Our Oklahoma City motorcycle accident lawyers know how to combat common misconceptions that work against bikers and, instead, put the power back into your hands.
Oklahoma City Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Motorcycle Accidents in Oklahoma
No one expects to be involved in an accident, but statistics show that motorcyclists face significant risks when sharing the road with other motorists. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 5,000 motorcyclists were killed in traffic accidents nationwide in 2019. Even more alarming, motorcyclists are nearly 30 percent more likely to be involved in fatal traffic accidents than occupants of passenger vehicles, such as cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks.
If you or someone you love was involved in a motorcycle accident in Oklahoma City or any of the surrounding areas, turn to the team at Fulmer Sill for the compassionate and personalized legal counsel you need. With decades of collective trial experience, our attorneys are prepared to aggressively seek the maximum compensation you are owed. We utilize a collaborative approach, pooling our combined resources and skills to build powerful, innovative legal strategies for our clients. This approach has helped us secure millions of dollars in compensation, including numerous million- and multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts.
Learn how our Oklahoma City motorcycle accident attorneys can help you get back on your feet after a serious crash. Call (405) 433-7414 or contact us online for a free consultation.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Although there is a common belief that motorcyclists are more likely to cause accidents due to reckless or aggressive driving, we know that this is not necessarily the case. In fact, most motorcycle accidents result from other motorists’ carelessness, not the negligence of motorcycle riders.
Specifically, some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Texting/cellphone use
- Fatigued driving
- Drunk driving
- Improper lookout
- Tailgating
- Dangerous turns
- Unsafe passing
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Traffic law violations
Other common causes of motorcycle accidents have nothing to do with other drivers on the road but, rather, unsafe or defective conditions that put motorcyclists at risk. Examples include poorly designed roadways, insufficient road maintenance, potholes, blind curves, poor visibility, and even inclement weather, all of which can be extremely hazardous for motorcyclists.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries & Damages
Because motorcyclists are relatively unprotected compared to drivers and passengers in standard automobiles, they tend to sustain catastrophic injuries when they are involved in collisions with larger, heavier vehicles. Sadly, many motorcycle accidents are fatal.
Some of the most common injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents include:
- Amputation
- Brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Friction burns (“road rash”)
- Internal bleeding
- Lacerations
- Organ damage
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash
Often, motorcycle accidents result in permanent injuries, significant impairments, and lasting disabilities. Victims and their families are likely to face numerous challenges, from obtaining critical medical care to managing everyday expenses while out of work. Overall, the physical, emotional, and financial cost of a motorcycle accident can be extreme, affecting victims for months, years, or even the remainder of their lives.
At Fulmer Sill, we help our clients seek maximum compensation for their economic and non-economic damages resulting from serious motorcycle accidents, including but not limited to:
- Medical expenses
- Hospitalization
- Future medical care
- Rehabilitation/physical therapy
- Lost wages and/or income
- Loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Lost earning capacity
- Disfigurement
- Miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses
Our Oklahoma City motorcycle accident attorneys fight tirelessly to help victims of severe bodily injury and devastating losses fight for the full and fair compensation they are owed. We also represent surviving family members who have lost loved ones due to fatal motorcycle accidents throughout Oklahoma. Reach out to us today to learn more.
Do You Have to Wear a Motorcycle Helmet in Oklahoma?
Currently, any person who is 18 or older doesn't have to wear a motorcycle helmet while operating a motorcycle. Those who are under 18 must wear a helmet while riding. However, anyone riding a motorcycle, regardless of age, must wear goggles or a face shield to protect the rider, unless the motorcycle itself has a windshield meeting certain size and material requirements.
While riders don't have to wear a helmet, it's still recommended to wear one. Because of how dangerous it can be to ride a motorcycle, not wearing a helmet puts the rider at a significantly increased risk of having a serious life threatening injury.
Who Is Liable for a Motorcycle Accident?
Under Oklahoma’s traditional tort system, victims of motorcycle accidents must prove that someone else—whether another motorist, the manufacturer of a defective vehicle, or some other entity—was at least partly responsible for the accident to recover damages. If the person bringing the claim was also partly at fault, they can still recover damages as long as they were less than 50 percent to blame. However, the amount they can recover will be reduced by their percentage of fault.
Many different parties could potentially be liable for your motorcycle accident. You may have a claim against a negligent motorist’s insurance company, or you could have grounds to sue the at-fault driver directly for damages. You may have a third-party lawsuit against the manufacturer of a defective vehicle or vehicle part, or you could even have a case against an entity responsible for roadway design, construction, and/or maintenance. It is important that you work with an experienced personal injury lawyer, like ours at Fulmer Sill, who can review the details of your case and pursue all possible avenues of compensation on your behalf.
For a free consultation, call (405) 433-7414 or contact us online. Hablamos español.
Why Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Although any motor vehicle accident can be devastating, victims of motorcycle accidents tend to face certain unique challenges when it comes to their physical, emotional, and financial recovery. Not only do motorcyclists more often suffer severe injuries when they are involved in accidents, but they are also more likely to face greater financial hardships as a result of those injuries. The cost of treating catastrophic injuries can be debilitating for individuals and families, not to mention the loss of income from time taken off work to recover and heal. To make matters worse, insurance companies aggressively defend motorcycle accident claims due to their relatively high value. Insurance adjusters often use confusing language or try to get victims to agree to lowball settlements to avoid paying out the full and fair amount they are owed. Without the help of a skilled attorney, you could end up accepting far less than you need and deserve.
At Fulmer Sill, we stand up for the rights of injured bikers and their families. We meticulously investigate these claims and prepare every case for trial to help ensure that we stay a step ahead of the defense. Our collaborative and aggressive approach makes us a formidable ally for our clients, and we are proud to serve as a voice for those who may be unable to speak up for themselves.
You can rely on our tenacious and hardworking team to fight tirelessly for every penny you are owed.