Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents are different from auto accidents, and that difference impacts your claim.

Recent studies by the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration show a dramatic increase in motorcycle accidents nationwide.

Why? Because injuries in motorcycle accidents are often more severe than accidents that just involve cars. In fact, the fatality rate is considerably higher as well. There are many factors contributing to this:

Vulnerability.
Because of the design of the motorcycle, riders and their passengers are more susceptible to severe leg injuries, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. Motorcycles don’t have seat belts or airbags, and offer no head protection. This is why several states (including Missouri) have enacted helmet laws.

Visibility.
Motorcycles are smaller than cars. This means that your average soccer mom in an SUV or sleep-deprived big rig driver may not notice if you’re in their blind spot. In fact, 77% of motorcycles in 2-vehicle crashes are struck from the front or side, indicating that other cars moved sideways to hit them .

Complexity.
Motorcycle accidents involve human, vehicle, and environmental factors. The addition of the environment is what makes them more complex than your typical car accident—it’s easier for a rider to be ejected from a bike than a driver ejected from a car. As a result, the probability of striking a fixed object (like a tree or guardrail) is much higher. Asphalt just adds another environmental factor: even the novice motorcyclist knows how much they want to avoid Road Rash.

Given the natural dangers the riding environment poses, even solo bike accidents can be devastating. Solo bike accidents are often caused by defective equipment or road hazards.

How it all impacts your claim.
Because the injuries caused to motorcyclists can be so much more extensive, the rehabilitation could take much longer. This can not only mean paying for physical therapy, but more time lost from work and lost wages. Add to that problems with eyewitness testimony (eyewitness are very likely to overestimate the speed of a motorcycle, potentially damaging your claim), and you have a very complex situation.

Since the situation is so complex, your insurance adjuster will likely try to confuse you. When they are able to get you to admit that you may be fuzzy on details, they have a much simpler time “adjusting” your damages—meaning they pay you less money.

If you have been involved in a Missouri motorcycle accident, you may not need an attorney, but what you do need is the correct information to keep you from making mistakes that could hurt your claim. Before you talk to any lawyers or insurance adjusters you need to read my book to ensure that you are 100% prepared for any and all post-accident scenarios. This is why I offer my free accident books: “The Missouri Accident Book: Dealing With the Aftermath,” AND “Live to Ride, Ride to Live: The Ultimate Biker’s Guide”. Click the link to request your free copy today.