What to Do After a Kansas Motorcycle Accident - Our Wichita Attorneys Fight on Behalf of Injured Victims and Families
Motorcycles are popular way to enjoy the open road in Kansas. With hundreds of miles of open highway along U.S. 400, the Kansas Turnpike and other roads, motorcyclists are a familiar sight to all drivers. But while most drivers of cars and trucks know how important it is to drive defensively around motorcycles, accidents happen all too often. And no matter how cautious motorcyclists may be, severe car accidents involving motorcycles happen every day in Kansas. Serious injuries from motorcycle accidents are not unusual.
At Warner Law Offices, our experienced lawyers in Wichita understand how serious a motorcycle accident can be for accident victims. Most motorcycles weigh only a few hundred pounds. Since the average car weighs 5,000 pounds and fully loaded semi-trucks top 80,000 pounds, motorcyclists often sustain serious injuries, even if they wear helmets, gloves, boots and leathers. An accident may result hospitalization, MRIs, cat scans, casts, crutches and, if quadriplegia or paraplegia results, a wheelchair and permanent disability.
If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident, seek medical care immediately and legal help as soon as possible. Ambulance and emergency room costs add up fast. The long-term cost of your injuries may be staggering. You might not be able to work or collect an income. We believe you shouldn't have to face the cost of your injuries alone. Discover the difference we can make. Contact us today at 866-584-1032 to set up a free case evaluation.
Q&A With a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
As a special service to you, Warner Law Offices has compiles a list of frequently asked questions about motorcycle accidents in Kansas. Click on the links below to find answers. If you don't see your question here, don't hesitate to contact us immediately. We'll answer your question, free of charge. Call 866-584-1032.
- How do motorcycle accidents happen?
- What are common motorcycle accident injuries?
- What are my rights if I was injured as a passenger?
- Should I accept an offer from the insurance company after my accident?
- Can I file a lawsuit after my motorcycle accident?
How do motorcycle accidents happen?
Motorcycle accidents in Kansas can happen for a variety of different reasons. Oftentimes, the driver of the vehicle that hit the motorcyclist may claim he or she simply "failed to see" a motorcyclist. We know that this typically means the driver did not check his or her mirrors when changing lanes or was distracted when going through an intersection and colliding with a motorcycle that had the right of way. We know that a car driver's negligence is at the root of many crashes involving motorcycles. The driver might have been texting while driving or under the influence of alcohol at the time of a crash. He or she may have been speeding or recklessly switching between lanes. We can help determine the cause of your crash and hold negligent parties accountable for their reckless behavior.
Back to Top
What are common motorcycle accident injuries?
Injuries in motorcycle accidents are rarely minor. Due to the unprotected nature of the motorcycle rider, a collision between a larger car or truck and a motorcyclist can result in catastrophic injuries. Broken bones, road rash and internal organ injuries are common. An accident may result in paralysis due to spinal cord injuries, amputation of one or multiple limbs or traumatic brain injuries. In particularly severe accidents a rider may lose his or her life, leaving loved ones with grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Back to Top
What are my rights if I was injured as a passenger?
Passengers sitting on the back of motorcycles are uniquely vulnerable. They do not have handle bars to hold on to, they have no control of the motorbike and their visibility of oncoming traffic and dangerous road conditions is very limited. They also must trust the motorcycle driver to be cautious, fully awake and fully sober. If you were injured due to negligence or recklessness of the person who was driving the motorcycle you were riding with as a passenger, we can take action against that person as well.
Back to Top
Should I accept an offer from the insurance company after my accident?
No. Insurance companies often make offers to injury victims soon after a motorcycle crash. They do this regardless of who's at fault and because they know injury victims want to resolve their case as soon as possible. This means that insurance companies will likely offer accident victims a "low ball" settlement that might not cover the true cost of an accident. As a result, motorcycle accident victims might end up with less money than they rightfully deserve for medical bills, lost wages, property damage and other expenses.
Back to Top
Can I file a lawsuit after my motorcycle accident?
Yes. If our Wichita motorcycle accident lawyers believe filing a claim is the best way to obtain compensation for an accident, we can work with you to file a lawsuit in the appropriate court. But we will only do so at your discretion, after carefully talking with you about all your legal options. You ultimately decide what to do. That's why we're here - to serve your legal needs and provide you with sound legal advice as you pursue compensation for your motorcycle accident.
Learn How We Can Help You. Contact Warner Law Offices.
At Warner Law Offices, we won't settle for less than you deserve. With more than 50 years of combined experience, attorneys Thomas M. Warner and Anne H. Pankratz are well-versed in Kansas law and know how to get the results clients need. We take the time to listen to each of our clients. We have the courtroom experience and medical training necessary to help get your life back on track. Make your case matter. Call 866-584-1032 to set up a free case consultation with one of our team members today.
Call us 24/7 at (316) 269-2500, (800) 815-5297 or send us an email.