Jessica Burgoyne, leveraging a deep background in research methods and a passion for legal issues, distills complex legal concepts into accessible insights. With over 100 published articles, her work has been featured in Forbes Advisor and other respected publications. Her work, underpinned by rigorous research and a commitment to quality, offers readers trustworthy, actionable information.
Jessica Burgoyne
Jessica Burgoyne, leveraging a deep background in research methods and a passion for legal issues, distills complex legal concepts into accessible insights. With over 100 published articles, her work has been featured in Forbes Advisor and other respected publications. Her work, underpinned by rigorous research and a commitment to quality, offers readers trustworthy, actionable information.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Reviewed
Jeffrey Johnson, J.D.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
The Cowboys, the Mavericks, FC Dallas, the Rangers, the Stars—Dallas is home to all sorts of organized sports teams. But there are some people out there who prefer their sport a little less organized and a little more wide-open-road.
Texas is beautiful country for motorcyclists. Unfortunately, whether it’s on the freeways, city streets or country roads, there’s always a potential downside to riding. Accidents can happen in an instant, and when they do, you need a skilled attorney at your side to help you recover.
Here are our picks for the top 10 motorcycle accident attorneys in Dallas, TX.
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Best Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Dallas
Compare Our Top Attorneys
| Lawyer Name | TX Bar Association Status | Year Admitted to TX Bar | Law School Attended | LEARN MORE | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monica Bohuslav | Active | 2010 | Texas Tech University School of Law | View More | ||
| Debbie Dudley Branson | Active | 1981 | University of Arkansas School of Law | View More | ||
| Quentin Brogdon | Active | 1989 | University of Houston Law Center | View More | ||
| Al Ellis | Active | 1972 | Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law | View More | ||
| Michael Grossman | Active | 1990 | Baylor Law School | View More | ||
| Kathleen M. Kearney | Active | 2006 | Suffolk University Law School | View More | ||
| Ray T. Khirallah, Jr. | Active | 2007 | Suffolk University Law School | View More | ||
| Zohra Mavani | Active | 2020 | Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law | View More | ||
| Jeffrey H. Rasansky | Active | 1990 | Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law | View More | ||
| Angel L. Reyes, III | Active | 1992 | University of Michigan Law School | View More |
Other Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Texas
Although cars and motorcycles share many of the same rules of the road, motorcycles also have special laws and regulations. Here are some things to be aware of if you’ve been in a motorcycle accident.
Texas Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations is how long after an accident someone can bring a lawsuit. In Texas, it’s two years for personal injury cases. This means, if you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, you have two years from the date of the accident to begin a lawsuit against the person or company who injured you.
Texas Laws for Motorcycle Drivers
- Texas motorcycle drivers must be licensed. All drivers must pass a motorcycle operator training course approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). There is also a skills test, but this may be waived upon completion of a course.
- Helmet requirements in Texas. Helmets are required for all drivers and passengers under the age of 21. Helmet use is optional over the age of 21 if the rider:
– has completed a TDLR-approved motorcycle operator training course, OR
– has insurance coverage for motorcycle accidents.
- Passenger requirements. Motorcycles must have a permanent seat, passenger footrests and passenger handholds for passengers to be permitted.
- Headlights. Motorcycles manufactured after 1975 are required to have their headlight on while in operation.
- Lane splitting is not allowed. There are places in the United States where motorcyclists can drive between two lanes of traffic, but not in Texas.
Identifying Fault for a Motorcycle Crash
Texas is a modified comparative negligence state. Each party can be assigned a portion of the fault, and the amount of damages they can recover is reduced by their amount of fault.
For example, motorcyclists need to be aware of commercial vehicles’ blind spots. If an accident happens when a motorcyclist was riding in a blind spot, they could be assigned a portion of the blame if the truck hit them. In this situation, a court may assign 25% of the blame to the motorcyclist. If the motorcyclists’ damages were $40,000, they would be eligible to receive a maximum of $30,000, or 75% of their damages.
If someone is more than 50% responsible for an accident, however, they cannot collect any damages.
How Can an Attorney Help You?
Sometimes people think that they don’t need an attorney, but it’s in their best interest to at least consider whether an attorney can help with their case.
- Your attorney can help with your insurance settlement. If you’re working with an insurance company (either your own or the other driver’s), you may be offered a settlement. You’re not required to accept the insurance company’s first offer. In fact, an attorney can often negotiate a higher settlement amount without even needing to take the case to court.
- Your attorney can help with the mountain of paperwork required. Bringing a lawsuit requires a tremendous amount of paperwork, much of which is written in legalese and difficult for non-lawyers to understand. Your attorney can handle much of this paperwork for you, and explain it to you in plain English.
- Your attorney can represent you if you need to go to court. Sometimes it’s necessary to take a case to court in order to resolve it. An attorney will understand the requirements and nuances of the courtroom. You may not even be required to go to court in person.
Sometimes, people worry about the cost of hiring a motorcycle accident attorney. Luckily, almost all personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning that they only get paid if you win your case. If you win, they’ll be entitled to a portion of your winnings. If you lose, you won’t be out any money.
How to Find the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Dallas, TX
The best attorney for you is one with whom you can work and that you trust. This means that there may not be a single best attorney—only the right one for you and your situation. It’s worth taking the time to find an attorney that you feel comfortable with.
- Ask friends and family. Has anyone you know been in an accident recently? Ask who they used as their attorney, and whether they’d recommend the lawyer they used.
- Look for an attorney who has experience with motorcycle cases. As mentioned above, motorcycle laws are a little different than other driving laws. Any personal injury attorney may be able to assist you, but an experienced motorcycle lawyer will already be up to speed on the specific requirements for motorcycle cases.
- Trust your instincts. Even the most acclaimed attorney might not be the best person for you. It doesn’t matter what else they’ve done if you don’t feel comfortable with them. Look for an attorney who you feel really understands you; if you get a bad feeling, it might mean you should keep looking.
Methodology
To come up with the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Dallas in 2024, Forbes Advisor considered many factors. Forbes Advisor’s mathematical module considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses & certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education & employment background
- Scholarly lectures & writings
- Awards & honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. This information should not be considered comprehensive, however. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds, but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Am I required to carry motorcycle insurance in Texas?
Yes. All drivers in Texas—both passenger car drivers and motorcyclists—are required to carry at least 30/60/25 insurance. This means that the minimum insurance required in Texas is $30,000 in bodily injury coverage per person injured, $60,000 in total bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 in property damage coverage per incident.
Should I wear a motorcycle helmet, even if I’m not required to?
Proper motorcycle equipment, even if it’s not required by law, will provide you with the most protection if you’re in an accident, and the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration recommends it even in situations where it is not required by law. They also recommend proper eye protection, protective clothingand face shields.
Do motorcycles require registration and inspection in Texas?
In Texas, you will need to register your motorcycle in the same way that you would register a passenger car. Your County Tax Assessor–Collector can assist you with registration. In addition, Texas requires that motorcycles be inspected annually. Motorcyclists will be provided with a single sticker that indicates your motorcycle has been properly registered and inspected.
