Ocean Springs Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Motorcyclists are the most at-risk motorists on our roadways. Passenger vehicle drivers and motorcycle riders have the same rights and responsibilities, but the latter certainly does not have the same protection. Due to this, motorbike riders are at a higher risk of sustaining injuries when they are involved in accidents. In road accidents, they often face catastrophic or even fatal injuries.
Motorcycle accidents have significant potential for devastating consequences. Thus, accident victims and their families rely on full compensation to pay for their medical expenses, cover their losses, and address all damages they incurred due to a preventable wreck. Injured riders can seek compensation through personal injury claims, but recovering compensation is not automatic or guaranteed.
At Gardner Law Firm, our Ocean Springs, MS motorcycle crash attorneys draw on decades of experience when fighting to recover compensation for accident victims and their families. We are the strong partner you need to ensure that your case is heard and to recover the financial damages you need to offset medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. We strive to make the judicial process easier for our clients while maximizing your compensatory damages amount.
Ocean Springs Motorcycle Accidents and Your Rights as an Injury Victim
In comparison to passenger vehicles, motorcycles are much smaller. Therefore, they are vulnerable to being overseen by careless drivers. Driver error is actually the top cause for motorcycle accidents, and it can take various forms:
Unsafe Lane Change
It is important to ensure that the path is clear before changing lanes. Drivers should always assess their surroundings, blind spots, and mirrors as well as use their indicators before changing lanes. A reckless lane change can cause calamitous consequences for motorcyclists.
Failure to Yield
Often, motorcycle crashes happen at an intersection. The risk for such accidents increases when passenger vehicle drivers fail to see motorcyclists and do not yield to their right of way. Failure-to-yield collisions commonly occur at right turns and unprotected left turns. When it comes to accidents involving cars and motorcycles, left turn collisions are the most common.
Negligent Driving
One of the most threatening behaviors on our roads is distracted driving. This danger is especially grave for riders who can easily be ignored by a motorist who chooses to use a phone, text, or succumbs to other distractions over the primary task of driving a motor vehicle.
Drunk Driving
Driving when under the influence of alcohol is unlawful, negligent, and very hazardous. This behavior can change the course of an innocent rider’s life forever. Intoxicated motorists are far more likely to fail to see a motorcyclist, especially at night.
Any driver on the road is legally obligated to operate the automobile in a safe manner and take reasonable precautions to mitigate risks of preventable accidents. The failure to do so and act recklessly can lead to a driver being held at-fault for the damages they cause.
After a motorcycle accident, damages may include substantial medical expenses and lost wages caused due to missed work. Compensatory damages may include the anticipated cost of future medical expenses (in severe injury cases), emotional suffering, mental disruption, and even emotional trauma experienced by your loved ones.
In motorcycle accident cases, working with an experienced Ocean Springs motorcycle accident lawyer to recover compensation can make a huge difference to your case. The sole aim of insurance companies is to generate profit, which means that they will want you to accept a low settlement offer. However, a skilled attorney by your side can strengthen your position and ensure that you collect the fair compensation you deserve.
Establishing Fault After a Motorcycle Crash in Ocean Springs
At Gardner Law Firm, our motorcycle accident attorneys will work tirelessly to establish how and why you sustained injuries and to identify the party (or parties) who should be held accountable for your losses. We work with an intricate network of investigators and can put one on your case right away. Our investigators help us collect and assess evidence, such as:
- Witness statements
- Pictures from the motorcycle crash site
- Motorist chemical test results
- Available video camera footage
- Driver mobile phone records
- Event data collector (black box) info
We can consult with specialists in fields such as accident reconstruction or motorcycle safety to understand the factors that contributed to your accident. Sometimes another motorist’s negligence may not be the reason for your accident. As a result of our investigation, we can show that a faulty motorbike part, a mechanic’s carelessness, or even a poorly designed and/or maintained roadway caused your injuries.
Besides the other driver, additional parties may be responsible for your motorcycle accident, such as a driver’s employer, or store, bar, or restaurant that supplied alcohol to an underage driver or a visibly drunk motorist who struck your motorcycle. It is vital to identify all at-fault parties to maximize your compensation.
Motorcycle Crash Compensation in Mississippi
The lack of structural protection means that motorcycle riders and passengers can experience life-changing injuries in an accident with an automobile. Devastating accidents can occur even when motorcycle riders wear helmets and other protective gear as motorcyclists are thrown off the bike in many accidents.
The attorneys at Gardner Law Firm will establish the value of your personal injury claim on the basis of the percentage of negligence of the guilty party. A wrongful death or personal injury case for a motorcycle collision may include compensation for economic and non-economic damages, including the following:
- Medical bills and costs
- Continuing treatment or therapy
- Loss of wages
- Loss of future income
- Pain and suffering
- Lawyer’s fees
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Damage to your vehicle, personal property, helmet, etc.
Consult a Skilled Ocean Springs, MS Motorcycle Crash Attorney
Under Mississippi law, there is a set time limit after the motorcycle crash to seek compensation. Therefore, it is crucial to seek the assistance of a seasoned motorbike accident attorney as soon as you can. Your attorney requires time to assess your case, collect evidence, draft demand letters, talk to adjusters, and file a lawsuit on your behalf if required.
If you have sustained injuries in a motorcycle crash in Ocean Springs, the client-focused attorneys at Gardner Law Firm are here for you. We can assess your case and offer a realistic assessment of your situation as well as guide you on the best course of action moving forward. There is a limited amount of time to seek compensation for your injuries. Call us today at (228) 436-6555 for a free case review.