to get into a car accident. Unfortunately, car accidents remain prevalent in our society for various reasons. After a car accident resulting in serious injuries, you will no doubt find the experience overwhelming.  Doctors and other medical providers, including your own long time family doctor, will likely not see you because they do not want to become involved in a motor vehicle accident case.  If you have health insurance, you will learn that your health insurance provider will attempt to shirk responsibility and have you deal with the auto insurance carrier, who will not consider a dime until all treatment is concluded and a demand is made. If the health insurance company will agree to pay for crash related medical treatment, it will insist on all payments made being returned to it via a legal concept called subrogation.  

In a nutshell, finding qualified medical treatment alone is a nightmare.  Moreover, you will have sophisticated adjusters calling to attempt to take recorded statements from you in order to create liability issues, lock you into a narrative and minimize your damages and create causation issues by discussing all of your prior medical history.  

When car accident victims delay in calling us until after they fail on their own, their cases are severely compromised by mistakes. Consequently, it makes our job far more difficult, if not impossible, to help them. The best advice is to turn to qualified personal injury counsel immediately so you can focus on healing your body and mind while we take care of everything else.  When we receive a case within the first month of the crash, we can typically create more than 10 times the claim value than we can if we receive the case after the client has finished medical treatment on their own. 

Most people understand that riding motorcycles involve inherent risks, but they also believe that they are capable of safely operating their motorcycles. The problem for many motorcyclists is the negligence or gross negligence of other automobile drivers on the road. Unsafe driving from others can cause motorcycle accidents resulting in serious injuries and death to the motorcycle rider. Unfortunately, despite riding defensively, motorcyclists are often powerless to avoid certain collisions.

It is important for motorcyclists to understand their legal rights after a motorcycle crash. If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle crash, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation to address your medical bills, lost wages, pain, physical impairment, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and other damages. 

Common Kinds of Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Far too many vehicle operators on Texas roads are routinely arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenses, and authorities all over the state are adamant about enforcing drunk driving laws. Fortunately, innocent victims who are injured in drunk driver crashes can bring a personal injury claim and recover compensation for their damages. If you or a loved one were hurt in an accident caused by an drunk or impaired driver, we invite you to contact the highest-rated injury law team in the area for a completely free, thorough case evaluation. 

Seeking Compensation for Injuries and Property Damage

When a person files a personal injury claim against another party, they usually allege negligence, negligence per se and/or gross negligence against the at fault driver. When the responsible party is an intoxicated driver, all three are typically asserted.  Per Texas law,  Gross negligence means an act or omission:

(A)  which when viewed objectively from the standpoint of the actor at the time of its occurrence involves an extreme degree of risk, considering the probability and magnitude of the potential harm to others; and

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reported that 38,149 commercial motor vehicle crashes were reported in our state in 2021, with 630 of those accidents resulting in the deaths of 705 people. Another 1,334 crashes involved 1,708 serious injuries.

When a person is involved in a collision involving a commercial motor vehicle, there will be immediate concerns about insurance companies because most commercial vehicles are heavily insured and well-defended. They want to pay as little as possible to resolve claims. Insurance companies aggressively try to settle these cases before crash victims have even had an opportunity to consult with a lawyer (these are called swoop and settle schemes). Therefore, it is important for injured victims to understand their rights after being hit by an 18-wheeler, dump truck, bus or other commercial vehicle.

Seeking Financial Compensation After a Large Truck Accident

When a person suffers injuries in any kind of accident involving a commercial motor vehicle, it is important to secure qualified personal injury legal representation as soon as possible. Risk managers and lawyers for the trucking company or commercial vehicle operator normally deploy “boots on the ground” by way of experts at the crash scene within hours of a truck wreck. Once you hire your legal team to represent you or your injured family member, a good personal injury commercial vehicle lawyer will conduct an independent investigation into your accident with crash reconstruction, biomechanic and kinematics experts. This is an important step to put you on an equal playing field to the trucking company.

Traveling by car is a staple of our society. However, it is essential to remember that while car travel is relied upon by millions of Americans daily, using a vehicle is a privilege, not a right. Therefore, respecting the road and being a defensive drive around other drivers is essential. Unfortunately, car accidents are bound to occur with millions of drivers on the road daily.

Car accidents are scary events that bring with them a flood of different emotions. Fear, panic, anger, and sadness are all normal reactions to a car accident. Additionally, there are some common mistakes that victims make after a car accident of which we want you to be aware.

