Abel Law Firm Can Help You Recover From Motorcycle Accident Injuries
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident or have lost a loved one in a fatal crash, the Oklahoma City personal injury lawyers at Abel Law Firm can help you. We have fought to help people hurt in motorcycle crashes across Oklahoma get the justice and financial compensation they are owed, especially if the accident was not their fault. You should not have to pay for someone’s reckless or negligent actions, and we will work hard to ensure you get the compensation you need after a motorcycle crash.
Motorcycles have long been iconic symbols of freedom in American culture, attracting people of all ages and generations searching for these moments of peace and relaxation atop their bikes cruising down a country road.
Unfortunately, these riders risk serious injuries and even death when other motorists, municipalities, or motorcycle manufacturers act negligently. Due to a motorcyclist’s vulnerability, these accidents can have devastating consequences, including crippling injuries and, in severe cases, death. And with 4,985 motorcycle accident fatalities across the United States in 2018 alone, these accidents can have a tragic effect on the life of you and your loved ones, especially if you are the primary money earner in the family and cannot return to work following your accident.
While motorcycle accidents can happen for various reasons, most occur because of another driver’s reckless actions. When other motorists cut motorcyclists off, fail to yield, or drive recklessly around motorcycles, the results can be physically, emotionally, and financially crippling. From broken bones to internal injuries and even death, the impact of these accidents on you and your family’s quality of life can be overwhelming, leaving you feeling like all hope is lost. Fortunately for you and your loved ones, it isn’t.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a motorcycle accident caused by another motorist’s negligent or reckless behavior, they should be held accountable for their actions. The financial burdens these accidents place on victims, and their families can be insurmountable, leaving individuals in debt for years to come. You need help paying for the medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses you don’t deserve related to your accident.
At Abel Law Firm, our team of compassionate and experienced Oklahoma City motorcycle accident attorneys is committed to helping victims of motorcycle accidents receive the compensation they deserve. Call us today at (405) 239-7046 to learn about your legal options.
Why Do I Need a Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident, an experienced and skilled motorcycle accident attorney can help handle the complicated legal process so you can focus on recovering from your injuries and rebui7lding your life. Along with explaining your rights and legal options, a motorcycle accident attorney can help you with the day-to-day steps involved in your case. This includes:
- Filing all paperwork and by the necessary deadlines;
- Gathering documents and evidence to prove the driver or another party that caused the accident was negligent;
- Speaking to and negotiating with the other motorist’s insurance company or legal team;
- And, if necessary, taking your case to court.
Proving negligence can sometimes be complicated and requires an attorney with experience handling these detail-oriented cases.
The days, weeks, and months after a motorcycle accident can be incredibly physically and mentally stressful. Finding the right attorney to help you get your life back on track is one of the most important decisions you can make following an accident. It could enable you to recover the financial compensation necessary to pay your bills and move on with your life.
At Abel Law Firm, we have over 130 years of combined experience fighting for our clients, friends, loved ones, and the Oklahoma City community. Not only are we recognized for our outstanding work in the community and our past successes of getting multi-million dollar settlements, but we have attorneys at our firm who’ve earned national attention and accolades. Our Oklahoma City motorcycle lawyers team is tough and relentless but also compassionate. We stand with you every step of the way and help you recover the financial compensation you need to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. Call us today at (405) 239-7046 or complete our contact form to get started.
Take Immediate Action If You Get Hurt In An Accident On Your Motorcycle
Your first instinct might be to immediately leave the accident scene and find a way to put this traumatic experience behind you quickly. However, you should take steps following a motorcycle crash to protect yourself and your financial future. Medical treatment can be expensive, crushing medical debt and economic hardships. You want to ensure you can recover from your injuries and receive an adequate insurance settlement to afford your bills.
You should mostly focus on the road ahead, but you can do something at the crash site to get what happened on record. Call 911 and wait for an officer to arrive. They might investigate the accident and write a crash report detailing their findings and determination of fault. You can request a copy of the report when it becomes available and use it as evidence to prove someone else caused your injuries.
Request an ambulance to drive you to the hospital so a doctor can look at your injuries. You should still seek immediate treatment even if you merely bumped your head and don’t feel badly injured. A seemingly minor concussion could have fatal consequences without proper medical intervention. You could have a brain bleed or another symptom you cannot see. The emergency room physician will evaluate you and determine what treatment plan you should follow.
