McKinney Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Hurt in a motorcycle crash in McKinney or elsewhere in Collin County? Kent Starr handles your free consultation personally. From his McKinney office, he can review what happened, explain the claim process and discuss your next steps.
Free consultation. No obligation. Carla answers the phone in office hours. Kent does the consultation.
No attorney's fee unless he recovers money for you. Court costs and case expenses are separate from attorney's fees, and you remain responsible for them even if there is no recovery.
Kent Starr. McKinney office, licensed in Texas since 1997.
Will not wearing a helmet hurt my case?
Not wearing a helmet does not decide your entire injury claim by itself. Its effect depends on the evidence, applicable law and whether helmet use relates to the injuries being claimed. Kent can review the crash and medical records during a free consultation. A helmet-law exception is not a guarantee of recovery.
What to do after a motorcycle crash in Collin County
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Put medical care first.
Seek prompt medical evaluation after an injury. Call 911 or get emergency care for serious symptoms, including the CDC's concussion danger signs. Symptoms can appear later. A clinician should decide what tests and treatment you need. Do not delay emergency care to collect evidence or call a lawyer.
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Photograph the bike, the gear, and the scene.
If it is safe and does not delay care, photograph the motorcycle, other vehicles and road conditions. Keep photos of your helmet and riding gear. Do not stand in traffic or interfere with emergency responders to get a picture.
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Save witness details and recordings.
When it is safe, ask witnesses for contact information. Keep original helmet-camera or dashcam files without editing them. Note the crash location and responding police agency so the report can be located later.
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Arrange inspections before repairs.
The bike and damaged gear may help explain the crash. Ask about preserving them and arranging any needed inspections before repair or disposal. Keep storage and repair records. Meet your own insurance policy's notice and cooperation requirements; get legal advice promptly if an inspection request or deadline is unclear.
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Understand a release before you sign.
A settlement release can end claims covered by the agreement. Bring any offer or release to a free consultation with Kent so you can discuss it alongside your medical records. Do not miss a policy deadline while waiting for that meeting.
What Texas law says about motorcycles
Helmet requirements and lane-use rules are different questions from who caused an injury. The facts and applicable law determine how these issues affect a claim.
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Helmet requirements and the age-21 exception
Texas generally requires a compliant helmet on public streets and highways. Under Transportation Code 661.003(c), an operator or passenger at least 21 years old may qualify for an exception by completing a motorcycle safety course under Chapter 662 or having health insurance that covers motorcycle-collision injuries. Meeting that exception does not decide civil fault.
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Lane-splitting and riding two abreast
Under Transportation Code 545.0605, riders generally may not travel between lanes moving in the same direction or pass a vehicle within its lane. Two motorcycles may ride two abreast in one lane. Photos and witness accounts can help establish which movement occurred.
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Comparative fault still applies
For claims governed by Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 33, responsibility greater than 50% bars recovery. When recovery is otherwise allowed, damages are reduced by your percentage of responsibility. Being 50% or less responsible does not guarantee payment. Read more about comparative fault in injury claims.
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Keep training and coverage records
Save your motorcycle safety-course certificate and relevant insurance documents. They may help evaluate a helmet-law exception or coverage question. Whether a particular record can be used in court depends on the case and the rules of evidence.
Why Kent for motorcycle accidents
The first consultation is with Kent. You can discuss the crash, disputed fault and the documents you have without committing to hire him. The office is in McKinney, and this page is for people hurt in Collin County motorcycle crashes.
A consultation with the attorney
Tell Kent where the crash happened, what injuries you are dealing with and whether an insurer has contacted you. He can explain what information is needed to evaluate the claim.
A review based on evidence
Bring the crash report if available, photos, medical records and insurer letters. Kent can discuss disputed facts and whether further investigation may be needed. Neither a rider nor another driver is assumed to be at fault.
Fees explained before you decide
No attorney's fee unless Kent recovers money for you. Court costs and case expenses are separate, and you remain responsible for them even if there is no recovery. Review the written agreement before hiring the firm.
Hurt on a motorcycle in McKinney or Collin County? Call the office.
Free consultation. No obligation. Carla answers the phone in office hours. Kent does the consultation.
No attorney's fee unless he recovers money for you. Court costs and case expenses are separate from attorney's fees, and you remain responsible for them even if there is no recovery.
McKinney motorcycle accident questions
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What if the other driver claims they 'didn't see' me?
That statement alone does not decide fault. Where the vehicles were, visibility, signals and each person's actions matter. Save available photos and witness information so the account can be checked against the evidence. -
Is lane-splitting legal in Texas?
Texas generally prohibits riding between lanes moving in the same direction or passing a vehicle within its lane. Riding two abreast with another motorcycle in one lane is permitted under Transportation Code 545.0605. An allegation of lane-splitting still needs to be evaluated against the evidence. -
How much is a motorcycle injury case worth?
There is no fixed value. Medical expenses, future care, lost income and other documented losses may be relevant. Liability, your share of responsibility, available coverage and collectability also matter. Kent can discuss these factors after reviewing your records; no amount or recovery is promised. -
A driver changed lanes into my motorcycle on US-75 in McKinney. How is fault decided?
Vehicle damage, lane markings, signals, witness accounts and available video can help show what happened. Neither the driver's account nor the rider's account is conclusive by itself. In a claim governed by Chapter 33, responsibility greater than 50% bars recovery; otherwise any recoverable damages are reduced by your share. See our Collin County injury-claim guide for local claim and consultation information. -
Can I get my motorcycle repaired while my McKinney injury claim is open?
Repairs may be possible while the claim is open, but first ask about documenting damage and arranging any needed inspections. Keep estimates, photos and storage records. Meet your own insurer's notice and cooperation requirements, and seek advice promptly if there is a deadline or a dispute over access to the bike. Do not assume the bike must stay in storage indefinitely. -
Can a Collin County motorcycle claim include my damaged helmet and riding gear?
Damaged gear may be part of a property-damage claim, depending on liability, the loss and applicable coverage. Photograph it and keep receipts or purchase records. Ask about preserving the items before disposal. The amount recoverable is not necessarily the price of new replacement gear. -
Another rider in my group caused my crash in Collin County. Can I make a claim?
Possibly. The other rider's actions, your actions and the available evidence must be reviewed. A friendship does not establish or eliminate liability, and insurance coverage must be checked. Your share of responsibility can reduce or bar recovery under Chapter 33. Kent can explain the claim process before you decide how to proceed.