Kansas City Motorcycle Injury Claims: How a Lawyer Can Help You Win
A motorcycle accident can change your life. Motorcycles have several attractive traits – speed, freedom and excitement. That can each vanish in a moment with the wrong motorcycle accident. Motorcycle operators in Kansas City ride the same roads as car, truck, and bus drivers, and they share those roads with inattentive and negligent drivers. The weather and road conditions may also present hazards. Even when an accident happens, the injuries may be serious. Medical bills can be significant. You may be unable to work for months or weeks. The stress of recovery can cause stress for you and your family and your future life. Insurance companies may offer quick settlements. These settlements are usually much smaller than what you will need. A skilled Kansas City motorcycle accident lawyer will fight for your fair share!
Why Motorcycle Accidents Are Different from Automobile Accidents
Motorcycle riders expose themselves to much more danger than vehicle drivers. No airbags, no crumple zones. Protective gear reduces harm but cannot keep out bad injuries.
Injuries which occur most frequently are:
- Broken arms, legs, or ribs
- Road rash from skidding on roadways
- Head and brain injuries, even wearing a helmet
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis
Recovery is usually lengthy and expensive. Surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing care are usually required for many motorcyclists. A lawyer can help you in the legal process to get money for ongoing and future care.
The Role of a Motorcycle Injury Lawyer in Kansas City
It is the responsibility of a lawyer to fight for your rights and build a strong case. They handle all the technicalities of the claim so that you can focus on recovery.
A motorcycle accident attorney will:
- Investigate the accident location
- Review police reports and medical files
- Interview witnesses to their experience of the accident
- Work with crash experts to determine fault
- Determine the overall value of your claim
- File documents appropriately and timely
- Negotiate with insurance companies
If negotiations fail, they are ready to argue your case in court.
Why You Don’t Want to Try to Handle a Claim Yourself
Some people think they can resolve their claim on their own without the help of an attorney. Insurance companies, on the other hand, have trained adjusters and lawyers representing them. Their main goal is to pay out as little as possible.
If you try to do it yourself, you can:
- Accept less than your claim is worth
- Miss key deadlines under Missouri law
- Sign contracts that limit your right to sue
An attorney will know how to battle these tactics. They can typically get you a much better settlement than riders get on their own.
Kansas City Laws You Should Know
Missouri has five years to permit most victims of accidents to file a claim. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations. If you are late, you may lose your right to receive money. Missouri also has pure comparative fault statutes. That simply means your payment will be lower if you are at fault. If you are 30% at fault, you would get 70% of the total award. A lawyer may assist to lower the fault placed upon you.
Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident
If you are in an accident, take the following explorable actions to protect both your health and your claim:
- Seek medical attention immediately. You could have serious injuries, and even little pain could mask that injury.
- Call the police. Obtain a copy of the crash report.
- Take pictures and videos. Record the scene, bike damage, and injuries.
- Get witness information. Obtain names, phone numbers, and addresses.
- Don’t discuss the incident with the other driver’s insurance company. They can use your statements against you.
- Call a Kansas City motorcycle injury attorney soon. The sooner they get started, the better your outcome.
How Lawyers Win Your Case
In order to win, you must show the other driver was at fault and is liable for your injuries. Your attorney uses many tools to prove this:
- Traffic camera video or dashcam video
- Skid mark and road condition analysis
- Witness testimony
- Police investigation reports
- Expert accident reconstruction reports
They can also sit down with doctors to detail how your injuries happened. This allows the insurance company or jury to better understand your pain and losses.
Calculating the Value of Your Claim
The value you can recover depends on your unique case. A lawyer takes all of the factors of your loss into account, including:
- Treatment, therapy, and medication costs for the past
- Treatment, surgery, or rehab in the future
- Lost wages for time out of work
- Lost earning capacity if you cannot return to work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Cost to replace or repair your motorcycle
Without an attorney, you could lose out on future costs. This. This could have you paying out of pocket in the future.
What to Expect During the Process
Most motorcycle injury claims go through the following general process:
- Free consultation – You visit an attorney and describe your accident to them.
- Case investigation – The attorney collects evidence and builds your case.
- Negotiations – They negotiate with the insurance company on a fair price.
- Settlement or trial – If negotiations fail, your attorney will take the case to court.
Most cases resolve without trial. But having an attorney prepared to take a case to court often results in improved offers.
Why Local Knowledge Is Important
Kansas City roads have specific dangers. Busy roads, road construction, and changing weather conditions pose threats to riders.
A local attorney is aware of:
- Which intersections experience the most motorcycle crashes
- How local jurors and judges perceive injury claims
- The distinctions between Kansas and Missouri accident statutes
Local knowledge can guide your case strategy.
Finding the Right Lawyer
Picking the best lawyer is essential to winning your case.
Watch for the following:
- Years of experience working on motorcycle injury cases
- Good word-of-mouth and reviews from previous clients
- A willingness to take the case to trial if necessary
- Direct, open communication
- A history of achieving fair settlements and verdicts
Ask them about their previous success and how they will work on your case.
Common Questions About Kansas City Motorcycle Injury Claims
1. How much does it cost to hire a motorcycle injury lawyer?
Most work on contingency. You pay nothing up front. They charge a percentage determined by law only if you win.
2. How long does a motorcycle injury lawsuit take?
Some settle in a few months. Others last a year or more if it is tried. The duration depends on evidence, injuries, and the response of the other party.
3. Can I get money if I was partly at fault?
Yes. Missouri’s pure comparative fault system allows recovery even if both sides are at fault.
Your recovery is reduced by your share of fault.
4. What if the other driver is not insured?
You might be covered anyway. Your own uninsured motorist coverage might prove useful. A lawyer will be able to check your policy for further possibilities.
5. Do I have to use a lawyer for minor injuries?
Minor injuries can turn out to be serious later. Medical bills can run higher in the years that follow. A lawyer will make sure you do not end up paying more than you should.
Final Thoughts
Motorcycle accidents in Kansas City can leave long-lasting impressions—bodily, emotionally, and financially. A qualified personal injury lawyer near me in Kansas City can handle the legal fight while you focus on recuperation.
They know the law, the local courts, and how to deal with insurance companies. If you or the one you love were hurt during a motorcycle accident, don’t wait. The sooner you act, the better your chances at getting a fair settlement.
