Motorcycles offer a sense of freedom and excitement, in addition to offering a green, convenient form of transportation. However, riding a motorcycle increases the risks of being in an accident and being seriously injured if you are in an accident.
Bishop & Hayes, P.C. concentrates solely on motor vehicle crash recovery. Our partners dedicate almost 50 years of collective auto accident trial experience to helping victims of car, truck and motorcycle accidents in Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas.
By concentrating solely on this single area of practice, we have developed the polished skills and in-depth knowledge of the law to maximize your financial recovery. A partner will handle your claim, not paralegals or associates, so you can be confident that an experienced lawyer is taking action every step of the way. Case handling by a high-level partner is particularly important when dealing with the complex insurance matters associated with motorcycle coverage. We care about your case and fight for the best results possible.
Investigating a Motorcycle Accident
Failure to yield is a primary factor in many motorcycle accidents. Motorists often do not look for motorcyclists before switching lanes, turning a corner or blazing through a stop sign.
The common defense, that the bike was in a blind spot, rings hollow because motorists have a duty to yield to a motorcyclist as much as to any other vehicle. Whether you were wearing a helmet should also not pose a bar to compensation if the motorist is at fault for the accident.
After a motorcycle accident, our attorneys immediately investigate the wreck to determine liability and damages. We pursue theories based upon skid marks, vehicle debris scatter, police reports, witness testimony, injuries and your account of what happened. We look into whether the motorist was impaired by alcohol, distracted, texting, speeding or driving carelessly at the time of the crash.
Serious Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Every car is equipped with seat belts, airbags, a specially designed crush-proof roof and an impact-absorbent metal body. These safety features protect drivers from serious injuries during a crash. Motorcycles, on the other hand, have nothing to restrain the rider from ejection or to absorb the impact of the crash.
In addition, a motorist often does not see the motorcyclist until the moment of impact. A motorist who did not expect to hit something takes no evasive actions, such as braking to slow speed, swerving to avoid a direct hit or otherwise minimizing the force of the accident.