New Braunfels Motorcycle Accident Attorney

What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash

The minutes and days after a motorcycle crash are often confusing and painful. You may be unsure what to say, what to sign, or whom to trust. Every situation is different, but several practical steps can protect your health and potential claim.

Protect Your Health & Document the Crash

Your first priority is safety and medical care. If you can, move out of traffic and call 911. Even if you think you can walk it off, let paramedics examine you and visit an emergency room or doctor soon after the crash. Serious conditions, including brain injuries and internal damage, may not be obvious right away.

When law enforcement arrives, give the officers clear, factual information about what happened. Avoid arguing about fault at the scene or apologizing because important details can emerge later. Ask how to get a copy of the report, which can become important to your injury claim.

If it’s safe, gather the other driver’s contact and insurance details, the make and model of the vehicle, and the names and phone numbers of any witnesses. Photographs of the scene, skid marks, your motorcycle, and your injuries can also be useful later.

Be Careful with Insurance Communications

In the days that follow, one or more insurance companies may call you. Adjusters might ask for a recorded statement or push you to accept a fast settlement. It’s usually wise to speak with a motorcycle accident attorney before giving any recorded statement or signing forms. We can explain how your words could be used and take over communication so you can focus on healing.

During a free consultation, we review what happened, answer your questions, and discuss your options. If we move forward together, we work to preserve important evidence, evaluate your injuries, and handle the back and forth with insurers so you aren’t doing that alone while you recover.

Causes & Injuries in Local Crashes

Riding around New Braunfels can involve highway travel on routes like I-35 and city streets crowded with local traffic and visitors. That mix creates real risks for riders, particularly when drivers are distracted, impatient, or unfamiliar with the area.

Common causes of motorcycle crashes in this region include:

• Drivers turning left across a rider’s path
• Unsafe lane changes without checking blind spots
• Following too closely in stop-and-go traffic
• Running signals at busy intersections
• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Misjudging a motorcycle’s distance or speed

These problems frequently appear on high-volume roads that connect New Braunfels to nearby communities. When a motorcycle is struck, the rider’s body takes much of the force, often causing severe injuries with long-lasting effects on health and finances.

Common Injuries Caused After a Truck Accident

Riders frequently face injuries such as:

• Traumatic brain injuries, even when a helmet is worn
• Spinal cord injuries and serious back or neck damage
• Multiple fractures and orthopedic injuries
• Severe road rash and soft tissue damage
• Internal injuries and, in some cases, amputations

These injuries can lead to surgery, hospital stays, and months of rehabilitation. Many riders can’t return to work right away or in the same capacity as before. A personal injury claim may seek compensation for medical expenses, future care, lost income, reduced earning capacity, and the pain and disruption to your life caused by the crash. Our firm works to account for both the immediate and longer-term impact as we pursue financial recovery on your behalf.

Texas Motorcycle Crash Statistics

Texas recorded 600 motorcyclist deaths in traffic crashes during 2023, and 40% of the motorcyclists killed weren’t wearing helmets. These statewide figures don’t represent New Braunfels crash totals, but they show the serious risks riders face across Texas.

Intersection crashes also present a significant statewide danger. In 2023, Texas recorded 1,121 deaths in crashes that occurred in or were related to intersections. Based on reportable crashes that year, one person was killed on Texas roads every two hours and two minutes, while one person was injured every two minutes and six seconds.

Motorcycle & Personal-Property Damage

A collision may damage or destroy the motorcycle in addition to causing physical injuries. Texas law allows recovery of damages for injury to personal property, including the reasonable cost to repair a damaged motorcycle or its value when replacement is necessary. The applicable measure depends on the motorcycle’s condition and the facts of the loss.

Photographs, repair estimates, receipts, and records showing the motorcycle’s pre-crash condition can help document a property-damage claim. Keep records of other personal property damaged in the collision, including riding equipment, so it can be evaluated with the rest of the loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Still Have a Case If the Insurance Company Says I Was at Fault?

You may still have a case even if an insurer blames you. Fault in motorcycle crashes is often disputed, and early assessments can be incomplete. Under Texas proportionate responsibility rules, compensation is generally reduced by an injured person’s percentage of fault, and recovery is barred if that person is found more than 50% responsible. We review the facts, investigate the collision, and work to challenge unfair blame that could reduce or eliminate your compensation.

Can You Help If My Motorcycle Accident Happened in New Braunfels but I Live Elsewhere?

Yes, we often assist clients who were injured in New Braunfels or nearby but live in another city. Our attorneys handle cases arising from crashes in this region, and we can coordinate meetings by phone, video, or in person, depending on what is easiest for you.

How Soon After My Motorcycle Crash Should I Contact Your Firm?

It’s generally wise to contact an attorney as soon as you can after getting initial medical care. Early involvement helps preserve evidence, manage communications with insurers, and avoid mistakes that might damage your claim. We can review your situation and advise you on timing during a free consultation.

What if I am in the hospital and cannot come to your office?

If you’re hospitalized or unable to travel, we can come to you or arrange a phone or video meeting. Our attorneys regularly meet clients at hospitals or homes in this area. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to get legal guidance while you focus on healing.

Choose Briggle & Polan

After a serious motorcycle collision, you need a team that takes your story seriously, understands the bias riders face, and is prepared to challenge insurance companies. At Briggle & Polan, PLLC, we focus on significant injury cases, including motorcycle and other motor vehicle crashes, and give each case close attention.

Clients work directly with an attorney from our firm, not just with staff. When you have questions about your injuries, the insurance process, or what comes next, you speak with the lawyer handling your case. Our attorneys answer questions, provide updates, and can meet you at a New Braunfels hospital, at your home, or at our Austin office.