Crestwood Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Whether you ride a motorcycle for leisure in Crestwood in your spare time or you rely on your motorcycle as your primary means of transportation, it is important to know that motorcycle accidents happen frequently and often involve serious injuries. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there were nearly 122,000 registered motorcycles in Kentucky in 2021. Any time a motorcyclist gets on the road, they face injury risks from car and truck drivers, as well as from potentially hazardous road conditions. If you were injured in a motorcycle crash and you believe that another party could be liable for your injuries, you should have a Crestwood motorcycle accident lawyer evaluate your case as soon as possible. At Meagher Injury Lawyers, we can help you to seek the financial compensation you need and deserve after a motorcycle accident caused by a negligent driver or property owner.
Understanding Motorcycle Accidents and Injuries in Crestwood
With nearly 122,000 registered motorcycles in Kentucky, there are many motorcyclists on the roads in and around Crestwood. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the more motorcyclists and drivers on the roads, the higher the risk of a serious crash. Whether you are traveling at higher speeds on an interstate like I-71 or you are riding locally on roads like Veterans Memorial Parkway, you should understand how motorcycle accidents happen. What causes most motorcycle accidents? The following are some of the more common causes of crashes:
- Intoxicated driving, including alcohol consumption by the motorcyclist or by another motorist.
- Speeding.
- Distracted driving, especially car and truck driver distractions that lead to collisions with motorcyclists.
- Hazardous road conditions caused by inclement weather, such as icy roads or debris after a storm.
- Dangerous road conditions resulting from negligent maintenance, such as potholes or unmarked gravel.
- Motorcycle mechanical issues or defects.
- Dooring, which occurs when parked vehicle occupants open their doors into the path of an oncoming motorcyclist.
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Crestwood
Injuries in Crestwood Motorcycle Crashes
As the NSC emphasizes, although motorcyclists only account for about 3 percent of all motorists on the road at any given time, they account for about 14 percent of all traffic deaths. To be clear, when motorcyclists are involved in accidents, they frequently suffer fatal injuries. Since motorcyclists do not have the protections of a car or truck that other vehicle occupants have, they can sustain debilitating and life-threatening injuries. Indeed, motorcyclists have no protection other than the safety gear they may be wearing, including a helmet or clothing designed to reduce road rash. In both single motorcycle crashes and motorcycle collisions with automobiles, motorcyclists commonly sustain injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
- Broken bones or fractures.
- Traumatic amputations.
- Severe road rash.
- Internal bleeding.
- Organ damage.
- Cuts and lacerations.
- Back and neck injuries.
How to Avoid Injuries in a Crestwood Motorcycle Accident
In order to avoid injuries in a Crestwood motorcycle accident, it is important to consider safety tips for preventing an accident altogether, as well as safety tips designed to prevent serious injuries when an accident does occur. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends some of the following safety tips for motorcyclists:
- Take a motorcycle safety course before you begin riding.
- Avoid consuming any alcohol or drugs before you embark on a motorcycle.
- Always use a helmet that has been approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
- Wear safety gear that covers your arms and legs to reduce road rash harm.
- Follow all traffic rules, abiding by the posted speed limit and avoiding riding techniques that involve following too closely to automobiles or lane-splitting.
How Do I File a Motorcycle Accident Case in Crestwood?
If you plan to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit, it will be important to identify the liable party or parties. In some cases, it may be possible to sue more than one party for negligence in a motorcycle crash. Liable parties typically include negligent motorists, negligent mechanics, companies responsible for making or selling defective motorcycles or vehicle parts, or owners of the premises where the motorcycle crash occurred.
In order to be eligible to obtain compensation through a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Crestwood, you will need to make sure to file your lawsuit before the Kentucky statute of limitations runs out on your case. Under Kentucky law, you have at least two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, but out of caution, it is always wise to file a lawsuit within two years of the date of the motorcycle accident.
Contact Our Crestwood Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you need help filing a motorcycle claim in Kentucky, you should get in touch with one of the experienced Crestwood motorcycle accident lawyers at our law firm. Contact Meagher Injury Lawyers today at (502) 309-9213 for a free consultation.
