Did you sustain injuries from a motorcycle accident? Was it caused by the negligent actions of another driver? If so, contact the trusted personal injury attorneys at OnderLaw today, and we’ll review your case to determine how we can help. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to hold people liable for the damage they cause.

Motorcycles are dangerous, and oftentimes, that’s a result of the fact that other drivers don’t yield the right of way to them or even look for motorcyclists on the road. Dangerous road defects, such as large potholes, also pose a hazard for riders. When an accident results, it’s the motorcyclist who pays the price. Motorcycles offer the rider very little protection from an impact. Ejection injuries are common when the force of a car launches the biker onto the pavement.

A motorcycle accident is a devastating experience for anyone to go through, and OnderLaw is here to help. We have won over $3 billion in settlements for our clients so far, and we’ve handled countless motorcycle accident cases just like yours. We have what it takes to win your case. Call us to schedule your free consultation with one of our Jefferson City motorcycle accident lawyers.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Without a seatbelt, airbag, or metal structure surrounding you, it’s nearly impossible to avoid physical harm when you collide with another vehicle. The only safety feature you have is your helmet. While that can protect you from severe head trauma, there’s nothing to protect the rest of your body during an impact.

The most common injuries associated with motorcycle crashes include:

  • Concussion
  • Skull fracture and traumatic brain injury
  • Ejection injuries
  • Severe wounds and lacerations
  • Road rash
  • Dismemberment
  • Paralysis
  • Crush injuries
  • Broken bones

Most of the injuries listed above could take months or longer to heal. Some cause chronic pain and require consistent treatment. If you end up with a disability, you can longer work or take care of your family. Medical bills are expensive and add up over time, especially if you need medical care for the rest of your life. The diligent Jefferson City motorcycle accident attorneys at OnderLaw will work hard to get you the maximum compensation available so you don’t have to pay for anything out of pocket.

Am I Entitled to Compensation From the Other Driver?

You must prove negligence existed if you want to recover a monetary award from the at-fault party. Negligence is the legal theory that one party’s failure to provide a reasonable duty of care resulted in injury to another. To use negligence in your case, you have to prove the five elements below:

  1. Duty: The at-fault driver owed you a duty of care;
  2. Breach of duty: The driver breached their duty;
  3. Cause in fact: If it weren’t for their actions, you wouldn’t have gotten hurt;
  4. Proximate cause: Their action or inaction was the direct cause of your injury; and
  5. Damages: You suffered actual damages from the accident.

Common examples of negligent behavior that leads to Jefferson City motorcycle accidents include:

  • Failure to check blind spots before merging
  • Speeding
  • Weaving in and out of traffic
  • Texting or another form of distracted driving
  • Tailgating
  • Failure to yield
  • Disobeying traffic signs and signals

In other words, if the other individual involved in the crash behaved in a way a reasonable person wouldn’t under similar circumstances, you have a negligence case. The at-fault motorist knew or should have known that their actions would lead to a collision, but they chose to do it anyway. They should be held accountable for the suffering you experienced.

Proving Fault After a Motorcycle Accident

You need to provide the insurance company or jury members with adequate evidence showing that another person was responsible for your injuries. The Jefferson City motorcycle accident attorneys from OnderLaw have the resources to obtain crucial evidence. Sometimes it’s a complicated process. Over time, witnesses’ memories fade, and documentation gets lost or destroyed.

When you hire us, we’ll immediately begin our investigation and locate sufficient evidence, such as:

  • Eyewitness statements
  • Vehicle repair estimates and bills
  • Traffic crash report
  • Security footage
  • Accident scene pictures
  • Your medical records and other documents associated with the injury
  • All available liability insurance policies
  • At-fault party’s driving history, cell phone records, and additional relevant information

Most clients don’t know how to go about performing an investigation. Furthermore, they have no idea where to find the evidence they need to prove fault. We’ve been helping clients like you since opening our firm in 2002. Our legal team has decades of experience advocating for injured victims’ rights and helping them recover from their traumatic accidents. We’ll take on the responsibility of building your case, so you don’t have to.

