If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, there is no time to waste—you need help now. As medical bills pile up and your precarious situation is compounded by lost wages, Thomas Law Offices will hold the insurance company accountable for the injuries you’ve suffered. For an opportunity to speak one-on-one with a Columbia motorcycle accident lawyer, contact our law firm for a free consultation.
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Missouri Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there were 5,579 nationwide motorcyclist deaths in 2020, 11% more than in the previous year. Data collected by the Missouri State Highway Patrol shows that in 2014 (the most recent year available) there were a total of:
- 2,253 motorcycle crashes
- 86 fatal motorcycle crashes and 88 deaths
- 1,734 injury motorcycle crashes and 1,979 injuries
If you were hurt in a crash, get in touch with a Columbia motorcycle accident attorney from Thomas Law Offices. We’ll make sure that the responsible party who caused your motorcycle crash is held accountable for your damages.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Missouri
The cause of most auto accidents involving motorcyclists can be traced back to a single cause—driver error. Passenger vehicle drivers often fail to see motorcycles simply because they do not look for them.
Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable when:
- Making left-hand turns
- Traveling through intersections
- Merging or changing lanes
- Lane-splitting
What Injuries Can Happen in Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycle accident injuries tend to be severe because the average biker lacks the essential protections afforded to vehicle occupants. Motorcycles do not have steel frames, air bags, or seat belts to soften the impact of a collision, meaning that serious injuries are likely to occur.
In our years of experience successfully handling motorcycle accident claims in Columbia, MO, we have become familiar with some of the most common injuries:
- Head trauma
- Leg injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Road rash
- Broken bones
If a motorcyclist is thrown from their vehicle in a collision, the biker’s arm or other limb may become stuck underneath another vehicle or the motorcycle itself, causing severe or irreversible muscle damage. Life-threatening injuries are far from uncommon, and drastic measures (such as amputations) are sometimes necessary to preserve the life of accident victims.
Receiving prompt medical treatment is the most important step after being involved in a motorcycle crash. The second most important step is meeting with a motorcycle accident lawyer to discuss your options for filing a personal injury claim.
Your legal team from Thomas Law Offices will work closely with medical experts on your motorcycle accident case. We’ll determine who the at-fault party was, what your current and future medical expenses are, and what a fair settlement looks like in your case. Your right to recover compensation for lost income and the cost of medical care will never be compromised when our Columbia motorcycle accident attorneys are on the case.
Compensation in a Motorcycle Accident Case
You know that you deserve maximum compensation for your injuries. But what exactly does that mean? Compensation for a personal injury claim is broken down into two types of damages: non-economic and economic damages.
Non-economic damages encompass your non-tangible losses, such as:
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment in life
Economic damages are intended to compensate you for your calculable financial losses, including:
- Medical bills
- Lost income and lost earning potential
- Property damage
Determining exactly how much you are owed for motorcycle accident injuries is a complex legal process—one mistake, and you may miss out on compensation that is vital to your recovery.
Thomas Law Offices doesn’t let that happen. If you’re ready to seek compensation for the harm another driver caused, contact our law firm to set up a free consultation with an experienced attorney.
Proving Fault for Your Motorcycle Accident
When a motorcycle rider is hit and injured by another driver, establishing fault is a necessary precursor to recovering compensation. One thing is clear—the driver who acted negligently and hit your motorcycle is responsible. Proving that to the insurance company can be a challenge, though.
Insurance companies are profit-minded businesses that prioritize their own bottom lines over helping those who have been wrongfully injured in an accident. If given the chance, they will limit your settlement or deny liability altogether, even though you have the same rights to pursue compensation as anyone else on the road.
How Do Columbia Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Prove Fault?
Working closely with a motorcycle accident attorney is key to maximizing your final settlement. When you work with Thomas Law Offices, your injury lawyer will:
- Investigate the cause of your accident to determine liability.
- Review all relevant evidence, including the police report and any dash cam footage of the collision.
- Work closely with a medical professional when necessary to understand the severity and extent of your condition.
- Correctly value the worth of your claim, so you don’t miss out on compensation.
Missouri Motorcycle Helmet Laws
Missouri state law requires that everyone age 25 and under wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. However, Thomas Law Offices urges everyone to wear a helmet regardless of age or experience. According to the CDC, motorcycle helmets:
- Prevented an estimated 1,872 deaths in 2017
- Reduce head injury risks by 69%
- Are 37% effective at preventing death
What Sets Thomas Law Offices Apart?
Thomas Law Offices is a legal firm dedicated solely to the practice of personal injury. This means that we have chosen to focus our legal and professional careers on the practice of advocating for those who have been injured through no fault of their own, including in motorcycle accidents.
Our experienced trial lawyers know the importance of striving to settle outside of court but being prepared for the possibility of negotiations failing. No matter what path your case takes, we’ll be prepared.
Speak With a Columbia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
At Thomas Law Offices, we believe that injury victims deserve the best chance at a fair settlement. Filing a motorcycle accident claim can put you on that path.
The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can schedule your free consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer.
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