Motorcycle Accidents Caused by Negligence

Motorcycles are fun to ride and give some people a sense of escapism from their daily troubles, but almost any good thing can come with certain risks. In 2016 alone, 5,286 motorcyclists were killed in a motorcycle accident. Not wearing a helmet, drinking alcohol, or using drugs while riding a motorcycle on the highway are all serious risk factors that increase one’s chances of wrecking their ride. In other cases, the fault of the wreck is on the driver of a car and this can result in severe injuries and death.

How to Spot Negligence

Many motorcycle accidents are caused by another car turning and running into a motorcycle, either in the shoulder of a highway or turning at an intersection. Other factors that can lead to accidents are a lack of experience riding a motorcycle, other drivers not visibly seeing the motorcyclist, not anticipating when other drivers are about to turn, and rainy weather. Alcohol accounts for 43% of motorcyclist deaths.

Negligence can be obvious sometimes, but difficult to determine in complex scenarios. You can claim negligence if another driver, even another motorcyclist, intentionally hits you, hits you because they were distracted, or cuts you off and causes you to have an accident. The amount of compensation you can get for that negligence depends on how much you had to pay in medical expenses for your injuries.

Common Injuries Caused by Bicycle Accidents

The head, face, neck, chest areas, spine, and arms are all vulnerable sites for injuries when it comes to motorcycle accidents because your legs are often slightly protected by the frame of the motorcycle. This does not mean your legs are invincible if a car hits you on the side. If you are wearing a helmet, this will significantly reduce your chances of a serious traumatic brain injury. However, your chest, arms, and neck may still be at risk.

For both young and older people, the most common motorcycle injuries involve the hands and feet. Fractured ribs and other chest injuries are more common in older people, whereas younger motorcyclists tend to experience more spinal cord injuries.

Your Legal Rights

Anytime you can find fault towards another driver involved in a multiple-vehicle wreck, whether the vehicles be cars or motorcycles, you have the legal right to speak with an Oklahoma auto accident lawyer to determine whether you can file a personal injury claim against the insurance company. Some attempt to file claims to insurance companies on their own, but a lawyer will be able to see through shady deals and will often get you more monetary compensation in the long run.

Where to Find an Oklahoma Personal Injury Lawyer

If you are a motorcyclist who has been through a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, then contact the Law Firm of Griffin Reynolds to talk with a personal injury lawyer. We have years of experience on personal injury cases that range from nursing home abuse to injuries sustained from car accidents. Our goal is to give you a fighting chance.

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