Anyone who rides a motorcycle around Manchester, KY, understands their appeal. Whether you use a motorcycle to commute to work or school, run errands, or simply ride with friends on weekends, you know the importance of remaining alert. Motorcyclists are far more vulnerable to accidents than other road users. Unfortunately, many automobile drivers cause motorcycle accidents by failing to look for motorcyclists.
If you have suffered severe injuries or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence in Manchester, Kentucky, you need to talk to an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. You may be eligible to claim compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other losses.
The motorcycle accident attorneys at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer, PLLC, have a proven track record of helping Kentuckians demand the full compensation they deserve after serious accidents. Our lawyers have recovered millions in settlements and verdicts for our clients, including a jury verdict of more than $3,000,000 for a husband and wife injured in a motorcycle wreck. Let us put our experience, skills, and Kentucky Courage to work for you. Contact our Manchester law office today for a FREE case review.
The Process of Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Manchester, KY
Hurt in a motorcycle accident in Manchester? Talking to a Manchester motorcycle accident lawyer is a good first step after receiving medical treatment for your injuries.
A motorcycle accident attorney can handle the process of filing a motorcycle accident claim and communicating with the insurance company. Here are the practical steps to keep in mind:
Contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer
Once you’ve sought medical care for your injuries, it’s time to seek legal guidance. An accident lawyer in Manchester can evaluate the circumstances of your motorcycle crash and discuss your legal options. Talking with a knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyer helps you make informed decisions. If you have a claim, an attorney can pursue compensation on your behalf while you focus on your health.
Seek medical attention and document your injuries
Seeking medical attention from a healthcare professional allows you to start healing and provides official documentation of your injuries. You will need medical records to build a strong claim for compensation.
Report the accident to police and obtain a copy of the crash report
Kentucky requires you to report an accident to law enforcement if it results in injury, death, or property damage of $500 or more. The responding officer will create an accident report. The report lists the names and insurance information of those involved in the accident. It may contain the officer’s opinion of who was at fault. Your attorney can request a copy and check for any errors.
Gather evidence like photos of the scene, and witness statements
Your lawyer will conduct an investigation of the accident, gathering evidence to prove what occurred and who is liable for your injuries.
Notifying your insurance company and the at-fault driver’s insurance
You should notify your insurance company. Talk to an attorney before you speak with the at-fault party’s insurance carrier. Waiting too long to inform them may cause them to question the connection between the motorcycle crash and your injuries.
Negotiating your claim with the insurance adjuster
If you have legal representation, your accident lawyer will submit a motorcycle accident claim to the insurance company and try to negotiate with the insurer for a fair settlement. While some motorcycle accident victims attempt to do this alone, having legal representation gives you a better chance of securing a fair settlement. The vast majority of injury claims are settled without a trial.
Filing a personal injury lawsuit
If you have serious injuries and negotiations fail to yield a reasonable settlement, you and your attorney may decide to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit against the at-fault party. You will need an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to present your case to a judge and jury.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Manchester
Motorcycle accidents in Manchester, Kentucky, occur due to a variety of factors. Some of the most common causes include:
- Driver distraction or inattention – Distracted drivers who are eating, texting, talking on the phone, or daydreaming are at greater risk of colliding with a motorcycle. Failing to check blind spots before changing lanes or turning left in front of an approaching motorcyclist at an intersection can cause a serious or fatal motorcycle accident.
- Speeding and reckless driving – Excessive speed makes accidents more likely and more severe. Weaving dangerously between lanes and ignoring traffic signals increase the risk of crashes.
- Impaired driving – Intoxication by alcohol or drugs negatively affects a driver’s judgment, motor skills, and reaction times. An impaired driver is more likely to overlook a motorcyclist on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Dangerous road conditions – Potholes, uneven pavement, lack of proper signage, debris in the road, and other hazards can lead to motorcycle crashes, especially when combined with driver negligence.
- Drivers turning left – One of the most frequent accident scenarios involves oncoming motorcyclists being struck when a driver attempts an unsafe left turn in front of them.
- Inclement weather – Rain, snow, fog, and other adverse weather can significantly reduce visibility and traction, making accidents more likely. Other drivers may still be responsible for accidents if they fail to adjust their driving behavior to suit conditions.
By being aware of the common causes of accidents, motorcyclists can take defensive action and help prevent crashes. However, even if you take precautions, you cannot control the negligent actions of another motorist. If someone else causes a motorcycle accident that injures you, an experienced attorney can establish liability and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Proving Liability in a Motorcycle Accident Case
A successful motorcycle accident claim depends on collecting and presenting evidence that another party behaved in a way that directly contributed to the accident that caused your injuries. This can be challenging to accomplish on your own, especially if you are recovering from severe injuries. A motorcycle crash attorney in Manchester will know what steps to take to demonstrate liability. An attorney can act on your behalf while you focus on healing.
Your attorney can acquire a copy of the accident report, in which the responding officer may have noted an initial assessment of the other driver’s fault. Your lawyer can use the information in the report to locate and interview witnesses who can attest to your version of events. If available, photos, and videos from surveillance cameras, dashcams, or cell phones may provide further evidence of negligent behavior, such as distraction, impairment, speeding, or running red lights or stop signs.
There’s a chance that the other driver may not be the sole at-fault party. For example, if poor road conditions contributed to the crash, the authority in charge of maintaining the roadway can also be held accountable. Your attorney can consult with accident reconstruction specialists to analyze crash dynamics and understand the elements that contributed to the collision.
How Compensation Is Calculated in Motorcycle Accident Cases
The at-fault party’s insurance company may offer a quick settlement before the injured motorcycle rider understands the full extent of their medical expenses or future treatment needs. It is critical that you consult a Manchester motorcycle accident attorney before accepting a quick settlement offer or signing any release presented by an insurance adjuster. If you have serious injuries, the insurance company may be trying to limit its liability by seeking a quick settlement.
Calculating compensation in a motorcycle accident case requires taking into account factors such as:
- Documented medical expenses such as doctor and hospital bills, diagnostic tests, outpatient care, and medication
- Future costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Permanent disabilities or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium claims by spouses
A knowledgeable Manchester motorcycle accident attorney can calculate the full value of your losses and fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
Timeline of a Typical Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Manchester
If an insurance company refuses to agree to a fair settlement, you may need to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit to demand financial accountability. While every case is unique, a typical timeline is as follows:
- Your attorney will conduct a thorough investigation and send a demand letter to all at-fault parties. If a settlement cannot be negotiated, your lawyer will prepare a lawsuit.
- Your legal team will file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in court, and the exchange of evidence will begin.
- Attorneys from both sides will take depositions to question parties and expert witnesses.
- Settlement negotiations will take place as the trial date approaches. If a settlement cannot be reached, the litigants will proceed to trial.
- If either side contests the outcome, the appeals process will commence.
The process can take as little as a couple months to as long as several years, depending on a number of factors. This timeline allows the victim to reach maximum medical recovery and for the attorneys to build the most robust case possible. An experienced lawyer can guide injured motorcyclists through this complex legal process.
Why Choose Our Manchester Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Your choice of a Manchester motorcycle accident lawyer might be one of the most important decisions you ever make if you have serious injuries. Having the right lawyer on your side can mean the difference between recovering the compensation you need to move on with your life and walking away with nothing.
The legal team at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer has a proven track record of results that reflect our experience handling motorcycle accidents and other motor vehicle accident cases. Our firm is built on the principle of Kentucky Courage: the courage to stand up for what is right against negligent drivers and their big insurance companies. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you.
