A motorcycle crash can flip your life upside down in seconds. Injuries, lost income, and high medical bills can come crashing down on you. If it happened in Kansas City, you may be able to get cash for your damages. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Kansas City can help you get the compensation that is due to you. This page will inform you how it works, why it matters, and what you need to do following a crash.
Why Motorcycle Crashes Are So Horrible
Motorcyclists are more vulnerable than drivers of cars or trucks. Even with a helmet, a crash can cause horrific injuries such as:
- Fractured bones
- Head injuries
- Road rash
- Spinal injury
- Internal bleeding
These types of injuries usually result in weeks or months of lost work time. Some people never recover at all. That’s why compensation is such a problem. Motorcycles are harder to notice because their vehicles are smaller than those of cars and trucks. That’s why many drivers don’t see them. One second of inattention can lead to tragedy. Riders bear the brunt, but they shouldn’t have to carry the cost alone. Even travelling at a leisurely pace, a bicycle accident can change lives. Riders are exposed, and flesh is no match for road, steel, and rushing traffic.
What a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Do for You
If the person other than you was at fault for the accident, you should not have to pay for their mistake. A lawyer can:
- Determine fault
- Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf
- Gather evidence including traffic camera videos and witness statements
- Help you to get medical treatment right away and in the meantime for your claim
- Sue if that’s needed
Most personal injury lawyers work on a “no win, no fee” basis. That is, you don’t pay unless they bring money into your pocket. Lawyers also know how to calculate your total losses. It’s not just hospital bills. It’s lost wages, future treatment, therapy, and pain. A lawyer has trouble putting all of it into dollars and cents. They take care of the stress, phone calls, and court proceedings so you can recover. Their purpose is to get for you every penny that you deserve.
Common Reasons for Kansas City Motorcyclist Collisions
Motorcycle collisions take many forms. Some of the most common are:
- Cars making left turns without seeing the motorcycle
- Lane changers who do not use their mirrors
- Excessive speeding or careless driving
- Distracted drivers by phone
- Roads that are dangerous like potholes
Rain, fog, and low visibility create dangers as well. There is decreased traction with motorcycle tires on wet roads. Drivers typically don’t slow down. That’s a deadly combination. Sometimes accidents happen because of faulty bike equipment or sloppy repair work by a shop. In those cases, there may be more than one offender. Even a loose patch of gravel or a misplaced road sign can lead to a wreck. A lawyer can explore all the options.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Wreck
If you get into an accident, do the following as quickly as possible:
- Call 911 to report the wreck.
- Get medical care, even if you’re okay.
- Take photos of the scene and your injuries.
- Get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
- Do not apologize or accept blame at the scene.
- Call a personal injury attorney immediately.
If you can’t move because you’re too injured, have a friend or family member assist. The more information that you gather, the better case you’ll have. Take note of all that you can recall about the accident. What time it occurred. The weather conditions. Traffic lights. The direction of travel of each car. Little things are important later. Keep all your hospital bills, records, and receipts in one place. Your lawyer will need them. Be compliant with your doctor and observe the way in which the injury affects your routine lifestyle.
Time Limits Are Important
In Missouri, you must file a personal injury suit within 5 years of your injury. But it is advisable not to wait. Evidence degrades, and it becomes harder to substantiate your claim with time. Also, there are insurance corporations that try to get you to settle quickly for cash. A lawyer can stop them from taking you for a ride. It’s standard that the insurers will be friendly initially. They may ask for a recorded statement from you. Don’t hand it over to them without a lawyer. They may twist your words to reject your claim. The sooner you get legal practice help, the better. A quick response usually leads to more powerful evidence and better results.
How Much Can You Recover?
Every crash raises money differently. How much you can recover depends on:
- The cost of your medical bills
- The number of workdays you missed
- How badly you were hurt
- Whether the crash left lasting harm
- Pain and suffering
Some get thousands. Some get hundreds of thousands. A lawyer can advise you better once she hears the facts. Severe injuries like brain damage or paralysis usually result in higher payouts. If the accident led to permanent disability, you can also receive money for lost future earnings and care. Pain and suffering are harder to put a number on. Your attorney uses previous cases and expert testimony to give your pain a reasonable number. Emotional distress is included, too. You can also be paid for damages to your motorcycle, equipment, and other property.
Why Kansas City Riders Need Local Legal Representation
Local lawyers understand the roads, judges, and court processes in Kansas City. They’re also familiar with state traffic laws and Missouri insurance coverages. That local information can enable you to achieve better results. A Kansas City lawyer may have previously handled other cases at the same intersection or against the same insurance company. That knowledge can make your case run faster and smoother. They know local body shops, doctors, and expert witnesses that can help your case.
You Don’t Have to Face This Alone
An accident is stressful. Recovery is hard. Dealing with paperwork and phone calls when you’re hurt is too much. Let a lawyer take that burden off your shoulders. You heal. They recover your rights. Most people wait to call a lawyer because they think they cannot afford one. But most lawyers who handle personal injury cases offer free consultations. You can learn your rights without spending a dime. You do not need to be a lawyer. You just need someone who is familiar with the path to battle for you.
5 Uniquely Informative FAQs About Kansas City Motorcycle Accidents
1. What if I didn’t wear a helmet? Can I still get money?
Yes, you can still potentially get money. Helmets are required by Missouri law, but not wearing one does not mean you were necessarily at fault. A lawyer can explain how it would work in your situation.
2. Can I sue if I was partly at fault?
Yes. Missouri has “comparative fault” laws. That is, you can still recover some money if you were partly at fault. Your payment will only be reduced based on your share of fault.
3. How many weeks does it take to have a motorcycle injury case?
Some cases get settled in weeks. Others do in months or longer. It depends on how clean the facts are, how hurt you are, and how cooperative the insurance company is.
4. What if the other driver was uninsured?
Your own policy could still pay your damages in uninsured motorist coverage. A lawyer can help you to make a claim under that coverage or other ways of recovering expenses.
5. Will I need to go to court?
Possibly not. Most cases settle short of trial. But if the insurance company won’t make a fair offer, your lawyer will advise you to go to trial to obtain what you’re owed.
Endnote
If you or a family member was hurt in a Kansas City motorcycle accident, don’t wait. A Kansas City personal injury lawyer can help protect your rights and negotiate the full award you deserve. Get assistance today. Call today. Your future and recovery are at stake.
