Olathe Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

What’s supposed to be a pleasant ride on your bike can quickly take a turn for the worse. Being involved in a motorcycle accident can leave you with traumatic, severe injuries, some of which may be catastrophic or even fatal. A motorcycle crash in or near Olathe can result in serious changes to your life, and you shouldn’t have to shoulder the aftermath alone. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you recover compensation for your injuries, protecting your legal rights and allowing you to focus on your recovery.

Are Fatal Motorcycle Accidents Common?

Even though Kansas motorcycle accidents are a small percentage (less than 2% in most years) of the overall num

ber of accidents throughout the state, they happen all too often. Moreover, the percentage of motorcycle crashes that prove to be fatal is much higher than the fatality rate of single-vehicle crashes and even higher than the fatality rate of trucking accidents. In 2021, for example, of the 424 people fatally involved in Kansas accidents, 47 of them were occupants of motorcycles, mopeds, or motorscooters.

There are several reasons why motorcycle accidents tend to be more serious, often catastrophic, and sometimes fatal than accidents experienced in other types of vehicles. Due to the sheer size and weight of other vehicles, a motorcyclist may suffer more serious injuries during a collision, as the bike will absorb more of the impact. Also, there is less of a protective shell available to the rider than those traveling by car, truck, or SUV, along with fewer safety devices like seat belts. Motorcycles are also harder to control, making it more difficult for the rider to stop safely in the event of a sudden crash.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Olathe?

Often, a motorcycle accident is caused by another party who is driving recklessly or negligently, not paying attention to the road, or otherwise breaking the rules of the road or traffic laws. The following are just some of the common causes of motorcycle accidents in and around Olathe:

• Failure to stop timely at a red light, stop sign, or intersection
• Failure to yield or improperly merging into the motorcycle rider’s lane
• Opening a car door in front of a motorcycle
• Speeding or driving at an unsafe speed based on the circumstances
• Aggressive driving or road rage
• Distracted driving, texting, or otherwise being occupied while driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Following too closely or tailgating
• Taking improper or dangerous turns
• Disobeying stop signs, signals, and other traffic control devices
• Driving recklessly or negligently

What Types of Injuries are Common in Motorcycle Accidents?

There are many different injuries that victims of motorcycle accidents can sustain, some of which can be serious or even catastrophic. For example, motorcycle accidents commonly result in the following:

• Head injuries, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries
• Back, neck, and spinal injuries, sometimes including partial or full paralysis
• Broken or fractured bones
• Injuries to internal organs or internal bleeding
• Limb amputations
• Burns
• Road rash and other abrasions
• Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries
• Scars or disfigurement
• In the most extreme cases, wrongful death

How Much Is My Olathe Motorcycle Injury Claim Worth?

It is difficult to put a price tag on a motorcycle injury claim because many different factors can affect how much a claim may be worth. Some examples are: the extent of your injuries, the cost of your medical treatments, and the time you have lost at work are all factors. Moreover, much of the worth of your claim will be dependent on the willingness of the other party and their insurance company to negotiate with you, as well as the extent of fault liability that is attributed to you versus the other party involved.

In many cases, however, you can recover for both out-of-pocket costs and general damages that you have incurred as a result of your Olathe motorcycle accident. You can recover the costs of medical treatment, including hospital stays, prescription medication, imaging, doctor and specialist visits, and nursing or rehabilitative care and therapy. You may also recover the costs of your lost wages or income if you are unable to work as a result of your motorcycle accident, as well as the costs to repair or replace your motorcycle.

In addition to your out-of-pocket costs, you might be able to recover compensation for your general damages. Pain and suffering, for example, fall into this category, as do damages for scarring or disfigurement. If you are unable to continue working or need to take a different job as a result of your accident, you may be able to recover for lost future income. Damages are commonly sought for the general decline of the victim’s quality of life. If there are activities that you can no longer do as a result of the accident, you may be able to recover from your loss of enjoyment.

What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident Injury in Olathe

After you are involved in an Olathe motorcycle accident, it is imperative that you focus on three things: getting the medical care you need to feel better, focusing on putting your life back together, and protecting your legal rights. To accomplish those goals, take the following actions after your accident:

• Get evaluated for physical injuries, even if you feel fine at first, and seek the medical help you need
• Report the accident to the authorities
• Preserve important evidence, including taking pictures of the accident scene, the damage to your motorcycle, and your injuries
• Ask witnesses to write or record a statement of what they saw, and also write down or record your own observations while they are still fresh in your mind
• Keep track of your expenses, medical bills, repair costs, days missed at work, and any other financial damages you have suffered as a result of the accident
• Consult with an experienced and knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorney, who will be able to go over your options, explain your legal rights, and strategize with you regarding the next steps to take in your case

Call Our Legal Team for Help with your Olathe Motorcycle Accident

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident as a result of someone else’s reckless or negligent driving, you shouldn’t have to shoulder the aftermath on your own. When you trust your case to Bretz Injury Law, you get more than a single lawyer on your side; you get an entire team of seasoned legal professionals all working together to secure the best possible outcome on your behalf.

Throughout the process, we will be there for you every step of the way. We strive to remain accessible to our clients and attentive to their unique needs. Our compassionate team is available to answer your questions and address your concerns 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our Kansas personal injury lawyers can help you understand your rights and fight for the fair compensation you are owed. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.