Listen to your doctor’s orders. Follow up for treatment regularly, and try not to make a habit of skipping your appointments. Insurance companies will often use a gap in treatment as evidence of a minor injury that doesn’t require much of a settlement offer. If you want the maximum compensation you deserve for the suffering you endured, you should undergo treatment for your injuries until you recover or your doctors release you from their care.
You must also hire an experienced Oklahoma City motorcycle accident lawyer from Abel Law Firm. Don’t wait to seek legal action against the at-fault driver. We can start working on your case when you retain our services. If you wait for months before hiring an attorney, you could miss critical deadlines for filing a lawsuit or have trouble locating substantial lost or destroyed evidence.
You could also face various obstacles during the legal process if you attempt to handle your case alone and won’t know how to overcome them. With us by your side, we will ensure nothing falls through the cracks and explore all legal options for seeking the monetary award you need to compensate for your medical bills and other expenses.
Don’t eliminate evidence or documents that could be useful in proving how the crash occurred and identifying the person who caused it. Your medical records are vital to show the injuries you sustained and the timeline of treatment you needed to heal. Medical bills, prescriptions, bike repair estimates, out-of-pocket expenses, and other costs can show your case’s monetary value and how much compensation you need to pay for everything. Keep a copy of every document related to your case so we can submit it to the insurance company during your claim and protect your rights to a full and fair settlement.
Compensation You Might Be Entitled To In An Injury Claim
The actual costs associated with your accident aren’t always apparent right away. Many victims’ injuries could require years of additional medical expenses, surgeries, and medication. You shouldn’t be expected to pay for these expenses. Exposure to outside forces makes motorcycle riders especially susceptible to injury. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be eligible to recover compensation for losses, including:
- Past medical expenses
- Future medical bills
- Emotional or psychological treatment expenses
- Prescription costs
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
- Funeral and burial expenses
These types of accidents can upend your sense of normality, day-to-day life, and the lives of your family members. Along with these expenses, you may suffer other repercussions, such as additional surgeries or procedures, the stress of dealing with insurance companies, costs related to making your home handicap-accessible, and the loss of life’s enjoyment in everyday activities. To receive the compensation you need for these expenses and many more, you will need the help of an experienced motorcycle accident attorney from Abel Law Firm. Our Oklahoma City motorcycle accident attorneys have the resources and determination to fight for your right to compensation for your injuries.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Oklahoma City
While single-vehicle motorcycle accidents occur, in 2018, 63% involved another vehicle. Passenger vehicles like cars and trucks are much larger and heavier than motorcycles, and motorcycle riders are completely exposed to the elements on their bikes. And other than a helmet and thicker clothing, motorcyclists have virtually zero protection, especially not at a level other motorists do with airbags and seatbelts. So even if the accident was minor and low speed, motorcyclists could still suffer much more serious injuries than passenger vehicle drivers.
Driver negligence is one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents. You could pay the price when other drivers drive recklessly or make mistakes on the road. Proving negligence in your case is an essential component in recovering financial compensation. And while it may seem clear and straightforward, arguing your case and proving negligence isn’t always easy.
Along with other motorists, some accidents may be caused by negligent manufacturers who designed or sold a bike that wasn’t safe to ride. You need a skilled legal representative to help you if you were injured in an accident caused by the following:
Drunk driving is irresponsible and puts other motorists in harm’s way. The driver who caused your accident could not only face civil penalties but criminal charges if they drove with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or higher.
Learn More About Learn MoreThe most recent data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that over 2,800 people died in accidents involving distracted driving in 2018. An additional 400,000 people suffered injuries due to distracted drivers that same year.
Learn More About Learn MoreTraffic laws are necessary to facilitate the safe flow of vehicles on roadways. Failing to yield the right of way, driving over the speed limit, and running a stop sign are just a few examples of traffic violations that can cause catastrophic accidents.
Learn More About Learn MoreFatigued driving is similar to drunk driving in that it impairs a person’s ability to operate their vehicle correctly and safely. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that driver fatigue causes around 100,000 accidents every year, leading to 71,000 injuries and 1,550 fatalities.
Learn More About Learn MoreEvery motor vehicle must meet certain safety, specification, and quality standards. Defects in the design or manufacturing process making the vehicle inherently dangerous could lead to a malfunctioning part or system that causes an accident.
Learn More About Learn MoreGovernmental entities are responsible for maintaining roads and making necessary repairs when there’s damage or defects. Failure to do so could lead to a collision, and the entity or an employee could be held liable for the accident victim’s injuries.
