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Houston Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Niles Sneed
Niles and his Team were Houston's #1 Motorcycle Injury and Accident Lawyers for 2020 and 2019. There's only one choice you want the best.
If you are a motorcyclist and here hit by negligent driver Houston, Texas, we can help. Niles Sneed is a Houston Motorcycle Accident Lawyer known for his high rate of success in traffic accident cases across Texas. Ask to speak with Niles directly by calling (713)800-6676, or fill out our contact form and one of our personal injury lawyer will call you now. And remember, there is never a charge for our consultations.
On average, one motorcyclist dies every day on Texas roads. In 2019, 412 motorcyclists were killed in Texas, and more than 1,800 riders were seriously injured. We represent the riders and their families struck by vehicles and commercial trucks on our roads.
Unfortunately for bikers in Houston and across Texas, careless passenger vehicles and commercial trucks and semi-trucks often fail to take reasonable and required precautions towards people on motorcycles.
Top-Rated Motorcycle Accident Attorney
The six-month period from May through October of 2019 was the deadliest for motorcycle riders and accounted for 61 percent of motorcycle fatalities.
Safety experts say that crashes between motorcyclists and drivers often occur when drivers make left turns in front of an oncoming motorcyclist, misjudging the distance and speed of the motorcycle. Last year, 30 percent of Texas motorcycle fatalities occurred in an intersection or were intersection-related.
The highest numbers of fatal motorcycle crashes last year occurred in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, El Paso, Corpus Christi, Lubbock and Odessa.
Why Riders Choose Niles Sneed
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Niles wins hard-fought cases for riders every month of the year.
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He and his team dedicated motorcycle injury lawyers are undefeated in the courtroom and 99% successful overall.
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He are committed to motorcyclists and doesn't let insurance companies blame riders in accidents.
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We’ve gained a reputation in Houston and across Texas for our passionate commitment to our client’s success.
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He knows the many laws protecting riders and understand maneuvers such as lane-splitting, high speed breaking, and traffic gestures.
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We do it all. Our personal injury law firm handles every aspect of your recovery, from bike repairs to crash investigations and civil trials.
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Niles Sneed takes on the risk. We don’t charge motorcyclists to represent them. By taking on 100% of the financial risk in a contingency fee model, our clients are able to focus on what matters - healing. So you will not pay any legal fees until we win your case.
Common Injuries Bikers Experience
We Handle All Types Of Traffic Collisions
Most life-threatening and debilitating injuries experienced by bikers occur when the front of the motorcycle sustains in the initial impact. Some of the more common injuries suffered by motorcycle riders:
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Traumatic brain injuries (TBI). According to the NHTSA, 15% percent of helmeted and 21% percent of un-helmeted motorcycle riders suffer concussions, brain contusions, brain stem injuries, penetrating brain injuries, and other types of traumatic brain trauma. When motorcyclists die as the result of a traffic collision, around 54% percent of these riders also suffered a TBI in the accident.
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Spinal cord injuries. A forceful spinal cord injury as the result of a motorcycle collision can cause the rider to suffer paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia), causing permanent disability for the victim.
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Lower-extremity injuries. A NHTSA study found that riders suffer lower-extremity injuries more frequently than any other type of injury. These injuries include fractures, dislocations, sprains, muscle overuse, bone bruise, meniscus tears, ACL tears, or similar.
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Shoulder and rotator cuff tears. Being struck by a car, or reaching for the ground after being hit cause rider to sustain damage to their shoulder joint. Orthopedics first attempt non-surgical repair, but surgery is sometimes necessitated when a ligament suffers in Grade 3, or "complete tear."
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Internal injuries. Blunt force trauma experienced in motorcycle accidents often cause organ damage and internal bleeding when someone hard or sharp hits the body. These injuries require complex and costly medical treatment, along with extensive rehabilitation treatment.
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Bone Breaks and Fractures. When motorcycle crashes happen quickly, the riders legs and wrist often suffer fractures when hitting the vehicle or the ground.
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Road rash. This skin injury is caused when a rider makes contact with the road surface. The severity of the road rash ranges from mild to serious and is highly susceptible to infections and permanent scarring.
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Eye injuries: Eye injury and vision loss injuries are common in serious motorcycle accidents and includes eyelid lacerations, corneal injuries, iris injuries, orbital fractures, and optical nerve damage. Most eye injuries result in headaches and blurred vision, whether temporary or permanent, and always alter the rider's life.
