Tough Legal Representation After A Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle riding is popular among Kentucky residents. While motorcycling offers a sense of freedom that regular driving cannot, it also comes with higher risks for riders. Understanding the dangers associated with motorcycling can help riders avoid serious accidents. However, many drivers engage in negligent behaviors that can lead to a crash, no matter how careful motorcyclists are on the road.
If you have been harmed in a motorcycle accident, you’re entitled to compensation. At The Law Office of Rhonda Hatfield-Jeffers, PLLC, I’m here to guide you through the steps for a successful claim. I’m Rhonda Hatfield-Jeffers, a Kentucky motorcycle accident attorney who has aggressively fought for injured riders for over 20 years, and I’m ready to fight on your behalf, too.
Why Motorcycle Accidents Are So Dangerous
In Kentucky, motorcycle accident fatalities made up 13% of all Kentucky’s road fatalities between 2012 to 2021. In 2022 alone, there were a total of over 1,000 motorcycle accidents, according to the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety. Most people understand that motorcycle accidents are serious, but why exactly are they so dangerous?
Unlike regular car accidents, where the drivers and passengers are enclosed within the vehicle, motorcyclists have much less protection on the road. Getting into a crash, even while wearing helmets and other protective gear, motorcyclists are much more vulnerable to serious injuries than the occupants of a vehicle.
Motorcycles are also more difficult to control and more difficult for car drivers to see due to taking up less space on the road. These factors combined put motorcyclists at higher risk of injury if involved in a crash.
Leading Causes Of Motorcycle Crashes
Motorcycle accidents can occur in various ways, but some of the most common causes include:
- Vehicle blind spots: As stated above, many drivers often don’t see motorcyclists until it’s too late due to their smaller size. When motorcyclists are hidden in vehicle blind spots, drivers may end up causing an accident because they’re unaware a motorcyclist is there while merging or changing lanes.
- Impaired driving: Alcohol or drug use from either a driver or motorcyclist can lead to a serious accident as these substances impact your ability to make sound decisions on the road.
- Distracted driving: Drivers may be distracted by the other passengers in their car or by eating or drinking while driving, which may lead to crashing into a motorcyclist.
- Poor weather conditions: Wet, slippery roads are often dangerous for motorcyclists as they reduce traction on the wheels, which can make the motorcycle more difficult to control.
- Speeding: Drivers and motorcyclists alike may engage in speeding, which puts everyone on the road at risk of a catastrophic accident.
When drivers have engaged in any of these risky behaviors and have caused an accident as a result, they can be held accountable for the injuries they’ve caused to you as a motorcyclist.
How An Attorney Can Help
Navigating the aftermath of a motorcycle accident isn’t easy to do alone. Persistent stereotypes of motorcyclists often cause insurance companies or judges to unjustly deem riders responsible for accidents they did not cause. This can make it difficult to seek the compensation you deserve after the harm done to you.
As an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer, I know how to handle these tough cases with the care and compassion that you deserve. I understand that you’re facing tremendous pain and suffering due to your injury, and you’re worried about the financial burden that often comes with an accident. I’m prepared to lift that burden from your shoulders through effective negotiation or litigation so that you can focus on healing and moving forward.
Schedule A Free Consultation Today
The impact of a motorcycle accident can change your whole life. Pursuing a claim may offer you the compensation necessary to begin recovery. To learn more about your options after a crash, call my Somerset firm at 606-404-4529 today or send an email online.