Factors of a Motorcycle Accident in St. Louis County
Due to the lack of protection afforded to motorcycle riders, victims are vulnerable to serious injuries in the event of an accident. As a result, victims tend to recover more damages for medical costs and missed time from work, making the potential compensation package significantly higher than in other injury cases
Additionally, motorcycle accident cases tend to take more time than other motor vehicle collisions. Where a car accident case can take six to nine months to conclude, a motorcycle accident case could take nine to 18 months. The severity of the victim’s injuries would ultimately extend the length of a case.
Considering these and other factors of a motorcycle accident case in St. Louis County, victims looking to recover compensation should speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. A lawyer could review the circumstances of your case and inform you of any details that could impact your claim.
What Circumstances Would Impact the Worth of a Motorcycle Injury Claim?
When considering the dynamics of a St. Louis County motorcycle case, attorneys typically research any factors that might increase the defendant’s fault, such as texting while driving or driving while intoxicated. Factors like these will increase the case’s value due to punitive damages. In Missouri, half of any punitive damages recovered go to the state, meaning that if someone obtains a large verdict based on punitive damages, those damages will be cut in half, pursuant to state statute.
However, just as a person’s award could increase depending on how egregious a person’s negligence is, an award could also decrease based on the level of fault belonging to their plaintiff. Missouri is a pure comparative fault state, meaning that a person’s compensation award would be decreased by the percentage for which the plaintiff is at fault for. For example, if a victim is 20% responsible for the accident and was awarded a $100,000, the victim would only be able to recover $80,000.
What Happens if a Motorcyclist Crashes After Being Forced Off the Road?
Sometimes, motorcyclists are forced off the road by another vehicle and are injured when their motorbike crashes. Crashes that occur in this manner are called phantom driver incidents.
In Missouri, a motorcyclist would be able to recover damages for their injures if they were forced off the road by another driver. In these cases, the other driver may not have been aware that they forced the motorcyclist off the road, and a motorcyclist could pursue a claim even if there was no direct contact between their motorcycle and the other vehicle.
Medical Treatment & Lost Wages in a St. Louis County Motorcycle Injury Claim
One of the most important factors of a motorcycle accident claim a plaintiff and their attorney would look at is medical treatment and the victim’s ability to heal from their injuries. If it is believed that a person’s injuries are so severe that they may have to undergo treatment for a long period of time, victims are able to recover for the expected cost of long-term treatment. This could result in a substantial award for the victim and gives them the opportunity to heal from their injuries without having to worry about the economic burden of having to pay for treatment.
In addition to medical costs, victims could also recover compensation due to lost wages. This type of recoverable damage includes missed time from work and lost earning capacity as a result of being involved in an accident.
Find Out More Today
Being familiar with the factors of a motorcycle accident in St. Louis County is a vital requirement needed for filing a successful claim. Considering the various aspects that could not only increase you award, but decrease it as well, victims looking to obtain compensation should work with a motorcycle bike injury lawyer.
An attorney could gain a better understanding of your situation during a consultation. To begin discussing your eligibility to recover compensation, be sure to reach out today.