Our attorneysIf a distracted driver has injured you or a loved one in a motorcycle accident, Abel Law Firm is here to help you get the compensation you deserve. Distracted driving is any behavior that pulls the motorist’s attention away from the road, such as texting while driving, looking at a map, changing the radio station, talking on the phone, talking to another passenger, eating while driving, and more. Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to distracted driving accidents because they don’t have the protection that a car or truck driver has in the event of a collision.
Legal help is available if a distracted driver caused your injuries in a motorcycle accident in Oklahoma City. Medical bills, time spent away from work, and the pain and suffering can quickly become overwhelming. Abel Law Firm can help you make things right by getting you the compensation you deserve and holding the at-fault driver accountable for their recklessness. Contact our experienced team of Oklahoma City distracted driving motorcycle accident lawyers today at (405) 239-7046 for a free consultation.
Types of Distractions Involved In Accidents
There are three main types of distractions the other driver might have exhibited that led to the accident. They all prevent someone from focusing on the road and operating their vehicle safely. If the at-fault driver was distracted in any way with the activities below, you could pursue compensation in an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Visual distractions include anything that redirects a driver’s eyes from the road to something else. Common examples include:
- Looking at a passenger
- Staring outside the vehicle
- Reading emails or texts on a mobile device
- Looking at a map or GPS for directions
Manual distractions involve using one or both hands for specific tasks instead of keeping them on the wheel. Common examples include:
- Eating or drinking
- Changing the radio
- Manually dialing a cell phone to make a call
- Reaching for something in the car
Cognitive distractions involve the driver’s attention and focus. Instead of paying attention to what’s going on around them, they focus on something else entirely. Common examples include:
- Daydreaming
- Disciplining children
- Acts of road rage
- Having a serious conversation with a passenger
All forms of distraction are dangerous. The results of an accident can be even more devastating when it involves a motorcycle. You don’t have any protection from the full force of a vehicle crashing into you. You could suffer initial injuries from the impact and subsequent injuries from falling off your bike or getting run over by another car. It can lead to severe injuries or death.
Common Injuries Sustained In Motorcycle Accidents
Injuries range from minor to severe, but many times the injuries motorcycle accident victims suffer are debilitating, life-threatening, and permanent. The most common injuries include:
- Paralysis
- Road rash
- Head and brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Wounds and lacerations
- Facial disfigurement
- Internal bleeding
- Organ failure
If you require ongoing treatment to heal, you could rack up expensive medical bills in the process. Your recovery might take some time and could cause significant financial strain. If you’re unable to work, that adds even more stress about paying your expenses and supporting yourself and your family. Abel Law Firm will do whatever it takes to ensure the responsible party pays the money you need so you won’t have to pay for anything out of pocket.
Do I Need an Attorney?
The aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be overwhelming. Between recovering from injuries, missing work, and trying to pay for your many expenses, you likely don’t have time or energy to spare to deal with insurance companies and legal paperwork. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer will take the legal matters off your hands while you focus on what really matters – recovering from your injuries.
It can be tempting to try to represent yourself to save some money, especially in the case of distracted driving accidents where the responsibility seems to fall on the other party. This is a risky choice. The law is complicated and nuanced, even in distracted driving incidents, so attempting to handle your own case can be difficult. Because of this, an experienced personal injury lawyer is likely to earn you much higher compensation than you would be able to win on your own and ultimately save you money.
Why Choose Abel Law Firm?
At Abel Law Firm, we believe you should not have to pay for the careless actions of a distracted driver. We will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the maximum possible compensation for your suffering so that you can get your life back on track. have recovered millions of dollars for motorcycle accident victims during our combined 130 years of experience. We are ready to put our experience, knowledge, and determination to work for you.
What You Should Do After a Distracted Driving motorcycle Accident
There are some things you can do to help ensure you get the most compensation that you can from the distracted driver who caused your motorcycle accident. Before even leaving the accident scene, you should call 911 so an officer can investigate. Request a copy of the crash report to use as evidence during your case.
Seek medical treatment promptly after the crash. Waiting too long could affect how much compensation you’re entitled to receive. The insurance company will look for inconsistencies in your treatment plan, such as skipped appointments or failure to follow up for referred imaging testing or specialty treatment. They won’t want to pay out the full available settlement if they believe your injuries aren’t severe or don’t exist at all.
You should also hire an Oklahoma City distracted driving accident lawyer immediately. While you’re recovering from your injuries, we will focus on the legal aspects of your case. We can perform a thorough investigation, gather evidence, and find a way to prove the other driver was distracted, and that’s what caused the accident.
While we’re working on your case, there are some things you should avoid. Claimants often make the mistake of speaking to the insurance company or admitting to doing something that could have contributed to the crash.
These things could negatively impact the outcome of your case
- Don’t talk to the insurance adjuster handling the claim. If you say the wrong thing, they could use your words against you to deny the claim or provide a low settlement.
- Don’t admit fault for the crash. Modified comparative negligence could diminish the amount of compensation you’re allowed to receive in a lawsuit. If a jury determines your actions contributed even slightly, you wouldn’t be able to pursue the maximum monetary award.
- Don’t pursue a legal case alone. Choosing not to hire an Oklahoma City distracted driving accident lawyer is one of the biggest mistakes people make. You could end up with a lot less money than if you hire someone experienced to represent you.
- Don’t sign anything. If the insurance company sends you any forms to complete and sign, send them to us first. Some documents contain confusing language in an attempt to trick you into waiving your rights to compensation. We can review them to determine if it’s something you need to fill out and return to the insurance company.
Compensation You Might Be Entitled To
Anyone involved in a motorcycle accident ends up suffering in some way. You could file a claim or lawsuit to compensate for your financial, physical, and emotional losses. These losses might include:
- Medical bills
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Out of pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
Abel Law Firm knows you have endured enough trauma. When you’re facing a financial burden due to someone else’s careless actions, it can seem downright unfair. You should not be held liable for any of your past and future losses that stem from the accident. We will leave no stone unturned while we’re calculating the value of your case. We will collect every piece of evidence we can find to show the other driver caused your injuries and should be responsible for your past and future losses.
Contact Our Distracted Driving Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Abel Law Firm has been representing motorcycle accident victims since 1976. We have all the resources we need to fight for your rights and seek justice. You were injured through no fault of your own and deserve the opportunity to hold the driver liable and win the monetary award necessary to heal. When you hire us, we will work diligently to reach a favorable outcome so you can get your life back on track.
If you sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident caused by a distracted driver, the experienced and dedicated team at Abel Law Firm is ready to help you. You do not need to bear the pain and suffering of your injuries alone, and you should not let the distracted driver who inflicted them on you go unpunished. Our compassionate and experienced Oklahoma City lawyers will not rest until you have been awarded the compensation you deserve. Call Abel Law Firm today at (405) 239-7046 for your initial no-risk consultation.