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Crush Injuries: One of the most traumatic injuries bikers suffer in accidents in a crush injury. A crush injury occurs when a part of the body in crushed between two option. The victim can experience internal and external bleeding, tissue death, compartment syndrome, and limb loss.
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Amputations: The force of a motorcycle crash can throw a rider from his or her bike with enough force to shatter a limb beyond the point of surgical repair. Surgical amputation is sometimes the only remedy within the emergency room to save the victim's life.
Motorcycle Attorney Niles Sneed and his team of attorneys have successfully handled hundreds of motorcycle accident cases on behalf of riders throughout the state of Texas. Call us today to schedule a free, no obligation consultation, so that we can inform you of your legal rights and options of compensation.
We’ve helped in all kinds of motorcycle accidents, including those involving:
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Adventure or Dual Sport
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Choppers
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Cruisers
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Dirt Bikes
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Moped
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Off-road
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Scooters
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Sport Bikes
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Sport Touring
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Touring
Call us a Sneed|Mitchell LLP of 866-434-0014 or contact us online to discuss your concerns. Speak with an experienced.
Insurance Companies Try To Blame The Rider
Insurance companies make massive profits by NOT blaming you for the injuries you suffered in the motorcycle accident. Whether you were involved in a car accident or truck accident, insurance adjusters are trained to view you as the aggressor and negligent party. Do NOT allow this to happen.
At Sneed|Mitchell LLP, our member motorcycle accident lawyers have been fighting insurance adjuster and large insurance companies on behalf of our fellow riders for decades. We can help you with:
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Medical bills - The impact of unexpected and high medical bills to riders and their families can be really devastating and stressful. Our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers check your bills for “double billing” and negotiate each medical debt for you.
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Property damage - We ensure the damages to your motorcycle are attributed to the other driver's insurance company and that your damaged bike is repaired or replaced at market value. The property claim also includes replacement your helmet, helmet, protective equipment, cell phone, cameras, and other personal property.
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Lost wages and lost earning capacity - You are entitled to any reduction in income or inability to work after being involved in an accident with a motor vehicle. Let us calculate your financial impact and fight to recoup your economic losses.
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Loss of enjoyment - This legal term includes the impact of a person’s ability to perform certain hobbies, recreational activities, volunteer opportunities, and social activities.
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Loss of consortium - Texas law a spouse to recover for a loss of companionship and intimacy, and family members to recover for a loss of support and love caused by a motorcycle traffic accident.
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Pain and suffering - Riders suffer emotional distress after being involved in traffic accidents. Whether temporary, or chronic by way or a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), we are ready to help.
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Punitive damages - Also called “exemplary damages” are awarded as a penalty for the at-fault driver’s unsafe and negligent actions. In Texas, punitive damages cannot exceed the greater of $200,000, or twice the amount of economic damages up to $750,000. Punitive damages are usually obtained in situations involving commercial motor vehicles.
With Niles Sneed and his team, you never ride alone. Our experienced, aggressive motorcycle accident lawyers in Texas have helped hundreds of injured riders secure millions of dollars for their losses and damages. We are the attorneys that help motorcyclist clients throughout Harris Country and do it on a contingency fee basis, which means you aren’t charged any costs until we recover.
And our consultations are always FREE!
Texas Motorcycle Injury Statistics
In 2019, 412 motorcyclists died during Texas motorcycle crashes. Another 1,800 suffered serious injury. According to the Executive Director of TxDot, “The six-month period from May through October is the deadliest for motorcycle riders and accounted for 61 percent of motorcycle fatalities in Texas last year. That’s why we are urging drivers to Look Twice for Motorcycles-there’s a life riding on it.” In the same year, 92% of motorcycle drivers killed in accidents drove touring bikes with engine sizes greater than 1,400 cc.
Safety experts report that automobile-motorcycle accidents occur most frequently when a driver takes a left turn in front of an oncoming cyclist. Drivers misjudge the speed and distance of the motorcycle and cause an accident. During the past year, 30% of Texas motorcycle fatalities either took place in an intersection or occurred because of an intersection. Our motorcycle injury lawyers understand the dangers riders face and educate jurors, mediators, and defense counsel of the dangers riders face in Houston and throughout Harris County, each day.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form and one of our lawyers will call you now.
