Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable to injury. A serious crash could cause permanent disabilities that affect your quality of life and your ability to earn a living. In the case of fatal collisions, surviving family members may be reeling from their loss and unsure of what their future holds.
CPY Law is here to help motorcyclists and their families after an auto wreck. People often refer to these as “accidents,” but our Kansas City motor vehicle collision attorneys know that these incidents are usually the result of someone’s negligence. We’re here to hold reckless parties accountable and secure maximum compensation.
Let us lead the fight while you focus on healing. For a free, no-obligation consultation with a motorcycle crash lawyer in Kansas City, MO, contact our law firm today.
Where Motorcycle Collisions Happen in the Kansas City Area
Here are a few roadways where motorcycle crashes can happen in and around Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass counties.
- Broadway Boulevard: Heavy traffic, speeding, and busy intersections pose major risks to motorcyclists and other motorists, not to mention pedestrians and bicyclists.
- Troost Avenue: Four lanes of traffic, high speeds, and some dangerous intersections have led to many collisions along Troost Avenue.
- Interstate 35/Interstate 29: The mix of large commercial vehicles and commuters on these busy highways can cause a lot of hazards for motorcyclists.
- U.S. Route 71: When cars merge or change lanes on Route 71, it could put riders at risk. Interchanges with major highways (e.g., I-435) can also be dangerous for all motorists.
- Other Major Highways and Interstates: Motorcyclists need to be careful whenever they travel at highway speeds. Grandview Triangle can be particularly tricky given how busy this interchange can be every day.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes in Kansas City
Below are some of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes in KCMO.
Failure to Check Blind Spots
Even when motorcyclists are careful, other drivers may fail to check their blind spots before they change lanes, merge, or make turns. Failing to check blind spots could cause sideswipe or T-bone crashes with motorcyclists. Riders may even swerve off the road to avoid a crash, which can also cause injuries.
Distracted Driving
There are many sources of distraction for drivers while they’re behind the wheel. If someone is texting while driving, eating while driving, looking up directions, or rubbernecking, they may not notice a nearby motorcyclist and cause a collision.
Drunk and Intoxicated Driving
Operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol can affect decision-making skills and reaction times. Our Kansas City motorcycle crash lawyers can hold impaired drivers accountable when their actions cause serious injuries and put people’s lives at risk.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
When other motorists speed, refuse to yield the right of way, fail to use turn signals, or frequently change lanes, they increase the risk of a major crash. Even responsible motorcyclists who are trying to share the road could be affected by reckless or aggressive drivers.
Dooring
Dooring happens when a driver or passenger opens their door into a lane of traffic. It’s possible for a motorcyclist to hit an open vehicle door, which can cause severe injuries. The driver or the passenger could be liable for injuries if they failed to check for oncoming vehicles.
Motorcycle Defects and Faulty Auto Parts
Some motorcycles may be poorly designed or manufactured, making them unsafe to operate and increasing the risk of a collision. The same can be said of tires, brake components, and other motorcycle parts. These hazards could be grounds for a product liability lawsuit.
Poor Weather and Road Conditions
Rain, snow, and ice can make it much more difficult to maintain control on a motorcycle. Similarly, potholes, damaged roads, and uneven surfaces could contribute to a lack of stability or a major crash. Local road authorities could be held accountable if they failed to clear or repair hazards.
Potential Injuries Sustained in a Motorcycle Wreck
Some potential injuries motorcyclists experience in a collision include:
- Road Rash: These are the scrapes and friction burns caused by sliding across concrete or asphalt.
- Biker’s Arm: This is a type of nerve damage affecting the upper arm caused by bracing for impact before hitting the ground.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Even while wearing a helmet, riders can still experience concussions, brain contusions, and other kinds of head trauma.
- Bone and Joint Fractures: The force of impact in a crash can cause broken bones, dislocated joints, and other severe injuries.
- Damage to Internal Organs: A motorcycle crash can severely damage internal organs like the lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, and heart.
- Loss of Limbs: Some motorcycle wrecks result in the loss of a limb at the crash site or the need for amputation when an injured limb cannot be saved.
Understanding Catastrophic Injuries from a Motorcycle Crash
Catastrophic injuries are the kinds of injuries that cause a life-changing disability or permanent disfigurement. These kinds of injuries can alter a person’s quality of life, future career goals, and ability to live independently.
Since motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable to harm, there’s a high risk of suffering catastrophic injuries in a collision, even if a rider is wearing a helmet and protective gear. Our Kansas City motorcycle crash lawyers will seek maximum compensation if your injuries affect your long-term well-being.
Compensation in a Motorcycle Crash Claim
Injured motorcyclists can seek compensation for any losses caused by a crash. This includes economic damages (measurable financial losses) and non-economic damages (subjective and intangible losses).
- Medical Expenses and Future Care: This includes any stabilizing care, hospitalization, life-saving surgical procedures, visits with specialists, physical rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and long-term treatments.
- Vehicle and Property Damage: This includes damage to your motorcycle, the cost of repairs or replacement, damage to your helmet and riding gear, damage of personal electronic devices and other property on you at the time of the crash.
- Lost Wages and Future Earnings: This includes any time off from work you need to recover from your injuries. It also includes diminished earning capacity if the motorcycle crash caused a catastrophic injury resulting in long-term or permanent disability.
- Pain and Suffering: This includes mental anguish, emotional distress, chronic pain from lingering injuries, and ongoing sleep disturbances following a motorcycle wreck.
- Lower Quality of Life: This includes a reduced sense of contentment or well-being, loss of enjoyment in your favorite hobbies, and any strain on your relationships after the motorcycle wreck.
