If you regularly ride a motorcycle, you may be aware that receiving injuries is a serious possibility. Because of the risk of bodily harm, you may feel it’s important to wear personal protective equipment whenever you ride, including a helmet and thick jacket. But you may feel you can avoid using a helmet, whether you’re in a rush to get somewhere or have other reasons. But choosing not to wear a helmet can negatively affect your motorcycle injury claims in several ways.
Not using a helmet can potentially increase the fault you receive during proceedings, make your injuries worse than they might have been, or even imply you have broken the law. If you want a better understanding of these implications, the motorcycle accident lawyers from Mott & Moffett can help. We have a deep knowledge of Texas injury law and a long history of helping victims and survivors in need. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you want to retain legal assistance during these challenging times.
How Does Not Wearing a Helmet Affect Motorcycle Accident Claims?
If you choose not to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle, you may wonder about the legal implications. If you get into a motorcycle accident while you aren’t wearing a helmet, many adverse effects may impact several parts of the legal process.
Increased Fault
In Texas law, every party involved in an accident receives a percentage of responsibility. If you don’t wear a helmet, you may be delegated more fault than if you wore protective gear. Receiving more liability reduces the compensation you can qualify to collect, as you only obtain recovery up to the percentage of fault other parties hold.
If you receive 51% or greater fault, you cannot collect compensation of any amount. Texas uses modified comparative fault in personal injury cases, including motorcycle accidents that result in severe bodily harm.
Worsened Injuries
You may receive worse injuries than you would have with a helmet, meaning you may suffer higher medical bills. This can make it more challenging to maintain your financial stability or receive compensation equivalent to the cost of your damages.
Violating the Law
In Texas, everyone must wear a helmet whenever they ride a motorcycle. There are no exceptions for anyone based on age, but you may be exempted from this rule if you take an accredited course. If you have not received express legal permission to ride a motorcycle without a helmet, you may be violating the law when you don’t wear a helmet. This could also increase the fault you receive during the motorcycle accident claims process.
Should You Work With a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer During Your Claim?
We recommend you work with a motorcycle accident lawyer if you have been involved in a collision resulting in serious injuries. Anyone engaged in legal matters should always try to work with an attorney whenever possible. Your attorney can help you by speaking on your behalf, completing and filing paperwork, leveling the playing field against other parties, and much more.
Please refrain from representing yourself during your legal matters, as you risk making mistakes that could negatively impact your compensation. By working with a motorcycle accident lawyer from Mott & Moffett, you are far more likely to receive fair representation and qualify for more recovery. This will make it much easier to focus on healing, reduce stress, and maintain financial stability. For more information, please contact us when you’re ready to begin working on your case with our help.
Motorcycle Accident in Texas? Mott & Moffett’s Lawyers Can Provide Valuable Help
If you have been in a motorcycle accident in Texas, you don’t have to struggle with legal tasks alone. The attorneys from Mott & Moffett have extensive legal experience and dedication to our clients, and we would be proud to support you with your case. Our motorcycle accident lawyers are prepared to answer your questions, provide access to helpful resources, and more.
If you want to retain legal support for your motorcycle accident claim, we can help. We serve clients in several parts of Texas, so don’t hesitate to schedule your free consultation with one of our attorneys. You can do this by calling (888) 596-6582 or completing our contact form at your earliest convenience.