If history has taught us anything, it is that severe injuries can befall us at any time. Since Texas has year-round sunshine, bike riding is an excellent activity for Texans. In addition, Texas has many hundreds of miles of bike trails, perfect for cyclists to enjoy the outdoors in relative safety. But what about in cities, where bike riders share the road with cars?

Unfortunately, Bicycle injuries are all too common. Even when wearing a helmet, cyclists have little defense against the size and speed of a car. As a result, bikers often face serious injuries when hit by a vehicle, ranging from minor injuries to catastrophic injuries to fatal injuries. You may be entitled to compensation if you have been struck by a car while riding your bike. Consult with an experienced attorney who can inform you of your rights and pursue the compensation to which you may be entitled.

Alcohol reduces coordination, judgment, and reaction time. It also impairs vision, hearing, and sense of touch. Even a small amount of alcohol can affect driving ability. Most people know that drinking and driving is both dangerous and illegal. Unfortunately, some drivers choose to break the law and drive while intoxicated anyway.

If you or a loved one were involved in a car crash caused by a drunk driver, you may be interested in learning about your legal options. It may be possible to sue the drunk driver and recover compensation for your damages.

Being involved in a car crash is always a traumatic experience, but it can be especially distressing if the crash was caused by unsecured truck cargo. If someone is involved in a crash caused by freight that fell off the back of the truck, who is at fault? Do truck accident victims have any legal recourse? The answer is typically yes. The trucking company, the truck driver, the party who loaded the truck freight, or another party may be liable for damages. The injured person may be entitled to compensation for vehicle damage, medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.

What to Do After an Accident Caused by Unsecured Truck Cargo

If you have been involved in an accident caused by unsecured truck cargo, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention, even if you do not think you have been seriously injured. Some injuries, such as whiplash, may not present symptoms immediately following an accident. Once you have been discharged from seeing the emergency medical provider, retain a quality personal injury lawyer to help gather all necessary evidence supporting your claim. This may include photos of the accident scene, police reports, black box downloads, surveillance videos, gouge marks and other physical evidence left at the crash scene, and witness statements.

Commercial trucks can cause severe damage in a wreck. Accident victims are often left with broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal organ injuries, burns, lacerations, and other painful injuries, if they even survive. Many large truck crash victims find themselves facing a long, painful road to recovery. Financial hardship caused by vehicle damage, medical bills, and lost income from time off of work only adds to the difficulty.

Truck crash victims may be entitled to financial compensation for their economic and noneconomic damages through a truck accident injury lawsuit. However, to bring a successful lawsuit, the claim must be supported by strong, persuasive evidence.

Pedestrian accidents took the lives of over 5,000 people in Texas last year, representing a 15 percent increase compared to the prior year. It goes without saying that losing a loved one in such a sudden, brutal way is absolutely devastating to those left behind.

If your spouse, parent, child, sibling, or another loved one died in a pedestrian accident, you may be able to take legal action in the form of a wrongful death claim. Legal action cannot undo the tragedy, but it may help you and your family pursue justice and recover some much-needed financial stability. In this article, we'll discuss what a wrongful death claim is, how to file one in Texas, and what to expect in the process.

Everyone knows that the right thing to do in the event of a car accident is to stop and share contact information with the other driver. Not only is this the ethical thing to do but it is also required by law. When a motorist is involved in a collision, he or she must stop his or her vehicle. Failure to stop is considered a “hit-and-run,” and leaving the scene of an accident is a crime in the state of Texas.

If you were involved in a hit-and-run, you may have suffered severe injuries for which you incurred significant medical costs in addition to your property damage. You may also be unable to work due to your injuries. You may wonder whether or not you can pursue compensation for these losses through a personal injury claim. Successfully obtaining compensation for a hit-and-run accident can be a challenging process, but it is possible.

There are nearly an infinite number of issues that may cause a car accident. Driving under the influence, reckless driving, inattention to the road, and traffic law violations are some of the most common causes of auto accidents. However, in many cases, more than one factor leads to a car accident. For example, one motorist involved in an accident may have been driving over the speed limit while the other driver is texting and driving. You may wonder, “In car accidents involving shared blame, how is the at-fault driver determined? Can I still recover damages even if I am partially at fault for an accident?”

