If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact the Greenville motorcycle accident lawyers at Mama Justice today for a free consultation.
For many Mississippi motorcyclists, riding on the open road is not just a way to get around but an exhilarating experience that brings together a strong community of like-minded people. Unfortunately, however, each year, numerous people lose their lives or suffer severe injuries on Mississippi roads in motorcycle accidents. In fact, over the last several years, Mississippi has ranked high among the most dangerous states to ride a motorcycle.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a Greenville motorcycle accident, you must know your legal rights. Motorcyclists are far more likely to be involved in an accident, mostly because larger vehicles frequently fail to see them. This does not mean the crash was your fault. Other operators owe you a legal duty of care on the road, and if the other driver acted with negligence, you might be entitled to financial compensation.
Following a motorcycle accident, it’s crucial to contact a Greenville motorcycle accident lawyer who can stand by your side and fight on your behalf. The legal team at Mama Justice has decades of experience representing motorcycle accident victims, and we may be able to help you. Contact our motorcycle accident attorneys today for a free consultation at our law firm.
Different Categories of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists make up only three percent of registered vehicles in the United States. However, they are involved in a disproportionate number of accidents each year. This is because, in part, other vehicles that dominate the roadway often fail to share the road safely.
While all motorcycle accidents have the potential to cause severe injury or even death, not all happen in the same way. Motorcycle wrecks and other passenger vehicles occur in various ways due to the many different causes of these crashes, such as speeding, failure to observe the rider, and blind spots, among others. Here is a list of the different categories of motorcycle accidents:
- Head-on collisions: Head-on motorcycle wrecks occur when two vehicles’ front side directly crashes into one another, often resulting from a driver operating in the wrong lane. With motorcycle accidents, head-on collisions can be especially dangerous and deadly because of the lack of protection surrounding the motorcyclist.
- Sideswipe accidents: Sideswipes accidents occur when two vehicles in different lanes come too close to one another and collide. For motorcyclists, this may be caused by reckless drivers operating too close to the centerline or merging vehicles that fail to see riders.
- Rear-end collisions: Rear-end collisions have the potential to severely injure motorcyclists more than other vehicles because motorcycles do not have a bumper and weigh significantly less than most cars. Rear-end crashes occur when one vehicle collides with the backside of another, frequently because a driver fails to yield or stop.
- Left-turn crashes: Left-turn motorcycle crashes occur when a driver collides with a motorcyclist while making a left turn. These types of accidents typically require the rider to make sudden, evasive moves, which may result in a subsequent accident and severe injuries.
- T-bone accidents: Also called a broadside collision, T-bone accidents frequently occur at intersections and are the result of one driver colliding head-on with the side of another car or motorcycle. Like other crashes with passenger vehicles, T-bones have the potential to throw a motorcycle rider sideways from their bike, causing severe injury or even death.
Following a motorcycle accident, identifying the type of crash you or a loved one has been involved in is a crucial step toward holding the negligent driver accountable. Whether it was a type of accident listed here or a different one altogether, the Greenville motorcycle accident attorneys at Mama Justice may be able to help you file a claim and get the compensation that you deserve.
Common Injuries Sustained from Greenville Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycles offer less protection and fewer built-in safety measures than cars, such as seat belts or airbags. As a result, motorcycle riders are more likely to experience severe injury or death following a motorcycle crash, even when wearing a helmet. In 2019, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 40 motorcyclists died in Mississippi – 83% of whom were wearing helmets.
Moreover, motorcycles’ two-wheel design means that they are harder to control than cars, so riders who need to make sudden stops or swerve to avoid a negligent driver may have trouble doing so. Here’s a list of common temporary and permanent injuries sustained from a motorcycle wreck:
- head and brain injuries
- severe road rash
- spinal cord injuries
- whiplash or herniated disc
- neck, arm, and leg injuries
- broken bones or torn ligaments
- lacerations and burns
- broken ribs
- internal bleeding, bruising, or organ damage
In addition, after being in a motorcycle accident, it is not uncommon for a motorcycle rider to also suffer mental health consequences like anxiety, depression, and transportation-related phobias. In fact, according to one study in The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 39.2% of motor accident victims experience post-traumatic stress after an accident.
If you’ve been in an accident, you likely know that the cost of medical expenses, physical therapy, or mental health counseling can add up significantly. Additionally, lost wages from being out of work only contribute to the financial burden. If you suffered head injuries or other catastrophic injuries that left you with a permanent disability, you may be entitled to fair compensation from the liable party for lost earnings, attorney’s fees, and more.
It would be best if you did not have to face the stress of pursuing a liability claim alone. You may also be entitled to punitive damages, depending on the circumstances surrounding your crash. A Greenville motorcycle accident attorney at Mama Justice might be able to help you get the verdict or settlement you deserve. Contact our accident lawyer today for a free consultation.
Our motorcycle accident lawyer can meet with you at our law firm to get started on your motorcycle accident case at your earliest convenience.
Causes of Motorcycle Crashes in Greenville, Mississippi
Many factors contribute to motorcycle accidents in Mississippi each year, some of which result from a negligent or reckless driver who should be held liable. Here’s a list of different factors that cause motorcycle accidents:
- Impaired or drunk driving: Drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs continues to be a leading cause of motor vehicle accidents in Mississippi and throughout the country each year. According to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, drunk driving fatalities made up 18% of the total traffic deaths in Mississippi in 2016.
