Louisville Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Safely riding a motorcycle is more challenging than driving a car. Motorcyclists must be extra alert to road conditions and the vehicles they share the road with. They are also extremely vulnerable, as most motorcycle accidents occur because car drivers fail to yield or don’t see motorcyclists approaching.

If you’re an avid motorcyclist, you know riding a motorcycle on Kentucky streets and highways is inherently riskier than driving a car. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 6,218 motorcyclists killed in 2022, and that represents 15% of all traffic fatalities. That is the highest number of motorcyclists killed since at least 1975. Motorcyclists are 22 times more likely to die in a traffic crash than occupants of passenger cars. Simple physics don’t lie. Passenger vehicles are larger, heavier, and protected by a coat of armor.

When a motorcyclist collides with a car traveling at full speed, the results are almost always devastating for the motorcyclist—even if they’re equipped with the right gear. If you’ve been injured in a Kentucky motorcycle accident, you need help from a skilled Louisville motorcycle accident lawyer who will fight to defend your rights.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcycle accidents in Kentucky occur for a wide variety of reasons. Adverse weather conditions, road debris, loose gravel, and roadways that weren’t designed or maintained with the safety of motorcyclists in mind can lead to crashes.

However, the majority of motorcycle accidents are caused by one factor: driver negligence.

Most Motorcycle Accidents Are Caused by Another Driver’s Error

Data collected by the Kentucky State Police states that motorcycles were involved in 1,574 collisions in 2022, resulting in 96 fatalities. That represents 8% of all fatal collisions but less than 1% of vehicles in all crashes.

Most traffic accidents involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle are caused by the actions of the car driver, not the motorcyclist. Drivers of larger vehicles have a duty to look out for and protect more vulnerable vehicles. But not every driver upholds this duty of care. Motorcycle wrecks are too often caused by another person’s negligence behind the wheel.

Some of the most common driver errors that lead to motorcycle crashes include:

Careless Left-Hand Turns

When making a left-hand turn, a driver may not make an effort to check for an oncoming motorcycle properly. If abundant caution isn’t exercised, a driver may not see a motorcyclist and turn directly into their path of travel. Careless left-hand turns account for a high number of motorcycle accidents at intersections.

Alcohol Impairment

Motorists under the influence of alcohol are more likely to collide with a motorcycle, especially at night or under conditions of limited visibility. It’s easy for drunk drivers to misjudge distances or fail to see a motorcycle altogether. A motorcyclist can sustain life-changing injuries because of one person’s decision to drive after drinking.

Failure To Give Right-of-Way

Motorcycle riders can be struck when the driver of a passenger vehicle fails to give the proper right-of-way. Like all drivers, motorcyclists follow the same right-of-way laws as all other drivers. All motorists need to remember this and stay vigilant on the road, particularly when navigating intersections.

Failure To Check Blind Spots

Due to the size and shape of a motorcycle, there’s no doubt that it’s easy to miss one in a quick glance in a rearview mirror. Drivers too often assume that it’s safe to merge, change lanes, or make a turn because they don’t see another car.

Tailgating and Reckless Driving

Tailgating (or following too closely) is a dangerous behavior that can lead to serious injuries if a motorcycle rider is knocked off balance. Other reckless behaviors like speeding, brake checking, weaving in and out of lanes, and violating traffic laws cause severe motor vehicle accidents.

Distracted Driving

Distraction is a top factor in many motorcycle vs. car accidents, but at-fault parties aren’t always willing to admit they were distracted at the time of the crash. If distracted driving was a factor, your Louisville motorcycle accident attorney will find the evidence necessary to prove liability. That may mean examining the at-fault driver’s cell phone records, analyzing traffic camera footage, or speaking with eyewitnesses.

What Are Common Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents?

As personal injury lawyers specializing in motorcycle accident cases, we know how dangerous the road can be for riders who lack the protection other vehicles have. Even a minor collision for the car driver can result in catastrophic injury to the motorcyclist.

