Missouri Motorcycle Accident Laws and Statistics
If you have suffered personal injury or the wrongful death of a loved one in a motorcycle collision, you are not alone. Consider the following motorcycle accident statistics: in Missouri in 2007, there were 84 motorcycle accident fatalities, 79 percent of which were helmeted, and 38 percent of which were impaired, at the time of the crash*. Although nothing can eliminate the trauma associated with suffering a motorcycle accident injury or the death of a loved one, victims may be able to minimize their financial stress by seeking damages for their injuries. Proner & Proner – a motorcycle accident law firm serving clients throughout the state – is dedicated to helping clients obtain the damages to which they may be entitled. Our motorcycle accident attorneys provide Missouri bikers with the outstanding legal services they need to obtain a favorable case outcome. If you have been injured in a crash, secure our services. We will provide the aggressive legal representation you deserve.
Protecting the Rights of Motorcycle Accident Victims
When a motorcyclist is injured in a motorcycle accident caused by the negligence of another party – for example, the manufacturer of a defective automotive or motorcycle part or another defective product – the injured may seek compensation by filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit. The types of injuries for which victims may seek damages, the components of a motorcycle accident settlement, and the process of filing suit are as follows:
Types of Injuries
Since motorcycles are not crashworthy – they do not protect riders from injury in a crash – motorcycle accident injuries are usually catastrophic (for example, spinal cord, back, burn, and brain injury) or fatal. Relatively minor injuries are also common (for example, broken bones and “road rash”). Whatever the severity of the injury, victims may be entitled to damages and should secure the services of a practiced motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible after the collision.
Motorcycle Accident Compensation
A motorcycle accident settlement includes recompense for the financial losses a victim suffers because of his or her injuries, including his or her medical expenses, rehabilitative treatment, lost wages, decreased earning potential, and household expenses during recovery. The settlement amount a victim obtains depends on a number of factors, including state law, whether the victim was at fault for his or her injuries, the severity of the victim’s injuries, and the skill of his or her lawyer.
Learn about motorcycle accident laws in Missouri.
Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
Once it is determined that a motorcycle accident victim has grounds for filing a lawsuit, he or she may begin the process of pressing charges. Since that process can be complex and overwhelming, it is crucial that victims hire a lawyer who has experience handling motorcycle accident claims. Only a seasoned attorney has the intimate familiarity with state law necessary to obtain damages for his client’s injuries.
If you have suffered personal injury or lost a loved one in a motorcycle collision, you need a skilled lawyer to handle your potential case. Contact Proner & Proner to schedule a consultation with one of our motorcycle accident attorneys, representing victims throughout Missouri.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
The following motorcycle accident statistics underscore accident trends in Missouri and throughout the nation since 1998*:
- In 1999, there were 2,472 motorcycle accident deaths and an additional 50,000 motorcycle accident injuries in the U.S. – an increase of 8 percent and 2 percent, respectively, from 1998 figures.
- In 2004, motorcycle accident deaths accounted for 5 percent of the motor vehicle accident deaths in Missouri. (There were 56 motorcycle accident deaths and 1,130 motor vehicle accident deaths that year.) Approximately 34 percent (388 deaths) of the 1,130 motor vehicle accident deaths involved driver impairment.
- In 2005, motorcycle accident deaths accounted for 7 percent of the motor vehicle accident deaths in Missouri. (There were 91 motorcycle accident deaths and 1,257 motor vehicle accident deaths that year.) Approximately 35 percent (434 deaths) of the 1,257 motor vehicle accident deaths involved driver impairment, while 35 of the 91 motorcycle accident deaths involved rider impairment.
- In 2006, motorcycle accident deaths accounted for 8 percent of the motor vehicle accident deaths in Missouri. (There were 93 motorcycle accident deaths and 1,096 motor vehicle accident deaths that year.)
- Missouri is one of 20 states that require riders of all ages to wear a helmet while riding; 17 with education programs intended to increase helmet use; and 16 that require rider training for riders under a certain age.
Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Contact Proner & Proner to learn more about your rights in the aftermath of a crash, motorcycle accident statistics, or other information. Our motorcycle accident attorneys welcome clients throughout Missouri. When you secure the services of our team, we will provide the exceptional legal counsel for which the firm is known.
*Motorcycle accident statistic references: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics, and Governors Highway Safety Association websites.
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