Motorcycle Accidents in Kansas City
Nothing is better than being out on the open road riding a motorcycle. For many motorcyclists, it is more than a hobby—it is a way of life. Motorcycles are exhilarating to ride but also fail to offer the same level of protection as vans, cars, or trucks. Thus, when motorcycle accidents occur, the motorcyclist will likely be significantly injured or may even be killed. Our Kansas City personal injury attorneys have seen too many of our clients suffer devastating injuries at the hands of a negligent driver. Despite your best efforts to protect yourself and ride defensively, when you are seriously injured in a crash that was not your fault, our motorcycle accident team can help.
Catastrophic Injuries Common in Motorcycle Crashes
When a biker hits the pavement after being knocked off his ride by a speeding car, the results can be catastrophic. Even when the rider is wearing a helmet and protective gear, injuries can be severe, including:
- Broken bones or fractures
- Burns
- Neck injuries
- Skin abrasions
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spine injuries
- Amputations
- Emotional trauma
- Fatal injuries
When these injuries land you in the hospital and cause long-term or permanent disabilities, you have the right to seek compensation from the driver who caused your suffering. Our lawyers proudly represent motorcycle riders, and we would be happy to evaluate your case in a free consultation.
Common Causes of Wrecks Between Motorcycles & Other Vehicles
Drivers of cars or trucks often crash into a motorcyclist because they aren’t paying enough attention to their surroundings to see the bike. Other factors that contribute to these kinds of crashes include:
- Intoxicated driving. Drunk drivers have great difficulty staying in their lanes, maintaining safe following distances, and avoiding other vehicles—particularly hard-to-see motorcycles. Impaired drivers are a significant threat to bikers.
- Lane changes. If a driver doesn't carefully check their blind spots before changing lanes on a highway, they can easily cross into the path of a motorcycle rider—an even bigger problem for truckers with large blind spots.
- Sudden stops. When a car stops suddenly on the highway or even on a local road, a biker riding behind the vehicle might be unable to stop in time to avoid a collision. Sudden braking on a motorcycle can also cause the bike to flip.
- Reckless driving. Other vehicles violate a motorcycle rider's right-of-way in more than 2/3 of motorcycle accidents. Failing to give bikers the space they need could be considered reckless driving in Kansas and Missouri.
- Intersections. More than 70% of accidents between motorcycles and other drivers occur at intersections, often because drivers fail to see bikers or because they don’t respect their right to be there.
- Road hazards. Potholes, loose gravel, sand, and debris are particularly dangerous to motorcycle riders. If a biker is injured or killed because a highway authority or local municipality failed to remove hazards, they could be held accountable for the rider's damages.
As lawyers representing motorcycle riders, we investigate crashes and hold negligent drivers accountable when their actions cause a biker's severe injury or death.
Determining Motorcycle Accident Liability
Determining liability for a motorcycle accident 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 be used in your motorcycle case to prove the other driver is liable for your injuries. In Missouri and Kansas, you will need to prove the other driver owed you a duty of care; the other driver breached the standard of care; the other driver's negligence directly led to your injuries, and their actions caused you harm.
Even if the motorcyclist was somewhat responsible for the crash, they might still be able to recover for damages sustained in the wreck. If the incident happened in Kansas, the driver must be 51% or more to blame for the motorcyclist to recover. In Missouri, however, the motorcyclist can recover damages even if they were more at fault than the other driver. In both states, any damages you receive are reduced by your percentage of fault for the accident.
Contact Kansas City Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Michael Foster and Brian Wallace
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Kansas or Missouri, you need to speak with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Kansas City office directly at 816.249.2101 to schedule your free consultation. If you're not ready to talk, but still want to learn more about your rights, allow us to mail you a complimentary copy of Essential Guide to Bicycle Accident Law in Missouri.
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