- Broken bones or fractures
- Burns
- Neck Injuries
- Skin Abrasions
- Traumatic brain damage
- Spine injuries
- Amputations
- Emotional trauma
These injuries were caused by a negligent driver who was not paying attention and ran into our motorcycle driving client. When this happens, victims have the right to seek compensation from the other driver who caused their suffering, and experienced personal injury attorneys can help guide them through the legal process.
Because they may have only been wearing protective headgear while riding their motorcycle, motorcyclists are more vulnerable to devastating injuries and fatalities than people injured while driving their SUV, car, or truck. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of motorcyclists killed in crashes actually dropped to 4,985 in 2018, which was almost a 5% decrease, but motorcyclists are still overrepresented in traffic fatalities.
Common Causes of Wrecks Between Motorcycles & Other Vehicles
Motorcycle crashes often occur because other drivers fail to recognize or respect riders on the road. Understanding the most common causes of these collisions can help riders stay alert and may help injured victims explain how negligence contributed to their accident.
- Intoxicated Driving – In 2016, motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were found to have the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired drivers than any other vehicle type
- Lane changes – lane sharing is a legal practice in Raytown, Missouri – allowing for two motorcycles to ride in one lane
- Sudden Stops
- Reckless driving – Other vehicles violate a motorcycle rider’s right-of-way in more than 2/3 of motorcycle accidents
- Intersections – More than 70% of accidents between motorcycles and other drivers occur at intersections
- Potholes, loose gravel, sand, debris
When these dangerous conditions or negligent driving behaviors lead to serious injuries, speaking with a Raytown motorcycle accident attorney can help victims understand their legal rights and pursue compensation for their losses.
Determining Motorcycle Accident Liability
Determining liability for a motorcycle accident in Raytown can be complex, especially if multiple parties are involved. Many of the same factors used to prove that a car wreck was not your fault will also be used in a motorcycle case to show the other driver is liable for your injuries.
You must generally prove the other driver owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and that the driver’s negligence directly caused your injuries and resulting damages. Even if the motorcyclist was partially responsible for the crash, they may still be able to recover compensation. Under Missouri’s pure comparative fault rules, an injured rider can pursue damages even if they were more at fault than the other driver, but any recovery will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to them.
