Houston Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
I'm Jeff Todd, a Houston personal injury attorney, and I represent motorcycle riders hurt by distracted and reckless drivers. I also represent families who lost someone in a motorcycle crash.
I've practiced law for about 25 years. I spent the early part of that career defending insurance companies, and I use what I learned there to push back when an insurer undervalues a rider's claim.
The consultation is free, and there's no fee unless I win.
Why Injured Riders Hire Jeff Todd
When you hire me, you get me.
- You work directly with me. I handle the consultation, the strategy, and the negotiation myself. My clients get my cell number.
- I'll tell you the truth. If you don't need a lawyer, I'll say so on the first call, even when that costs me the case.
- Defendants know I'll go to court. I've taken cases to jury trial, and when an insurer won't make a fair offer, I file suit.
- My clients rate me highly. I hold about 4.9 stars across review platforms and a 9.8 "Superb" rating on Avvo.
- I'm licensed in four states. Texas, New York, New Jersey, and Georgia. I also speak English and Spanish.
You can read more about my background on my Houston personal injury attorney attorney profile.
How Insurance Companies Handle Motorcycle Claims
When a driver turns across your path or drifts into your lane, you get a split second to react. The adjuster handling your claim gets weeks, and the job is to pay as little as possible.
On a motorcycle claim, that usually means pushing blame onto the rider. Here's what adjusters look for on a motorcycle file:
- Any sign you were speeding or lane splitting
- Whether you were wearing a helmet
- Gaps between the crash and your first doctor visit, or gaps in your treatment
- A recorded statement they can use to put part of the blame on you
How Insurance Companies Handle Motorcycle Claims
Law | What it says | What it means for your claim |
|---|---|---|
Proportionate responsibility (Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 33) | You can't recover damages if you're more than 50% responsible for the crash. | At 50% or less, your recovery drops by your share. If you're found 20% at fault, you recover 80% of your damages. |
Filing deadline (Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003) | Most injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the crash. A wrongful death lawsuit must be filed within two years of the death. | Missing the deadline can end your claim. |
Helmet law (Transportation Code §661.003) | Riders and passengers under 21 must wear a helmet. Riders 21 and older are exempt if they completed an approved safety course or carry health insurance covering motorcycle crash injuries. | Not wearing a helmet doesn't by itself bar your claim, but expect the insurer to argue it made your injuries worse. |
Lane splitting ban (Transportation Code §545.0605) | Riding between lanes of traffic moving in the same direction, or passing a vehicle in the same lane, is illegal. Motorcycles are entitled to the full use of a lane. A 2025 bill to allow lane filtering (HB 2957) never made it out of committee. | A lane-splitting ticket gives the insurer a fault argument. A driver who crowded you out of your lane broke the same law. |
