In Texas, there were 394,351 registered motorcycles as of 2023. Getting on your bike can offer an unbeatable sense of freedom but also put you at risk. Motorcycle accident injuries are often serious because of the lack of protection that the vehicle offers. That’s even more likely to be the case if you’re not wearing a helmet.
The helmet laws in Texas exist to protect you. Even when you obey the law, though, you can still be hit by an inattentive driver and suffer serious injuries. The Fort Worth motorcycle accident lawyers at Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers can provide the help you need after a motorcycle accident in Fort Worth, TX. Contact us at (817) 510-9400 to schedule a free consultation today.
How Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers Can Help After An Accident In Fort Worth, TX
Motorcycle accidents in Fort Worth, Texas can result in catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries that can change your entire future. Wearing a helmet can make a difference in the severity of a brain injury, but it won’t always fully prevent one. If you are dealing with financial losses, like medical bills, because of a crash, consider hiring a Fort Worth personal injury attorney.
At Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers, our team provides a variety of services:
- A free consultation
- Accident investigations
- Communications and negotiations with insurers
- Support throughout the process
- Litigation, if necessary
We are a boutique law firm focused on offering the highest quality of services to our clients. Our size allows our lawyers to provide individualized attention, ensuring that you receive the support you need. Drawing on decades of experience, our team of personal injury lawyers will fight to get you fair compensation for what you’ve suffered. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
What Are The Helmet Laws In Texas?
In Texas, any motorcycle rider under the age of 21 must wear a helmet. That includes passengers on a bike. The helmet must meet the standards set by the Department of Public Safety.
Riders over the age of 21 are exempt from wearing a helmet if they have completed a safety course or have insurance that will cover them if they get into an accident. If you are over 21 but haven’t met one of these conditions, you will still need to wear your helmet while operating or riding a bike.
Keep in mind that the police can’t stop you for the sole purpose of determining whether you are eligible to ride without a helmet. This leads some people to assume there will be no repercussions for disobeying the helmet laws. However, a rider who does this can run into big problems if they are in a collision.
After a traffic accident, a helmetless rider could be seen as partly responsible for the injuries they suffered, especially if they were defying the Texas helmet laws at the time. You could fail to get enough compensation to cover your medical expenses and other losses by riding without a helmet.
What Are Other Essential Motorcycle Laws That Could Impact A Claim?
To operate a motorcycle in Texas, you must have a valid license. You can get a Class M license, which requires you to be 16 or older and to pass a written and practical exam, though the road test can sometimes be waived.
As you hit the road, remember that lane splitting is illegal in Texas. You can’t ride between lanes of traffic, even if the traffic is very slow. This is because lane splitting makes it very difficult for you to maneuver out of the way of other vehicles.
All operators of motor vehicles in the state must have liability insurance. This insurance covers losses that others suffer in any accidents that you might cause. It doesn’t cover your own losses.
Additionally, you can’t have passengers on your bike who are younger than five years old. If the motorcycle has a sidecar, they may travel there — but they can never ride on the back of the bike. Every passenger under the age of 21 must wear a helmet, along with any passenger who has not completed a safety course or who doesn’t have appropriate insurance.
Contact Our Fort Worth, TX, Motorcycle Accident Lawyers For a Free Consultation
If you’ve suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident because of another party’s negligent or wrongful conduct, you may be entitled to compensation. To do so, you must file a personal injury claim, which is never a simple process. For a stronger chance of receiving fair compensation, take the next step by hiring a lawyer.
At Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we offer dedicated representation for those who are recovering from injuries after an accident. Contact our Fort Worth attorneys to schedule a free consultation.
