For some people, the natural beauty of the Bluegrass State is best enjoyed from the back of a motorcycle. While riding a motorbike certainly offers an unrivaled sense of freedom, riders also face an increased risk of being involved in a serious accident.
If you have recently suffered serious harm in a collision while on a ride, you need a Lexington motorcycle accident lawyer to assist you.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there were 6,084 motorcycle fatalities in the United States in 2021. These accidents often result in severe injuries to the motorcyclist, frequently leaving drivers and passengers of larger motor vehicles unharmed.
If you’ve been injured through no fault of your own in a motorcycle crash in Lexington, you deserve to recover full and fair compensation for your damages. Our legal team at Peterson Law Office can help, beginning with a complimentary consultation. Reach out to us to schedule that meeting now.
Kentucky Motorbike Crash Statistics
The Kentucky Traffic Collision Facts 2022 Report details how there were 99,613 registered motorcycles in our state that year. Some other standout statistics from that report include:
- There were 1,574 total accidents involving motorcycles in Kentucky that year, resulting in 1,004 injuries and 96 deaths
- At least 1,125 of those injured in the above-referenced motorcycle accidents were motorcyclists themselves or their passengers. At least 577 were not wearing a helmet at the time, whereas 543 had one on when they were hurt.
- All but one (so 95 total) decedents in those motorbike crashes in our state that year were motorbike riders or their passengers. Of those fatalities, at least 62 of the victims weren’t wearing helmets at the time, whereas 33 were.
The Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Fayette County
The same Kentucky Traffic Collision Facts report cited above also provides insight into the reasons motorcycle accidents occur in our state. The leading factors and their rate of occurrence are:
- Not under proper control: 67%
- Alcohol involvement: 79%
- Exceeded stated speed limit: 79%
- Drug involvement: 58%
- Failed to yield the right of way: 54%
- Inattention:54%
It should be noted that there are other contributing factors that the above-referenced report mentions as contributing to motorcycle accidents in Lexington and elsewhere in Kentucky. The reason why the rates at which these different concerns occur exceed 100% is because, in many cases, there is more than one factor to blame for a single motorbike crash.
Whether you’re confident that you know what caused the Lexington motorcycle crash that injured you or claimed the life of a close family member or not, you can count on us at Peterson Law Office to help you determine what did. Each Lexington motorcycle accident lawyer in our office is experienced in analyzing crash reports and other evidence necessary to make fault determinations so we can hold responsible parties liable for what happened. We’d be happy to do the same for you during a free case evaluation.
Common Injuries That Motorcyclists Suffer in Wrecks
Motorbike riders face an especially high risk of life-altering injuries when involved in collisions. Peterson Law Office dedicates an area of practice to advocating for those who have been seriously harmed in Lexington motorcycle accidents. Our experience has given us insight into some of the most common types of injuries resulting in the filing of insurance claims. Those are:
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Leg injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Broken bones
- Crushed or amputated limbs
- Road rash
If you suffered permanent disfigurement or life-altering injuries because of the negligent, reckless, or wrongful behaviors of a driver, contact our Lexington motorcycle accident attorneys to discuss your legal options. A personal injury lawsuit is often the most effective way to recover compensation for your accident injuries.
How To Lower Your Risk of Serious Injuries in Motorcycle Crashes
If you ride a motorcycle, you must be prepared to take preventative measures to lower your chances of suffering a catastrophic injury in a collision. Peterson Law Office recommends that all individuals who will be riding a motorcycle in Lexington, KY take the following precautions:
- Always wear a helmet
- Wear protective eye gear if your helmet does not cover your face
- Wear other protective gear, including long pants, jackets, and gloves made of a sturdy, anti-abrasive material
If you weren’t wearing a helmet or other protective gear at the time of your accident, your settlement award for your motorcycle accident claim may be proportionately reduced by your percentage of fault.
Wearing a helmet not only reduces your risk of suffering profound injuries but may also protect your right to maximum compensation.
