Riding a motorcycle is inherently risky, and Kentucky riders are aware of those risks. The most dangerous situations are the ones a motorcyclist can’t control since drivers don’t always watch out for motorcycles like they should. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, you should speak to an experienced Paducah motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. A skilled attorney can protect your rights and ensure the guilty driver learns to share the road with motorcyclists.
An attorney can accomplish this by helping you file a Kentucky motorcycle accident lawsuit. If the accident was caused by a driver who wasn’t paying attention to the road, did not see you, or failed to give you the proper right-of-way, filing a lawsuit can help ensure three things:
- That you’re treated fairly by the driver’s insurance company and are offered a fair settlement offer
- That you get the financial compensation you need to pay off medical bills and continue to provide for your loved ones while you’re recovering
- That the guilty driver knows they were in the wrong and learns to share the road safely with other riders
Facts and Statistics About Motorcycle Accidents in Kentucky
It’s no secret to most motorcyclists that motorcycle accidents are deadlier than most passenger vehicle or truck accidents. This is due to the simple fact that cars and trucks are heavier, more difficult to flip over, and have a coat of natural armor that protects the passengers inside. Motorcyclists are poorly protected during an accident, and even a light spill can cause injury.
Wearing a helmet while riding on streets and highways is the best way to protect our most fragile organ—the human brain—but in Kentucky, helmets are not required for every rider. The only riders required to wear helmets in our state are riders and passengers who are under 21 years old, riders who possess a motorcycle instruction permit, and those who have had an operator’s license for less than one year. For every other motorcyclist in Kentucky, wearing a helmet is optional.
This is an option that should absolutely be considered a requirement, however. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that wearing a helmet can reduce the amount of motorcycle crash deaths our nation sees by up to 37%. A helmet can also reduce the chances of a brain injury occurring by up to 65%.
Serious motorcycle wrecks commonly lead to brain injuries, especially when a helmet is not worn. Other common motorcycle accident injuries include spinal cord injuries, back injuries, severe road rash, burns, broken bones, and pelvic trauma. Many injuries are extremely serious in nature and lead to lifelong physical limitations and long term medical care. Death is also an unfortunate result of many serious crashes.
Statistics state that motorcyclists are more than 30 times more likely to die in an accident than occupants of cars or trucks. Between the 1990s and 2008, United States saw more than double the amount of motorcycle accident deaths from the years before that period. It’s estimated that roughly 4000 to 5000 motorcycle riders die every year in crashes. Many of these fatal accidents are caused by the failure of other drivers to obey the rules of the road and respect the rights of bikers.
Get the Help You Need from a Kentucky Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you’ve been seriously injured in a motorcycle crash that you believe wasn’t your fault, it’s important to have legal representation to make sure there are no delays or gaps in getting your medical bills paid quickly. It is also important to have someone who can recognize an inadequate settlement offer and someone who can help you recover lost wages or get your motorcycle repaired.
An experienced Paducah motorcycle accident lawyer can do all the above plus help protect your rights if the driver chooses to fight against your insistence on a fair settlement. Motorcyclists have rights just as any U.S. citizen, and a civil lawsuit can help a victim of a tragic accident utilize those rights to ensure recovery is possible.
Daryl T. Dixon believes in the rights of motorcyclists and can help you and your family obtain justice and compensation for your injuries. In Kentucky, contact Daryl today for legal assistance with your motorcycle accident injury.
