Oklahoma Motorcycle Accident Laws and Statistics
Although motorcyclists enjoy numerous advantages unique to their chosen form of transportation, they also face a heightened risk of catastrophic injury and even death in the event of a motorcycle accident. Statistics on Oklahoma crashes and injuries are telling: in 2007 alone, there were 67 motorcycle accident deaths in the state, 30 percent of which were helmeted, and 31 percent of which had a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .01 or higher, at the time of the crash*. If you are among those who have suffered personal injury or the wrongful death of a loved one in a crash, you may be entitled to damages for your injuries, pain, and suffering. Proner & Proner can help. Our motorcycle accident attorneys represent Oklahoma bikers who have been injured due to the negligent or deliberately wrongful actions of others. When you secure our services, we will provide the aggressive legal representation you need to recover financially from your losses.
Attorneys Dedicated to Protecting the Rights of Motorcycle Accident Victims
When a motorcyclist is injured or dies in a motorcycle accident caused by another party's negligence, the injured (or his or her surviving family members, in cases of motorcycle accident death) may seek compensation for his or her injuries. The types of injuries that commonly occur in motorcycle accidents, components of a motorcycle accident settlement, and process of filing a lawsuit are as follows:
Types of Injuries
Since motorcycles offer no protection to riders in a crash, motorcycle accident injuries tend to be catastrophic (e.g., back, burn, spinal cord, and brain injury) or fatal. Relatively minor injuries are also common (e.g., "road rash" and broken bones). Whatever the severity of the motorcycle accident injury, victims may be entitled to damages and should hire an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to handle their potential claim.
Motorcycle Accident Compensation
A motorcycle accident settlement includes compensation for the financial losses a victim suffers as a result of his or her injuries. The settlement amount depends on several factors, including the severity of the victim's injuries, whether or not the victim was partially liable for the accident, and state law. The settlement may include recompense for the victim's medical expenses, rehabilitative treatment, lost income, reduced earning potential, and other losses.
Learn about Oklahoma motorcycle accident laws.
Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
Filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit is a complex process aimed at proving the fault of the party or parties responsible for a motorcycle accident injury or death. The process can be overwhelming without the assistance of a lawyer with a background handling motorcycle accident claims. At Proner & Proner, our motorcycle accident attorneys have years of combined experience representing injured motorcyclists throughout Oklahoma and the rest of the United States. This expertise enhances the services we provide our clients, as is evidenced by our track record of successful case resolutions. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, secure our services by contacting the firm. We will provide the top-notch legal counsel you need and deserve.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
The following motorcycle accident statistics underscore crash and injury trends in Oklahoma and throughout the U.S. since 1998*:
- In 1998, there were 2,294 motorcycle accident deaths and an additional 49,000 motorcycle accident injuries in the U.S.
- 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, from 1998 death and injury rates, respectively.
- In 2004, there were 774 motor vehicle accident deaths in Oklahoma; 245 (32 percent) of these involved motorists with a BAC of .08 or higher, while 78 were motorcycle accident fatalities. There were 4,028 motorcycle accident fatalities in the U.S. in 2004.
- In 2005, there were 802 motor vehicle accident deaths in Oklahoma; 249 (31percent) of these involved motorists with a BAC of .08 or higher. There were 4,553 motorcycle accident fatalities in the U.S. in 2005, 77 of which occurred in Oklahoma. Twenty-five percent of those 77 motorcycle accident fatality victims were helmeted, and 18 had a BAC of .01 or higher, at the time of the crash.
- In 2006, there were 84 motorcycle accident deaths in Oklahoma - 8 percent of the 785 motor vehicle accident deaths in the state that year.
Oklahoma is one of nine states with a highway safety plan that doesn't address motorcycle safety; 17 states with education efforts intended to increase helmet use; and 27 states with education efforts intended to decreased impaired riding.
Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Contact Proner & Proner to learn more about your rights and other information, including motorcycle accident statistics. Our motorcycle accident attorneys welcome clients throughout Oklahoma. When you secure our services, we will work diligently on your behalf.
*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.
We serve motorcycle accident victims throughout Oklahoma, including the following cities:
- Oklahoma City
- Tulsa
- Norman
- Broken Arrow
- Lawton
- Edmond
- Moore
- Midwest City
- Enid
- Stillwater
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