The Value of Your Motorcycle Accident Case

When it comes to motor vehicle accidents, Missouri uses a fault system. That means the person at fault for a crash becomes financially liable for the injured party’s damages. Damages include actual expenses (economic damages) and intangible losses (non-economic damages). You can pursue compensation by filing a claim with the other driver’s auto insurance company.

Liability coverage provides compensation for damages up to the limits listed on the policy. When you file a liability claim, you can attempt to recover the following economic and non-economic damages:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Motorcycle repair or replacement expense
  • Emotional trauma
  • Out-of-pocket costs
  • Physical impairment or disability

Non-economic damages are losses that don’t come with a monetary value, such as emotional trauma. How do you put a price tag on something like that? To make the process of determining a fair settlement amount easier, insurance adjusters might consider some of the factors below:

  • Type of injury and how serious it is
  • Effect of the injury on quality of life
  • Available evidence proving fault
  • Amount of liability insurance coverage
  • Length of the recovery period
  • Details on the traffic crash report
  • Physical or mental disability caused by the crash
  • Future medical treatment necessary
  • Total lost wages from inability to work

When we begin working on your Jefferson City motorcycle wreck case, we might also use the factors listed above to determine a fair settlement amount to demand from the insurance company. Typically, the more severe the injuries and the higher the associated costs, the more significant compensation you deserve.

What Is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) is another type of insurance that all drivers must purchase. This insurance will provide you with additional coverage if the at-fault party doesn’t have auto insurance or if they don’t have policy limits high enough to compensate you for all of your damages. Despite state laws that require motorists to carry liability insurance, some let their policies lapse and don’t renew their coverage.

If you have to file a UM claim with your insurance company, it’s important to know that not all economic and non-economic damages are available for compensation. Damages available will vary depending on your plan, but usually, the damages you can seek include:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Out-of-pocket costs
  • Pain and suffering
  • Vehicle repair or replacement

In addition to a UM claim, you might be able to use MedPay as coverage for your medical treatment. MedPay isn’t a legal requirement, but insurance companies offer it to their policyholders. If you choose to add this to your plan, you could receive upfront payments for all doctor’s appointments and associated expenses up to the limit you purchased.

Why You Should Hire A Jefferson City Motorbike Crash Lawyer

Many people think they can handle their case alone. They might believe they’re saving money by choosing not to seek legal representation. Others don’t think they can afford the legal fees, so they file an insurance claim without an experienced lawyer’s assistance. That could end up being a mistake.

People who hire a lawyer tend to see more significant insurance claim payouts than those who don’t. The legal process can be complicated and confusing. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you could risk losing your case. Furthermore, insurance adjusters take advantage of unrepresented claimants. They might provide an unfair settlement offer or deny your claim for no good reason.

At OnderLaw, our Jefferson City motorcycle crash lawyers know you’re already dealing with expensive medical costs and other financial problems. We don’t want to add to your stress. That’s why we take motorcycle accident cases on contingency. That means you don’t have to pay upfront for our legal services. We don’t collect any fees or costs unless we recover a financial award. If we lose your case, you won’t have to pay.

Speak to a Dedicated Jefferson City Motorcycle Accident Attorney

OnderLaw offers all prospective clients a free initial consultation. There’s absolutely no risk for you to meet with us and discuss your case. We’ll review the details you provide and advise you on the best options moving forward. If you decide we’re not the right firm for you, you won’t owe us any money for our time and effort. We’re happy to help in any way we can.

We have an experienced legal team that will help you fight for the compensation you need to recover and move forward with your life. You can count on us to work diligently to reach your goals and fulfill your individual needs.

If you or your loved one suffered injuries in a motorcycle collision, call OnderLaw immediately. One of our Jefferson City motorcycle accident lawyers will be happy to speak with you and get you the legal support you need.