Motorcycle riders are at risk any time they hit the road. Because they’re smaller than most passenger vehicles, they’re harder for other drivers to see. As a result, motorcycle accidents are frequent.
If you got hurt in a motorcycle crash caused by a careless driver, you need a Tupelo motorcycle accident lawyer from Derek Hall, PC, to handle your case. Call our office today for a free, no-obligation consultation on how we can help you recover the money you need for your medical bills and lost wages.
What Makes Motorcycle Accident Cases More Complex?
Motorcycle accident cases are usually more complicated than cases involving car-on-car accidents. Because motorcycle riders have no external vehicle frame to protect them, their injuries after a motor vehicle accident are often quite severe. And
Although insurance companies will fight to protect their bottom line in every type of vehicle accident case where they might have to pay someone, they are particularly reluctant to pay in motorcycle accident cases. The media have done a fine job of portraying motorcycle riders as dangerous, reckless, and rebellious, so insurance companies may try to portray the motorcycle rider as the only cause of the accident.
However, a motorcycle accident lawyer in Tupelo, MS, can fight to correct this misrepresentation. It’s not the motorcycle rider’s fault if a driver failed to keep a proper lookout and didn’t see the motorcycle they collided with. Motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles, and many motorists don’t even consider that they’ll be sharing the road with motorcycles. Drivers who are distracted may overlook motorcycles, just as they’d overlook other vehicles on the road.
Our lawyers can investigate how the accident happened, gather evidence to determine who was at fault, and fight for the compensation the injured biker needs, all while working to overcome harmful stereotypes that stack the deck against bikers.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Most motorcycle crashes are preventable and are often caused by other drivers’ negligence. The more common accidents include the following:
Left-Turn Accidents – When drivers turn left across oncoming traffic, if they don’t keep a proper lookout, they could crash into approaching motorcycles.
Failure to Yield – Similarly, a driver who isn’t looking for smaller vehicles like motorcycles may not realize they should yield at an intersection or as they’re entering a highway into traffic.
Distracted Driving – People who perform activities while driving that take their eyes, hands, or mind off the task of driving are distracted. It only takes a second of inattention to strike a nearby motorcycle and cause a catastrophic accident.
Speeding – Vehicles moving at high speeds require a greater stopping distance than those moving at the speed limit. In addition, the faster the speed, the less time the driver has to react to whatever is occurring on the road.
Impaired Driving – Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs a driver’s decision-making skills and reaction time. An impaired driver may not see a motorcycle until it is far too late for them to react so as to avoid a collision.
Unsafe Lane Changes – Drivers who make lane changes without checking the next lane or while weaving through traffic are more likely to crash into motorcycles, which are smaller and less visible than enclosed passenger vehicles.
Road Hazards – Road hazards, such as large potholes or cargo that has fallen from commercial trucks, may cause a driver to swerve into a nearby motorcycle if they didn’t keep a proper lookout and were unaware of a vehicle nearby.
"Derek and his team were a pleasure to work with. They helped me get my disability approved after I had initially been denied. They were very understanding and patient. They worked diligently and didn't leave a stone unturned. I'm forever grateful. THANKS HEAVY HITTER!!!"
Motorcycle riders are likely to suffer significant injuries when they’re involved in a collision with a passenger vehicle. We often handle cases for motorcycle riders who have suffered the following injuries in a crash:
Traumatic brain injury
Spinal cord injury
Paralysis
Amputation
Back and neck injuries
Joint injuries
Internal organ damage
Internal bleeding
Road rash
All of these injuries are significant and may require costly medical treatment, as well as lifestyle changes for the rider after their injuries have healed. This can be a problem, because Mississippi law only requires motorists to carry a minimum of $25,000 per person in liability coverage. A biker who suffers a spinal cord injury that results in complete paralysis may use $25,000 in their initial hospitalization. What happens then?
That’s where a Tupelo motorcycle accident lawyer comes in. A lawyer can file a lawsuit against the at-fault party to pursue the compensation the biker will need for their medical expenses, in-home medical caregivers, and lost income.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Tupelo
After a motorcycle accident in Mississippi, your priority is to contact emergency services and get medical care. Once you’ve done that, if you’re able, you should take the following steps to protect your health and your motorcycle accident claim:
Adhere strictly to your doctor’s orders and attend all follow-up appointments until you are released from care.
Preserve medical records, repair estimates, receipts, and any other paperwork associated with the accident.
Don’t provide a recorded statement to any insurance company representative without first discussing it with a lawyer.
Keep a journal to record your daily pain levels and how your injury affects your ability to perform everyday tasks.
Contact a Tupelo motorcycle accident lawyer as soon after the accident as you can.
Get Help from a Tupelo Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
When you hire a lawyer for a motorcycle accident in Mississippi, you’re increasing your chances of obtaining the compensation you need for the harm you suffered in an accident someone else caused. If you look up “motorcycle accident lawyer near me,” you’ll likely see Derek Hall, PC, in your list of results. Here’s why.
Our founder, Derek Hall, has been helping injured people get the compensation they need for more than 30 years. We will learn the scope of your legal needs, keep you fully informed about the status of your case, and create a case-specific plan to achieve the results you want. We’ll work diligently on your case, and we’ll fight for the compensation you deserve.
We’ve obtained millions of dollars in settlements and awards for our clients, including $225,000 for a motorcycle wreck, and we’d like the opportunity to do the same for you. One of our clients said: “Amazing experience working with Toby, Mary, and Judah…I highly recommend them to all potential clients.” ‒ Daniel Huggins
Don’t wait. Call Derek Hall, PC, today for your free, no-risk consultation with a reputable motorcycle accident lawyer in Tupelo. There are no upfront costs for us to get started on your case, and you pay nothing unless we successfully resolve your matter.
WE GET YOU MORE
Our Mississippi injury attorneys have the experience to fight for your best interests in and out of the courtroom and can get you more. Let us help you today.
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create and receipt or viewing does not constitute a client relationship.
