Lexington KY Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Roberts Law Office represents people who have been injured or have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident. All riders know the pleasures and dangers of operating a motorcycle. The ride is enjoyable and worth the risk, but the accidents generally result in serious injuries or death. Most accidents are caused by drivers of automobiles who were not paying attention to their surroundings. Those who are victims of careless driving deserve to have medical bills covered, be reimbursed for lost wages, and receive compensation for pain, mental anguish, and recovery time.

Kentucky Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet reports, in 2016 there were 1,785 accidents in Kentucky involving motorcycles (a total of 1,841 motorcycles). 1,294 motorcyclists were injured and 106 were killed. According to those statistics, if you are an operator or passenger of a motorcycle involved in an accident, you have a 70% chance of being injured and a 1 out of 20 chance of dying. Comparatively, if you are a driver or passenger of an automobile involved in an accident, you have 15% chance of being injured and a 1 out of 500 chance of dying. Under Kentucky law, persons under the age of 21 must wear a helmet while operating or riding a motorcycle, and persons operating a motorcycle with a permit or have held I valid license for less than 1 year must wear a helmet while operating a motorcycle. The use of a helmet does not decrease the chance of being involved in an accident; however, statistics show that the use of a helmet does mitigate injuries of those involved in an accident. In 2016, nearly 70% of the fatalities were riders without a helmet.

Typical Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

In 2016, the biggest contributing factors to accidents involving motorcycles were inattention (33%), vehicles not under proper control (26%), failure to yield right of way (13%), driving under the influence (6%), and speeding (4%). So what is inattentive driving and vehicle not under proper control? Inattentive driving means that the driver is not paying proper attention and includes drivers who are eating, putting on make-up, talking, and attending to children, among other things. A vehicle not under proper control can mean a variety of things and generally means reckless or careless driving, which can include not wearing a helmet when required, not keeping to the right side of the highway, failure to use signals when changing lanes, coasting, and other infractions.

Typical Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents cause a variety of injuries, but those that we see most often include:

  • Road Rash: Road rash is a common term used for scrapes and cuts received during an accident when the body slides across the pavement. Road rash, of course, can be very painful and can lead to permanent scarring;
  • Arm, Wrist and Hand Injuries: during a motorcycle accident, most riders will pull in their arms to protect their bodies and this leads to traumatic injuries, like broken bones, to the arms, wrists and hands;
  • Head and Brain Injuries: traumatic brain injuries are extremely common in motorcycle accidents, especially in cases were a helmet is not worn; and
  • Leg, Knee and Ankle Injuries: injuries to the legs, knees and ankles include road rash, ligament and muscle tears, broken bones, crush injuries.

How Can a Lawyer Help You With Your Motorcycle Accident Case?

If you or a loved one have been involved in a motorcycle accident, a lawyer will help you navigate the legal system and maximize your recovery. It is important to keep in mind that this is your case and you should take an interest in how it is handled. A lawyer should serve as a guide and advocate. We have been trained and are experienced in navigating the legal system and will make sure that your case is handled properly. We gather all the information and documentation necessary to build a strong case. We help you determine the value of your case so that you don’t accept a low ball offer from the defendant’s insurance company. After we gather the necessary information and communicate with your doctors, and in some cases, other medical professionals, we draft a demand package and try to negotiate a settlement with the defendant’s insurance company. We help you assess the settlement offer and determine whether or not your case should be litigated. If your case should be litigated, we manage all aspects of the litigation process and make sure that your case is presented in the best way possible.

Your Motorcycle Accident Case

If you are ready to talk to a lawyer about your case, we encourage you to give us a call or submit a form on our contact page. Consultations are always free and we are always happy to assist you in any way as you move forward with your Kentucky Motorcycle Accident case. Our expenses and fees are a reasonable percentage of the settlement or verdict that we obtain for you. If we don’t win your case, you don’t owe us a penny.