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Oklahoma City Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Protecting the rights of injured riders in Oklahoma
Riding a motorcycle is extremely dangerous because operators need to have a lot of skill and experience to drive them safely. Even the best-trained riders are in constant danger of being struck by the driver of a larger vehicle who doesn’t see the motorcycle, or doesn’t respect the right of the motorcycle to share the same road.
The Oklahoma City motorcycle accident lawyers of Cunningham & Mears assist motorcyclist drivers and passengers who are injured in accidents caused by the negligence of others throughout the state. Our lawyers use our 105 years of combined knowledge and experience to help you obtain a full and fair recovery for your injuries. Our successful motorcycle accident results include:
- $1.3 million for a motorcycle rider hit by another car. Our client, a motorcycle rider, was making a left-hand turn when he was hit head-on by an oncoming motorist.
- $350,000 for a motorcycle crash victim. We represented a young man who was struck while riding his motorcycle. He suffered a fractured ankle. Our physicians provided evidence showing some permanent impairment and the risk of future arthritis and surgery.
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How can we help?
- How dangerous are motorcycle accidents?
- Why do motorcycle accidents happen in Oklahoma City?
- What are the most common motorcycle accident injuries in Oklahoma City?
- Does Oklahoma require that motorcycle riders wear helmets?
- What protective gear can help prevent motorcycle injuries?
- How much is my motorcycle accident claim worth in Oklahoma?
- Do you have an Oklahoma City motorcycle accident lawyer near me?
How dangerous are motorcycle accidents?
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), 5,579 motorcycle riders died in traffic accidents in the United States in 2021. Motorcycle deaths, by miles traveled, are 28 times more deadly than passenger vehicle fatalities.
The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office reports that 76 people died in Oklahoma motorcycle accidents in 2021. Fifty-three of those 76 deaths involved a rider who was NOT wearing a motorcycle helmet.
Why do motorcycle accidents happen in Oklahoma City?
At Cunningham & Mears, we can help you recover compensation by identifying all the possible causes of your accident, including:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Driver inexperience
- Driver fatigue
- Texting or talking on cell phones
- Speeding
- Lane splitting
- Failure to check for blind spots
- Driving through red lights and stop signs
- Failure to obey traffic signs or rules of the road
- Sudden lane changes
- Failure to yield
- Failure to give a motorcycle driver the room to pass or merge
Our Oklahoma City Injury lawyers are highly qualified to fight for your demand for full compensation from the insurance companies and from defendants in personal injury trials before juries. We file claims based on driver negligence, defective motorcycles, defective motorcycle parts, negligent road design, and other causes.
We promptly examine the accident site and the vehicles involved in the crash. We speak with everyone who has knowledge about how the accident happened. In some cases, we may employ traffic reconstruction experts and motorcycle product safety experts.
What are the most common motorcycle accident injuries in Oklahoma City?
When you combine tremendous speed and little to no protection for the rider, motorcycle crashes are often devastating. Those riders who survive a crash often come away with serious injuries. Some of the most common motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
- Burn injuries
- Leg and foot injuries
- Head, shoulder, and neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Back injuries
- Facial fractures
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Dental injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Psychological trauma
Does Oklahoma require that motorcycle riders wear helmets?
Oklahoma helmet laws require that motorcyclists and passengers under the age of 18 wear helmets when riding. Our attorneys recommend wearing a helmet even if the law does not require you to protect yourself from serious or even fatal brain injuries.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motorcycle helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69 percent and the risk of death by 37 percent in the event of a crash. Failure to wear a helmet to protect yourself while on a motorcycle is one of the most common causes of injury and death in motorcycle accidents. According to Autoweek, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) “says properly designed helmets reduce the likelihood of death by about 40% and the risk of traumatic brain injury by two-thirds.”
What protective gear can help prevent motorcycle injuries?
Because motorcycle riders do not have the added protection of being inside of a reinforced vehicle, when they get into a crash, it is vital that they are wearing protective gear that can help mitigate the level of injury and help prevent or mitigate road rash.
The CDC states that motorcycle helmets must meet current US Department of Transportation (US DOT) standards. Generally, full-face helmets provide the most protection because they protect the eyes and face as well as the head. Even US DOT-approved helmets should be replaced at least every five years.
Riders can wear leather jackets and pants, boots that cover and protect feet and ankles, gloves to protect the hands and wrists, and reflective decals over the protective gear to increase the rider's visibility at night.
