First Steps After a Motorcycle Accident in San Antonio
Most motorcycle crashes in Texas happen because another driver made a bad choice: turning left across a bike’s path, tailgating, speeding, driving distracted, or treating a rider like they “came out of nowhere.” TxDOT’s own data shows that the small size of motorcycles makes them easy to overlook or misjudge, which is exactly why drivers must take more care, not less.
A motorcycle accident lawyer in San Antonio has to do more than collect records. They have to overcome the built-in bias that riders are always partly at fault. At Marc LaHood Law, that starts with a thorough investigation: scene photos, black box data, camera footage, phone records, and eyewitness statements gathered before memories fade. Then we take those facts and build a straightforward, compelling case about what really happened and why the other driver and their insurer can be held accountable.
Strengthen Your Case With a Motorcycle Injury Attorney in San Antonio
Motorcycle crashes rarely end in “minor” injuries. Riders come to us with traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, shattered bones, road rash requiring skin grafts, and injuries that end careers and strain families for years. A San Antonio motorcycle accident attorney from Marc LaHood Law looks beyond the first hospital bill to the full impact: future surgeries, rehab, lost earning power, modifications to your home, and the day-to-day pain the crash has brought to your life.
Insurers often try to settle quickly and cheaply, banking on fear and financial pressure. Our firm prepares every serious motorcycle case like it’s going to trial. That level of preparation, combined with Marc’s steady performance in high-stakes courtrooms, can create leverage at the negotiating table and provide strength if a jury has to decide.
Texas Law, Bexar County Courts, & Why Timing Matters
Two rules of Texas law shape every motorcycle accident claim, and both of them cut against riders who wait. Understanding them from the start is part of how we protect your recovery.
The 51% Fault Bar
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under Section 33.001 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. You can recover compensation as long as you’re found 50% or less at fault for the crash. At 51%, recovery is barred entirely. Insurers know this, and their adjusters are trained to build a file that pushes your fault percentage past that line. Early evidence preservation includes dash cam footage, skid marks, witness statements, and crash scene documentation. It is the most direct counter to that strategy. The longer you wait, the more of that evidence disappears.
The Two-Year Filing Deadline
Under Section 16.003(a) of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury claim. Miss that deadline, and the claim is barred regardless of how strong the facts are. Two years sounds like plenty of time, but building a trial-ready case against a well-funded insurer takes preparation, and waiting compresses every stage of that work.
What a Successful Claim Can Recover
A motorcycle accident claim in Texas may include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. The full picture depends on the facts of your case. What we can tell you is that we look at every category of harm, including future care costs and the ways the crash has changed your daily life, rather than accepting whatever number the insurer puts on the table first.
High-Risk Roads in San Antonio
TxDOT has identified specific corridors in San Antonio where motorcycle crashes concentrate: Loop 1604 near Braun Road and Bandera Road, Loop 410 near Ingram Road and Rigsby Avenue, and I-10 near the I-35 and I-37 interchanges. If your crash happened on one of these corridors, the crash history there may be part of building your case. Marc LaHood’s deep familiarity with Bexar County courts and the judges who hear these cases is an advantage rooted in local experience. The LaHood family has been practicing in these courtrooms since 1967.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Still Recover Compensation If I Was Partially at Fault for the Crash?
Yes, as long as your share of fault is 50% or less under Texas’s modified comparative fault rule. The insurer’s job is to push that number past 51%, which would bar your recovery entirely. Having a motorcycle injury lawyer in San Antonio working from the start, preserving evidence and countering the insurer’s narrative, can help protect your position on fault.
What If My Loved One Was Killed in a Motorcycle Crash?
When a rider dies from crash injuries, surviving family members may bring a wrongful death claim in Texas. Recoverable losses may include medical costs before death, funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship. We handle these cases with the same preparation and care we bring to every serious injury claim, and we walk families through every step of a process that’s already devastating enough.
How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Texas?
You generally have two years from the date of the crash under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003(a). Waiting doesn’t just risk missing the deadline. It risks losing evidence, fading witness memories, and reduced leverage when it’s time to negotiate or try the case. The sooner we get involved, the more we can protect.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a motorcycle crash, reach out today at (210) 714-2625 or send us a message to schedule a free, confidential consultation.