Did you suffer injuries in a motorcycle accident? Are you wondering how you’re going to pay for the endless stream of medical bills? The reliable personal injury attorneys at OnderLaw can help you with your case and pursue the compensation you need to cover your expenses, losses, pain and suffering, and more.
We understand the burden people face after getting hurt in a motor vehicle crash. A serious accident can upend anyone’s life. At OnderLaw, we want to assure you that when you hire our firm, you’ll be in excellent hands.
We work tirelessly to provide exceptional representation, and we’ll handle each step of the legal process. We will thoroughly investigate your accident to prove fault. We will file your insurance claim and negotiate a fair settlement so you don’t have to pay anything out of pocket. If necessary, we can sue the other motorist and hold them accountable for their actions. Your only job will be to focus on recovering from your injuries.
Our attorneys have received recognition from several prestigious organizations, such as the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and The National Trial Lawyers, for the care and attention we give to every client. We’ll dedicate ourselves to your case. It’s what we do.
To learn about your legal options, schedule your free consultation with one of our O’Fallon motorcycle accident lawyers or fill out our contact form.
Unfortunately, motorcyclists face many dangers when they’re traveling on the road. You have less protection than occupants in a car or truck and can’t always avoid hazards. When you’re riding a motorcycle, the only safety equipment at your disposal is a helmet. There isn’t a seatbelt to keep you in place or an airbag to soften the impact of a crash. You are at the mercy of the road, other vehicles, and anything else around you.
Scenarios that are most likely to result in a motorcycle crash in O’Fallon include:
A driver might start turning left at an intersection without noticing an oncoming motorcycle or miscalculating the distance the motorcyclist is from them.
Motorcycles are much smaller than cars and harder to notice. When someone is merging or changing lanes, they might fail to check their blind spots properly and not realize you’re traveling alongside them.
Most days, people are in a hurry to get to work or school. They don’t have time to sit in traffic or get stuck behind a slow driver. If they choose to tailgate a motorcyclist, they’ll have a hard time coming to a complete stop if traffic suddenly comes to a standstill.
Stationary vehicles can harm motorcycle riders just as much as moving ones. If someone opens their door to get out of their car without looking first, they could open it in the path of someone riding their bike.
Unfortunately, distractions are everywhere. It’s hard to get on the road without seeing at least one person on their cell phone. Whether someone is texting at the wheel, eating food, or talking to a passenger, distractions are dangerous and can cause an accident.
Speeding doesn’t just refer to driving over the speed limit. It also includes driving too fast for conditions. If there’s adverse weather or road construction, it’s up to every motorist to slow down so they can safely make it past the obstacles.
If you collide with a car, truck, motorcycle, or another type of vehicle, you could get ejected. Without safety restraints, it’s impossible to stay securely on your bike. You could land on the pavement or end up underneath accident debris. The impact is enough to cause whiplash, and the trauma your body suffers can lead to debilitating injuries.
The most common injuries associated with O’Fallon motorcycle crashes include:
Unfortunately, not all injuries heal. Some people are left with permanent physical and emotional scars. You could end up with a disability that prevents you from returning to your job or performing routine tasks. If you don’t seek adequate psychological care, you could spend the rest of your life dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or fear of getting back on a motorcycle.
It’s crucial that you see your doctor after the accident occurs and tell them all of the symptoms you’re experiencing so they can treat you properly.
The result of your case may depend on what you do in the immediate aftermath of a crash. If you don’t follow the steps below, you could end up losing your right to full compensation.
Step 1: Call 911 to report the accident. It’s the law to notify law enforcement if there’s an injury, fatality, or over $500 in property damage. Wait for an officer to arrive and investigate what happened.
Step 2: Take pictures of the crash scene. If there’s evidence, such as broken car parts, debris, skid marks, and anything else that seems relevant, take pictures of that as well.
Step 3: Ask the other driver for their name, contact information, and auto insurance details.
Step 4: Speak to bystanders who saw the accident occur. Write down their names and phone numbers.
Step 5: Go to the hospital after leaving the accident scene. Don’t wait too long before seeking treatment. Insurance companies look at a gap in treatment as proof that the wreck didn’t cause an injury or medical intervention isn’t necessary. You should also regularly attend appointments and don’t stop seeing your medical providers until they release you from their care.
Step 6: Bring your bike to a repair shop. Ask for a damage estimate to determine how much money it will cost to repair or replace.
Step 7: Hire an O’Fallon motorcycle accident attorney from OnderLaw to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
When someone else’s actions cause your injuries, Missouri’s fault system will automatically hold them liable for your damages. Damages are all the losses associated with an accident. When you pursue compensation from the at-fault driver, you can leverage their auto insurance coverage.
Every vehicle owner and operator must carry insurance with minimum liability coverage. Accident victims can file a claim and seek a settlement up to the amount listed on the policy. In Missouri, the minimum required limit for bodily injury is $25,000 per person up to $50,000 per accident, and property damage is $10,000. You may be able to seek coverage for the following damages:
In some circumstances, you might need to file a claim with your own insurance company. Uninsured/underinsured motorist is a type of coverage that’s available if:
If you file a UM claim, you might be able to recover a settlement for the following damages:
It is vital that you don’t admit any liability for the motorcycle crash. There’s a law in Missouri that could reduce the financial compensation you’re allowed to pursue if you’re found liable for part of the accident. Under the pure comparative fault rule, an accident victim’s damages decrease proportionately to the percentage of blame they share.
To clarify, let’s say your total damages equal $100,000. Under normal circumstances, you would be entitled to $100,000 in compensation. However, if you were 20% at fault for the accident, you could only seek up to $80,000 in compensation.
According to Missouri statute 537.080, the definition of wrongful death is the death of a person caused by another’s transaction, act, conduct, circumstance, or occurrence that would have resulted in damages if their death hadn’t occurred. If your loved one died in a motorcycle accident, you could file a lawsuit against the negligent driver.
The only individuals allowed to pursue a wrongful death case are a surviving spouse, children, or grandchildren. If there isn’t a spouse, child, or grandchild, a surviving sibling might be entitled to compensation. Lastly, a personal representative of the deceased’s estate could file a lawsuit if no family members are available.
The damages you could seek include:
There’s a three-year statute of limitations if you want to sue the person who caused your loved one’s death. A statute of limitations is a strict deadline, and if you don’t follow it, you could lose your right to financial compensation. Contact an O’Fallon motorcycle crash lawyer at our firm for help.
Our O’Fallon motorcycle accident lawyers are ready to take your call and begin working on your case. We have decades of experience advocating for our client’s rights and seeking the justice they deserve. We know you will feel confident in our legal abilities. Our reputation speaks for itself. We’ve been able to secure billions of dollars for our clients since opening our firm.
If you were the victim of a motorcycle accident and need assistance with your case, call OnderLaw and ask to schedule a free consultation.
