6 Motorcycle Accident Facts Every Kansas Driver Should Know

Motorcyclists in Kansas ride with greater exposure, less protection, and significantly higher risk than the average driver. Yet every spring and summer, as more bikes return to the road, the same dangerous behaviors show up behind the wheel: careless left turns, unsafe lane changes, tailgating, and outright inattention.

When a motorcycle accident happens, it’s rarely a mystery why. The driver simply didn’t look — or didn’t care to. And the rider pays the price. At Warner Law Offices, our Wichita motorcycle accident lawyers have seen the devastation such crashes can cause, and we are here to help. If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle crash involving a negligent driver, we can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

1. Motorcyclist deaths are rising nationwide

Motorcycle fatalities across the U.S. remain alarmingly high. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 6,000 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes in the most recent year of available data—a number that reflects a continued upward trend. These crashes are often caused by drivers who fail to yield, misjudge a rider’s speed, or claim they “didn’t see” the motorcycle at all.

What this means for drivers: Motorcycles are everywhere, and assuming they’re “hard to see” won’t hold up as a defense. Drivers have a legal duty to check mirrors, yield when turning left, and share the road responsibly.

2. Helmet use doesn’t change liability in a motorcycle accident

In nearby Oklahoma, 80% of fatal motorcycle accidents involved riders who were not wearing helmets, according to NHTSA data. While helmet use can affect injury severity, it does not affect fault. If a driver causes a crash, they’re still legally responsible, regardless of whether the rider wore a helmet.

• What this means for drivers: Blaming a rider for not wearing a helmet won’t protect you from liability. The focus will be on what you did—or didn’t do—behind the wheel.

3. Kansas helmet laws apply only to riders under the age of 18

Kansas law does not require adult riders to wear helmets. However, eye protection is mandatory for all riders unless the bike has a windscreen at least 10 inches high. Goggles, shatterproof glasses, or a face shield are all required by law.

• What this means for drivers: Don’t assume someone riding without a helmet is “breaking the law.” In most cases, they aren’t. And again, helmet use does not shift blame away from a negligent driver.

4. Motorcycles are legally entitled to a full lane, and drivers must respect that

Kansas law gives motorcycles the same lane rights as any other vehicle. This means no crowding, squeezing, or attempting to pass within the same lane. It’s also illegal to drift into a lane occupied by a motorcyclist, even partially.

• What this means for drivers: Violating a rider’s space can cause a fatal wreck, and you will likely be held responsible in a civil injury claim or wrongful death lawsuit.

5. Motorcyclists can ride two abreast in a single lane

Kansas permits two motorcycles to ride side by side in the same lane. "Lane sharing" is a legal and safe practice when done correctly.

• What this means for drivers: If you see two motorcycles riding next to each other, don’t honk, swerve, or assume they’re doing something wrong. They’re well within their legal rights.

6. The most dangerous excuse? “I didn’t see the motorcycle.”

This phrase is heard far too often after a motorcycle crash, and it’s one of the most legally damaging things a driver can say. Failure to see a clearly visible motorcycle is not a defense. It’s a confession of inattention.

• What this means for drivers: You are legally expected to look for motorcycles. If you turn left in front of one, merge into its lane, or hit a rider you didn’t notice, you could be found negligent under Kansas law.

Know the Law. Share the Road.

In Kansas, motorcyclists have every right to be on the road — and every right to pursue compensation if they’re injured by a careless driver. Kansas follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means a rider can still recover damages as long as they’re less than 50% at fault. But in most crashes, especially left-turn collisions, the majority of liability falls on the driver of the larger vehicle.

Insurance companies may try to push the blame onto the rider, especially if they weren’t wearing a helmet. But the facts — and the law — say otherwise.

Injured in a motorcycle accident in Wichita or anywhere in Kansas?

If a negligent driver left you seriously hurt, you need more than promises from an insurance company — you need results. At Warner Law Offices, our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys know how to hold reckless drivers accountable and fight for the full compensation injured riders deserve.

Motorcyclists face real risks on Kansas roads, especially when drivers fail to pay attention or treat riders as an inconvenience. After a crash, insurance companies often try to shift blame onto the biker. Don’t let them. Warner Law Offices has been standing up for the injured in Wichita for decades. We know how to investigate motorcycle wrecks, uncover the truth, and counter lowball offers.

Contact Warner Law Offices today for a free consultation. There’s no obligation — just a chance to get answers and take the first step toward the recovery you deserve.

"I can't recommend Tom Warner highly enough. Not only is he hard working and extremely knowledgeable, he and his entire staff are kind and compassionate people. He recently represented my family in the wrongful death of our mother, which is the worst thing we've ever went through. Tom was there every step of the way, holding our hands, legally, and sometimes emotionally. If you're looking for an attorney who understands both the law and how to be a caring person, then you want Tom and his staff on your side." — Shelly, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