Texas Motorcycle Accident FAQ

While wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle is indisputably the safest option, we Texans are an independent people, and helmet laws don’t always sit right with us.

If you want to ride without a helmet and still be within the law, Texas allows for that.

Texas Helmet Law

Here’s what you need to lawfully ride without a helmet in Texas:

• You have to be 21 or older
• You have to complete a motorcycle safety course
• You have to have health insurance with at least $10,000 in benefits for a motorcycle accident.

Will Insurance Pay Even If I Wasn’t Wearing Safety Gear During My Motorcycle Accident?

If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident and another driver was at fault, you have a valid claim for costs related to injuries, lost wages, vehicle repair, and more.

But be aware that insurance companies don’t want to pay for your damages, and will fight any way they can to protect their bottom line.

One way they do that is to argue that you, the rider, are responsible for your injuries because you weren’t wearing clothing that they think you should have been.

What Do I Do When The Bills From My Motorcycle Accident Are Higher Than The Insurance Maximum?

Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents often leave injured riders with big bills and an under insured motorist at fault.

When your expenses related to a motorcycle accident exceed the settlement amount offered by an insurance company, it’s very important that you have an attorney take a look at the situation before you sign anything. There may be additional avenues through the at-fault party’s insurer, your insurer, or even some Texas state programs designed to help people in exactly your situation.

Will My Insurance Company Pay For Repairs If my Friend Damaged My Motorcycle While Riding It?

It depends on the type of policy you have. A comprehensive insurance policy may very well cover the cost of repairs, regardless of who was operating the motorcycle at the time.

Less comprehensive plans may not. The best starting place for you is to look at your policy or reach out to your insurance company and see what the terms are and what they consider the limits of their responsibility.

Should I Accept The Insurance Company’s Settlement Offer From My Motorcycle Accident?

Insurance companies have a big incentive to offer you less than you deserve – after all, that’s how they make a profit.

Often, they’ll count on your need to quickly get up-to-date on bills associated with the costs of your motorcycle accident – medical costs, repairing or replacing your vehicle, recovering from lost wages, and more – to make even a low offer seem more appealing than none.

Your best bet is to talk through any settlement offer with an experienced Austin motorcycle accident attorney.