What to do if You are in a Texas Motorcycle Accident

Contact The Cole Legal Group before speaking with any insurance company.

REMAIN AT THE ACCIDENT SCENE
Unless your injuries require otherwise, don’t leave the scene of an accident until you have called the police and they have documented the accident. It’s important to obtain the other driver(s) name, address and phone number. Write down the license plate and registration numbers of the vehicle(s) involved in the accident. Ask the other driver(s) to show you their license, give you their phone numbers, their insurance company name and policy numbers. Obtain the names, phone numbers and addresses of all eyewitnesses. Don’t say you are not injured until you have seen a medical professional.

STATEMENTS
Do not discuss the accident with anyone except the investigating police officer, and then, only the basic facts. Statements made to your Texas motorcycle accident lawyer are confidential.

TAKE NOTES AND PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT
Take notes of important details, draw a sketch, take pictures to preserve skid marks, the position of the vehicles and other physical evidence that will likely disappear after the accident.

INSURANCE REPORTS AND NOTIFICATIONS
Do not give a statement to anyone without first consulting your Texas biker lawyer. Remember, insurance companies profit by denying claims.

CLAIMS MADE AGAINST YOU
Refer all claims against you to your Texas motorcycle attorney. Do not pay or promise to pay any claimant. Immediately forward all papers to your attorney.

CLAIMS MADE BY YOU
An attorney is best equipped to advise you as to your legal rights to recover a fair and reasonable settlement. Protect your legal rights and seek competent legal advice.

WHY HIRE THE COLE LEGAL GROUP IMMEDIATELY?
Because we deal with insurance companies and injury claims everyday. We bring our experience in dealing with deadlines, forms, claims, witnesses, preserving evidence and protecting Texas motorcycle accident victims to the table in every case. Insurance companies many times don’t take these claims seriously until a lawyer is involved. We make it our business to protect Texas motorcycle accident victims.

Call us NOW! (800) 245-5539 - The Texas Biker Lawyer

Meet the Bikerlawyer.com Facebook iPad2 Giveaway Winner, Aimee

Last week Facebook user, Aimee Zissa, was randomly selected as our Texas Biker Lawyer Facebook Giveaway winner, and is now the proud owner of a free 16gb wi-fi iPad2.

You may recall in honor of the 2011 Republic of Texas Rally we asked visitors of our vendor booth, and readers of our website, to "Like Us" on Facebook to be eligible for the drawing.  We also gave out other free promotional materials, and we were pleased by the response and the traffic to both our website and Facebook page.

Thank you all for your support.

Remember that we make it our business to protect injured Texas bikers.

You can also follow our quarterly periodical, Texas Rider News, to keep up with Texas Motorcycle Events, News, Discussion, Product Reviews, Rides, etc.

The Cole Legal Group at 2011 R.O.T. Rally & FREE iPad 2 Giveaway!

2011 R.O.T. Biker Rally Starts This Week!

Join the Biker Lawyers at the 2011 ROT Rally

This time of year we here at The Cole Legal Group get excited because we know its time for the Republic of Texas Biker Rally in Austin, Texas.

June 9 -12, thousands of our fellow biker brothers and sisters head to Austin early to settle in, as well as attend some ROT Pre-Parties.  From concerts, celebrity appearances, attractions like the Tattoo Expo and the Vintage Bike Showcase, to the barbecue joints and official parade, the ROT Rally has something for every level of motorcycle rider and enthusiast.

Spin our prize wheel for free bottle-opener keychains, backpacks and sunglasses and more!!!!!