Texas Comparative Negligence Law

The state of Texas uses what is known as a “modified comparative negligence” model for shared-fault personal injury cases. In Texas law, this is referred to a “proportionate responsibility.” This means that Texas courts allow injured individuals to seek compensation for their injuries even if they were partially to blame for the injuries. In fact, as long as an injured party was not more than 50 percent at fault for the incident that caused the injuries, he or she can still bring a court action for damages.

There is no question that a car wreck is a frightening experience. Unfortunately, this fear—along with the shock of the crash, adrenaline, and maybe a misplaced sense of blame—can cause problems for you as you consider the possibility of filing a personal injury claim for damages. While such feelings are normal after an accident, it is important to know how to set them aside and focus on keeping your composure. With this in mind, here are five things you should never do in the wake of a car crash:

Car Crash Mistake #1. Underestimating the Damage

This applies to both your body and your vehicle. Initially, the crash might seem to be a minor fender bender, but assuming the damage is minor might understate serious hidden problems. With your vehicle, for example, the frame might be bent, despite the external damage seeming trivial. Likewise, you might feel physically okay, but adrenaline could initially mask more severe injuries that present themselves later. Be sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible after the crash to be sure you know how extensive your injuries truly are.

Motor vehicle collisions of all types can be dangerous. Passenger vehicles weigh several thousand pounds, and they can inflict serious injuries on others, even if a collision takes place at a relatively low speed. Fortunately for drivers and passengers, vehicles include multiple safety systems that can reduce the risk of injuries, such as seat belts, airbags, and a strong structure that protects a vehicle’s occupants. However, motorcyclists do not have these protections, and because of this, they are much more likely to be seriously injured in motorcycle accidents.

Serious and Fatal Injuries Affecting Motorcyclists

Motorcycle crashes may result in multiple forms of bodily harm, including:

• Injuries to the lower extremities - The most commonly injured body parts for motorcyclists are the legs and feet. When a motorcycle falls over in a collision, one of a person’s legs may be caught underneath, and this can result in broken bones, as well as dislocations in the knees, ankles, or hips; strained or torn muscles, tendons, and ligaments; or serious sprains.
• Injuries to the head and neck - While most motorcyclists wear helmets, they may not be fully protected against the possibility of traumatic brain injuries when they strike their head on another vehicle or the pavement. The force of an impact may also cause whiplash or other neck injuries due to a person’s head being suddenly forced forward, backward, or to either side.
• Upper body injuries - Broken ribs are common in motorcycle wrecks, and in some cases, they may result in additional damage to organs such as the lungs. Other internal organs may also suffer damage in a collision.
• Spinal cord injuries - An impact may cause multiple types of damage to the spine. Vertebrae may be fractured, or a person may suffer a herniated or bulging disc. These injuries can put pressure on the spinal cord, which can lead to issues such as chronic pain or partial paralysis. If the spinal cord is completely severed, a person will suffer full paralysis in the areas of the body below the injury.
• Injuries to the upper extremities - Bones in the arms, wrists, and hands may be fractured in a collision. In serious cases, such as when a collision occurs at high speeds or when a person is thrown from a motorcycle, bones may be crushed or shattered. Surgery and pins, screws, or other implants may be needed to repair bones, and an injury may never fully heal. This can permanently affect a person’s ability to use their arms and hands properly, making it more difficult to perform work-related tasks or other daily activities.
• Cuts and bruises - Multiple parts of a person’s body may experience lacerations, which are sometimes called “road rash.” These injuries may result in permanent scarring and disfigurement, especially if they affect the head, neck, or upper body.

Contact Our Allen Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

A motorcycle wreck can cause many different injuries that may lead to permanent disabilities or even wrongful death. Motorcyclists who are injured because of the negligence of other drivers will need to determine their options for pursuing compensation. Burress Injury Law PLLC can provide representation in these cases, ensuring that victims will be able to recover from their injuries and move forward with their lives. Contact our Allen motorcycle crash attorney at 214-726-0016 to set up a free consultation today.

Whether an individual is hurt in a car accident, motorcycle crash, commercial truck collision, or another incident, the consequences can affect nearly every facet of the person’s life. Many accident victims cannot work for a significant amount of time after an accident. They may be unable to drive, care for their children, do housework, or complete other responsibilities. Physical pain can also prevent accident victims from participating in hobbies, traveling, spending time with loved ones, or even enjoying simple pleasures such as walking in the park. Unsurprisingly, injured people often find themselves battling psychological problems like depression and anxiety after an accident.

