Paducah Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcycles may be an exciting way to enjoy scenic routes in the country, but they are also a dangerous mode of transportation. Motorcycles offer fewer safety features than cars and are often difficult for other drivers to see. Motorcycle riders are also more likely to suffer serious injury or death in an accident, because of their lack of protection. If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident, the Paducah motorcycle accident attorneys at Bryant Law Center P.S.C. can help you.
In 2019, 5,014 people lost their lives while riding a motorcycle, and an estimated 84,000 people were injured. Fatal accidents on motorcycles made up 14% of all deaths in motor vehicle accidents.
If you have been injured in an accident on your motorcycle, the Paducah personal injury attorneys at Bryant Law Center can help. With over three decades of experience representing victims and families that have been impacted by motorcycle accidents, we can comprehensively review your case to determine the best legal strategy.
We understand that motorcycle accidents can cause devastating injury and great financial distress. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, our law firm may be able to help you seek the compensation you need. We can help you take legal action to seek and receive compensation for injury-related losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, and physical pain.
At the Bryant Law Center’s Paducah office, we have a law team that exclusively handles personal injury cases. We know Kentucky’s laws on motorcycle accidents inside and out and have the resources that no out-of-state firm can bring to the table. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you.
How a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help You
After you decide to retain an attorney, we will get to work preparing your claim for settlement negotiations and for a lawsuit.
The lawsuit process can be broken down into 3 stages:
- Investigating your case
- Evaluating your losses and determining your compensation
- Getting your settlement or verdict
Investigating The Causes of the Motorcycle Accident
After your initial consultation, your lawyer will conduct an investigation to collect any supporting evidence that may be needed to prove that the other driver was negligent or liable for your accident.
Some examples of negligent actions that your lawyer may be looking for include:
- Driving over the speed limit
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Cutting off a motorcyclist at an intersection
- Turning left into a biker’s path
- Swerving in front of a motorcyclist
- Tailgating
- Failing to yield
- Failing to be aware of their surroundings
Motorcycle accident lawsuits are classified as forms of personal injury, which are based on the theory of negligence. This means that in order to collect compensation for injuries sustained in the accident, your attorney will have to prove that another driver acted negligently and was responsible for these injuries.
In order to provide strong evidence for why the other party was negligent, your attorney will obtain and use a number of various resources. These can include:
- Police reports and photographs of the accident scene
- Witness statements
- Establishing you followed all motorcycle regulations
- Medical reports and bills
Your attorney will seek to prove that you followed all motorcycle regulations leading up to the crash.
They may consult with medical experts to establish how your injuries were most likely sustained and retain an expert witness to help recreate the accident.
Determining Damages and Evaluating Your Losses
When handling a motorcycle accident lawsuit, your attorney will determine the types and amount of compensable damages you incurred as a result of the accident.
What does this mean? After investigating your motorcycle accident, your lawyer will determine how much money you should get. The lawyer will determine the type of damages you have and how much money they are worth.
Some examples of damages you may be compensated for include:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills and expenses
- The cost of ongoing medical care or medical devices
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- The cost to repair or replace the motorcycle
- The cost to repair or replace other property damaged in the accident
- Punitive damages
Negotiating with the At-Fault Parties
When your attorney has completed their investigation and determined damages, they will review the information to create an injury claim. Once a claim has been filed, your lawyer will try to negotiate with the other party and their insurer before filing a lawsuit.
If an agreement cannot be reached with the other party, your lawyer will file a claim in court and begin preparing for a trial. While preparing for the trial, both parties will usually continue to negotiate in an effort to keep the case out of court.
Although most cases are settled out of court, our team is committed to preparing a strong case and going to trial if needed. Our attorneys understand the compensation our clients need in order for them to recover after an accident and will do their best to help you get the fair compensation you deserve.
Kentucky’s Motorcycle Accident Statute of Limitations
Victims of motorcycle accidents have two years to file a lawsuit in Kentucky according to state law. If you file for a lawsuit outside of the statute of limitations, it is unlikely that your case would be accepted in court.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, it is essential to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible to have the best chance of receiving compensation for your injuries.
What Compensation are Motorcycle Accident Victims Eligible for?
Depending on your particular circumstances, monetary compensation is available for victims of motorcycle accidents. The amount you may be eligible to recover will depend on a number of factors, such as what type of injuries you suffered and whether you missed work because of those injuries.
A motorcycle accident lawyer may be able to help you recover compensation for the following types of damages:
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Past and future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
Our Paducah wrongful death lawyers can help the victim’s family file a wrongful death lawsuit if the bike accident was fatal. The surviving family of a victim who died in a motorcycle accident may have the right to claim compensation for medical bills and funeral expenses, as well as loss of income due to the death.
If the driver that caused the accident engaged in reckless behavior (such as being drunk while driving), then you may also be eligible to receive punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded at the jury’s discretion in order to discourage other drivers from engaging in similar behavior on the road.
This type of claim is only relevant in Kentucky if the jury finds that the other driver acted with oppression, fraud, or malice. This may not come up every case so doesn’t apply to most accidents.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycles offer very little protection to the rider, and oftentimes they must be operated on highways where automobile drivers are less attentive when sharing the roadway. Motorcycles also require a unique set of skills that may take time to master.
Common motorcycle injuries include:
- Bone fractures
- Road rash
- Amputation
- Disfigurement
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Brain damage
- Severe head trauma
- Death
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Paducah Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
Our team of motorcycle accident lawyers at work on contingency, meaning you pay no upfront costs to your attorney. Instead, you will only have to pay if your lawyer is successful in negotiating compensation for your damages or injuries sustained during motorcycle accidents.
Why You Should Choose the Bryant Law Center to Represent Your Case
Our Paducah motorcycle accident lawyers have a deep understanding of Kentucky’s laws governing motorcycles and can help you successfully navigate insurance companies who may want to minimize your compensation.
In addition to access to a network of experts such as accident reconstructionists and medical experts, our firm has decades of experience in getting injured motorcyclists the compensation they deserve.
Our roots are in Paducah and we have a firm track record of success here that no big box out-of-state firm can match.
Free Consultation with a Paducah Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident, contact the Bryant Law Center P.S.C. right away for help. You may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, missed work time, and more. Contact us today using the form on this page to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how an attorney can help you.