St. Louis Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Do you want to file a St. Louis motorcycle injury claim? Are you in need of a St.Louis motorcycle accident lawyer? The Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers are here to help!
If you suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident, you have the legal right to claim compensation against the at-fault party. These claims can demand payments for all medical bills, pain and suffering, and any lost wages resulting from the accident.
However, not every St. Louis motorcycle injury claim for damages will be successful. Plaintiffs must prove that another driver was responsible for the accident, which can be challenging without legal assistance.
If you wish to hold the at-fault party accountable for their actions, contact a St. Louis County motorcycle accident lawyer today. A seasoned injury attorney could work tirelessly on your behalf to demonstrate that another party was responsible for the crash.
Why You Should Trust Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers with Your Case
At Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers, we have over 20 years of combined experience working with motorcycle accident cases in St. Louis and have tens of millions in damages for our clients in the St. Louis area. We also settle our cases much higher than the insurance company initially offers, making it more important than ever before to hire an attorney for your motorcycle accident claim.
How Much Is a Motorcycle Injury Claim Worth in St. Louis?
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident due to no fault of your own, you might be eligible for compensation. So, how much compensation can you expect to receive? This depends on a variety of factors, such as:
- Who is at fault? In Missouri, drivers are required to carry at least $25,000 in bodily injury protection coverage. However, many drivers carry more than just the minimum coverage, which provides the St. Louis motorcycle accident victim with more compensation for their injuries. Furthermore, commercial insurance also provides significantly more compensation than standard insurance.
- What injuries occurred as a result of the accident? It’s no surprise that the more injuries sustained, the higher your hospital bills will be; therefore, you could receive increased compensation if you have mounting medical bills. If your injuries are severe and you have high medical bills, your compensation will be higher. Keeping all medical bills organized is critical, as it makes it much easier to present them to your attorney.
- Did you miss work after the accident? If you missed a substantial amount of work after the accident, then you might be able to be compensated for lost wages. The amount you would receive depends on the extent of the work you’ve missed and your employer.
- How did your injuries alter your quality of life? A motorcycle accident can negatively affect almost every part of your life. After the accident, you might find it difficult to complete once monotonous tasks. The accident could prevent you from pursuing your passions, spending time with family, and cause physical and emotional pain.
Were you involved in a motorcycle accident? Contact our St. Louis motorcycle accident lawyers today for a consultation.
Why Is a St. Louis Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Important?
The legal system is very complex; therefore, it might be difficult to navigate, especially if you are working to recover from your injuries. When you hire a St. Louis motorcycle accident lawyer, such as The Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers, we take care of all the legalities of your case, such as filing your claim, consulting experts, eyewitness testimony, and even fighting for your rights in court if necessary.
Your motorcycle accident attorney in St. Louis understands the court system and the roadblocks that are the most common. We understand the perils of riding a motorcycle around the St. Louis area, as busy city streets and congested highways are the norm throughout the city and surrounding regions.
A St. Louis motorcycle accident attorney from The Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers can help you understand your rights as an accident victim and where your claim should be filed.
The attorneys at The Mutrux Firm can help you gather evidence from the accident scene and help you throughout the entire process of filing a claim. Having an experienced attorney is also worthwhile in the case the other driver claims that you were the one at fault or if there are multiple parties involved.
Motorcycle Manufacturer Defects
If a defect in the engineering of the motorcycle caused the accident, an experienced attorney could help you identify what exactly happened and whether this defect caused the accident to occur. This is common with motorcycle and vehicle accidents, as oftentimes, manufacturer defects that are either known by the manufacturer or are unidentified are common causes of a motorcycle crash.
Commercial Drivers
If a commercial driver caused the accident due to negligence, you could seek compensation through their employer and even the driver’s individual insurance policy. Your St. Louis motorcycle accident lawyer can help you throughout the process.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Everyone knows that dealing with insurance companies is extremely difficult, especially when you consider they have their own team of lawyers ready to fight back. Dealing with an insurance company can add more anguish to a difficult situation. Therefore, hiring an experienced attorney to handle the negotiations with the insurance company is the best way to get the compensation you deserve for your claim. Our attorneys are well-versed in negotiating with insurance companies and will help you get the maximum compensation that you are owed.
Who Is at Fault for My Motorcycle Accident?
In most cases, the driver that caused the accident will be responsible and at fault for your accident and injuries incurred. However, depending on the scope of the case, a few liable parties might be held at fault.
Your St. Louis motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to review your case with you and determine exactly what led to the accident. Some of the most common individuals and entities at fault include:
- Commercial driver’s employer: If a commercial driver caused the accident, they could be held liable, as well as their employer. This is especially true if the employer has rules or regulations that could have led to your accident.
- Motorcycle manufacturer: In the event of a motorcycle defect, the manufacturer could be held liable. Issues with your motorcycle could cause catastrophic results, such as faulty brakes or issues with the motorcycle’s stability.
