For avid motorcyclists, there’s no better way to enjoy a gorgeous day than to hop on your bike and hit the open road. However, the ride comes with risks. Traffic crash statistics show that, on average, more than 1,000 motorcyclists suffer injuries in crashes every year on our roads in communities such as Broken Arrow and throughout Oklahoma.

In many cases, motorcycle accidents occur due to the negligence of other vehicle drivers on the road. If a careless or reckless driver caused your motorcycle crash, a motorcycle accident attorney in Broken Arrow at the law firm of Edwards & Patterson Law will be prepared to advocate on your behalf and put our decades of combined legal experience to work for you right away. Contact us today to discuss your case and learn more about how our attorneys can provide you with legal assistance in a free, no-risk consultation.

What are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma?

Many of the same factors behind other motor vehicle crashes also contribute to motorcycle accidents. Those factors include:

  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which impairs the physical and cognitive capabilities of a driver
  • Speeding in excess of the posted limit or driving too fast for conditions
  • Improper lane changes or maneuvers (unfortunately, many drivers try to share the same lane)
  • Running red lights and disobeying traffic signals
  • Distracted driving such as texting, talking on the phone, surfing the internet, posting to social media and other prohibited uses of electronic devices
  • Failure to yield the right-of-way (some motorists simply refuse to respect the right of motorcyclists to share the road, or they may fail to see a motorcyclist before trying to turn at an intersection).

A motorcycle accident can also occur for reasons that do not involve a driver’s negligence. For example, a vehicle or its components could contain dangerous defects that lead to a malfunction, potentially causing a crash. Some defects are the result of an error in designing the motorcycle, which would impact all vehicles produced according to that design. Other flaws may occur during manufacturing, leading to defects for an entire line of products.

Motorcycle accidents may also occur due to poorly designed or maintained roads. Potholes and deteriorating shoulders, for instance, can cause motorcyclists to dangerously swerve or lose control of their motorcycle.

How is Liability Proven in Motorcycle Accident Claims?

Motorcycle driver not wearing helmet in an accident.Regardless of the specific causes, most of the above examples share a common element: The motorcycle collision happened because of a driver’s careless or reckless actions. In legal terms, this is called negligence. It serves as the basis of most personal injury claims, including motorcycle accident claims. To recover the maximum compensation for your losses as a victim, you must prove:

  • The other driver had a duty to exercise reasonable care when operating a vehicle so as to not create a risk of harm to others, including motorcyclists sharing the road with them.
  • That driver breached this duty through careless or reckless misconduct.
  • The breach of duty was a direct cause of the motorcycle crash in which you suffered injuries.
  • You sustained actual damages because of your injuries – physically, emotionally, and financially.

If you suffer injuries in a motorcycle accident, you will seek financial compensation by filing an insurance claim with the responsible driver’s insurance company. If the insurance company refuses to accept liability or contests the amount which you seek in damages, you may need to file a lawsuit. Eventually, you may need to go to court in order to pursue just and fair compensation.

Is There a Time Limit for Filing My Personal Injury Lawsuit in Oklahoma?

Yes. The state of Oklahoma has a Statute of Limitations that limits the time in which you may bring your personal injury lawsuit. The time period is two years. If you do not bring your lawsuit forward before that two years lapses, you have given up your opportunity to seek compensation by a lawsuit.

This is why it will be crucial for you to utilize the legal services of an experienced Broken Arrow motorcycle accident lawyer as you move forward.

What Compensation is Available in Motorcycle Accident Cases?

If you can prove the four elements of negligence, you should be eligible to recover compensation, or damages, after a motorcycle accident in Broken Arrow. In Oklahoma, those damages fall into two general categories:

  • Economic damages – This category of damages relates to losses that you can establish through receipts, invoices or other documentation. Examples include lost wages from being unable to work and the costs of getting proper medical care such as emergency treatment, surgery, physical therapy, and pain medication. Other out-of-pocket expenses, including motorcycle repair or replacement, are also types of economic damages.
  • Non-economic damages – This category of damages is more subjective. Types of non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, diminished quality of life, and the impact on your personal relationships with your spouse, children and other loved ones. Your own account of how an accident has affected your life can help to establish these damages.

Your motorcycle accident lawyer from Edwards & Patterson Law will know how to assess your situation and provide you with an estimate of what your motorcycle accident claim may be worth.

Trust an Experienced Broken Arrow Motorcycle Attorney with Your Case

Many motorcycle accident victims assume they can handle the insurance claims process on their own without help from a lawyer. However, in most cases, trying to go it alone is a mistake. You put your future at risk. You should instead work with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney at Edwards & Patterson Law who can take steps that include:

  • Getting a copy of the police accident report
  • Talking to witnesses about how the accident happened
  • Investigating the scene of the motorcycle collision, including taking photos and video
  • Reaching out to businesses in the vicinity of the crash to determine if there is surveillance video footage of the accident
  • Consulting with an accident reconstruction expert who can assist in analyzing fault
  • Obtaining your medical records, invoices, receipts, and tax records
  • Filing an insurance claim and negotiating with the responsible driver’s insurance company
  • Take your case to court, if necessary, to protect your rights.

Being injured in a motorcycle traffic collision can be devastating. Still, you have options for seeking compensation. Our attorneys at Edwards & Patterson Law will explain your rights and remedies in more detail in a free case evaluation. As you will see, we care about your future, and we will fight for you at every stage in your case. Contact us today to get started.