Missouri motorists often contribute to motorcycle accidents by not giving bikers the respect they deserve. When drivers fail to yield when required, check blind spots before changing lanes, or refrain from texting other forms of distraction, they are more likely to cause an accident, placing the lives of motorists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists at risk.
The most severe injuries are the result of direct collisions between motorcycles and other vehicles. This can throw a biker from the seat of their vehicle, forcing them to the pavement. However, reckless actions on the part of defendant drivers can also cause bikers to lose control of their motorcycles without any direct contact. If a biker needs to make an emergency maneuver to avoid a collision, this may also force them into oncoming traffic or off the side of the road.
Will Your Missouri Motorcycle Accident Claim Settle or Go to Court?
In most cases, insurance companies will settle your Missouri motorcycle injury claim before going to court. The insurance company saves a significant amount of money by settling outside of the courtroom. However, if disputed liability is present, court might be necessary to receive the funds you are owed.
How Missouri Motorcyclists Can Reduce Their Risk of Serious Injury in an Accident?
Although riding a motorcycle in Missouri can be dangerous, motorcyclists can take steps to protect themselves from collisions. One of the most important things a motorcyclist can do is keep an eye out for other drivers. Automobile and truck drivers often fail to see motorcyclists on the road, which is the most common cause of accidents. Driving within the speed limit and obeying all traffic laws are also important. Failing to do so can increase the risk of being involved in an accident and sustaining severe injuries or even dying.
Fatalities in Local Motorcycle Accidents
If a motorcycle rider passes away in a wreck and the accident was caused by a defendant’s negligence, surviving family members can likely file a wrongful death claim.
In a Missouri motorcycle accident wrongful death case, a Missouri motorcycle accident lawyer and a jury will typically review life expectancy tables and the decedent’s lifetime earnings to establish the full economic value of their life. Beyond these financial losses, a judge may also award compensation for surviving family members’ pain and suffering, loss of companionship, diminished quality of life, and the costs associated with the decedent’s funeral and burial expenses.
Filing a wrongful death lawsuit after a fatal motorcycle accident can be a stressful and confusing process, but a Missouri representative could help with all the relevant stages.
Missouri Motorcycle Accident Statute of Limitations
The Missouri motorcycle accident statute of limitations states that you have five years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a claim. However, we recommend filing as soon as possible, as the longer you wait to file your claim, the less likely it is that you will receive full compensation.
At The Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers, we can navigate the legalities of your case and file your claim immediately so we can begin seeking compensation from the liable parties.