Have You Suffered Injuries in a Motorcycle Crash? A Hazard Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You Seek Compensation.
Motorcycles offer convenience and fun for riders. However, due to their design, they offer little protection in a collision, making motorcycle riders vulnerable to serious injuries. If you sustained motorcycle accident injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to recover significant compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
The Hazard motorcycle accident attorneys at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer have extensive experience handling motorcycle accident claims and pursuing just compensation for accident victims in Kentucky, including a jury verdict of more than $3,000,000 for a husband and wife injured in a motorcycle collision. Our attorneys have the Kentucky Courage needed to stand up to big insurance companies and demand the maximum compensation available under Kentucky law to make our clients whole.
Call us today or contact us online for a free case evaluation. Learn about your legal options and how we can help you if you have a Hazard motorcycle accident lawsuit.
Common Injuries Sustained in Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle riders often sustain severe injuries in motorcycle wrecks involving passenger vehicles. Some of the most common injuries in motorcycle accidents include:
- Head Injuries: Motorcycle riders lack the protection of an enclosed passenger compartment. Motorcyclists are vulnerable to head injuries and other serious injuries in crashes. Head injuries can range from concussions to traumatic brain injuries, resulting in permanent disability or death. Head injuries are one of the leading causes of fatalities in motorcycle crashes.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: The impact of a motorcycle crash can cause damage to the spinal cord, resulting in partial or total paralysis. Injuries to the spinal cord can be catastrophic, leaving accident victims unable to walk or care for themselves independently.
- Broken Bones: Motorcyclists often suffer broken bones in crashes, including fractures to the arms, legs, ribs, collarbone, and wrists. These injuries are painful and typically require extensive treatment and rehabilitation.
- Road Rash: If a motorcycle rider or motorcycle passenger is thrown from the bike in an accident, they may suffer severe abrasions and road rash from skidding across the pavement. Road rash injuries are painful and prone to infection.
- Amputations: Motorcyclists’ limbs are vulnerable to being crushed or severed in crashes. This can result in traumatic amputations of fingers, toes, hands, arms, feet, or legs. The loss of a limb is a life-changing injury.
- Internal Organ Damage: The impact of a motorcycle crash can lead to lacerations, ruptures, or other damage to internal organs. Internal bleeding and organ damage can be deadly if not promptly treated.
How Our Hazard Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Help
After sustaining injuries in a motorcycle accident, many people are tempted to seek compensation on their own. This decision often leads to confusion, frustration, unnecessary delays, or unfair denials. Working with a motorcycle wreck lawyer at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer can increase your chances of a fair resolution to your motorcycle accident claim. Here’s how we can help:
Investigate the Accident
A successful injury claim depends on your ability to present convincing evidence identifying the at-fault party, demonstrating that their negligence caused the accident, and directly connecting the accident to your bodily injury and other losses. Gathering the evidence to prove negligence can be time-consuming. Our law firm has the knowledge, skills, and resources to investigate a motorcycle accident and determine how the traffic accident happened. We will identify all at-fault parties and show how their negligence led to your injuries.
Calculate Your Losses
Many injured individuals do not realize how much money they stand to recover after a motorcycle accident. They may accept a claim settlement offer that is far less than what they deserve. Our attorneys have extensive experience calculating the value of motorcycle accident claims. After an accident involving serious injuries, you may seek financial compensation for the following:
- Past and Future Medical bills
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
Our law firm will evaluate your losses and help you understand how much you can reasonably expect to recover in your motorcycle accident case.
Negotiate with the Insurance Company
One of the most challenging parts of handling a motorcycle accident injury claim is dealing with insurance adjusters. Adjusters try to minimize the amount of money their insurance company pays out in motorcycle injury claims. Some insurance adjusters employ tactics such as:
- Attempting to blame the motorcyclist for a collision
- Telling you that you will not receive more than their initial lowball offer
- Delaying payment of your claim so you will accept a smaller amount
- Using your statements to undermine your claim
- Finding your posts on social media and using them to try to show that you are not as seriously injured as you claim
Our attorneys are well-versed in the tactics of insurance adjusters, and we are ready to combat them. We can handle settlement negotiations so that you can focus on healing. We will not settle for less than we believe you deserve.
Take Your Case to Court
Some insurance companies refuse to agree to a reasonable settlement. In such cases, you may need to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit to demand financial accountability. Our attorneys have extensive courtroom experience. We are ready to put our litigation skills to work to seek justice for you in court if needed.
What Our Clients Say
At Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer, we value the feedback of our clients. Knowing that we have made a positive impact on the lives of people who need help is what motivates us. One satisfied client recently shared that we went “above and beyond to take care” of them.
Another affirmed, “This firm is amazing!!! They are so easy to work with and help in every way they can!! They do what they say!” As a law firm dedicated to client satisfaction, we are proud to know that what we do makes a difference.
FAQs About Motorcycle Accidents
People recovering from injuries in a motorcycle accident often have questions about the steps available to them. Some of the questions we frequently hear include the following:
How much is my motorcycle accident case worth?
The value of a motorcycle accident claim depends on the specific losses and damages resulting from the crash. Every case has its own facts. Some factors that influence the claim’s worth include the severity of the injuries, the medical expenses, lost income and future earning capacity, and pain and suffering. An experienced lawyer can assess your specific situation.
What is comparative negligence in a motorcycle accident case?
Kentucky follows the doctrine of comparative negligence, meaning you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for an accident. However, your damages award would be reduced by your percentage of fault. An attorney would work to minimize findings of comparative negligence is critical.
What should I do at the scene of a motorcycle accident?
After a motorcycle crash, you should seek medical attention immediately and contact the police so there is an official accident report. You should also take photos or video of the accident scene if possible. Exchange registration and insurance information with the other driver. Contact a qualified Hazard motorcycle accident attorney at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer as soon as feasible.
How soon do I need to file a claim after my motorcycle accident?
In Kentucky, you normally have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit after a motorcycle crash under the statute of limitations. However, it is best to seek legal advice promptly to understand your legal options. Meeting with a Kentucky motorcycle accident attorney early on can prevent evidence from being lost and ensure your claim is handled correctly.
Can I still recover damages if I was not wearing a helmet?
Under Kentucky law, people who are younger than 21, who have an instructional permit, or who have had a motorcycle license for less than a year must wear a helmet. Even if you were not wearing a helmet in the crash, you can still seek compensation for your injuries. Your lack of a helmet did not cause the crash. However, the at-fault motorist or their attorney may argue that your failure to wear a helmet contributed to the extent of your injuries to try to reduce your compensation.
How long does it take to resolve a motorcycle accident injury claim?
The timeline for resolving a motorcycle accident claim can vary substantially depending on factors such as the severity of your injuries, the insurer’s response, and whether a settlement can be reached out of court. Minor claims may settle within a few months, while complex cases with litigation could take a year or longer.
What are common mistakes to avoid after a motorcycle crash?
Some mistakes that could undermine your claim include:
- Failing to call the police
- Admitting fault before knowing all the details of why the collision occurred
- Failing to seek immediate medical treatment
- Accepting an early settlement before knowing the full extent of your injuries and losses
- Neglecting to consult an experienced motorcycle accident attorney
Contact a Hazard Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
If you have suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident in Hazard, Kentucky, and another motorist was at fault, you may seek compensation so you can move on with dignity. The Hazard motorcycle accident lawyers at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer are passionate about protecting the rights of motorcycle accident victims in Kentucky. We are ready to help you demand justice. Contact us today for a FREE personalized consultation to learn more about your legal options.
