Motorcycle Accidents Lawyer in St. Louis, MO
Were you injured in a motorcycle accident in St. Louis, Missouri? You may be able to recover compensation for your injuries by filing an auto insurance claim against the at-fault party. However, it is crucial that you work with an experienced motorcycle injury attorney who will fight to maximize your compensation.
Auto insurance companies typically try to get away with paying as little as possible to claimants, and they may unfairly assume you were at fault simply because you are a motorcycle rider. At Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC, our team has the knowledge, experience, and resources to handle your Missouri motorcycle accident claim.
Contact us now for a free consultation and find out how we can help you seek maximum compensation for all your motorcycle accident losses.
Reasons to Choose Our St. Louis Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
For more than 30 years, Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC has been representing injured motorcycle accident victims and helping them seek the compensation they need. Over the years, we have secured hundreds of millions for our clients, including individuals injured in motorcycle wrecks.
Our firm is dedicated to providing comprehensive legal support and has a track record of successfully recovering the money our clients need through negotiated settlements and trial verdicts. We encourage you to check out our client testimonials to learn more about what working with our team is like. For example, one of our past clients wrote:
“Krysten and Jennah were so wonderful to work with & they were both patient with all the questions and so incredibly helpful along the way. Thanks so much for helping us navigate such a stressful event for our family.” – Kristen P.
How Is a Motorcycle Wreck Different from a Car Crash?
Motorcycle accidents are different from car crashes due to the lack of safety features motorcycles provide to their riders. Cars have metal frames, crumple zones, airbags, and seat belts to protect occupants. Motorcycle riders do not have any of those safety features. Even when wearing a proper helmet and other riding gear, their bodies often take the brunt of the impact in a motorcycle crash.
Additionally, riders do not only sustain injuries from impacts with vehicles and other objects. They can also sustain injuries from striking the road surface after the initial impact that caused the accident.
Another critical factor is the way many insurance companies treat claims from injured motorcyclists. In an attempt to make a claim go away cheaply, insurance adjusters frequently use unfair stereotypes about motorcyclists to try to shift the blame. Our attorneys will not let them get away with it. We know most motorcyclists make safety their priority.
What Compensation Can You Get After a Missouri Motorcycle Accident?
The compensation you could recover through a successful motorcycle accident case largely depends on the severity and extent of your injuries, with more severe injuries typically leading to more compensation. Some of the main losses motorcycle accident compensation covers include:
- Past and future medical bills related to the crash
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity due to your injuries
- Physical pain and emotional suffering caused by your injuries
- Emotional distress related to your injuries or the accident itself
- Loss of enjoyment of life due to your injuries, preventing you from engaging in activities
- Property repair and replacement costs
Dealing with Insurance After a Motorcycle Wreck
Insurance companies can be challenging to deal with, especially while you are recovering from your injuries. As a motorcycle rider, they may unfairly try to blame you for the accident and deny your claim. Or they may offer a lowball settlement in the hopes that you will accept it and go away.
Under Missouri law, injured riders have five years to file lawsuits against the parties responsible for their injuries. It is important to keep this deadline in mind, as you may have to file a lawsuit to seek the compensation you need if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement or denies your claim.
Do not take on the big insurance companies alone. Let an experienced attorney from Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC deal with the insurance adjusters while you focus on healing.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Motorcycle Accident in Missouri?
Depending on how the motorcycle accident that harmed you occurred, several parties could be liable in a personal injury lawsuit. Some examples of potentially liable parties include:
- Other motorists – Other drivers frequently cause motorcycle accidents with their aggressive driving or lack of awareness, claiming the motorcycle rider “came out of nowhere” when the truth is that they failed to keep a proper lookout for motorcycles.
- Motorcycle manufacturers – If a defective component, such as faulty brakes, caused the accident, you may be able to hold the manufacturer liable for your injuries.
- Equipment manufacturers – If defective equipment, such as a helmet that did not meet its advertised safety standards, worsened your injuries, the manufacturer could be liable.
- Maintenance providers – Poor motorcycle maintenance can sometimes lead to accidents, leaving the maintenance provider open to liability.
- Government agencies – The government is responsible for maintaining public roads. If a large pothole or malfunctioning traffic signal caused the wreck that injured you, you may be able to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit against the government.
What Injuries Are Most Common in Motorcycle Crashes?
A few examples of injuries often sustained by motorcycle riders in St. Louis include:
- Traumatic brain injuries – TBIs result from blows to the head. Even when wearing an appropriate helmet, the forces involved in a wreck can cause severe brain damage.
- Spinal cord injuries – Riders can suffer from paralysis, chronic pain, and other medical complications caused by damage to their spinal cord.
- Road rash – The abrasion injury occurs when riders slide across the pavement after an accident, particularly when not wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants.
- Broken bones – Fractures frequently happen due to the initial impact with another vehicle and the secondary impact with the road.
- Soft tissue injuries – Sprained and torn muscles, ligaments, and tendons frequently occur as riders hit the ground and roll after an accident.
- Internal organ damage – The blunt force involved in a collision can cause severe internal injuries that require immediate medical attention.
- Burns – In some cases, riders may sustain burns by coming into contact with hot motorcycle components during the accident.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in St. Louis?
Other motorists are responsible for many motorcycle accidents in St. Louis. Other drivers can cause motorcycle accidents by following too closely behind riders, leading to rear-end collisions, and failing to yield the right-of-way when turning left in front of oncoming motorcycles. They may also make unsafe lane changes by not properly checking their mirrors.
In some cases, aggressive drivers attempt to overtake riders within their lane, leading to crashes. Distracted driving and drunk driving are also factors in many motorcycle crashes.
How Can a St. Louis Motorcycle Injury Attorney Help You Right Now?
Contact Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC for a free case evaluation if you were injured in a motorcycle accident in St. Louis. Our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys will review the accident details to help you understand who the liable parties may be and what your options are for seeking the compensation you need through a personal injury claim.