What Types of Compensation Are Available for My Injuries?
Kentucky law allows those who have been injured by negligent drivers to recover damages for any economic or noneconomic losses they’ve sustained by pursuing a motorcycle injury case in Fayette County.
Here are some of the types of compensation you might be entitled to if a Lexington, KY motorcycle accident hurt you:
Economic Damages
These are the financial losses you have suffered as a result of another person’s negligence. In a motorcycle accident case, compensation for economic damages may encompass:
- Lost wages if you needed time off to recover
- Loss of future income if you can no longer work or perform the same job
- Past, current, and future medical expenses related to the motorcycle accident
- The cost of domestic services, such as cleaning services or in-home medical help
- The cost of repairing your motorbike
- The cost of renovating your home or vehicle to accommodate a new disability
Families who have lost loved ones in fatal motorcycle accidents are also entitled to economic damages.
If your loved one was killed by a negligent driver, we encourage you to contact a Lexington motorcycle accident attorney at our firm. At Peterson Law Office, we understand the sensitive nature of bringing a wrongful death case in Kentucky following a beloved family member’s death, and we are prepared to walk you through the process step-by-step.
Noneconomic Damages
Kentucky personal injury law also affords victims the right to recover noneconomic compensation. These damages are those that do not have a specific financial component but still deeply affect a person’s life. Examples of these types of losses may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Humiliation
- Loss of enjoyment in life
- Loss of companionship or consortium
- Disfigurement
How Much Is My Lexington Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?
Kentucky state law does not place a cap on economic and noneconomic damages. This means that the value of your claim will not be limited by artificial limits. However, this will not stop the insurance company from trying to lowball your settlement offer.
Any time you are seeking compensation for an injury claim, we recommend that you work closely with a Lexington motorcycle accident lawyer. An attorney who specializes in personal injury law will have the experience and knowledge it takes to correctly value the worth of your claim.
Some of the factors our law firm takes into account when valuing a personal injury claim include:
- Your medical bills and whether you will need continued medical treatment
- If you suffered a permanent disability
- Whether physical therapy is expected to improve your physical condition
We want all of our clients to feel confident that they are receiving full and fair compensation for their injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. If you ever have any questions about how much you are owed and whether the value of your claim is correct, contact us to schedule a free consultation with a motorcycle accident attorney.
How Does a Lexington Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help?
Seeking compensation from the insurance company is not for the faint-hearted. At every turn, the insurance company will seek to lower your compensation, leaving you with insufficient funds to fully support your recovery.
Hiring a Lexington motorcycle accident lawyer will show the insurance company that you mean business. You know that you are entitled to a fair settlement, and you aren’t willing to accept anything less.
What this means is that you’ll always have a tireless advocate on your side who’s prepared to answer your questions and deal with insurance companies on your behalf.
You can also expect your motorbike collision attorney to:
- Offer a free case evaluation
- Launch a comprehensive investigation into your motorcycle accident
- Identify all passenger vehicle drivers who were involved in the collision
- Review your medical records to determine what your maximum medical improvement might be
- Partner with experts who can support your case and testify on your behalf, including doctors and accident reconstructionists
- Take all of your damages into consideration and properly value the worth of your claim
- Communicate and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf
- Be prepared to take things to court if settlement negotiations fail
Lexington motorcycle accident lawyers have experience handling accident cases involving all of the complex factors listed above.
Peterson Law Office is a powerful advocate for injury victims in Lexington and the surrounding area. Anyone who has been injured in motorcycle crashes in Kentucky can be assured of our dedication to holding the negligent party responsible for the actions that contributed to a catastrophic accident.
Whether you need guidance in your motorcycle accident case or are dealing with another personal injury matter, our firm cares. We also represent families who have lost loved ones prematurely to fatal motorcycle accidents.
If you are ready to begin the legal process of pursuing a fair settlement for your accident damages, contact our law office today to schedule your free consultation.
