Motorcycle Accident Frequently Asked Questions
Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas Motorcycle Injury Lawyers
Founded in 2002 by attorney Derek Potts, the Potts Law Firm has a winning combination of proven legal experience and energy. Let our motorcycle accident lawyers put our legal experience and energy to work for you. For a free evaluation of your truck accident claim, contact us toll free at (800) 220-9341 or use our online contact form.
Based in Kansas City, Missouri, the Potts Law Firm provides a free initial consultation to motorcycle accident victims in Kansas City, Missouri; Independence, Missouri; Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Overland Park, Kansas; and Olathe, Kansas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many types of accidents have declined in the last decades. What about motorcycle accidents?
What should I do to avoid a motorcycle accident?
Are motorcycle riders at greater risk of injury than other motorists?
I was injured when an automobile struck my motorcycle. The automobile driver admitted he didn’t see me and pulled out into the intersection, causing the crash. The police officer said I may be partially to blame. But I was the only one injured. Will the other driver’s insurance company help cover my medical bills and injuries?
My husband was killed in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver who didn’t see him. It was the other driver’s fault, but that doesn’t bring my husband back. Am I entitled to any compensation from the at-fault driver for the loss of my husband?
Many types of accidents have declined in the last decades. What about motorcycle accidents?
Motorcycles have enjoyed a surge in popularity in the last decade and motorcycle accidents have increased while other types of motor vehicle accidents have declined. Based on recent data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists were about 37 times more likely than occupants of passenger cars to die in a traffic accident and 9 times more likely to be injured. In 2009, more than 2,000 motorcycle riders were injured in accidents in Missouri and 84 died in fatal crashes.
What should I do to avoid a motorcycle accident?
As a motorcycle rider, you shouldn’t assume that other drivers see you or will yield the right of way. You should try to make yourself more visible by wearing bright, reflective clothing and using your headlight. Most crashes happen on short trips a few minutes after starting out. Remain alert for traffic hazards and try to maintain an adequate space cushion to give yourself time to react and avoid a crash.
Are motorcycle riders at greater risk of injury than other motorists?
Yes, motorcycle riders have little protection when a crash occurs. Motorcycles are smaller and lighter than other vehicles on the road, so motorcycle riders are at a decided disadvantage in any collision, including crashes caused by other drivers. A study of 2,260 fatal crashes involving a motorcycle and car found that motorcycle riders accounted for 98 percent of the deaths. Motorcyclists are at risk of head injuries, traumatic brain injuries, back injuries and spinal cord injuries. It’s important to wear a helmet and protective clothing to give your brain a chance to survive a serious accident.
I was injured when an automobile struck my motorcycle. The automobile driver admitted he didn’t see me and pulled out into the intersection, causing the crash. The police officer said I may be partially to blame. But I was the only one injured. Will the other driver’s insurance company help cover my medical bills and injuries?
In many accidents, more than one driver contributes to an accident. Determining the degree of fault is a big part of settling a car accident claim. Missouri is among the states that recognizes comparative fault. The compensation you are entitled to receive as an injured motorcyclist depends on the degree to which you were at fault in the accident. The law is different in Kansas. But in both Missouri and Kansas, you need an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer to negotiate aggressively with the insurance adjuster to limit the amount of blame that you are assigned in the accident. That maximizes the amount that you can receive in compensation.
My husband was killed in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver who didn’t see him. It was the other driver’s fault, but that doesn’t bring my husband back. Am I entitled to any compensation from the at-fault driver for the loss of my husband?
After a fatal crash, the immediate family of a motorcycle rider killed in an accident caused by another motorist is entitled to file what is known as a wrongful death lawsuit. The law in Missouri and Kansas gives legal rights to seek compensation to those harmed by the carelessness, fault or misconduct of others. The time limit for filing a wrongful death claim in Missouri is three years from the date of your loved one’s death; in Kansas it’s two years. It’s important to consult a knowledgeable motorcycle accident wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible to investigate your claim.
Contact Our Aggressive Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
If you have been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident or lost a loved one in a motorcycle crash, you need a motorcycle accident lawyer who will advocate aggressively for your legal interests. The Potts Law Firm, based in Kansas City, Missouri, is committed to helping motorcycle accident victims and their families who have been harmed by the fault of other motorists.
We represent motorcycle accident victims in Kansas City, Missouri; Independence, Missouri; Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Olathe, Kansas; and Overland Park, Kansas.
For a free evaluation of your motorcycle accident and legal rights, contact us toll free at (866) 311-2230 or use our online contact form.
