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Houston Car Accident Lawyer Explains What to Do

can I sue?, Car Accident, car accident need lawyer, Legal Advice, Personal Injury, Uncategorized

Know What to Do in the Event of a Motorcycle Accident

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, there were 9,859 injuries and fatalities to motorcycle drivers and passengers in 2016. That’s a significant number and an increase over previous years. It’s also a sign that motorcycle drivers and passengers are less safe than ever before. While some accidents are the fault of the driver, more are caused by the drivers of other automobiles. Car Accident Lawyer, Farrah Martinez, explains what to do if the accident is not your fault.

A Lack of Awareness: Motorcycle Drivers Are at an Increased Risk

One of the most significant contributing factors in the rise of motorcycle accidents across Texas is negligence on the part of other drivers. With an estimated 500,000 registered motorcycles on Texas roadways now, it’s more important than ever for car, truck, van and 18-wheeler drivers to be observant. That’s the impetus behind the state’s 2017 DoT campaign – “Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles”.

Drivers of other vehicles are being urged to be vigilant concerning motorcycles. An accident involving a motorcycle is five times more likely to result in an injury than a car-to-car crash, and 29 times more likely to result in a fatality. Of course, motorcycle drivers and passengers also need to be vigilant, but in addition, you need to know what to do if you’re involved in a motorcycle accident.

Houston Car Accident Lawyer Explains What to Do Moments After Your Accident

Knowing what to do in the minutes following an accident can make a huge difference in the ultimate outcome, and it might just save your life or the life of someone else. Follow this brief guide.

Assess the Damage – The first thing you’ll need to do is to assess the damage, and that includes physical damage to you and/or a passenger on your motorcycle. What injuries have you sustained? Are you able to sit up, or stand?

Chances are good that if you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident involving a car, truck, van or an 18-wheeler, you have sustained serious injuries. If possible, use your cell phone to call 911 to ensure that help is on its way immediately. If you are able, check the condition of any passengers, and the driver/passenger of the other vehicle.

Move Off the Road – If possible, move your motorcycle off the road. The other driver will also need to move their vehicle out of the flow of traffic. If necessary, move any injured individuals off the road (assuming you’re physically able to do so).

Exchange Insurance Information – If you’re capable, exchange insurance information with the other driver. You should also get their name, phone number, and address. All of this information will be necessary to file a claim.

Take Pictures – If you are physically able, use your cell phone to take pictures of the accident scene before moving the vehicles out of the road. You’ll need proof of who hit whom, the position of the vehicles, and more. If you’re not able to take photographs, try to memorize every detail of the scene possible.

Talk to Witnesses – While not always the case, witnesses are sometimes present. Get the contact information from these individuals.

Don’t Talk about Fault – Whether the motorcycle accident was the fault of the other driver, or you think it was your own, don’t talk about it. Avoid discussing the accident with the other driver or their insurance company.

Call Your Car Accident Lawyer – As soon as possible, call your car accident lawyer. While they might not be able to open a claim without a police case ID or accident report, you can at least get the ball rolling. Once the police have investigated the scene and provided you with a report number, your car accident lawyer can order a copy of the report online. Accident reports are usually ready within 10 days of the accident.

Do I Really Need a Car Accident Lawyer?

While you may not need a car accident lawyer in all instances, it’s wise to have an experienced professional on your side if you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident. Insurance companies are in business to make money, and they don’t do that by paying out a lot of cash to those injured in accidents. An experienced Houston car accident lawyer like Farrah Martinez can help ensure that you receive the compensation you need to cover repair or replacement of your motorcycle, payment of medical bills and the like.

For a free consultation, contact Car Accident Lawyer Farrah Martinez at (713) 853-9296.

Source:

http://www.avrek.com/blog/what-to-do-after-motorcycle-accident/

https://rideapart.com/articles/crash-motorcycle

http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/trf/crash_statistics/2016/01.pdf

http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/trf/crash_statistics/2016/09.pdf

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2017/04/28/txdot-drivers-motorcycles/

June 30, 2017/0 Comments/by newfarmar

Injury & Accident Checklist

Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized

Accidents and injuries occur in a variety of ways. It is not alway a car accident; sometimes it is a slip and fall at a grocery store, a fall from poorly maintained stairs at an apartment complex, an injury while at work, an animal bite by a neighbor’s dog, a serious chemical burn at a hair salon, or injuries from a recalled products. No matter the injury, these steps will help protect your rights.

