Motorcyclists may choose to ride their bikes for speed, freedom, and the ability to enjoy the weather. However, not everyone follows the rules of the road, and negligent drivers can put motorcycle riders at risk of getting into serious accidents. If you were injured because of someone else’s reckless actions, you may have trouble getting fair compensation from the insurance company. Unfortunately, there is a stigma against bikers that could make the insurance company believe you were the reckless party. A Fayetteville motorcycle accident lawyer from McMath Woods P.A. will not let unfair bias prevent you from getting the justice you deserve.
Our firm has protected injured motorcyclists and gotten them fair compensation for their injuries. We’re prepared to hold the negligent motorist accountable for their actions and help you secure your financial future. When we begin your case, we’re going to investigate to find out what exactly happened. We’ll need to know how the other party acted negligently so we can show how their reckless actions caused your injuries.
Why Do Motorcycle Accidents Happen in Fayetteville?
The Arkansas 2019 Highway Safety Plan reported that Washington County had 6,913 registered motorcycles. There were 83 accidents that involved another motor vehicle and 8 accidents that involved an impaired operator.
Motorcycle accidents can happen any time a motorist is negligent. Some drivers may not treat other motorcycle riders as they would other cars, which can result in risky driving behaviors. For example, drivers passing a rider should act the same way as when passing another vehicle. But if a motorist poorly judges their distance, they could end up colliding. Another possibility is the motorcyclist sees the car coming closer and has to make a risky maneuver to avoid the collision, but loses control of their bike in the process.
Negligent motorists that text and drive, speed, or are fatigued or intoxicated will have a more difficult time spotting a motorcycle and keeping track of how close they are or how fast they’re traveling. They may believe they have time to make a turn or change lanes and cause a collision. If for any reason the motorist’s eyes are off the road or they have reduced control of their vehicle, they may not realize they’re going to cause a collision until it’s too late.
Unfortunately, when a motorist is negligent and causes an accident, the biker is the one who sustains more serious injuries. A small nudge from a car can be enough to cause a motorcyclist to fall to the ground. Our Fayetteville motorcycle accident lawyers understand how a wreck can completely put your life on hold. We’re familiar with the common types of motorcycle accident injuries and will fight for you to get fair compensation so you can afford the care you need.
What Makes Motorcycle Injuries So Dangerous?
Motorcycle accident injuries are often severe because the rider has little to no protection, whereas the person in the car has a restraint system, airbags, and the car’s body to absorb the shock. Often, when a motorcyclist is struck, they will fall off their bike and hit the ground. Their body will absorb the shock of the crash and this can result in terrible injuries like:
- Spinal Cord Injuries. A spinal cord injury could result in paralysis.
- Lacerations. Debris from the accident can cause deep life-threatening lacerations that need immediate medical attention.
- Broken Bones. If the rider tries to catch themselves or brace their fall, it’s likely their leg or arm will bear most of the impact, which can break bones.
- Burn Injuries. When a biker falls off, their skin may brush against the concrete, gravel, or dirt, and the friction between the two can cause severe burn injuries, also known as road rash. While some burn injuries may only affect the outer layer of skin, burns that reach beneath the skin can get infected and reach soft tissue and bone underneath.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries. One of the most dangerous injuries a motorcyclist can get is a traumatic brain injury. A brain injury can result in internal bleeding, swelling, or the skull can fracture and bone fragments can get into the brain. These injuries quickly become fatal.
All of the injuries above have the potential to result in catastrophic consequences and cause life-long health complications. If these injuries are preventing you from returning to work, or result in permanent disability or chronic pain, a Fayetteville motorcycle accident lawyer from our firm will make sure your compensation reflects what you’ve suffered.
As our lawyers go over the injuries that happened to you, we’ll be compiling evidence of negligence and how it resulted in your injuries. If you weren’t wearing protective gear at the time, you may be wondering if that will affect your claim’s validity. Let’s take a look at the motorcycle helmet laws in Arkansas.
Arkansas Motorcycle Helmet Laws
As a citizen of Arkansas, it’s important for you to know the laws that apply to your state. This way you’ll know you’re complying with the motorcycle laws and aren’t risking getting pulled over.
In Arkansas, motorcycle helmet laws are age-specific. Every rider under the age of 21 needs to wear a helmet. Those who are above that age have the option to wear a helmet or not. While it isn’t required by law, motorcyclists have a much greater chance of sustaining severe head injuries or losing their lives in an accident if they’re not wearing a helmet.
Motorcyclists are required to wear eye protection. This will protect their eyes from the wind, debris from the road, and will help them maintain visibility as they’re riding. Additional laws include passenger restrictions. In Arkansas, a child has to be 8 years old and up to be a passenger.
If someone under the age of 21 is caught riding a motorcycle without a helmet, they could face sanctions. They could be fined between $10-$50, points could go on their license, and they could go to jail for up to 30 days.
Seek Representation to Help You Get Justice
If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident, the first step is to call emergency services. They’ll send first responders who will be able to assess your health and transport you to a hospital if necessary. Police will also make a crash report, which could benefit your claim later. They’re a third-party and will report the facts of what they see. Police may also speak to eyewitnesses who saw your accident. These details will help prove the other party acted negligently.
Before you begin your legal journey, you need to see a doctor for an evaluation. They’ll assess your injuries and will start treatment so your body can begin to heal. If you don’t get to a doctor, your injuries could become worse and cause more problems than the original injuries. It’s best to see a physician as soon as possible so you can recover.
After seeing a doctor and beginning your treatment plan, you should contact a Fayetteville motorcycle accident lawyer. The medical costs you’re facing could be extensive and you should be able to get the care you need without worrying about when you can return to work or how you’ll keep up with other financial responsibilities. Our attorneys are here for you. We’ll help facilitate communication with the insurance company, so you don’t need to deal with harassing insurance adjusters. In an obligation-free consultation, we’ll go over the facts of your case and put you on the path to recovery.
