Motorcycles make up about 3% of all registered vehicles in the United States. While this is a relatively small number, their involvement in traffic accidents tells a different story. 

In 2021, motorcycles were involved in nearly 14% of all traffic fatalities that year. This staggering number reveals the vulnerability of motorcyclists on our roads. To ensure everyone’s safety as we navigate our daily commutes, it’s important to use extra precautions when sharing the road with motorcyclists.

In this blog, we will discuss the complexities of motorcycle accidents and how to safeguard your rights after a collision. 

Understanding Motorcycle Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents are very common on our roadways. When a collision occurs between two cars, an inherent level of protection exists due to the relatively similar size and weight of the two vehicles. 

However, when a car is involved in an accident with a motorcycle, the size and weight balance is vastly different. This can result in major consequences for the motorcyclist. 

If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, it’s crucial to find a motorcycle accident attorney in Kansas City to handle your case. Attorneys who represent clients after motorcycle accidents have extensive knowledge and experience in what makes these cases unique, including: 

The Severity of Injuries 

Accidents involving motorcycles often result in severe injuries. Unlike car occupants who are restrained with a seatbelt and surrounded by airbags, a metal frame, and other safety measures, motorcyclists lack these protective features. 

When a collision occurs, the motorcyclist is directly exposed to the impact, leading to a higher risk of severe injuries or fatalities. Injuries from motorcycle accidents often include: 

Road Rash

Road rash is a very common injury from motorcycle accidents. It happens when a rider is thrown off the bike and skids across the pavement. The severity of a road rash can vary, ranging from minor skin abrasions to severe complications, including infections or nerve damage.

The severity of road rash often correlates with the motorcycle’s speed at the time of the accident. While protective clothing can help minimize the extent of injury, riders can still experience extensive skin damage and open wounds from road rash. 

Broken Bones

The impact from the collision, ejection from the motorcycle, or other forces can result in broken bones. Some of the most common bone fractures we see from motorcycle accidents involve the: 

• Legs and arms
• Collarbone
• Skull
• Ribs
• Back and spine
• Wrists and ankles

Broken bones can significantly impact a person’s ability to work, move, and participate in daily activities. Broken bones can also lead to more severe complications, including infections, nerve damage, amputations, and more. 

Spinal Cord Injuries

Due to the force and impact involved in a motorcycle accident, spinal cord injuries are common. The spinal cord is responsible for communicating between the brain and the rest of the body, so injuries to this structure can be catastrophic. 

Spinal cord injuries can result in paralysis, numbness, loss of feeling, loss of control, and other complications. Spinal cord injuries require immediate medical attention and often require surgery and extensive rehabilitation. 

Head Injuries

Head injuries are a significant risk for those involved in motorcycle accidents. Head injuries can lead to permanent disability or even death, making prompt diagnosis and treatment essential. Some of the common head injuries associated with these accidents include: 

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Concussions
• Skull fractures
• Brain contusions (bruises to the brain)
• Intracranial hematomas (bleeding within the skull) 

Wearing a helmet can significantly reduce the risk and severity of head injuries. However, any injury to the head requires immediate medical attention and treatment. 

Internal Bleeding

Not all injuries are immediately visible after a motorcycle accident. The force of a collision can cause bleeding and other injuries within the body. If not addressed immediately, these injuries can be fatal.

Internal bleeding can result from:

• Organs colliding against each other or against bones
• Pieces of broken bones puncturing organs
• Torn blood vessels from the forces of the accident

Biases and Assumptions

Motorcycle accidents often come with inherent biases and preconceived assumptions that set them apart from car accidents. It’s crucial that your motorcycle accident attorney in Kansas City is experienced in handling these biases because they can significantly impact your case. 

One of the most critical of these assumptions involves the individual at fault for the accident. People tend to immediately assume that the motorcyclist is at fault when they are involved in a collision. 

These biases can result in overlooking another party’s fault or other external factors that contributed to the accident. An experienced attorney can help ensure that you receive the justice you deserve.

More In-Depth Investigations

Motorcycle accidents are extremely complex cases. Because of the different dynamics in terms of their smaller size and balance, a specialized investigation is often necessary to determine how the accident happened and why.

Another challenge of these cases is that motorcycles are smaller and generally less visible than cars. This can make it difficult for other drivers and witnesses to accurately report the events that led to the accident. A detailed reconstruction of the collision is often necessary to establish the events of the accident. 

These complexities, along with more severe injuries (and thus greater damages), make it essential to consult a motorcycle accident attorney in Kansas City to handle your case. 

Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents 

Motorcycle accidents are the result of many complex factors. One should never assume that the person on a motorcycle is at fault for an accident simply because they are on a bike. Motorcycle accidents are often caused by drivers of other vehicles or external factors, such as: 

Driver Negligence 

Motorcycle accidents often result from the negligence of other drivers. This includes distracted driving, unsafe lane changes, failure to yield, tailgating, speeding or reckless behaviors, impaired driving, and more. 

Because motorcycles are much smaller than cars, they are more difficult to see on the road. When vehicle operators fail to check their blind spots, it can result in collisions with unseen motorcyclists. 

Unsafe Road Conditions

Motorcyclists are more vulnerable to adverse road conditions compared to cars. Two wheels offer less traction and require balance, which compromises their stability. This makes motorcycles more susceptible to accidents from road conditions, such as: 

• Potholes
• Uneven surfaces
• Gravel
• Slippery surfaces

Mechanical Defects or Malfunctions

Defects in the motorcycle itself can be the cause of accidents on the road. Examples of these defects can include:

• Brake failures
• Improperly installed tires
• Faulty suspension systems
• Engine or transmission failures
• Faulty wiring components
• Design flaws (such as improper weight distribution that affects stability) 

Regular maintenance, inspections, and adherence to the manufacturer’s recommendations can help minimize the risk associated with potential defects. 

Protecting Your Rights After a Motorcycle Accident

If you or a loved one was involved in a motorcycle accident, it is crucial to contact a motorcycle accident attorney in Kansas City to protect your rights. An experienced attorney can ensure you obtain fair compensation for your damages. 

Damages You Can Recover in a Motorcycle Accident

You can recover two types of damages from a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Kansas City: economic damages and non-economic damages. 

Economic Damages

Economic damages are out-of-pocket expenses you incurred (or will incur in the future) as a result of the accident. These can include:

• Medical expenses (hospitalization, surgery, medications, rehabilitation, appointments, etc.) 
• Lost wages (if the injured party is unable to work)
• Lost earning capacity (when injuries result in long-term or permanent disability) 
• Property damage (the motorcycle itself, belongings that were lost or destroyed as a result of the accident, etc.) 
• Funeral costs

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages don’t come with a clear price tag. These can include:

• Pain and suffering
• Trauma or psychological distress
• Mental anguish
• Dismemberment
• Disfigurement
• Decline in quality of life 

Contact Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader for a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Kansas City

If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, it’s important to know your rights. Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader is the trusted name for personal injury attorneys in Kansas City. We deliver answers, accountability, and justice for victims of motorcycle accidents. 

When we represent a client or a family for a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Kansas City, we devote the time, resources, and experience for the best possible result. Our attorneys are dedicated to investigating cases the right way—by answering every question and methodically working through each case. 

Navigating the aftermath of an accident can be challenging. An attorney can give you the support, tools, and resources you need to help you recover. To get in contact with an attorney today, use our virtual case tool or contact our office at (913) 266-2300 to speak with one of our team members. 

The above is not intended to be legal advice. Each individual case is different and must be analyzed on its own set of facts and circumstances. If you believe you may have a case, it is critically important that you timely contact a lawyer to ensure your rights are protected.