Greenville Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Even if you wear a helmet, equip the right gear, and ride responsibly, you can still get into a serious motorcycle wreck. There are many motorcyclists throughout Hunt County who’ve been seriously hurt in crashes. These kinds of injuries can linger for years, and some even lead to a permanent disability that affects earning potential and overall quality of life.

If you suffered serious injuries in a collision that was caused by another driver, the attorneys at Smith & Lee are here to do right by you. To request a free case evaluation from experienced motorcycle accident lawyers serving Greenville, TX, contact our law firm today. You can also speak with our attorneys by calling (972) 771-2579.

How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim?

Texas Civil Practice & Protocol Code § 16.003 states that you have two years from the date of the motorcycle crash to take legal action. Once that two-year statute of limitations has passed, you will not be able to file a lawsuit.

Keep in mind that there are exceptions to the two-year deadline. These exceptions depend on the circumstances of the motorcycle wreck and the parties involved.

It’s in your best interests to speak with our Greenville motorcycle accident attorneys ASAP. Our lawyers can review your accident and start seeking compensation so you aren’t left in debt from hospital bills and the cost of repairs.

Can I File a Lawsuit If I Was Partly to Blame for the Motorcycle Wreck?

Yes, you can still file a motorcycle accident lawsuit and receive compensation even if you were partly at fault in the wreck.

Texas is a modified comparative fault state (aka modified comparative negligence). This means that you can collect damages in a lawsuit as long as you are 50% or less at fault. Your percentage of liability is deducted from the final jury award. For example, say you were in a motorcycle wreck. The jury awards you $100,000 in damages, but you were 25% at fault. You would still receive $75,000.

Never admit you are partly to blame to insurance companies or the other parties involved in the motorcycle crash. Get in touch with our law firm so you can maximize the amount of compensation you receive.

Why Choose Smith & Lee for Your Motorcycle Crash Case

There are many great law firms in and near Greenville, but people trust the motorcycle accident lawyers at Smith & Lee because of our reputation and results.

  • Accountability and Personal Responsibility: We practice personal responsibility. Our law firm holds negligent people accountable when their actions harm others.
  • Client-Focused Approach to Accident Law: We’ll always return your calls as soon as we can. It’s one way we run our firm like a customer service business that practices law.
  • Strong Connections to Northeast Texas: We have deep ties to the region, with personal and professional connections throughout Greenville and Northeast Texas.

For anyone who needs to speak with a lawyer about their motorcycle wreck, the attorneys at Smith & Lee are ready to do right by you.

Get a Free Consultation with Our Greenville Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

After a serious motorcycle crash, you can count on Smith & Lee for strong representation and legal guidance. To speak with our skilled Greenville motorcycle accident attorneys about what happened, contact our law firm today. You can also set up a free consultation by calling (972) 771-2579.

Texas Motorcycle Collision Numbers

According to numbers from the Texas Department of Transportation, there were 9,160 motorcycle wrecks throughout the state in 2024; 2,452 of these motorcycle crashes caused serious injuries, and 598 motorcycle collisions were fatal.

Potential Hazards for Greenville Motorcyclists

Multiple major roads crisscross around the city and Hunt County, including Interstate 30. I-30 can be especially dangerous with all of the traffic headed into the Metroplex or out to Northeast Texas and Arkansas. Anyone riding a motorcycle should be cautious around semi-trucks and 18-wheelers on the interstate. Long hours could mean truck driver fatigue, endangering countless others on the road.

In addition, motorcyclists could get into serious crashes around Greenville on State Highway 34, Route 380, or Route 69.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes

Motorcycle crashes happen for different reasons. Sometimes another driver is to blame, while other times motorcyclists themselves share some responsibility. There are also some cases in which other parties can be held liable for a crash.

Here are some of the most common causes of motorcycle wrecks in Greenville and other nearby communities throughout Northeast Texas.

Speeding and Reckless Driving

Speed limits are in place for a reason. When drivers exceed the speed limit, it can increase the risk of a serious collision involving a motorcycle. This is why speeding remains a major cause of serious accidents nationwide.

Speeding isn’t the only hazard, however. There are other aggressive and reckless behaviors that make deadly motorcycle wrecks more likely. Examples of reckless driving include:

  • Tailgating
  • Blowing through red lights
  • Weaving in and out of traffic
  • Failing to signal
  • Failing to yield

Failure to Check Blind Spots

It’s easy for other motorists to miss a motorcyclist in their rearview mirror or side mirrors. This is because motorcycles often get lost in a vehicle’s blind spot. If a driver does not check their blind spot while making a turn or merging, they could accidentally hit a motorcyclist or run them off the road.

While it’s incumbent on drivers to pay attention and be on the lookout for nearby motorcycles, our attorneys suggest that motorcyclists be mindful when riding near cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks; extra caution is required when riding near tractor-trailers and delivery vehicles.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is when a driver takes their hands off the steering or diverts their attention away from the road. Examples of distracted driving include texting while driving, using a phone without a hands-free kit, looking up directions, eating while driving, and rubbernecking.

When drivers are distracted, they’re less likely to check their blind spots and be aware of any motorcyclists nearby. If you were hit by a distracted driver while riding your motorcycle, our Greenville accident attorneys can help you hold that driver accountable.

Driver Fatigue

Driver fatigue refers to situations in which a motorist is exhausted while they’re driving. This typically occurs in the trucking and delivery industries, with drivers struggling to stay awake and alert during long shifts. Yet driver fatigue also affects rideshare drivers for Uber and Lyft as well as daily commuters who get behind the wheel after a long day.

When commercial drivers skip breaks or try to push themselves beyond exhaustion, it can lead to dangerous situations on the road for motorcyclists. A tired commercial driver may have delayed reaction times, forget to check their side mirrors, experience impaired decision-making skills, and may even fall asleep while driving.