Learn More About Learn MoreOne of the most valuable assets you can have following an accident is access to reliable information about your legal rights and options to move forward in the best way possible. At Abel Law Firm, it’s our job to find the party responsible and hold them accountable, even if 77it means taking your case to court.
Examples of Injuries You May Have Suffered In a Bike Accident
Motorcycle accident injuries can be wide-ranging and varied but are often severe because of the lack of protection the rider has. Most other vehicles are much larger and heavier, so an impact can cause catastrophic damage to a motorcyclist’s body. Some of the injuries for which motorcyclists are most at risk include:
- Road rash from sliding along the pavement after an accident
- Broken legs and other damage to lower extremities
- Broken ribs and bones from heavy side impacts
- Punctured lungs and internal organs from rib breaks or metal and glass debris
- Head trauma from impacting the pavement or a vehicle, possibly leading to permanent brain damage
- Neck and spinal cord damage, sometimes causing partial or full paralysis
It is extremely important to immediately seek medical attention following an accident, even if you don’t believe you were injured. You may suffer from a concussion or another hidden injury that won’t manifest until much later. The insurance company may argue that you weren’t injured if you don’t seek immediate medical care.
Oklahoma Motorcycle Laws
If you ride a motorcycle in Oklahoma, you should know several laws. These include:
Obtaining a license or permit – To get a license to operate a motorcycle, you must be at least 16 years of age, but you can get a permit if you are under 16. If you already have a license to drive a car, you only need to get an endorsement on your license by taking additional knowledge, vision, and skills tests. If you are visiting Oklahoma, you can use an out-of-state license. Driving without a valid license can result in a fine and possible prison time.
Protective gear – Helmet use is optional for riders over 18 on roads and for everyone off-road. However, other safety gear is required, including eye protection and a windscreen. The bike must have two rear-view mirrors, a fender over each wheel, a horn, a muffler, and a speedometer. It must have a headlight and a tail light. Your headlight must be on at all times, even during the day.
Passenger requirements – You must be over 16 to carry passengers on your motorcycle, and your wheels must be larger than 12 inches in diameter. Your bike must have a double-seating device with double footrests or a dedicated sidecar.
Frequently Asked Questions about Motorcycle Accident Cases
When you’re considering hiring a lawyer, you have questions, and the experienced lawyers at Abel Law Firm are ready to answer them. Read over some frequently asked questions and contact us at (405) 239-7046 to discuss the specifics of your claim.
No matter the circumstances, you should always speak with a qualified motorcycle accident attorney before issuing statements to the at-fault driver’s insurance company, especially if they request a recorded or written report. Unless you’ve cleared it with your lawyer previously, speaking with an insurer can ultimately hurt the success of your claim.
While an insurer may seem perfectly friendly and empathetic, they are not on your side. Their commitment is to their company’s profits, and an insurance company agent will often try to get you to say something that could keep you from collecting compensation.
For almost any accident involving a motorcycle, the statute of limitations in Oklahoma is set at two years. However, there are exceptions to this rule (especially if you are filing a wrongful death claim on behalf of a loved one). It is always best to speak with a qualified motorcycle accident attorney to understand how quickly you should act.
Reporting the accident to the insurance company is an essential step in getting the process started. Additionally, keep in mind that the facts of the case take time to come together, and some parties may be unwilling to cooperate or may have an interest in putting the case together slowly. To ensure you have sufficient time, you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
While it is undoubtedly recommended to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle, in Oklahoma, helmets are only required if the driver is under 18. Given that insurance companies have an incentive to minimize payouts to maximize profits, they will often try to shift blame to the motorcyclist if they were not wearing a helmet. However, remember in this instance that the law is on your side, and you were not breaking the law by riding without a helmet if you were over 18 at the time of the crash.
In many cases, when an insurance company believes that a claim is valid, they will try to walk away from the situation by offering the crash victim a lowball settlement offer. You should never accept this offer without first contacting a qualified Oklahoma City motorcycle accident attorney, as this offer is often far below what you deserve or what is even needed to cover all of your expenses after an accident.
Even after you resolve your claim, you could continue to suffer from medical complications and rack up additional expenses. Settling too early could leave you in a financially difficult position. Settlements offered immediately in the aftermath of the crash when the insurer isn’t aware of all the case details are typically unfair to the victim.
