As the victim of a motorcycle accident, your life has been turned upside down in an instant because of the careless behavior of someone else. Motor vehicle accidents can be traumatic and potentially life-altering experiences for anyone. As a motorcyclist involved in a crash, you are more likely to suffer from serious injuries. You may also be facing medical bills, lost wages, and questions about what to do next.
This page offers information on:
- Motorcycle Laws in Kentucky
- Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
- Common Injuries That Bikers Suffer
- What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
- Determining Who is at Fault in a Motorcycle Accident
- Compensation in a Motorcycle Accident Claim
- Why Hire our Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
- Call Our Danville Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you deserve to be fairly compensated. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to receive the maximum compensation you are entitled to without the help of an experienced attorney. At The Helton Law Office, our lawyers will fight tirelessly to pursue the benefits you deserve.
Please contact our dedicated motorcycle accident attorneys at (859) 236-1010 for a free case evaluation. We proudly serve clients in Danville, Harrodsburg, Lancaster, Stanford, and nearby areas of Kentucky. We work on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t owe us anything if we don’t successfully recover compensation on your behalf.
Motorcycle Laws in Kentucky
Motor vehicle laws exist to help protect everyone on the road. These laws often vary from state to state. Following your state’s motorcycle regulations can help you remain safe on the road and protect your right to compensation in the event of an accident. In Kentucky, motorcycle riders are required to:
- Possess a valid license or instruction permit to drive on a public road
- Wear approved eye protection
- Wear a helmet if they are younger than 21. Drivers who have had a motorcycle license for less than a year must wear a helmet, regardless of age.
While Kentucky does have flexible helmet laws, it is important to remember how valuable they are in an accident. Helmets can prevent or lessen the severity of head and neck injuries during a crash. In fact, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, helmets are roughly 37 percent effective in preventing motorcycle deaths and 67 percent effective in preventing motorcycle brain injuries. For this reason, it is important to wear a helmet when you ride a motorcycle.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Other drivers are often responsible for motorcycle accidents. These drivers are usually in vehicles that offer far more protection than that of your motorcycle, and their carelessness can cause you to suffer serious injuries. Common causes of motorcycle accidents involve:
- A failure to notice the motorcyclist
- A refusal to share the road adequately with bikers
- Turning in front of an oncoming motorcycle
- Misjudging a motorcycle’s speed
- Denying a motorcycle the full width of their lane
- Reckless behavior on the part of the other driver
- Drunk or distracted driving
Even if you are taking every precaution available, you may not be safe from the mistakes of someone else. We have helped many clients who have suffered injuries as the result of another’s behavior. Our Motorcycle accident lawyers will guide you each step of the process.
Common Injuries That Bikers Suffer
Motorcycle riders often sustain severe injuries when they are involved in an accident with another vehicle. While other drivers are surrounded by airbags and thousands of pounds of metal, bikers are exposed and vulnerable. When a vehicle collides with a motorcycle, the rider’s injuries can include:
- TBI (traumatic brain injury)
- Damage to the spine
- Broken bones
- Burns and road rash
- Damage to internal organs
- Fatal trauma
We know that injuries can severely impact your quality of life. Our attorneys are dedicated to pursuing the compensation that you deserve for your suffering.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
In the moments after a crash, it can be tough to think straight. Your emotions are running high and you may be injured. During this difficult time, try to remember the essential steps to take after a motorcycle accident. These steps can protect you and your ability to seek compensation.
Make sure that no one is hurt. Check on yourself, your passenger, other drivers, and pedestrians. Call an ambulance if anyone is seriously injured.
Call the police. The police will help ensure that the area is safe. They will also document the crash and issue applicable traffic tickets. Answer their questions honestly, but do not admit fault.
Collect information. Any information you gather during this time can be helpful to your case. Avoid discussing fault with the other drivers. Try to obtain as much information about the accident as possible, including:
- The driver’s name and phone number
- License plate numbers
- Insurance information
- Photographs of the scene
- The location of the accident
- The contact information of any witnesses
- The makes and models of any vehicles involved
- The names and badge numbers of the police officers
Visit the doctor. Get a thorough examination even if you do not think you are injured. Even seemingly minor symptoms are worth mentioning to a healthcare professional. Some injuries develop slowly after a crash. By visiting the doctor, you are creating a record of your injuries that can help your case.
Call your insurance company. You need to let your insurance company know that the accident occurred. However, do not admit fault or sign any documents.
Call our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys. We offer free consultations to determine if you have a case. We can also answer your questions and advise you on what steps to take next. If you have a case, our attorneys will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Determining Who is at Fault in a Motorcycle Accident
Our experienced lawyers know how to sift through the details of a crash to determine who is responsible. Fault in a bike crash can sometimes be linked to someone else’s carelessness, such as:
- The actions of another motorist
- Negligent road maintenance agencies
- The manufacturers of defective motorcycles or parts
If you were injured due to the negligence of someone else, you may be entitled to additional compensation beyond what you receive from your insurance company.
An individual may be considered negligent if they behave in a careless way that causes injury to someone else. In a motorcycle accident, this can include actions like running a red light or failing to check a blind spot. To make a negligence claim you will need to show that:
- The defendant was not reasonably careful
- The defendant’s actions caused your injuries
- You suffered injury or losses as a result of the accident
Your monetary recovery may be impacted if your actions contributed to the crash. The comparative negligence system determines your recovery when both parties are accused of fault. For example, if you are found to be 10% at fault, the recovery you receive is reduced by 10%.
Compensation in a Motorcycle Accident Claim
Dealing with a motorcycle accident can impact your life and livelihood. Our attorneys are passionate about pursuing the maximum compensation that you deserve. While every case is different, you may receive compensation for:
- Lost income
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Vehicle repair or replacement
You may also be able to receive compensation for lost earning capacity in the future if your injury impacts your long-term ability to work. Some damages, such as pain and suffering, do not have an exact dollar amount. We will use our experience to pursue the full amount that you deserve for your unique case.
Why Hire The Helton Law Office As Your Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
At The Helton Law Office, we are committed to making our legal services accessible to everyone. Unfortunately, financial concerns often prevent injured individuals from hiring a lawyer. That is why we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not have to pay up-front for our services. You do not pay us anything unless we recover monetary compensation in your case.
Our attorneys have a successful history dealing with automobile accidents. We have won a total of over nine million dollars in settlements for our clients. Our success is due to our experience and our passion for justice. Our attorneys are not afraid to stand up for what you deserve.
To begin this process, we offer free motorcycle accident consultations. Our experienced lawyers will help determine:
- If you have a case
- An estimate of what your case might be worth
- What legal steps you should take next
We know that you likely have many questions after being injured in a motorcycle accident. Our knowledgeable attorneys can give you answers.
Call The Helton Law Office: Your Danville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, please schedule a free case evaluation at (859) 236-1010. Our firm proudly serves Danville, Harrodsburg, Lancaster, Stanford, and nearby areas of Kentucky.