Motorcycle Accident Attorney Helping You in Your Time of Need at McGuire Law Firm OKC
Statistics are constantly being conducted on motorcycle accident and the likelihood that a rider will be involved in one over the course of their lifetime. In 2013, you may be surprised to find that over 4,500 motorcyclists lost their lives to motor vehicle drivers. Though these accidents have been decreasing in some states, we still look at these statistics and realize that something more must be done to protect riders from harm. Why do so many motorcycle accidents happen as a result of negligence from other drivers? The truth is, when it comes to motorcyclists, drivers fail to pay attention to riders and deadly or injury-causing accidents occur at a moment’s notice. With 3/4 of motorcycle accident involving collisions with a motor vehicle, it shows that something must be done.
Common Injuries Stemming From Motorcycle Accidents
Who doesn’t love a great ride on a motorcycle on a beautiful day? With that being said, many people are injured in motorcycle accident every day across the U.S. Some injuries tend to be more common than others when it comes to these accidents, including the following:
Bone Fractures: In many motorcycle accident, the motorcycle does not stay upright, which can lead to disastrous results. Because the motorcycle falls over so quickly with the rider still on it, it is not uncommon for the rider’s leg or arm to be caught under the bike. This can very easily lead to a crush, which could break a leg in an instant. Broken legs are, by far, the most reported injury in motorcycle accidents every year. However, these accidents can also lead to serious fractures of the wrists and arms, or to the pelvis bone.
Road Rash: Road rash is another common injury that you see in these cases. This is extremely true in cases where a motorcyclist was not wearing proper protective clothing to protect them from the elements when a motorcycle met the roadways. You could experience a wide range of road rash injuries from first-degree road rash, second-degree road rash, to the third degree. Any degree requires medical attention because, if you do not receive treatment, you could endure an infection, blistering, or surgery after complications.
Head Injuries: Head injuries such as brain damage cause more deaths than anything else in motorcycle accidents. Yes, it helps to wear a helmet – but this will not prevent every catastrophic case when it comes to a horrific fall or being thrown from the vehicle when somebody hits you from behind.
Common Liable Parties in an Injury Claim
Injury claims for motorcycle accidents happen every year in the U.S. One of the more difficult parts of any motorcycle claim is determining who is responsible for your injuries, because there is a variety of parties who could be liable for your accident. There are many reasons why motorcycle accidents happen and parties are held liable for damages every year. For instance, you could see liability play a role in the following cases:
- When a car hits a motorcycle head-on, often causing fatal injuries
- When a car makes a left-hand turn and turns in front of the motorcyclist
- When a driver is not watching for a motorcycle practicing lane splitting
When you have determined that negligence plays a role in your motorcycle case, you can hold many parties liable for your damages:
Drivers: Usually, another driver is involved in your accident, as it is not uncommon to find a motor vehicle driver at the forefront of a motorcycle claim. If you can determine that the party engaged in some type of negligent action, you may be able to determine who to sue and what damages you will be able to receive. Perhaps there were multiple parties liable in the case, which means that you must be able to determine who all of them are and what role they played. Percentages can be applied to the fault.
Manufacturers: Perhaps the motorcycle accident happened due to faulty or defective equipment on the bike, which means that you would have to bring a claim against a manufacturer. This means that the manufacturer of the entire bike could be liable, or just a manufacturer who made one specific part.
Dealership: In some cases, the dealership could be liable in cases where they sold a defective bike, knowing that it could cause you issues.
Government: Perhaps the condition of the roads at the time was to blame for the accident. Yes, riders and drivers should always be aware of ice and other conditions that could be present on the roads. Perhaps there were deep potholes on the road and the municipality knew about it but did nothing to repair them. As a result, you were thrown from your bike. You may have a claim, but you have to act fast because the statute of limitations tends to be shorter on government claims.
Holding a Party Liable for Damages
As a result of your motorcycle accident in Oklahoma, you may be able to retrieve a variety of different damages. An injured victim has a right to sue for damages that will put them in the same position they would have been in if the accident hadn’t taken place. Some of the most common damages include the following:
Compensatory Damages: Payments for costs associated with your injuries, such as medical bills and other treatment expenses, lost wages from missing time at work, and loss of earning capacity for those permanently injured
General Damages: Pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and anxiety you feel now that you have experienced your accident
Punitive Damages: In some cases, you may even qualify for punitive damages, which are meant to punish a reckless driver for their actions. If the accident was intentional or involved very reckless actions like drunk driving, you could see punitive damages awarded in your case.
Working With an Attorney Toward the Compensation You Deserve
If you hope to recover compensation for your injuries, you should always talk to a Motorcycle accident injury attorney as soon as possible following your accident. You can assist your attorney in your case by gaining a better understanding of how your accident occurred, identifying what evidence could be useful in your case, and understanding your insurance policy to the best of your ability. You want to see results in your case, which is why you should have an experienced attorney on your side. At the McGuire Law Firm, we care about the outcome of your case and want to help you every step of the way, which is why you should call us immediately after you have suffered injuries. Call us as soon as possible to recover compensation in your time of need at 888-352-0624.