For many riders, motorcycling is more than just a hobby; it’s a way of life. Even if you ride safely and stay alert, collisions can still happen because of someone else’s mistake. If you’ve been hurt in a crash, our Kansas City motorcycle accident lawyers will help recover your medical bills and other losses.
At Foster Wallace, our team has over 45 years of combined legal experience helping injury victims rebuild their lives. We have recovered over $1 billion for clients and continue to win big cases. A Kansas City personal injury lawyer will evaluate all your compensation options. Call today for a free initial consultation.
Work With Local Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Kansas City
As local motorcycle accident attorneys, we understand Missouri traffic laws, insurance rules, and how courts handle injury claims in the area. We will investigate your accident, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies to get you the maximum settlement.
We are familiar with the areas where motorcycle crashes are most likely to occur. Due to heavy traffic, poor road conditions, and reckless drivers, certain intersections, highways, and busy roads pose a higher risk for motorcyclists.
Some of the most dangerous areas for motorcycle riders in Kansas City include:
- George Brett Super Highway
- U.S. 71 Highway
- Alphabet Loop
- I-435 and I-70 interchange
- Troost Avenue and Brush Creek Boulevard intersection
- Prospect Avenue and 39th Street intersection
Our experience handling motorcycle accident cases gives us insight into these high-risk locations. We can then strengthen claims by identifying factors like poor road design or driver negligence.
Available Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Victims
The financial impact of a motorcycle accident can be significant and long-lasting. Medical bills for treatment, surgeries, and rehabilitation can quickly add up, especially if the injuries are serious. In addition to medical costs, you may face lost wages if you are unable to work due to your injuries.
Types of economic and non-economic damages you could claim after a motorcycle crash include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
As your attorneys, we will calculate all your accident-related losses and estimate future expenses. We want you to get the compensation you need to rebuild your life.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
Determining Negligence in a Motorcycle Accident Case
Determining liability for a motorcycle accident can be complex, especially if multiple parties are involved. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Kansas City will investigate the incident and establish negligence.
Your motorcycle accident lawyer will focus on these key factors to establish negligence:
- Duty of care: Every driver has a legal responsibility to follow traffic laws and operate their vehicle safely to avoid harming others. This duty applies to all motorists, including those driving cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
- Breach of standard of care: A breach occurs when a driver fails to meet this duty of care by acting carelessly or recklessly. If the driver did not follow safe driving practices, they may be considered negligent.
- Causation: The other driver’s actions directly caused the accident and your injuries. This means showing that if the driver had followed the rules and driven safely, the crash would not have happened.
- Damages: You suffered real losses because of the accident. Without proof of damages, there may be no grounds for a claim.
Proving negligence after a motorcycle accident is important because it determines who is responsible for the crash and who should pay for the damages. Negligence means that someone fails to act safely, such as a driver speeding, running a red light, or not checking their blind spot before changing lanes.
Missouri’s Pure Comparative Negligence Rule
Missouri follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means that if you are partially at fault for a motorcycle accident, you can still recover compensation. However, your percentage of fault will reduce your payment.
For example, if you are awarded $100,000 in damages but found to be 20% at fault, your compensation will be reduced by 20%, leaving you with $80,000. Even if you are more than 50% responsible, you can still recover damages, though your percentage of fault will lower the amount you receive.
Missouri Has a Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Lawsuits
In Missouri, there is a statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit, including motorcycle accident claims. You generally have five years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, according to Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4).
If you miss this deadline, you may lose your chance to seek fair compensation for your losses. However, some exceptions may apply, such as cases involving minors. To learn exactly how much time you have to file a lawsuit, call our legal team today.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries because riders have little protection compared to passengers in cars. Unlike cars, motorcycles lack seat belts, airbags, and a metal frame, leaving riders exposed to direct impact in a crash.
When a motorcyclist is hit, they may be thrown from their bike, collide with another vehicle, or skid across the pavement, leading to severe injuries. High speeds, reckless drivers, and dangerous road conditions increase the risk of tragic accidents.
Common types of injuries that result from motorcycle accidents include:
- Broken bones or fractures
- Burns
- Neck injuries
- Skin abrasions
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spine injuries
- Amputations
- Emotional trauma
- Fatal injuries
If another driver’s negligence contributed to the collision, you can seek compensation from the driver who caused your suffering. Our Kansas City catastrophic injury lawyers proudly represent motorcycle riders, and we would be happy to evaluate your case in a free consultation.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can happen for many reasons, often due to a combination of road conditions and the actions of other drivers. While motorcyclists are generally more vulnerable on the road, certain factors can increase the risk of a crash.
The main causes of motorcycle accidents in Kansas City include:
- Intoxicated driving: Drunk drivers have great difficulty staying in their lanes, maintaining safe following distances, and avoiding other vehicles. Impaired drivers are a significant threat to bikers.
- Lane changes: If drivers don’t carefully check their blind spots before changing lanes on a highway, they can easily cross into the path of a motorcycle rider.
- Sudden stops: When a car stops suddenly on the highway or even on a local road, a biker riding behind the vehicle might be unable to stop in time to avoid a collision. Sudden braking on a motorcycle can also cause the bike to flip.
- Intersections: Many accidents between motorcycles and other drivers occur at intersections, often because drivers fail to see bikers.
- Road hazards: Potholes, loose gravel, sand, and debris are particularly dangerous to motorcycle riders. If a biker is injured or killed because a highway authority or local municipality failed to remove hazards, they could be held accountable for the rider’s damages.
As lawyers representing motorcycle riders, we investigate crashes and hold negligent drivers accountable when their actions cause severe harm to others.
Contact Our Kansas City Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Missouri, speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Kansas City office directly to schedule your free consultation.
Our Kansas City motorcycle accident attorneys will closely listen to your story and review your options for compensation. We will create a personalized legal strategy based on the unique details of your case.
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