Lexington Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

lexington motorcycle accident lawyer

For some people, the natural beauty of the Bluegrass State is best enjoyed from the back of a motorcycle. While riding a motorcycle certainly offers an unrivaled sense of freedom, motorcyclists also face an increased risk of being involved in a serious accident.

Motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries to the motorcyclist, frequently leaving drivers and passengers of larger motor vehicles unharmed. Peterson Law Office strongly believes that motorcyclists who have been injured through no fault of their own deserve to recover full and fair compensation for their damages. In all that we do, we strive to provide unmatched legal representation to motorcycle riders who have been harmed by other drivers.

Kentucky Motorcycle Accident Statistics

As of 2021, there were 83,926 registered motorcycles in the state of Kentucky. While motorcycles represent just under 1% of all vehicles in crashes, they made up 7% of all fatal collisions.

Consider the following statistics for motorcycle accidents in 2020:

  • 99 motorcycle drivers or passengers were killed
  • 29 fatality victims were wearing a helmet at the time of the accident
  • 1,037 motorcycle drivers or passengers were injured
  • 481 injury victims were wearing a helmet at the time of the accident

The Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle riders are most likely to be involved in car accidents because of actions like:

  • Driver inattention
  • Failure to yield the right of way
  • Risky riding behavior
  • Distracted driving, especially texting and driving
  • Drunk driving
  • Following too closely/tailgating

Let’s take a closer look at the first three causes on the list, but never hesitate to schedule a free case evaluation with Peterson Law Office if there is any uncertainty about the cause of your crash.

Negligent and Inattentive Drivers

Most motorcycle accidents are the result of another driver’s negligence or inattentiveness behind the wheel. Driver negligence can manifest in a number of ways, including:

  • Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
  • Driving too slowly
  • Running red lights and stop signs
  • Failing to use turn signals
  • Passing when there is oncoming traffic

Like purely negligent drivers, a driver who is being inattentive behind the wheel might also be speeding or running stop signs, causing a motorcycle accident if they fail to notice a motorcyclist who is in their path.

Failure To Yield the Right of Way

Just like cars, motorcycles are classified as motor vehicles and as such are subject to the same rules and laws. However, inexperienced drivers might be unfamiliar with how to operate a large passenger vehicle around a much smaller motorcycle. Much of this confusion comes down to not understanding when to yield the right of way.

The right of way is what determines which vehicle may go first at an intersection, when merging, or when turning. When a driver fails to yield the right of way and strikes a motorcyclist, the victim may be entitled to compensation for property damage, emotional distress, medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Risky Riding Behavior

Lexington motorcycle accidents are also sometimes the result of risky riding behavior. While motorcycles certainly grant riders an unparalleled sense of freedom, partaking in dangerous behaviors is unsafe and may result in serious injuries.

Those who want to lower their risk of being involved in a motorcycle crash should avoid speeding, lane splitting, following too close to other vehicles, and unauthorized overtaking.

Common Injuries That Affect Motorcycle Accident Victims

Motorcyclists face an especially high risk of life-altering injuries. Peterson Law Office dedicates an area of practice to advocating for those who have been seriously harmed in motorcycle accidents. Our experience has given us insight into some of the most common types of injuries in this type of personal injury claim:

  • 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 an at-fault 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 Suffering 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 are not 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 compensation in motorcycle accident cases. The following are the types of compensation to which you might be entitled.

Economic Damages

Economic damages 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 accident
  • The cost of domestic services, such as cleaning services or in-home medical help
  • The cost of repairing your vehicle
  • 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 from Peterson Law Office. We understand the sensitive nature of bringing a wrongful death insurance claim following a beloved family member’s death, and we are prepared to walk you through the process step-by-step.

Non-Economic Damages

Kentucky personal injury law also affords victims the right to recover non-economic compensation. Non-economic damages are those that do not have a specific financial component but still deeply affect a person’s life. Examples 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 Claim Worth?

Kentucky state law does not place a cap on economic and non-economic 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 that you are seeking compensation in 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 Peterson Law Office to schedule a free consultation with a Lexington motorcycle accident lawyer.

How Does a 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.

Why Work With Peterson Law Office?

You have the choice of working with any one of the many motorcycle accident lawyers in Lexington, so why choose Peterson Law Office? At our law firm, we value and prioritize the attorney-client relationship. What this means is that you will always have a tireless advocate on your side who is prepared to answer your questions and deal with the insurance company on your behalf.

You can also expect us to:

  • Offer a free case evaluation
  • Launch a comprehensive and thorough 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

As Lexington motorcycle accident lawyers, we have experience handling accident cases with complex factors.

We’re the Lexington Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Who Care

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 (such as medical malpractice), Peterson Law Office is the firm that cares. We also represent families who have lost loved ones in fatal 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.

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