Kansas City motorcycle accident lawyers

Kansas City Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Help for riders and passengers injured in motorcycle accidents in Missouri and Kansas

There’s nothing like the thrill of riding a motorcycle down a country road – until you have an accident. Motorcycle accidents are frightening because bikes offer very little protection. Unlike cars and trucks, motorcycles do not have hoods, trunks, roofs, or sides. In the event of a crash, riders are likely to slam into the hard asphalt or another vehicle. Deaths and catastrophic injuries from motorcycle accidents are very common. When you are injured or lose a loved one, you need a Kansas City motorcycle accident lawyer.

At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, we move quickly to investigate the cause of your motorcycle accident and to determine who is responsible. When insurance companies make low-ball offers, our Kansas City motorcycle accident attorneys are ready to try your case in court. We’re led by a long-time biker, James Roswold, who understands exactly what you face when you’re hurt in a bike wreck. We also have a track record of success in motorcycle accident claims, including a $500,000 policy limits claim.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, in Missouri, close to 100 people die in motorcycle crashes each year and nearly 2,000 people suffer injury. There are about 1,800 motorcycle crashes in Missouri each year.

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, more than 40 people die in motorcycle crashes in Kansas each year and more than 750 people are injured.

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What are the causes of Kansas City motorcycle accidents?

Both Missouri and Kansas have a mix of rural roads, state roads, and federal highways. Different roadways require different styles of operating a bike, unlike driving a passenger vehicle. That’s important, because a rider might be able to dodge a car more easily on a paved road than a dirt one, or avoid a wreck on a quiet road than a busy one. Many motorcycle wrecks are caused by motorist inattention or negligence.

Some of the many causes of motorcycle accidents include:

  • Distracted driving
  • Speeding and other traffic violations
  • Fatigued driving
  • Failing to respect the right of a motorcycle to be on the road
  • Failing to see the motorcycle rider
  • Not giving the motorcycle driver the right of way
  • Not understanding the hand signals of a bike rider

Motorcycle riders may get into an accident if they:

  • Do not have proper training
  • Do not understand how to ride in bad weather
  • Encounter roadways that are uneven, have potholes, or have roadkill
  • Do not understand how to control their bike in turns
  • Are not prepared to carry a passenger
  • Pass improperly
  • Ride two in a lane

Who is liable for a motorcycle accident in Kansas City?

Injured motorcycle riders have the right to file claims against anyone who causes their injuries or the death of a loved one, including:

  • Car drivers
  • Truck drivers
  • Other motorcycle drivers
  • Manufacturers of defective motorcycle parts
  • Vehicle owners
  • The state of Missouri or Kansas, the City of Kansas City, or any other county or municipality, Missouri Department of Transportation or Kansas Department of Transportation, if poor road design causes an accident
  • Other defendants, depending on how the motorcycle accident occurs
Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Kansas City

What are some typical motorcycle accident injuries?

Sadly, too many motorcycle accidents cause fatalities because motorcycles are no match for cars, trucks, and road surfaces. Our motorcycle accident attorneys file wrongful death claims on behalf of the family members if a loved one dies in a crash in Missouri or Kansas.

Survivors of bike crashes often suffer catastrophic injuries, chronic injuries, and injuries that require a lot of medical care. Common motorcycle accident injuries include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Motorcycle riders may suffer a life-changing brain injury – especially if they are not wearing a helmet. TBIs cause more than just physical pain and emotional suffering. Many victims suffer cognitive damage that can make it difficult to work again, to perform daily tasks, and to enjoy life again.
  • Spinal cord damage. Motorcycle riders may damage their spine, neck, or back. Spinal cord injuries may cause full or partial paralysis. Spinal cord damage can require constant medical care and a lifetime of chronic pain.
  • Broken bones. Many motorcycle riders break their arms, legs, or other parts of their body.
  • Road rash. This cutesy name belies a serious injury. Road rash occurs when a body slides across a road, and the impact is enough to break the skin. Often, dirt, glass, and other particulates get pushed into the body, raising the risk of infection or even sepsis. Patients may need tetanus shots, skin grafts or reconstructive surgery.
  • Crushing and limb loss injuries. These are among the most serious injuries bikers can get. Body parts can be literally ripped off a rider or passenger or be crushed under the weight of the motorcycle or the vehicle that hit them, necessitating amputating the body part.
  • Nerve damage. Motorcycles offer very little protection in the event of as collision, so traumatic, physical penetrating injuries are common. This can include damage to the nerves in the legs, arms, or face.

Other motorcycle injuries include:

Be sure to check out our free books: the KC Biker Bible, a thorough collection of tips and strategies for staying safe on the road and avoiding accidents, and The Devil's Advocate, a biker's guide to causes of accidents and common injuries.

KC Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Do Missouri and Kansas have helmet laws?

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

  • In Kansas, all motorcycle riders 17 and younger must wear a helmet.
  • In Missouri, all motorcycle riders 25 and younger must wear a helmet.

But we cannot stress enough that even if you don’t legally have to wear a helmet, you really should consider it. A helmet can be the difference between a mild concussion and a fatal head injury.

Related:

What damages can motorcycle accident victims claim?

Our Kansas City motorcycle accident injury lawyers seek compensation for all the ways a motorcycle crash changes your life, including:

  • Medical costs. You’re entitled to payment for all your hospital, physician, and therapy bills, as well as the cost of any medical devices and medications.
  • Income loss. When you can’t work because of your injuries, you lose money. We demand the liable parties compensate you for the income lost while you’re receiving medical care and any income you lose because you won’t be able to work in the future.
  • Pain and suffering. Your aches, pains, anxiety, and stress can be unbearable. You have the right to compensation for all your physical pain and emotional suffering the accident causes.
  • Scarring and disfigurement. Motorcyclists often suffer scars or disfigurement after a serious accident. Permanent scarring may lead to emotional trauma. Defendants should pay for any scars or disfigurement, especially if your face is affected.
  • Damage to your vehicle. The liable defendants should also pay for the cost to fix or replace your bike.

Other damages include loss of consortium and punitive damages.

If you were in a motorcycle accident caused by another car or vehicle, call the Kansas City attorney who knows what it's like to be a biker – Attorney James Roswold. James Roswold is a biker, a rocker, and a lawyer, and he leads a team of experienced motorcycle injury attorneys. He rides motorcycles himself and plays in the KC Biker Band, playing to raise money for injured children through the Roswold Foundation for Injured Children charity. James knows first-hand how motorists react to and treat motorcyclists on the road, and he, just like every single one of us at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, is here to help if you've been injured in an accident while on your bike.

Is your Kansas City motorcycle accident lawyer near me?

While our main office is in Kansas City, Missouri, just a few blocks away from City Hall, we have offices conveniently located in other communities in Missouri and Kansas available by appointment. Also, we travel to you whenever appropriate, and we routinely hold appointments by video chat service as well to provide you with the most personal, robust, and convenient representation.

Kansas City motorcycle accident lawyers putting you first

We want to see you get back on your feet after a serious motorcycle accident and get the justice and compensation you deserve. Don't fight the insurance company all by yourself; contact our Kansas City motorcycle accident attorneys today and find out how it feels to come FIRST. If you or your loved one has suffered an injury, we are here to help. To learn more about our services, or to get a free case review, please call Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys at 816-290-7621 or fill out our contact form. We have an office in Kansas City, but can also meet with you in Lee’s Summit, St. Joseph and Parkville, MO as well as Overland Park and Olathe, KS by appointment.

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