Each year, many motorcycle accident victims in St. Louis face serious injuries. Under Missouri law, it is possible to recover compensation for the losses you sustain due to someone else’s negligence.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, around 2,000 people are injured in motorcycle crashes each year in Missouri [1]. Many motorcycle accidents result in fatalities, with an average of 100 people annually.
The motorcycle injury lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers help clients recover compensation for motorcycle accidents that take place in St. Louis, Missouri. Read on to find out more about all the ways we can help.
Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim With Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
While it can seem overwhelming to seek compensation for your serious motorcycle accident injuries through the legal system, an experienced motorcycle accident attorney from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can make the process easier.
We’ll start with a free case evaluation where we meet in person or on the phone to discuss the specifics of what happened.
If you decide to proceed with your case, we will investigate it further and gather the evidence necessary to prove that the other parties caused your injuries. This might include consulting with experts, finding video surveillance footage of reckless driving, or compiling medical records.
We will also negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to help you secure maximum compensation. Generally, an insurance company refuses to offer a fair amount. However, through negotiation, our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys can request what you’re rightfully entitled to.
In the event that a settlement cannot be reached, we will continue to defend your rights in court.
Financial Compensation That Can Be Recovered in a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
There is no standardized amount of compensation awarded for motorcycle crash victims in Missouri. However, the right motorcycle accident attorney can advocate for the highest amounts.
Our personal injury lawyers successfully recovered $2.5 million in an uninsured motorist coverage settlement for a client who suffered injuries to their face and lost their vision. We were also able to recover $14.1 million in a wrongful death claim after a family lost their loved one in a motorcycle crash with a commercial truck.
Factors That Affect Motorcycle Accident Compensation Amounts
There are a number of factors that can impact how much compensation is recovered in motorcycle accident claims. One of the biggest is the extent of the injuries. More serious and life-altering injuries can result in higher settlements.
In a fatal motorcycle accident, families can typically recover substantial compensation against a negligent driver who contributes to the death of their loved one.
Types of Cases That Our St. Louis Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Handle
There are many different types of motorcycle crash claims based on the severity of the injuries sustained, the types of vehicles involved in the crash, and whether there is an insurance company involved. Your Missouri motorcycle accident lawyer can give you some guidance when it comes to the next steps based on the type of accident.
The Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries We Come Across
Most motorcycle accidents cause severe injuries to motorcycle riders. In many cases, these injuries are permanent and debilitating. Often found in fatal motorcycle accidents, the most common injuries are:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken or fractured bones
- Amputation
- Decapitation
- Internal bleeding
The Most Common Causes of St. Louis, MO Motorcycle Accidents
While every motorcycle accident is unique, there are some common causes of motorcycle accidents in St. Louis, including:
- Drunk driving
- Poorly maintained roads at the accident scene
- Reckless driving
- Speeding
- Texting while driving
- Poor visibility
Damages That Our St. Louis Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Help You Recover
A lawyer can help you recover both economic and non-economic damages related to your case. The exact types of damages will depend on your specific case and who is filing the claim. Common damages recovered in motorcycle accidents include:
- Past and future medical bills – Due to the serious nature of motorcycle accident injuries, most victims face significant medical expenses immediately after the accident and going forward. Your attorney can help you estimate the cost of your future medical bills so that your settlement can cover it.
- Motorcycle repair or replacement – Unless your insurance company covers the repair or replacement of your motorcycle 100%, you can add these costs to the amount that you try to recover.
- Lost wages – Dealing with serious injuries requires time off work, or even losing a job. These lost wages can be recovered in a civil lawsuit.
- Future wages – If you have still not returned to work because you are still recovering from the injuries from your accident, you can also add the estimated loss of future wages to your settlement amount.
- Disability or disfigurement – Many riders face permanent disability or disfigurement from their accident. This can be factored into the total amount of your accident settlement.
- Lost income potential – If you can no longer work or perform work in the same career as a result of your accident, lost income potential can be considered for your settlement amount.
- Emotional or psychological trauma – Being injured in an accident is a traumatic experience. If you suffer from emotional or psychological trauma from your accident, you can factor this into the amount you could be awarded.
- Pain and suffering – Pain and suffering is a common non-economic damage that can be recovered through your claim. There are a number of ways that a judge could calculate pain and suffering, such as using a multiplier on the number of days you physically suffered pain.
- Loss of enjoyment of life – If you no longer can enjoy your life in the same ways you did before the accident, you could be compensated for that too as part of your settlement.
Motorcycle Accident Wrongful Death Lawsuit
If your loved one died as a result of a motorcycle accident, we can help you recover compensation to pay for funeral costs, medical expenses, the loss of financial support, and the loss of companionship. We have helped other families seek compensation for their wrongful death cases, helping them receive multi-million dollar settlements for their losses.
Eligibility to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim
Generally, to file a motorcycle accident claim, our St. Louis motorcycle accident lawyers will look for several factors in your case to recommend moving forward with a lawsuit.
First, we will look to see if the other parties breached a duty they were responsible for. For example, other drivers have a duty to follow the rules of the road, and government agencies have a duty to maintain safe roads with appropriate warning signs.
Next, we will look to see if this breach of duty caused you damages. Personal injury lawyers must show how negligence or this breach was the cause of what happened to you. They can usually do this by gathering up evidence, such as medical bills, video surveillance from dashcams and nearby businesses, and eyewitness testimony from those at the accident scene.
