In most motorcycle accident cases in Dallas that involve a left turn accident, who’s at fault is the motorist who made the turn. The driver would also be liable for injuries and damages suffered by the motorcyclist. A motorist must yield to traffic before he makes a left turn. That means that he or she must also look out for motorists or motorcyclists traveling in the same direction.
But a motorist may claim s/he didn’t see the motorcyclist, or that the motorcyclist was traveling at high speed, making a collision unavoidable. To determine if the motorist was at fault in your accident, speak with a motorcycle accident attorney in Dallas.
Although in a typical motorcycle left-turn accident, who’s at fault is the motorist who made the turn, the driver will often claim the motorcyclist “came out of nowhere.” He will also claim that the motorcyclist was speeding at the time of the accident and so forced a collision.
It’s important to investigate your speed at the time of the accident to determine that you were not riding at excessive speeds. For the motorcyclist to be deemed negligent, the speed must have been excessive not a few hundred feet before the point of impact, but just before the motorist made a left turn in front of the motorcyclist.
If the court finds that the motorcyclist was speeding before a left turn accident, who’s at fault may well be him or her. The biker may be held partially liable for injuries, and the doctrine of comparative negligence may apply. Under this doctrine, the court may reduce the damages that the motorcyclist is eligible for by the extent of negligence in the accident.
Attorneys for the motorist will also usually ask these questions.
To determine if the motorist is liable for your damages, consult with a motorcycle accident attorney in Dallas. An attorney will investigate all the facts to confirm that the motorist was liable for causing your injuries. An attorney will go through police records from the scene of the accident, and analyze witness statements to eliminate motorcyclist speed or other forms of motorcyclist negligence as factors in the accident.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Dallas, speak with a motorcycle accident attorney in Dallas Julie Johnson. Call 214-290-8001 to speak with attorney Johnson, or fill out the online contact form and schedule a consultation with her.