1. Report. Always stop and report your injury at the place where the injury occurred. Speak with whoever is in charge. Ask for a manager or the owner.

2. Request a copy. Often companies have their own injury incident report forms. If the person in charge is completing a form detailing the facts of the injury, request a copy.

3. It’s not too late. If you discovered your injury later, call the establishment and make a report with someone in charge. If the injury occurred at work, report it immediately.

4. Get medical attention. If you have been injured, seek medical attention. Most of the time injuries from accidents do not disappear. In fact, as injuries mature, they can become more noticeable. If your injuries are serious, seek emergency care, then follow up with your family doctor. Be sure to tell your doctor how you were injured.

5. Contact a Lawyer. Yes, if you have serious injuries you need to seek the advice of a personal injury lawyer that handles all injury and accident cases. Do not try to do it yourself.

6. Do NOT sign anything. If you are asked to sign a release, waiver or authorization of medical records, say no. Request a copy for review, then take it to your experienced personal injury lawyer, Farrah Martinez.

I am Farrah Martinez a Houston, Texas personal injury and accident lawyer and I hold insurance companies accountable to ensure victims get the compensation they deserve through experienced, aggressive and smart representation. For a free consultation contact me at (713) 853-9296 or visit us online at www.InjuryLawyerHOU.com. Find us on Facebook, follow us on Google+ and twitter.

Disclaimer: The information and materials provided here are for general informational purposes only and are not intended as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed nor should any such relationship be implied. Nothing on this blog is intended to substitute for the advice of an attorney. If you need legal advice on injury and accident checklist, please consult with a competent personal injury lawyer licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.

July 29, 2015/0 Comments/by newfarmar

It’s all about Workers’ Compensation. Facts Every Texas Employee Should Know if They Have Been Injured at Work. Part One.

Uncategorized, Workers Compensation

It’s All about Workers’ Compensation. What Every Texas Employee Should Know if They Have Been Injured at Work. Part One.

Texas does not require an employer to provide workers’ compensation coverage. In a majority of states, it is required. In Texas, it is optional.
Workers’ compensation insurance puts a limit on the amount and type of compensation that an injured employee may receive – the limits are set in the law.
An employer that chooses not to carry workers compensation insurance is left open to personal injury lawsuits by its employees who are injured on the job.
At the time of hire, an employer is required to tell if the employer maintains workers compensation insurance and the employer must post signs throughout the workplace visible to all of its employees.
An employer must also notify each new employee that they have five days to waive their right to workers’ compensation benefits and retain their common-law right to sue the employer for a work-related injury. The notice must also tell the employee if the choose to waiver workers’ compensation, the employee forfeits their right to receive medical or income benefits under the workers’ compensation law.
An employer that terminates its workers’ compensation coverage, must immediately notify all of its employees and the Workers’ Compensation Division of the Texas Department of Insurance.
In Texas, the workers’ compensation law covers an injury or illness regardless of fault, as long as the injury was sustained during the course and scope of employment.
The worker’s compensation law does not cover injuries if they were the result of horseplay, willful criminal acts or self-injury, intoxication from drugs or alcohol, acts of God, voluntary participation in an off-duty recreational activity, a third party’s criminal act if directed against the employee for a personal reason unrelated to the work, or acts of God.

Workers’ Compensation is a complex area of law. This is part one of a two part series. So, stay turned to learn more about workers’ compensation. If you have been injured while at work, contact Farrah Martinez, Workers’ Compensation Lawyer who will aggressively protect your rights and seek the benefits you deserve.

Disclaimer: The information and materials provided here are for general informational purposes only and are not intended as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed nor should any such relationship be implied. Nothing on this blog is intended to substitute for the advice of an attorney. If you need legal advice, please consult with a competent attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.

July 28, 2015/0 Comments/by newfarmar