In a personal injury case, these non-financial consequences are often referred to as “pain and suffering.” If you or a loved one were seriously hurt in an accident, you may wonder how much compensation injured victims can receive for their pain and suffering.

Non-Economic Damages in a Texas Personal Injury Case

Personal injury settlements and awards usually compensate a person for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those losses that have a direct cost, such as medical needs and lost income from missed work. Non-economic damages represent the non-financial consequences of an injury.

Burress Injury Law, a personal injury law firm based in McKinney, Texas, with locations in Frisco and Paris, is proud to welcome Attorney Kyle H. Dreyer. Mr. Dreyer's high-level trial experience makes him an invaluable asset to the high-growth Collin County firm.

With more than 35 years of experience trying multi-million-dollar cases, Mr. Dreyer has served as lead trial counsel in virtually every state and has successfully tried many complex cases. His prior trial practice included nationwide representation of a major domestic automotive manufacturer and component part manufacturers. He also served as trial counsel for large corporations in the petroleum, agriculture, and consumer beverage industries, among others.

Texas is arguably one of the best states in the country in which to ride a motorcycle. With sunny weather and miles of open roads, the Lone Star State is nearly perfect for motorcyclists. Unfortunately, riding a motorcycle can be quite risky. Other drivers may not pay close enough attention to see a motorcyclist and avoid a collision. In the event of a wreck, the vehicle provides almost zero protection to the motorcyclist. It is no surprise that severe and fatal injuries are much more frequent in motorcycle crashes than crashes involving passenger vehicles. Approximately 16 percent of all fatal accidents in Texas involve motorcyclists.

If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle wreck, it is important to understand your rights. If another party’s negligent actions caused the crash, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your vehicle damage, pain and suffering, medical expenses, and more.

Holding a Negligent Party Accountable for a Motorcycle Wreck

In the context of a legal claim, the term “negligence” means acting with little regard for the safety and wellbeing of others. Negligent driving is one of the top causes of motorcycle accidents.

Commercial truck accidents often cause devastating injuries and property damage. If you or a loved one were involved in a truck crash, you may understandably be looking for answers. You want to know who to blame and how to recover financial compensation for the financial losses you have suffered. Finding, obtaining, and preserving evidence is crucial for any successful truck accident claim.

Types of Evidence That May Be Valuable in Your Case

To bring a successful case against a trucking company or other at-fault party, your attorney will need to demonstrate that the at-fault party’s negligent or wrongful actions caused the crash. Your lawyer will also need to show the direct connection between your injuries and the damages you suffered, such as medical bills and lost income.

Evidence that may be useful in your case includes but is not limited to:

When more than one car is involved in a crash, it is often fairly clear who is liable to who. One driver ran a red light, or decided to send a text message, and crashed into another driver who was driving responsibly. The careless or law-breaking driver is liable to the driver who got hit. In a single-car accident, recovering compensation can be a bit trickier because first, you will have to prove that someone else was responsible. This does not mean you cannot recover after getting into a single-car accident. There are other parties who may potentially be liable depending on the circumstances. Proving that another party is liable for your injuries when no one else actually crashed may be difficult, but it can be done.

If you got hurt in a car accident where yours was the only vehicle that crashed, you will need a skilled attorney to evaluate your case and determine whether you can pursue compensation from a third party.

Who Could Potentially be Liable for a Single-Car Crash?

The answer to this question is very fact-specific. It depends entirely on the circumstances and the specific cause of your accident. Parties who could potentially be liable to you may include:

When you have been injured because someone else was careless about your safety, you can file a personal injury lawsuit on your own behalf. But, what about when the victim passes away as a result of an accident? In Texas, if your parent, child, or spouse lost their life in an accident that some other party should have prevented, you may be able to file what is called a wrongful death suit on their behalf. The party who caused the fatal accident should not be excused from liability just because their victim is no longer here to file a lawsuit themselves, so the right to recover compensation passes to their closest remaining family members.

If you have lost a parent, spouse, or child due to any type of negligence, speaking to a qualified attorney may be the first step towards holding the negligent party accountable in civil court.

What Types of Negligence Can Lead to a Wrongful Death Claim?

While nothing can replace the family member you lost, recovering compensation can help keep your family financially secure after your loss. Wrongful death applies to a variety of different situations - there is almost no limit as to the type of accidents these suits can be based on, so long as they were caused by the defendant’s carelessness. Situations that may give rise to a wrongful death action for qualifying relatives include: