Motorcycle accident

Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Houston, Texas

Texas 5 firms 6 min read

The firms in this guide

  1. Simmons & Fletcher, P.C.
  2. The Stephens Law Firm Call The Stephens Law Firm: (281) 623-1701
  3. Sutliff & Stout Call Sutliff & Stout: (713) 987-7111
  4. Gibson Hill Personal Injury Call Gibson Hill Personal Injury: (713) 659-4000
  5. Baumgartner Law Firm Call Baumgartner Law Firm: (281) 587-1111

1. Simmons & Fletcher, P.C.

Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, automobile accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, catastrophic injuries

Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions with cars and trucks, left-turn accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions, hit-and-run accidents, accidents involving uninsured motorists, accidents where rider is accused of sharing fault

Legal Services: Accident investigation, cause determination, negligence analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims

Background: Nearly 50 years of experience fighting for motorcycle accident claimants. Three partner attorneys with over 75 years of combined experience. The firm exclusively handles personal injury claims on behalf of injured victims. All cases handled personally by one of the three partners (no associates).

Location: Houston, TX

Contact: https://www.simmonsandfletcher.com/motorcycle-accident-lawyer/

Consultation: Free initial consultation with no obligation, contingency fee arrangement (one-third if settled without lawsuit, 40% if litigation required)


2. The Stephens Law Firm

Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, automobile accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, catastrophic injuries

Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, accidents caused by distracted drivers, accidents caused by road conditions, accidents involving multiple liable parties including employers, accidents involving underinsured or uninsured motorists

Legal Services: Accident investigation, evidence documentation, liability identification, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations

Background: Joe Stephens is the founding attorney with 40 years of personal injury experience. Double board-certified in personal injury law and trial advocacy by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (among only 1% of lawyers nationwide). 17-time Texas Super Lawyer. Recognized as one of the top 100 courtroom lawyers in the United States. Most cases come from referrals by past clients and other attorneys.

Location: 9039 Katy Freeway, Suite 332, Houston, TX

Contact: (281) 623-1701 | https://www.joestephenslaw.com/houston-personal-injury-lawyer/motorcycle-accident/

Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless the firm wins)


3. Sutliff & Stout

Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, automobile accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, catastrophic injuries

Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions on interstate highways, accidents caused by negligent drivers, accidents caused by distracted drivers, fatal motorcycle accidents, accidents resulting in catastrophic injuries

Legal Services: Accident investigation, evidence gathering, liability analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims

Background: Founded in 2007. Board certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by The Texas Board of Legal Specialization (achieved by less than 2% of all trial lawyers). Strategic locations across Texas. 15-year history with hundreds of millions of dollars recovered for clients. Hundreds of positive online reviews and client testimonials.

Location: 550 Post Oak Blvd, Suite 530, Houston, TX 77027

Contact: (713) 987-7111 | https://www.sutliffstout.com/houston-motorcycle-accident-lawyer/

Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless recovery is made)


4. Gibson Hill Personal Injury

Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, automobile accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries

Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, single-vehicle motorcycle accidents, multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents, accidents caused by reckless drivers, accidents involving trucking companies, fatal motorcycle accidents

Legal Services: Accident investigation, evidence gathering from trucking companies (driver logs, maintenance reports, black box data), witness interviews, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation

Background: Experienced personal injury attorneys focusing on motorcycle accident cases. When clients call, they speak to an attorney immediately. Handles each case personally. Serves Houston and surrounding areas.

Location: 636 Hawthorne St, Houston, TX 77006

Contact: (713) 659-4000 | https://www.gibsonhillpc.com/houston-personal-injury-attorneys/motorcycle-accidents/

Consultation: Free case review, contingency fee arrangement


5. Baumgartner Law Firm

Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, automobile accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, catastrophic injuries

Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions with larger vehicles, accidents on busy Houston roads, accidents involving complex liability issues, accidents where riders are blamed for the crash

Legal Services: Scene investigation, evidence collection, liability analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, personal injury trial law expertise

Background: Greg Baumgartner, the founding attorney, has 40 years of experience helping accident victims. Perfect 10 AVVO rating. Graduate of the Trial Lawyers College. Holds dual law degrees. Recognized as one of the top personal injury lawyers in Texas. Won millions for accident victims in Houston and across Texas.

Location: Houston, TX

Contact: (281) 587-1111 | https://baumgartnerlawyers.com/practice-area/houston-motorcycle-accident-lawyer/

Consultation: Free consultation available


Helmet Exception Proof, Young Riders and City Claims for Houston Motorcycle Crashes

A Houston motorcycle crash claim can raise how a rider 21 or older proves the helmet exception, how the filing deadline treats a rider younger than 18, and what limits apply when a city vehicle was involved. Texas law then decides how much each liable defendant pays.

Proving the Helmet Exception

Under Texas Transportation Code 661.003(c), a rider at least 21 who has completed a Chapter 662 motorcycle operator training and safety course or is covered by a health insurance plan with medical benefits for motorcycle collision injuries is excepted from the headgear rule, and an officer may not arrest or cite a rider who presents sufficient evidence of either. Under (c-2), the Texas Department of Insurance prescribes a standard proof of health insurance for riders 21 or older covered by such a plan.

Riders Younger Than 18

Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 16.001, a person younger than 18 is under a legal disability. If the disability exists when the cause of action accrues, its time is not included in the limitations period; one disability may not be tacked to another, and a disability that arises later does not suspend the period.

A City Vehicle

Under Section 101.021, a governmental unit is liable for injury from an employee’s operation or use of a motor-driven vehicle when the employee would be personally liable. Under 101.023(c), a municipality’s liability is limited to $250,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury or death, and under 101.101 notice is due within six months after the incident unless a ratified charter period or actual notice applies. An exception covers emergency driving: under 101.055(2), a claim arising from a city driver’s response to an emergency call or emergency situation falls outside the chapter when the action complied with the laws for emergency action or, without such a law, was not taken with conscious indifference or reckless disregard for others’ safety.

Each Defendant’s Share

Under Section 33.013, a liable defendant pays only its own percentage of the damages, unless its percentage of responsibility is greater than 50 percent, in which case it is also jointly and severally liable for all of the claimant’s recoverable damages.


Houston Motorcycle Accident Questions

Can I recover if I was partly at fault?

Yes, unless your percentage of responsibility is greater than 50 percent under Section 33.001. For example, imagine $85,000 in damages and 20 percent of the responsibility on the rider: the recovery would be $68,000.

How long do I have to sue?

Two years after the day the cause of action accrues under Section 16.003(a) for personal injury, and two years after the death under 16.003(b) for wrongful death.

Does my policy cover a driver with no insurance?

Yes, if it is an automobile liability policy and the coverage was not rejected in writing. Under Texas Insurance Code 1952.101, an automobile liability policy covering liability for the use of any motor vehicle must include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, covering bodily injury and property damage, unless any insured named in the policy rejects it in writing.