How Do Attorneys Deal With Insurance Adjusters?
An injured rider should always hire an attorney with experience handling injury and accident claims. Proper preparation is the best protection against adjusters. For example, in severe injury cases, top-rated injury attorneys:
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Find witnesses and interview them about what they saw
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Obtain certified copies of the official crash report
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Save, collect, and review all medical bills and records
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Interview treating physicians when appropriate
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Retain experts capable of explaining liability and damages to the court
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Handle any health insurance liens or hospital bills placed on their clients
Our motorcycle accident lawyers regularly secure maximum compensation for the personal injuries you sustain from the responsible party.
What is Comparative Negligence? How Does it Impact Cases?
Whether the traffic collision involved a car accident, passenger, pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclist, the Texas law of modified comparative negligence applies. In accordance with this legal doctrine, victims can collect damages from a personal injury case so long as they are less than 51% at fault for their accident. The award is then reduced by a percentage equal to the claimant’s responsibility. For example, a claimant who suffered $100,000 in damages but found 20% at fault will only receive an award of $80,000.
In the case of motorcycle accidents, comparative fault may prove particularly relevant if the rider did not wear a helmet, depending on the injury. For example, if the rider suffered a broken leg during the motorcycle accident helmet usage will not be relevant.
However, in the case of head injuries insurance companies may attempt to argue that the lack of a helmet contributed to the rider’s injury and that the injured biker is therefore partially at fault.
While the lack of a helmet may influence some motorcycle accident cases, Texas does not legally require riders over age 21 to wear a helmet so long as they 1) complete a training course and 2) carry adequate medical insurance.
All riders should discuss the specifics of their case with a lawyer to determine the potential impact of helmet usage. In general, if a helmet would not have prevented or lessened the severity of the injury, helmet usage is not relevant to a motorcycle injury case. Contact a qualified motorcycle accident lawyer today for more insight into your legal rights and remedies.
Is Lane Splitting Illegal In Texas?
Our attorneys and motorcycle advocates understand that lane splitting can be practiced safely, and that at times it can help riders avoid getting rear-ended by motor vehicles. However, Texas does not currently have any statutes which protects motorcyclists using lane splitting as a riding technique.
Lane splitting is not explicitly illegal in Texas. On the other hand, there is no state-wide statute explicitly stating the legality of the technique, either. Many lawmakers hope to pass some sort of legislation in the upcoming 2021 legislative session.
Until then, however, follow these lane-splitting safety tips set forward by a recent study:
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Only lane split when the surrounding traffic is moving at a speed less than 50 miles per hour (mph).
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Do not travel more than 15 mph faster than the surrounding traffic.
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Watch out for motorists attempting to change lanes.
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Always use a motorcycle helmet.
Researchers have noted that the greatest predictor of injury is the difference in speed between the motorcyclist and surrounding traffic, as opposed to speed alone. Additionally, the study concluded that careful lane-splitting was both reasonably safe and could prevent serious motorcyclist injuries caused by collisions. Indeed, data collected in the study revealed that lane-splitting motorcyclists were actually 8% less likely than non-lane-splitting counterparts to suffer head injuries in collisions, 10% less likely to suffer torso injuries, and almost 50% as likely to suffer fatal injuries.
Can Bikers Safely Share A Lane?
Yes; while traveling in the same direction, two motorcycles can safely share a lane riding side-by-side. Bikes configured in this manner are often referred to as riding “two abreast”. Motorcyclists on group rides often travel side-by-side. Furthermore, when all motorcyclists in the group ride side-by-side it is called “parade formation.”
Frequently Asked Questions
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Experienced Motorcycle Accident Injury Lawyer
If you are a biker and were hit by negligent driver, call Motorcycle Accident Attorney Niles Sneed today. Niles has experience helping motorcyclists get the compensation they deserve after a car accident. Insurance companies have a legal duty to pay for the damages caused by the at-fault driver when they fail to operate their vehicle in a safe manner.
Our law firm has probably taken more motorcycles cases to court than most Houston personal injury attorneys have even handled. There's no substitute for experience.
Call our Motorcycle Accident Team now at 713-800-6676 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation about your brain injury case. There are no attorney fees upfront to start work on your case, and you only pay us if we win compensation for you. Free virtual and telephone conferences are available 24/7, for your convenience.