- Mechanic Incompetence: If a mechanic or technician has worked on the motorcycle recently prior to the accident and did not notice any issues or inadvertently caused an issue, they could be held liable for your injuries.
How to Handle Medical Bills After Your St. Louis Motorcycle Accident
Regardless of what hospital treated you for your injuries, you can expect mounting medical bills from your treatment. Unfortunately, the more injured you are as a result of your motorcycle accident, the more medical bills will begin piling up. This is especially true if your treatment is ongoing and requires frequent trips to medical facilities.
Some of the most common types of injuries that require extensive treatment are traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.
Let’s face it: those bills aren’t going anywhere. And the longer you wait to pay, the more expense begins piling up. This can affect a number of different aspects of your financial life and could put you into an even deeper hole.
To lessen the burden, there are a few options available to you that could make this entire process much easier. These include:
- Using MedPay/medical payments insurance
- Health insurance
- Compensation from your claim
To get the most out of your motorcycle accident claim, it is critical to get in touch with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. At The Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers, we can walk you through the legalities of your case and help you get the compensation you deserve.
How Does a Plaintiff Prove Liability in a Motorbike Crash Claim?
To prove liability in a motorbike claim, the plaintiff must establish that the defendant’s negligence was the main cause of the accident. To do this, victims should gather evidence supporting their claim. If a police report indicates that a defendant received a ticket for speeding, tailgating, or any other violation, a St. Louis County motorcycle crash attorney could use this as a powerful piece of evidence.
If the victim’s actions played a role in causing the accident, they may have their compensation reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, a victim who was 10% responsible for a crash could only recover 90% of their total damages. Many defendants and their insurance companies rely on this portion of the law to limit or erase their liability in motorcycle accident cases. A St. Louis County lawyer could use their keen understanding of comparative negligence to help reduce a motorcycle accident victim’s liability.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Wrecks
St. Louis County 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 My St. Louis Motorcycle Injury Claim Go To Court?
In most cases, insurance companies will settle your St. Louis 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 Can Motorcyclists Be More Aware of The Increased Risks of Injury Compared to Other Vehicles?
Although riding a motorcycle in St. Louis County 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.
When calculating the damages awarded through a wrongful death action, a legal representative and a jury will usually examine life expectancy tables and the decedent’s earning over time to determine the “true value” of their life. Along with repayment for this aspect, a judge will also usually award financial compensation for family member’s pain and suffering, reduced enjoyment of daily life, and the decedent’s funeral expenses.
Filing a wrongful death lawsuit after a fatal motorcycle accident can be a stressful and confusing process, but a St. Louis 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.
Contact a St. Louis Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Motorcycle accidents can result in life-changing injuries. Even if you are lucky enough to walk away from a crash, you may still require a trip to the emergency room and miss significant time at work. No matter how severe your injuries may be, if another party is responsible, you have the right to pursue compensation.
A St. Louis Motorcycle Accident Attorney could help you make the legal case necessary to demand payment for your losses. They could help gather evidence that points towards a defendant’s negligence, leverage that evidence into a powerful demand package, and accurately measure your losses. Contact an attorney today to discuss your case and begin fighting for every dollar you deserve.
St. Louis Motorcycle Accident FAQs
Let’s check out some of the most common questions we’ve received from our clients about their motorcycle accident claims.
What if My Motorcycle Accident Claim Did Not Involve Another Motor Vehicle?
So, what if your motorcycle accident claim does not include another vehicle? If you were involved in a motorcycle accident that did not involve another vehicle, some common causes, such as a defective part, inadequate maintenance, or even a defect in the road, could have caused your accident.
Do Motorcyclists Have to Carry Liability Insurance?
Yes! Motorcyclists must carry liability insurance on their policy. When riding a motorcycle, the rider must have a class M motorcycle license, and the following liability insurance:
- $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
Motorcyclists also have to carry uninsured motorists on their policy as well.
What Evidence Do I Have to Show to Win My Motorcycle Accident Case?
Like many accidents on the St. Louis roads, motorcycle accidents are often caused by negligence or lack of care. In most cases, other drivers do not respect motorcyclists on the roads and will make dangerous maneuvers around them, putting the motorcyclist in danger. To file a claim and win, you will have to claim that a duty of care was breached and that the driver had the duty to act to prevent any accident from occurring, causation, and damages. In Missouri, the plaintiff must prove that they were not at fault through a preponderance of evidence.
What If I Was Partly at fault for The Accident? Can I Still Recover Damages?
Yes! Even if you were found partially at fault for the accident, you are still able tor recover damages. In this case, the amount of damages that you receive would be a percentage based on the amount of fault in the accident. Things that you could be found at-fault, such as lane-splitting, you could bear at least 25% of the fault that the accident occurred.