Motorcycle Accidents
An Oklahoma City Motorcycle Accident Attorney You Can Trust
Protecting the rights of the injured riders in Oklahoma
The Oklahoma City motorcycle accident lawyers of Cunningham & Mears assist motorcyclists who are injured in accidents caused by the negligence of others throughout the state. Because of the small size of motorcycles, inattentive drivers often do not see motorcyclists until it is too late. Since motorcycles are not as well protected as passenger cars, trucks and other vehicles, motorcyclists often suffer serious injuries and fatalities in accidents. Our lawyers use years of knowledge and experience to help you obtain a full and fair recovery for your injuries.
Causes of motorcycle accidents
At Cunningham & Mears, we are highly qualified to assist you in recovering compensation from an insurance company or in a personal injury lawsuit when you are injured because of an accident caused by driver negligence, negligent road design, defective motorcycles or defective motorcycle parts. Driver negligence by both car and motorcycle drivers is one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents. We can help you recover compensation by identifying any of the possible causes of your accident, including:
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What are the most common types of motorcycle accident injuries?
When you combine tremendous speed and little to no protection for the rider, motorcycle crashes are often devastating. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that about 80% of motorcycle crashes result in injury or death. Those riders who survive a crash often come away with serious injuries. Some of the most common motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Leg and foot injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Facial fractures
- Burns
- Internal organ damage
Oklahoma helmet laws help minimize injuries
Oklahoma helmet laws require motorcyclists and passengers under age 18 to wear helmets when riding. 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. Our attorneys recommend wearing a helmet even if the law does not require you to protect yourself from serious or even fatal brain injuries. The CDC reports that motorcycle helmets saved an estimated 1,772 lives in 2015. If all motorcyclists had worn helmets in 2015, 740 more lives could have been saved.
Prevent injuries by wearing the proper protection when you ride a motorcycle
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 at least prevent road rash. U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218 approved motorcycle helmets provide the highest level of protection for the rider’s head, but even DOT approved helmets must 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.
To prevent motorcycle crashes, the CDC recommends:
- Wear a DOT approved motorcycle helmet every time you ride
- Get motorcycle rider training
- The rider should be properly licensed and have insurance
- Do not drink and ride
- Wear protective and conspicuous clothing
Seek legal assistance early to protect your rights
Unfortunately, motorcyclists have a reputation for reckless driving and are often blamed by other drivers for causing accidents because of lane splitting, speeding or other negligence. If you were in a motorcycle accident, it is essential to contact an accident attorney immediately to protect your rights. Our Oklahoma motorcycle accident attorneys fully investigate each crash and help to preserve valuable evidence and witness testimony. Even if you were partly at fault, we can help you recover some compensation under Oklahoma’s modified comparative fault system if your fault is less than 50 percent.
Call a knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyer in Oklahoma City
At Cunningham & Mears, our lawyers strive to make sure your rights are protected and that you 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, contact us or call us at 405-232-1212 today for a free initial consultation.