Inexperience on a Motorcycle

We’ve mostly focused on errors by other drivers in motorcycle wrecks. However, inexperienced motorcyclists can also cause or contribute to serious collisions. Young riders or people who are getting used to motorcycles might take unnecessary risks or may not be sure how to react to adverse situations on the road.

The lawyers at Smith & Lee encourage you to exercise caution whenever you’re on your motorcycle. A little caution can keep you safe and can protect other people sharing the road here in Northeast Texas.

Lane Splitting and Filtering

Also known as lane filtering and white lining, lane splitting is when a motorcyclist drives between two other vehicles traveling in the same direction. This is often done to get around slow-moving traffic or stopped vehicles in a traffic jam.

Lane splitting is illegal in Texas. Motorcyclists who ride between vehicles run the risk of hitting side mirrors, getting doored, or sideswiping slower vehicles. At higher speeds and highway speeds, lane splitting could lead to catastrophic or fatal accidents.

Drunk or Intoxicated Driving

Drinking and driving is never permissible. The same applies to operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs. This applies to commuters in cars and pickups, truckers and other commercial drivers, and motorcyclists.

When a drunk or intoxicated driver causes a motorcycle wreck, our Greenville collision lawyers can help you seek compensation. Any legal damages awarded in a DWI accident claim will help cover your bills from the crash and also hold the drunk or intoxicated driver responsible for their reckless actions.

Mechanical Issues

Motorcycles need routine repairs and maintenance just like other vehicles. When motorcycle parts don’t work properly or there are serious defects in design or manufacturing, it can cause catastrophic mechanical failure while the motorcycle is on the road.

The lawyers of Smith & Lee can hold negligent automakers or the makers of auto parts liable if their negligence caused or contributed to a serious motorcycle wreck. Our law firm is prepared to hold companies accountable when they harm or endanger the people of Texas.

Poor Road and Weather Conditions

Wind, rain, ice, and snow can make driving extremely difficult. These hazards are heightened for motorcyclists who are caught in bad weather. Similarly, potholes, bad lighting, bumpy roads, broken traffic signals, and blind turns can cause all kinds of dangers for motorcyclists.

Legal claims aren’t always an option when bad weather and poor road conditions cause a motorcycle wreck. However, you could have a lawsuit if negligence by Hunt County authorities exacerbated the already dangerous road conditions.

Serious Injuries After a Motorcycle Wreck

Even while wearing a helmet, body armor, and other protective gear, motorcyclists can be severely hurt in a motorcycle crash. Catastrophic injuries from a wreck include:

    • Road Rash: Road rash refers to friction burns and abrasions caused by skidding across the ground.
    • Biker’s Arm: Biker’s arm refers to nerve damage of the hand, forearm, upper arm, and/or shoulder caused by a hard landing in a crash.
    • Fractured Bones: Falls from a motorcycle can lead to broken arms, legs, ribs, and other kinds of serious fractures.
  • Internal Injuries: The force from a serious motorcycle crash can cause severe injuries to someone’s internal organs.
  • Neck and Spine Injuries: The neck, back, and spinal cord can be harmed during a collision, which can lead to different degrees of paralysis.
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Concussions and other serious head trauma can occur in a crash, affecting memory, motor skills, and mental health.
  • Loss of Limbs: In some motorcycle accidents, the injuries are so severe that they cause the loss of a limb or necessitate amputation of a limb.

All of these injuries can have major effects on your long-term mobility, comfort, earning potential, and overall quality of life. This is why it’s so important to meet with our trusted motorcycle accident lawyers to discuss your injuries.

Compensation After a Motorcycle Collision

Damages in a motorcycle accident lawsuit help compensate crash survivors for the economic and non-economic losses associated with the collision. The Greenville motorcycle wreck attorneys at Smith & Lee can review what happened during and after your accident to help you understand the true value of your legal claim.

Economic damages refer to quantifiable losses after a serious collision. Examples of economic damages after a motorcycle crash include:

  • Medical bills
  • Physical and occupational therapy
  • Damage to your motorcycle and other property
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earning potential
  • Renovations due to a long-term or permanent disability

Non-economic damages tend to refer to losses that are more difficult to quantify. Examples of non-economic damages after a motorcycle wreck include:

  • Changes in quality of life
  • Pain and suffering
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Damages After a Fatal Motorcycle Crash

After a fatal motorcycle wreck, the team at Smith & Lee can help grieving families file a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent party. Wrongful death claims allow surviving family members to seek compensation after losing a member of their household in a crash.

Damages in fatal motorcycle accident lawsuits can cover the cost of any funeral expenses, grief counseling, lost income from the decedent, and the loss of your loved one’s companionship. While no amount of money can match the pain of the bereaved, legal damages can provide a cushion to help with the grieving process and allow loved ones to move forward with some stability and reassurance.

Should I Accept a Settlement After a Motorcycle Wreck?

This depends on the causes and contributing factors in the motorcycle collision. It might be better to settle your case out of court rather than seek damages in a civil trial. For example, it could be better for a motorcyclist who was partly at fault for a crash to take a settlement offer rather than risk a lower jury award in a trial.

Our motorcycle accident lawyers will counsel you on the best options to maximize your compensation based on the evidence in your lawsuit.

Contact Our Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Serving Greenville

If you or someone you care about got seriously injured in a motorcycle wreck in Hunt County, the attorneys at Smith & Lee are on your side. We can make sure insurance companies don’t lowball their settlement offer and will take your case all the way to court if it’s the best option. Our goal is to do right by you. To request a free case review from experienced Greenville motorcycle accident lawyers near you, contact our law firm today. You can also reach our team by phone at (972) 771-2579.