This year we will be in the Exhibit Hall Venders area from Thursday thru Sunday (June 9-12).  We will be giving away free sunglasses, bottle-opener keychains, and backpacks.  Of course, don't forget to get the new Texas Rider newspaper.  Take a break from the summer heat, come inside in the air conditioned Exhibit Hall and spin our Prize Wheel!  Take a look at the visitor map below to find out where we are (click to view full-size PDF).

click to view full-size

iPad 2 Giveaway Details

BikerLawyer.com Facebook Giveaway

We're giving away a FREE 16gb Wi-fi iPad 2 (a $500 value) in honor of this 2011 ROT Rally.  Can you believe it?  No obligations, just FREE!!   If you're at ROT in Austin during the rally weekend (Thur. June 9 to Sun. June 12) come by our booth in the air-conditioned Exhibit Hall Vendors area and sign-up on our email list.  Once signed up, we will send you a link to our Facebook page and all you have to do is Like Us to be entered for the FREE iPad!  Pretty cool huh?

go to bikerlawyer.com, scroll to the bottom and click Like!

If you don't make it to ROT, click the link below to Like Us on Facebook and you're entered.  To be eligible for the drawing you must "Like Us" our Facebook page between June 8 and June 19 to be entered. We will randomly select one of our Facebook users on Monday, June 20.
Stop by and visit us at the ROT rally.

As always, we make it our business to protect injured Texas Bikers!

The Cole Legal Group Promotes “Sharing the Road” with Motorcycles By Joining Efforts with State and Federal Partners

May Proclaimed Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

[Dallas, Tx] – Motorcyclist fatalities have steadily increased over the past decade. In fact, there was a 2 percent increase in fatalities from 5,174 in 2007, to 5,290 in 2008.

That’s why The Cole Legal Group announced today that it is joining with other federal, State and local highway safety, law enforcement, and motorcycle organizations in proclaiming May as “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.”  All motorists and other road users are reminded to safely “share the road” with motorcycles and to be extra alert to help keep motorcyclists safe.  Motorcyclists are reminded to make themselves visible to other motorists.  All road users are reminded to never drive, walk or bicycle while distracted.

“As the weather improves, more and more motorcyclists are hitting the roads,” said local biker friendly lawyer, David Cole. “And with that in mind, pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers of all vehicles, including SUVs, passenger cars or trucks, need to be extra attentive and make sure you ‘share the road.’  A motorcycle is one of the smallest vehicles on our roads, often hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot. Everyone needs to aggressively look for them.”

It’s crucial that motorists and bicyclists always make visual checks for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections.  Pedestrians should also scan for motorcyclists who might be hidden by other traffic.

“Motorcyclists have responsibilities, too,” Cole said. “They should follow the rules of the road, be alert to other drivers, never ride while impaired or distracted, and always wear a Department of Transportation-compliant helmet and other protective gear.”

Cole said that a motorcyclist is much more vulnerable than a passenger vehicle occupant in the event of a crash.  He said that research  from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are about 37 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in traffic crashes.

David Cole offered several tips for drivers to help keep motorcyclists safe on our roadways:

• Remember, the motorcycle is a vehicle with all of the rights and privileges of any other motor vehicle on the roadway.  Always allow a motorcyclist the full lane width—never try to share a lane;
• Always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections;
• Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic;
• Don’t be fooled by a flashing turn signal on a motorcycle – motorcycle signals are often not self-canceling and riders sometimes forget to turn them off. Wait to be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you proceed;
• Allow more following distance, three or four seconds, when behind a motorcycle so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency. And don’t tailgate. In dry conditions, motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars.
• Never drive while distracted. 

Davide Cole said motorcyclists can increase their safety by:

• Avoiding riding in poor weather conditions;
• Wearing brightly colored protective gear and a DOT-compliant helmet;
• Using turn signals for every turn or lane change, even if the rider thinks no one will see it;
• Combining hand signals and turn signals to draw more attention to themselves;
• Using reflective tape and stickers to increase conspicuity; and
• Positioning themselves in the lane where they will be most visible to other drivers.
• Never driving while impaired. 

Our message to all drivers and motorcyclists is: make this the first year in recent years when motorcycle fatalities do not increase. Help to share in the responsibility and do your part by safely “sharing the road.”