Aggressive Advocacy
Motorcycle riders in Fort Worth face a double injustice. First, they are physically unprotected when another driver’s negligence causes a crash — the injuries are almost always severe. Second, they face systemic bias from insurance companies who assume that every motorcycle rider was doing something reckless. That assumption is wrong, it is unfair, and it costs injured riders thousands of dollars in lost compensation every year.
Contact us today for a free consultation – call 817-335-4357 or click here.
Attorney Paul Previte fights that bias head-on. He is a former prosecutor and former judge who knows how to present a motorcycle accident case — to an insurance adjuster, to a mediator, or to a Tarrant County jury — in a way that focuses on the facts, establishes the other driver’s fault clearly, and maximizes your recovery. He has over 30 years of North Texas trial experience and is not intimidated by large insurance companies or their tactics.
Why Motorcycle Accident Cases Are Different
Motorcycle accidents are fundamentally different from car accident cases in three critical ways.
First, the injuries are catastrophic. Without the protection of an enclosed vehicle, motorcycle riders absorb the full force of a collision. Road rash, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal organ damage, and amputations are common in serious motorcycle crashes. Medical costs are enormous and recovery is often prolonged.
Second, insurance companies are biased against riders. From the moment a claim is filed, adjusters look for ways to blame the motorcyclist — excessive speed, lane splitting, failure to be seen, improper protective gear. These arguments are frequently unfair and unsupported by the evidence, but they are effective against riders who don’t have experienced legal representation.
Third, the damages are often undervalued. Because of the bias against riders and the complexity of catastrophic injury claims, motorcycle accident victims without attorneys regularly receive far less than their cases are worth. An experienced trial attorney changes that calculation entirely.
Common Causes of Fort Worth Motorcycle Accidents
What You Can Recover
A seriously injured motorcycle rider in Fort Worth may be entitled to recover all past and future medical expenses, lost wages and lost earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment and disfigurement, and property damage including the full replacement value of your motorcycle. The value of serious motorcycle accident cases frequently reaches six and seven figures.
The Helmet Defense
Texas law allows adults to ride without a helmet under certain conditions. If you were not wearing a helmet, the defense will argue that your injuries would have been less severe with one. This argument does not eliminate your right to compensation — it may reduce the award proportionally under Texas comparative fault rules. Paul Previte counters helmet defense arguments with medical expert testimony focused on causation and the full scope of your damages regardless of helmet use.
The Visibility Defense
One of the most common defenses in motorcycle accident cases is that the driver simply did not see the motorcycle. Texas law imposes a duty on all drivers to see what is there to be seen. Failure to observe a motorcycle in plain sight is negligence — not an excuse. Paul Previte builds cases with accident reconstruction experts who establish exactly what the driver should have seen, when they should have seen it, and what they should have done differently.
Insurance Company Tactics in Motorcycle Cases
Insurance companies use specific tactics against motorcycle riders that they do not use in car accident cases. They will argue that riding a motorcycle is inherently reckless. They will scrutinize your speed even when you were riding legally. They will look for any traffic violation in your history. They will hire accident reconstructionists who produce reports favorable to their insured. Paul Previte anticipates every one of these tactics and prepares a counter-strategy from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions — Motorcycle Accidents
Q: What if I was not wearing a helmet? Your right to compensation is not eliminated. The award may be reduced based on comparative fault arguments, but Paul Previte will fight to minimize that reduction with expert medical testimony.
Q: What if the driver says they did not see me? That is not a legal defense. Drivers have a duty to see what is there to be seen. An experienced attorney with accident reconstruction support can prove what the driver should have observed.
Q: How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Texas? Generally two years from the date of the accident under the Texas statute of limitations. Contact our office immediately to preserve evidence and protect your rights.
Q: What if I was partially at fault? Under Texas modified comparative fault rules, you can still recover compensation as long as you are less than 51% at fault. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Do not assume partial fault means no case. Contact us today for a free consultation – call 817-335-4357 or click here.
Serving Fort Worth and All of North Texas
The Previte Firm represents motorcycle accident victims throughout Fort Worth, Haltom City, Arlington, North Richland Hills, Keller, Mansfield, and all surrounding communities in Tarrant, Parker, Hood, Johnson, Dallas, and Denton counties. Contact us today for a free consultation – call 817-335-4357 or click here.