St. Charles County Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Home > St. Charles County Personal Injury Resource Center > Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycles provide a sense of freedom that cars cannot offer. Unfortunately, motorcycles cannot provide many of the important safety features of a car. There is no steel frame, no airbags, side airbags or seatbelts. When a St. Charles County motorcycle crash occurs, there is always the possibility that the resulting injuries will be catastrophic or even fatal. When a car or truck driver's negligence results in a motorcycle accident, the at-fault driver may be held liable for the damages suffered by the motorcyclist.
Missouri Motorcycle Accident Statistics
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported the following Missouri motorcycle crash statistics:
- The number of fatal Missouri motorcycle accidents has fluctuated over the last few years. In the year 2005, 91 people were killed in Missouri motorcycle accidents. There were 93 motorcyclist fatalities in the year 2006, 92 in 2007, 107 in 2008 and 87 in the year 2009.
- Alcohol played a part in 70 percent of all Missouri motorcycle accidents in the year 2009. That high percentage reflects a significant increase from the 57 percent of Missouri motorcycle accidents that involved alcohol consumption in the year 2005.
- Also, 63 of the 87 victims of fatal Missouri motorcycle accidents in the year 2009 were wearing helmets at the time of the crash. NHTSA estimates that eight of the 22 people who were not wearing a helmet could have survived the crash had they been wearing a motorcycle helmet.
- Between the years 2005 and 2009, the percentage of motorcycle fatalities related to all other traffic fatalities increased from 7 percent in 2005 to 10 percent in 2009.
Rights of Injured Motorcyclists
Injured motorcycle riders may pursue financial compensation for the damages they suffered in the crash by filing a personal injury claim. The resulting civil lawsuit may result in compensation for losses including hospital bills, physical therapy expenses, lost wages, disability coverage, pain and suffering and emotional distress. When a fatal motorcycle accident is caused by someone else's negligence, the at-fault motorist could be held liable for the motorcyclist's wrongful death. In such cases, the family of the deceased motorcyclist can seek compensation for medical and funeral expenses, lost future wages and benefits, lost of companionship and other damages.
Proving Liability for a Motorcycle Crash
Was the other driver speeding? Was the motorist making a phone call or sending a text? Did the at-fault driver run a red light or fail to yield the right of way? Was the other driver under the influence of alcohol or driving fatigued? These are all important questions that must be considered following an injury accident.
The experienced St. Charles County motorcycle accident lawyers at Page Law help motorcycle riders or their families get the compensation they need and rightfully deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, please contact us to find out how we can help
.St. Charles County Personal Injury Resource Center
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.
