For the last 20 years, the number of motorcycles on our roads has doubled. As of 2020, more than 8.6 million motorcycles were registered to U.S. households.
Many people use motorcycles for practical reasons, including cheaper fuel costs, maneuverability through traffic and to reduce commuting time. Others ride motorcycles because they enjoy the ride. No matter your reason for riding, you are entitled to a safe environment.
As the number of motorcycles on our roads have increased, motorcycle accidents have significantly increased. In 2019, more than 5,014 motorcyclists were killed in traffic accidents. A motorcyclist is 29 times more likely to die in a motorcycle crash than a driver in a car crash. Oklahoma motorcycle lawyer Rich Toon is an avid rider.
The motorcycle lawyers at Toon Law Firm have extensive experience representing riders who have been injured in motorcycle accidents. Our experience in handling motorcycle accidents reveals a majority of accidents are not the fault of the motorcycle rider.
Some of the most common reasons from motorcycle accidents are:
- Other drivers not paying attention
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Cars or trucks rear ending the motorcycle
- Cars or trucks opening their doors
- Brake checking
- Changing lanes
The most common injuries a motorcycle rider can suffer are:
- Death
- Broken bones
- Head and brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Lacerations
- Scrapes
- Road rash
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Brusing
In Oklahoma, a motorcycle rider is not legally required to wear a helmet. However, insurance companies may try to use the lack of a helmet to reduce what you are owed. It is important to make sure you are protected from the insurance companies by hiring a competent motorcycle accident lawyer.
Motorcycle accidents can present unique insurance issues. Oklahoma requires all drivers to carry a minimum level of insurance. There are many drivers on the road who do not follow this rule. When the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance to compensate motorcycle victims, something called uninsured motorist coverage or underinsured motorist coverage can apply. These types of claims are often referred to as UM or UIM claims. There are very important steps to follow in these types of claims. Insurance companies may illegally try to claim you must have UM specifically covering your motorcycle and refuse to apply UM from other vehicles. This is one of many tricks that insurance companies try to use. It is extremely important to review all insurance policies to make sure anyone involved in a motorcycle accident receives the full amount of their damages from every available insurance policy. The Oklahoma motorcycle lawyers of Toon Law Firm can safely navigate through the steps needed to get justice for people who have been in a motorcycle accident.
Due to the likelihood of severe injuries in a motorcycle accident, medical bills can be extensive and overwhelming. You may also have significant lost wages from missed work and you may not be able to return to work for some time. It is important that you have a well skilled lawyer to protect your interests. The motorcycle lawyers at Toon Law Firm will immediately begin to work on your case to pursue full and fair compensation for all injuries and damages.