- Breaking the speed limit: Speeding alone, or combined with another cause, is a significant factor in motorcycle accidents nationwide. Between 2011 and 2015, an average of 103 people died each year due to speeding-related motor vehicle accidents, according to the Mississippi Office of Highway Safety.
- Road rage or aggressive driving: When conflict arises while operating a vehicle, drivers may experience road rage or drive aggressively at one another. This could mean getting run off the road, cut off, or even struck by other drivers or motorcyclists.
- Distracted or inattentive driving: Each year numerous motorcyclists are struck by distracted drivers in passenger vehicles. Distracted driving can take many forms, like eating while driving, looking out the window for too long, or, perhaps the most common form, texting while driving. The Mississippi Department of Transportation reports that texting while driving increases the risk of an accident by 23 times.
- Driving drowsy or falling asleep: Similar to distracted drivers, drowsy or sleepy drivers also pose significant threats to motorcyclists. Drowsy drivers may experience slower reaction times and inattentiveness, meaning that motorcyclists may go easily unnoticed and be seriously injured as a result.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact a Greenville motorcycle accident lawyer at Mama Justice today to learn about your options. Our attorneys have years of experience representing motorcycle accident victims, and we know that each motorcycle accident case is unique. We will take the time to listen and answer any questions you might have.
What To Do If You’ve Been In a Greenville Motorcycle Wreck
A motorcycle accident is undoubtedly a stressful experience that impacts thousands of Americans yearly. While it may be difficult to remember exactly what to do in the minutes and even days after being hit, it’s essential to have an idea of the best steps to take should you wish to pursue a personal injury case later on. Here’s a list of what steps to take if you’ve been involved in a Greenville motorcycle accident:
Find safety
The most crucial step following a motorcycle accident is to find safety, which typically means getting out of the road as soon as possible. After you’re out of harm’s way, try to stay calm and look yourself and your loved ones over for injuries. Since adrenaline levels will likely be high, more minor injuries might not be apparent at first, so take your time and be thorough. If necessary, seek medical treatment immediately.
Contact authorities
Following a motorcycle accident, if you are in a condition to do so, it’s crucial to contact local law enforcement so that a police report can be made up and evidence can begin to be collected. Also, be sure to call your insurance company to notify them of any damage to your motorcycle.
Gather information
Not all of the facts are clear immediately after an accident, so don’t admit fault or apologize to the other parties involved. If possible, exchange insurance and personal information with the other driver, and collect any evidence you can at the scene of the accident and in the days following. This may include medical bills, receipts, pictures and videos of your injuries and the crash location, or documentation of lost wages.
Find legal representation
Navigating the legal system after a motorcycle accident is brutal, so it will likely be in your best interest to contact a Greenville motorcycle accident attorney to assist you with your legal matter. A strong legal team can help you determine fault, communicate with the responsible party, investigate the accident, and speak with insurance carriers.
If you’ve been impacted by a motorcycle crash in Greenville, Mama Justice will fight to ensure you get the total and fair compensation you deserve, just as we have with countless other clients. Contact our Greenville office today to learn more.
Our motorcycle accident lawyer can meet with you at our law firm for a free consultation at your earliest convenience to get started.
Tips for Seeking Damages and Settlement Negotiations
If you were the victim of a motorcycle accident, you might be able to recover damages by pursuing legal action – such as a personal injury claim – against the at-fault party. To do this, you and your legal team must prove the other driver acted with negligence, meaning they breached a legal duty of care, and you suffered injuries or other losses as a result. Examples of recoverable damages from motorcycle accident cases could include:
- medical expenses
- lost income
- pain and suffering
- property damages
If your loved one suffered fatal injuries, our team will help you recover wrongful death benefits to help you move forward.
Frequently, those involved in a motorcycle accident try to reach a settlement agreement to avoid going to trial since litigation can be a risky, expensive, and time-consuming process. If you are looking to settle, here are some negotiation tips to help you get the compensation you deserve:
- Don’t accept the first offer
- Be persistent but polite
- Show strong evidence of damages
- Expect negotiations to take time
If you’re looking to recover compensation or reach a settlement agreement after a motorcycle accident, contact Mama Justice to speak with a skilled Greenville motorcycle accident lawyer who can stand by your side.
Our law firm can help you pursue a motorcycle accident claim to seek compensation cover for your damages.
Let Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Represent You
For many motorcycle accident victims, the physical, emotional, and financial impacts can last for years or even a lifetime. That’s why it’s important to know what rights you have and to take adequate legal action to ensure you receive the maximum compensation you deserve. Here at Mama Justice, we’ve seen firsthand how our skilled Greenville accident lawyers are a valuable tool in navigating any motorcycle crash lawsuit. We pride ourselves on:
- Attorney-client relationship. At Mama Justice, we take time to listen, treat each client like family, and offer personalized legal guidance unique to your situation.
- Over 40 years combined experience. Guided by our founding attorney, Missy Wigginton, our team of lawyers, investigators, and specialists have over four decades of combined experience fighting for accident victims like you.
- Proven track record. Our law firm has received countless positive reviews from past clients. In addition, our track record of success can be seen through the more than $10.3 million in settlements for 2021 alone.
We will get to work immediately after our free case review on investigating your accident. If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, don’t wait. Contact a Greenville motorcycle accident lawyer at Mama Justice today. For a free consultation, call (888) 699-1846.
Whether you have suffered serious injuries, or your loved one has suffered fatal injuries, as a result of a motorcycle wreck, you must act quickly to take legal action against the involved parties. Contact our Greenville motorcycle accident lawyer today for a free case review.