Additional requirements and suggestions for motorcycle riders in Oklahoma City
Motorcycle operators must have an Oklahoma motorcycle license. Passengers must be at least 16 years of age. There are many equipment, insurance, and other requirements that apply to motorcycle operation in Oklahoma City.
Other safety tips include obtaining training that matches a motorcycle rider’s skill level. Riders should never drink and drive.
How much is my motorcycle accident claim worth in Oklahoma?
Our Oklahoma City personal injury lawyers fight to obtain all the compensation you deserve including your current and future:
- Medical expenses for ER care, surgeries, hospitalizations, doctor visits, physical therapy, other types of therapy, psychological help, assistive devices, and medications
- Lost income and lost benefits because you cannot perform your job
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Property damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of function of a body part
We seek wrongful death damages if a loved one dies in an Oklahoma City motorcycle accident. These damages include the funeral and burial costs; the value of the financial support your loved one would have provided; the grief of the spouse, parents, and children; and the loss of comfort, society, companionship, and love your loved one would have provided.
Do you have an Oklahoma City motorcycle accident lawyer near me?
At Cunningham & Mears, our Oklahoma City motorcycle accident lawyers have 105 years of combined experience. We have two Oklahoma City offices:
- Our first is located at 5104 N Francis Ave., Suite 102 – close to Penn Square Mall with plenty of parking close by.
- Our second is located at 9428 Westgate, Suite 102B, in the Brookhaven West part of Oklahoma City, near Resurrection Cemetery and off the Northwest Expressway.
You can reach us by public transit. We do meet clients who are too ill or immobile at their homes, hospitals, and by video conference.
We’ll calmly and clearly guide you through the claims process. We’ve helped numerous people just like you.
Call a knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyer in Oklahoma City today
If you were in a motorcycle accident, it is essential to contact an accident attorney immediately to protect your rights. At Cunningham & Mears, our Oklahoma City motorcycle accident lawyers work to hold any drivers or other defendants liable for your injuries. We fight to obtain the compensation you need and deserve when another party causes an accident resulting in your injuries. To learn more about our services and how we can help you, call us or complete our contact form today to schedule a free initial consultation.
Motorcycle Accident Blog Posts
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim After a Fatal Motorcycle Accident in Oklahoma City
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Defensive Riding Can Keep Motorcycle Riders Safer
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Motorcycle Accident Statistics: Key Facts and Figures You Need to Know
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Is It Time for a New Motorcycle Helmet?
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Catastrophic Bone Breaks from Oklahoma City Motorcycle Accidents
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Snell Changes Motorcycle Helmet Standards
The Snell Memorial Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide a high-quality standard of safety for helmets. Unfortunately, with its recent changes to its testing formula for motorcycle helmets, it may have fallen short in that area. Because the Department of Transportation’s standards for motorcycle helmets were outdated at best and obsolete…
Motorcycle Accidents and Road Rash Injuries
When a motorcyclist loses control of his or her motorcycle and is thrown across the pavement, sometimes for tens or hundreds of feet, the rider often suffers an injury that is referred to as road rash. This injury can vary in severity and in the worst cases can even be life threatening. The term road…
Most Common Injuries Sustained in Motorcycle Accidents
The consequences of a motorcycle crash can be devastating for the rider(s) and others on the road as well. The injuries resulting from the crashes can come in various forms – everything from small scratches and bruises to life-changing, catastrophic injuries. Some of the most common injuries include: “Biker’s arm” The injury referred to as…
The Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents (and How to Avoid Them)
Just like car collisions, motorcycle accidents can easily occur due to a number of reasons, including distracted driving, operating a motorcycle while under the influence, and even poor road conditions. If you are a motorcycle rider, it is important for you to know of some of the most common kinds of motorcycle accidents, along with…
What You Should Know About Motorcycle Helmets for Oklahoma City motorcyclist
According to a recent accident report, a motorcycle carrying two riders veered off the roadway and hit a cable barrier. Both riders were thrown from the motorcycle — neither was wearing a helmet. Between 2008 and 2010, 42 percent of all motorcyclists killed while riding were not wearing a helmet. Oklahoma’s helmet law Oklahoma is a partial helmet-law…
Motorcycle Safety Tips for Oklahoma City motorcyclist
An Oklahoma City motorcyclist was killed while trying to exit on Broadway Extension toward Interstate 44. According to police, the victim was momentarily distracted when their motorcycle jumped a curb and rolled over several times before stopping, after which he was pronounced dead at the scene. Rider error is one of the most common causes of fatal…