Severe injuries most commonly seen in motorcycle accident claims include:

• Broken bones and fractures
• Spinal cord damage (often resulting in paralysis)
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Concussions and other mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBI)
• Amputation or loss of limb
• Dislocated shoulder injuries
• Whiplash and neck trauma
• Cuts and severe lacerations
• First, second, or third-degree road rash
• Internal organ damage
• Permanent scarring
• Facial disfigurement

No matter how serious your injuries and associated medical expenses may be, an insurance company will not necessarily offer you the settlement you deserve. But as attorneys with experience in personal injury law, we know that your accident is just the beginning. After a motorcycle crash, you may be facing years of medical appointments, therapy and rehabilitation, prescription medications, and changes to your lifestyle and ability to earn income.

In the most serious type of motorcycle accident case, a victim may lose their life. We offer legal representation to the surviving family members of motorcycle accident victims. Wrongful death cases can hold negligent parties accountable for wrongdoing and provide much-needed financial compensation to families after the sudden loss of a loved one.

What to Do After Getting Hit on Your Motorcycle

The steps you take immediately following will go a long way to mitigating your injuries and protecting a future claim. You’ll want to take these steps if you find yourself getting hit on your motorcycle.

Move Off of the Road

If you’re stuck on your motorcycle in traffic, moving you and your bike off to the side of the road is vital. That will help avoid further accidents and injuries.

Keep Your Safety Gear On

After an accident, your first instinct is to check for injuries by removing your safety gear. However, you should wait until emergency medical personnel respond to the accident. Keeping your gear on might help prevent certain injuries from worsening.

Call 911

It is essential that you call 911 to report the accident. That will result in police and EMTs responding to the scene. The police can create a crash report, and the EMTS will provide medical care. The reports made by the police and EMTs will help support your future claim. Keep in mind that a crash report needs to be submitted if you or the other driver experienced injuries or more than $1,500 of property damage.

Provide Your Version of Events

The responding police officer will ask you what happened. You need to respond with just the facts of what you experienced. For instance, you can’t say the other driver hit you because they were mad. You also don’t have to admit to any fault or make a guess as to why the accident occurred.

Gather Evidence

You must take as many photos of the accident as possible, including your injuries and damages. Those photos will help your Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer get you the compensation you deserve. You also need to get information from the other motorists involved in the accident and any witnesses who can testify about what happened.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Do you know your insurance policy’s requirement for reporting an accident? Most policies have a time limit for reporting accidents. Remember that reporting is not the same as filing a claim. When you report the accident, you just want to state the basic facts of when, where, and who was involved in the accident. You need to avoid discussing how the accident happened or who might be at fault. That will come later.

Visit Urgent Care or Your Doctor

If you were able to go home after your accident, you should follow up the next day with a visit to urgent care or your own doctor. Seek prompt medical treatment for your injuries. Unless your injuries are life-threatening, only leave the scene once cleared to do so by the authorities. Keep all treatment documentation for future reference.

Talk to an Experienced Chicago Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

You don’t have to wait until you recover from your injuries or your motorcycle is repaired before talking with an attorney. You’ll be able to get answers to all your questions about the best way forward for finding compensation for your losses.

What Are My Legal Rights After a Motorcycle Accident?

If you were involved in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you might be left wondering how to obtain fair compensation. An insurance company may try to place blame on a motorcyclist, no matter who is at fault.

As Louisville motorcycle accident attorneys, we have handled personal injury claims long enough to know when an insurance company is trying to take advantage of injured motorcyclists. Our law firm will fight to ensure you recover the damages you’re rightfully owed.

The attorney-client relationship is important to us. We pride ourselves on putting our clients first through every step of the legal process. We invite you to schedule a free consultation to see how our personal injury attorneys can help you.

Can a Louisville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help Me Recover Compensation?

Your Louisville motorcycle accident attorney will examine all economic and noneconomic losses when calculating the amount of compensation you’re owed. This may include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Property damage

Some personal injury attorneys only look at the apparent damages, like medical expenses. While these are undoubtedly important, our law office works to get a more comprehensive view of the injury’s effect on your life. We’ll examine your medical records, work history, and other documents to paint a complete picture of your losses. We put in the extra work, and our clients see the difference in their settlements and verdicts.

Motorcycle Accident Victims Need Help from a Top Louisville Legal Team

A skilled Louisville motorcycle accident lawyer is ready to walk with you on the path to recovery. Find out why our clients trust us during the most challenging times of their lives. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.