Damages for Fatal Motorcycle Wrecks
If you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal motorcycle crash, you have our deepest condolences.
When you are ready to share what happened, our motorcycle collision lawyers can help you file a wrongful death claim against the liable party. Damages in a fatal motorcycle crash claim can help cover funeral costs, grief counseling, and the pain of losing a loved one.
How Shared Fault in a Crash Affects Compensation in Missouri
The state of Missouri follows a pure comparative fault rule (RSMo § 537.765). This means you can still seek compensation if you are partly or mostly at fault in a motorcycle crash. Your compensation is reduced by your share of liability.
For example, say that you were hurt in a motorcycle crash on Route 71 and receive $100,000 in compensation. However, you were found 20% liable for the incident. Because of pure comparative fault, you’d still receive $80,000 in compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Kansas City, MO?
The statute of limitations for motorcycle crashes in Missouri can vary based on what happened.
- For injury crashes, you typically have five years from the date of the motorcycle collision to file a personal injury lawsuit (RSMo § 516.120)
- For fatal motorcycle wrecks, you typically have three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit (RSMo § 537.100)
Remember that there are exceptions to these statutes of limitations. If the motorcycle collision involved a government entity, for example, you need to file a formal notice of claim within 90 days of the crash.
While you may have a few years to file a lawsuit, it’s best to contact our Kansas City motorcycle injury lawyers as soon as possible. The team at CPY Law can secure crucial evidence, build a strong case, and communicate with the insurance company on your behalf to help ensure maximum compensation.
Why Choose CPY Law for Your Motorcycle Crash Claim
If you’ve been seriously hurt because of a negligent driver or another party that contributed to a serious crash, our Kansas City motorcycle injury attorneys are ready to help. We want you to focus on healing while we lead the fight forward.
Here’s why riders throughout Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass counties trust the lawyers at CPY Law.
- Reliability and Legal Excellence: We know that many motorcyclists come to us experiencing a major injury or disruption to their daily lives. Our goal is to provide straightforward counsel, clear communication, and thoughtful legal representation throughout the process.
- We Hold Ourselves and Others Accountable: CPY Law seeks accountability from others. We also demand the same from ourselves. When you hire us after a motorcycle wreck, we will own the problem and lead the fight forward. We do what we say, and we ask the same of our staff and colleagues.
- Free and Confidential Consultations: At CPY Law, you pay nothing upfront to speak with a motorcycle wreck attorney. Consultations are free, confidential, and no obligation. Our lawyers just want to hear what happened and give you our honest assessment about your case.
- Clients Pay Nothing Unless We Win: You owe us nothing unless and until we win. Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid after your motorcycle collision case is successfully resolved. If we don’t win, you pay nothing.
Contact Our Kansas City Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Near You
If you’re a rider or a family member of a motorcyclist killed in a fatal collision, our lawyers are ready to fight for you. Consultations are free, and you pay nothing unless we win. To speak with a qualified Kansas City motorcycle accident lawyer near you, contact CPY Law today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Crashes in Kansas City
Below are some of the most common questions we’ve heard from riders who’ve been in motorcycle crashes in the Kansas City area.
Is lane-splitting legal in Missouri? Can lane-splitting affect my motorcycle crash claim?
No, lane-splitting (riding between two lanes of traffic) is not legally allowed in the state of Missouri. If you were lane-splitting before a motorcycle collision, you may be considered partly at fault for the crash.
Partial fault from lane-splitting does not bar you from filing an injury claim, but it could affect how much compensation you receive because of Missouri’s pure comparative fault rule.
What if I was not wearing a motorcycle helmet at the time of the crash?
Not wearing a helmet during a motorcycle crash could potentially affect your injury claim. In the state of Missouri, all riders and passengers under the age of 26 must wear a motorcycle helmet (RSMo § 302.026). People 26 and older can ride without a helmet if they have proof of financial responsibility and have medical coverage.
The cause of the motorcycle wreck and the details of your case are still important. No matter what happened during the collision, speak with our motorcycle crash lawyers as soon as possible.
Why is there a bias against motorcyclists when they file collision claims?
Riders face a lot of negative stereotypes about people who use motorcycles. There’s an assumption (usually false) that motorcyclists are reckless or enjoy speeding and other risky behaviors when they’re on the road. Insurance companies often play up these false assumptions to shift blame onto motorcyclists in collisions.
This is why it’s so important to work with good Kansas City motorcycle crash lawyers. Skilled attorneys can push back against these stereotypes and keep your claim rooted in the facts rather than false assumptions about your personality and your safety.
What if my crash was caused by poor motorcycle repairs or maintenance?
If faulty repairs or poor maintenance caused your motorcycle crash or contributed to the collision, the mechanic or repair crew could be held liable for what happened. This will require careful investigation into the cause(s) of the crash and whether poor repairs were a factor. A motorcycle injury lawyer can work with investigators and accident reconstruction specialists to help build your case.
What can I do if the driver who caused the motorcycle wreck fled the scene?
If a driver leaves the scene in a hit-and-run motorcycle crash, you should take these steps:
- Call 911 to report the incident and receive help from first responders.
- Document your injuries and the crash site with photos and videos.
- Get contact information from any witnesses at the scene of the hit-and-run.
- Seek medical treatment even if you feel okay.
- Preserve your helmet, motorcycle, and riding gear. Do not get anything washed or repaired as these are all vital evidence related to the crash.
- Speak with a motorcycle crash attorney in Kansas City as soon as possible.
Your lawyer will help investigate the hit-and-run and try to track down the reckless driver. If the driver cannot be identified, your lawyer can discuss covering your medical bills and other crash-related expenses through your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage and other means.
