Auto Accidents

Car accidents can happen anywhere, including city streets, freeways, and parking lots. Most of these collisions result from dangerous driving behaviors, such as:

Car crashes can produce fatal injuries, particularly at high speeds. When motorists wear seat belts and their vehicles have airbags, their risk of death drops significantly. Instead, car crashes cause:

All vehicle owners in Texas must carry bodily injury liability coverage. Most crashes start with an insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s liability policy. You and your injury lawyer must prove the other driver’s negligence for the insurer to pay the claim.

If the vehicle is uninsured or the insurer denies the claim, you can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.

Motorcycles require balance and training to operate safely. When a vehicle strikes a motorcycle, the operator can lose their balance and lay down their ride. Even a near miss can cause a motorcyclist to lose control of their bike and swerve off the road, into another vehicle, or into oncoming traffic.

Motorcycles do not protect riders in a crash. Texas has a motorcycle helmet law, but its exceptions render it largely unenforceable for riders over 21. As a result, operators and passengers can suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries in a crash. Some common injuries in motorcycle accidents include:

Motorcycle accidents often happen in two ways. The first is called “left-turn-across-path” (LTAP). In this scenario, a vehicle turns left across the path of an oncoming motorcycle.

Impatient drivers try to beat motorcycles through the intersection. Drivers can also misjudge the speed or distance of an approaching motorcycle when distracted or intoxicated.

The second cause of motorcycle accidents is a phenomenon called “looked but failed to see.” This form of cognitive bias interferes with a driver’s ability to recognize anything on the road except cars and trucks. As a result, careless drivers maneuver as if motorcycles are not even there, even in plain view.

Motorcycles are covered by the same insurance laws as cars. When motorcyclists get hit by a negligent driver, they can file an insurance claim against the driver’s liability policy. If the insurer denies the claim, the rider can pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.

Both federal and state laws regulate commercial trucks like semi-trucks, delivery trucks, and construction vehicles. Trucking companies must meet these regulations or risk losing the right to transport freight across state lines.

These laws require trucking companies to carry at least $750,000 in insurance and surety bonds to compensate road users after a truck accident. The laws also require trucking companies to inspect and repair their vehicles. They can only hire drivers with commercial driver’s licenses, and they must conduct drug and alcohol tests.

Despite these regulations, trucks still crash. Unfortunately, trucking company negligence can lead to collisions with motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists. Trucking companies are vicariously liable for negligence by employed drivers as well.

After a crash, you will file claims with the trucking company’s insurers and sureties. Your lawyer must prove the trucking company was negligent in loading, operating, maintaining, or repairing its vehicles, and its negligence caused your crash.

Buses also fall under federal law if they:

School buses and public transit buses are exempt from federal laws. As a result, after a bus accident, your rights will depend on the bus operator.

After a crash with a privately operated bus, your lawyer will pursue a claim against the operator’s insurance policies and surety bonds. If the bus is operated by the government, you will follow the rules set out in the Texas Tort Claims Act. This act caps the compensation you can pursue and sets very short time limits.

You should speak to an auto accident attorney as soon as possible to make sure you preserve your rights. 

If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident, don’t wait to seek legal help. Our experienced El Paso auto accident lawyers are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. Call the Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin, PLLC, today at (915) 333-3333 for a free consultation!