To sue someone else, you need to show that you suffered damages. This can be in the form of injuries, monetary loss, loss of property, or loss of life. You cannot sue someone on the basis that you could have suffered losses. There generally must be some form of damages that you’re requesting restitution for.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Motorcycle Crash
The causes of motorcycle accidents vary from case to case, which means that the parties that can be found responsible are different:
- Motorcyclists – If a motorcyclist caused the accident, they can be held liable for their actions.
- Commercial truck drivers – Our Missouri truck accident lawyers can make sure drivers of semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and other types of commercial vehicles are held accountable for causing or contributing to an accident.
- Other drivers – If another driver of a car, SUV, or truck acts negligently or somehow causes a crash, motorcycle accident victims can hold them personally responsible.
- Companies – There are many ways that companies can be liable for motorcycle accidents. You can sue manufacturers and auto shops for product liability or companies that own other vehicles involved in your crash.
- Government agencies – Some motorcycle accidents are caused by poorly maintained roads or occur with government-owned vehicles, such as garbage trucks, fire engines, or police cruisers.
Proving Fault for St. Louis Motorcycle Accidents
The personal injury lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have a deep understanding of the laws that impact motorcycle accident cases in St. Louis, especially in terms of lane splitting, helmet laws, and comparative negligence. We can use this information to build a strong case on your behalf.
To prove fault in your motorcycle accident case, we will gather as much evidence as needed. This includes gathering medical records, police reports, witness testimony, subject matter expert consultations, video surveillance footage, and accident reconstruction, if necessary.
Missouri is a pure comparative negligence state. This means that you can hold other people or companies liable for their part in causing your losses, even if you were partially responsible. You can collect damages based on the percentage of fault, but cannot file a lawsuit for an accident you alone are to blame for.
There Is Limited Time to File Claims Following St. Louis Motorcycle Accidents
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in St. Louis is five years from the date of injury. If personal injury claims are filed after this date, they will be thrown out by the court.
Although this may seem like a lot of time, it is still a good idea to hire a Missouri personal injury attorney as soon as you can. This will enable you to recover compensation you need to pay for bills that are mounting, such as medical expenses, without having to carry that burden for longer than you need to.
If your motorcycle accident case involves product liability, you have five years to file your claim. The statute of limitations for wrongful death cases is three years from the date of death.
What to Do After a St. Louis Motorcycle Crash
The initial moments and days after motorcycle crashes can be hazy, as you are forced to deal with serious injuries and the aftermath of what happened. Here are some steps to take after a St. Louis motorcycle accident:
- Call the police – Even if the accident seems minor, it is important to call the police immediately from the accident scene. If you’re in danger where you’re located and you can, move to a safe place. Don’t assume that someone else is going to call law enforcement.
- Take photos and get contact information for witnesses – If you are able to, take photos of the accident on your smartphone and collect the contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident.
- Get medical attention – Your first priority after a motorcycle accident in St. Louis should be your immediate safety and getting medical attention, even if you don’t think you have been injured. Some injuries aren’t obvious right away. Plus, medical records and police reports can be used as evidence for your case later.
- Call a St. Louis Motorcycle Accident attorney – Most motorcycle crashes cause significant injuries and high medical bills. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, a St. Louis motorcycle accident lawyer can help you recover maximum compensation from insurance companies and the other parties responsible for your accident.
- Don’t talk to adjusters from your insurance company alone – Your insurance company has a vested interest in offering you the lowest settlement amount possible. They don’t really care if it’s enough to compensate you for your damages.
How Long Does Settling a Motorcycle Accident Case Take
Most motorcycle accident claims take around six months from filing your case with the St. Louis court system to seeing a settlement. However, there are many factors that can influence this.
Straightforward claims that need to be negotiated with an insurance company may only take a few months to settle, whereas a case where a motorcycle accident caused severe disabilities may take longer to work itself through the court system.
A skilled motorcycle accident attorney will be able to expedite your case as much as possible.
Differences Between Car and Motorcycle Accident Cases
Though both car and motorcycle accidents share some similarities when it comes to the law, there can be some pretty significant differences between a car and a motorcycle accident case:
- Many motorcycle accident injuries are much more severe than injuries sustained in a car accident due to the lack of physical protection and airbags found in most passenger vehicles.
- In addition to a regular driver’s license, motorcycle riders in St. Louis must have a motorcycle license or a special M endorsement on a license to ride on public roadways [2].
- When involved in accidents, motorcyclists are almost 24 times more likely to die than people in passenger cars [3].
How Much Does Hiring a St. Louis Motorcycle Accident Attorney Cost
There is no cost for the initial consultation with an experienced attorney from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers. In fact, we will not charge you any fees upfront for our services or for your personal injury lawyer to work on your case.
We work on a contingency basis, which means that we get paid only if you do. We collect a set percentage of the settlement we help you to recover following your St. Louis motorcycle accident.
Contact a St. Louis Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today!
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in St. Louis, contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer for a free consultation by filling out our contact form or calling toll-free at (888) 424-575. A member of our team is available 24/7 to take your call.
We have helped many other motorcycle riders and their families recover compensation, let us help you too!
Resources: [1] Missouri State Highway Patrol Statistical Analysis Center, [2] Missouri Department of Revenue, [3] NHTSA
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