We Tenaciously Protect The Rights Of Motorcycle Accident Victims
Just as motorcycles are unique among other vehicles, so too are accidents involving motorcycles. Riders are less protected in the event of a crash and more likely to suffer disabling or fatal injuries even in relatively minor crashes. Moreover, motorcycles handle differently than cars and trucks do. Other drivers’ ignorance about motorcycles often leads other drivers to behave in ways that are dangerous or deadly to riders.
If you been injured by a negligent driver, you need a personal injury lawyer who understands all aspects of motorcycle accidents, including the mechanical, human and social factors involved. For 30 years, Holland Injury Law, LLC, has been an important resource for motorcyclists in the St. Louis Area. We are ready to help you with devotion and determination.
Common Motorcycle Accident Scenarios
Here are some of the most common and dangerous accident scenarios between motorcyclists and larger vehicles:
Left-Turn Accidents
A driver making a left turn across oncoming traffic fails to notice an approaching motorcyclist or misjudges his speed and distance. The motorcyclist has no time to get out of the way and slams into the turning vehicle.
Lane-Change Accidents
Drivers fail to leave a buffer on road around a motorcyclist or small group of motorcyclists. When passing the motorcyclist, the driver veers over too quickly and clips the motorcycle or causes the motorcycle into a rear-end collision.
Noncontact Accidents
The driver of a car or truck can cause a motorcycle accident without ever making contact. Usually, this occurs when a driver’s reckless or inattentive maneuver forces a motorcyclist to swerve off the road. Motorcyclists can also skid on liquids or debris emitted by vehicles in front of them.
Overcoming Negative Bias And Educating Jurors
It’s no secret that many drivers have a bias against motorcyclists, often because they have previously seen motorcyclists riding recklessly. But that bias shouldn’t prevent you from the compensation you need and deserve after being injured by a negligent driver.
Our attorneys work with some of the country’s top motorcycle experts to help reconstruct crash scenarios, explain how a motorcycle’s unique physical properties are affected by a crash and how the actions of other drivers sometimes make it impossible for motorcyclists to protect themselves by simply riding “defensively.”
In short, we help you tell your side of the story about what happened to you and why you deserve compensation for your injuries.
The Information And Answers You Need
We understand that the aftermath of a motorcycle accident can seem overwhelming. Our goal is to help you understand your rights and options if you or someone you love had a motorcycle crash. Here, we have answered some of the questions that our clients often ask us.
How do most motorcycle accidents happen?
A variety of factors can cause motorcycle accidents. Some of the most common include:
- Left-hand turns
- Lane changes
- Failure to notice motorcycles
- Failure to yield to motorcycles
- Distracted driving
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Poorly maintained roads
Many crashes involve two or more of these criteria. Often, the negligent driver of a car or truck is at fault for harming the motorcycle rider.
What if a motorcycle rider is partially at fault?
Missouri has a concept called pure comparative negligence. This means that even if a biker shares fault in an accident, they can still recover compensation for their damages. The compensation available is proportionate to their share of fault. For example, if a motorcycle rider is 20% at fault, they can recover compensation for up to 80% of their damages.
Illinois has modified comparative negligence, which means that a rider can recover compensation for their damages as long as they share less than 50% of the fault for an accident.
What damages are available?
If a negligent driver or another negligent party contributed to your accident, you have the right to seek compensation for damages such as:
- Hospital stays
- Medical bills
- Prescription medications
- Physical rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Pain and suffering
The best way to determine the damages for which you can seek compensation – and how much your claim might be worth – is to speak with a motorcycle accident attorney.
Free Consultations And Bold Representation
Holland Injury Law, LLC, serves clients in Missouri and Illinois from our office in St. Louis. We are pleased to offer free initial consultations to all prospective clients, and we charge no legal fees unless we help you recover money.
When you need a lawyer for a motorcycle accident, call us at 314-428-9279 or fill out our online contact form. We can explain your legal rights and case plan.