If you’ve recently sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident in Bowling Green, KY, and need legal help, our experienced Bowling Green motorcycle accident attorneys at Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC, have the knowledge and experience to fight for motorcycle riders and passengers. Contact our office today at (859) 550-2900 to arrange a free consultation.
Kentucky’s rolling hills and green pastures offer the perfect backdrop for motorcycle riders to enjoy everything the Bluegrass state offers. Unfortunately, motorcycle riders can encounter careless and dangerous motorists while exploring the sights. These motorists can change a motorcycle rider’s life in the blink of an eye, leaving a rider struggling physically and financially for the foreseeable future. How can you recover the compensation you need and get your life back?
We believe that you deserve fair compensation for your injuries and financial losses. We have a long track record of delivering results for our clients, including those injured in devastating Kentucky motorcycle accidents. Our Bowling Green personal injury attorneys can help you overcome the challenges of recovering compensation, so you have the resources to rebuild your life after an accident.
Are you ready to learn more about your legal options for pursuing compensation after a Bowling Green motorcycle accident?
Kentucky Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Unfortunately, data from AAA suggests that motorcycle accidents in Kentucky are rising. One year, Kentucky recorded 194 motorcycle crashes up to a particular date. Over the same period the following year, the state had already experienced 231 motorcycle collisions and more motorcycle fatalities.
Other national studies indicate that even though motorcycles only account for about three percent of all registered vehicles, motorcycle riders account for nearly 14 percent of all traffic fatalities. In one year, 5,932 riders died in fatal traffic accidents across the country. At least 2,251 riders died while not wearing a helmet. Another 82,538 riders sustained injuries related to a motor vehicle accident.
Helmets save lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that helmets reduce the risk of head injury by at least 69 percent and are 37 percent effective in helping to prevent deaths.
Common Causes of Bowling Green Motorcycle Accidents
Most Bowling Green motorcycle accidents are the result of careless driving. Motorcyclists tend to be harder to see than other drivers, meaning motorists must constantly be aware of their surroundings to help prevent tragic accidents. Unfortunately, not all drivers take their duty to remain safe on local roadways seriously. Some of the most common careless behaviors that contribute to Bowling Green motorcycle accidents tend to include:
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Drowsy driving
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Aggressive driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Unsafe turns
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Failing to obey posted traffic signs and signals
Poor visibility, inclement weather conditions, and mechanical defects can also lead to devastating motorcycle accidents.
Injuries Associated with Motorcycle Crashes
Motorcycle crashes can result in traumatic and life-altering physical injuries. Passenger vehicles can weigh up to 3,000 pounds or more, meaning when they collide with a vulnerable motorcycle rider, the consequences can be tragic. Riders may get thrown from their motorcycle, crushed, or dragged, leading to catastrophic injuries for the rider. The most common injuries associated with motorcycle wrecks include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Other neck and spine injuries
- Road rash
- Thermal Burns
- Facial injuries
- Dental injuries
- Broken bones
- Dislocations
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Soft tissue damage
- Lacerations
- Contusions
Unfortunately, physical injuries aren’t the only injuries a motorcycle accident victim may experience. Many motorcycle accidents cause debilitating injuries, leading to scarring, disability, and long-term medical complications. These complications can prevent a rider from getting back on their bike or even returning to work. Often, injured riders must also cope with invisible injuries such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Compensation for a Motorcycle Accident in Bowling Green
Recovering compensation following a motorcycle accident in Kentucky can be challenging. Kentucky follows a type of no-fault insurance system. Registered motor vehicles in Kentucky are covered by their minimum liability coverage and can elect to carry no-fault personal injury protection coverage or PIP insurance. Under no-fault rules, when a driver is involved in an accident, they file a claim with their insurance provider and not the at-fault driver’s provider. PIP coverage picks up a portion of an accident victim’s lost wages and medical expenses up to that person’s policy limits. However, Kentucky drivers can opt out of no-fault coverage, preserving their rights to sue an at-fault driver more easily following a crash.
Motorcycle accident claims are more complicated. Motorcycle riders tend to suffer more severe injuries, and insurance coverage for riders varies. In Kentucky, basic PIP coverage is optional for motorcycles. Unless a motorcycle operator purchases PIP coverage, the rider and their passengers are not entitled to collect PIP benefits from any source. That means riders without PIP coverage cannot collect basic PIP coverage benefits from any PIP plan, even if the accident was the other driver’s fault.
Motorcyclists involved in significant accidents should consult an experienced Bowling Green motorcycle accident attorney for help after an accident. An attorney can review your situation and outline your legal options for recovering compensation for your financial losses via an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. Although the value of a motorcycle accident claim varies depending on the severity of a person’s injuries and the accident’s cause, most riders can attempt to pursue compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
Do not accept compensation from anyone without discussing your situation with a knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorney. Insurers want you to settle for as little money as possible, saving them time and money. Seldom do insurers have your best interests in mind. An attorney can advocate for you and pursue maximum compensation for your injuries. You get peace of mind and can feel confident that you have someone providing you with the advice and support you need.
How Long Do You Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Kentucky?
In Kentucky, you have little time to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for your financial losses following a motorcycle accident. Motorcycle accident cases fall under the personal injury umbrella. Kentucky’s statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits allows one year from the accident date to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. That gives you little time to mount a case, especially when you are struggling to recover from significant physical injuries.
You must consult a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can help you navigate the claim process and immediately shift course if you have a better chance of recovering compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. An attorney can also meet these strict legal deadlines, so you don’t have to stress about them. Filing a lawsuit after the time limit expires means your case can get dismissed, and you lose the ability to take your case to court to recover maximum compensation.
How Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help?
What can a Bowling Green motorcycle accident lawyer do for you? First, an attorney can help you navigate the claim process and protect your legal rights. Unfortunately, there is still some bias against motorcycle riders. Popular culture has long portrayed riders as violent and reckless thrill seekers or dangerous individuals involved in seedy activities. These portrayals may influence the perspective of insurance adjusters, leading an adjuster to push more blame for the crash onto the biker’s shoulders instead of the other driver, potentially diminishing the value of a motorcycle rider’s claim.
Working with an experienced attorney means you have an advocate who can combat harmful stereotypes and pursue fair compensation for your injuries and financial losses. What other ways can an attorney help you following a devastating motorcycle accident? At Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC, we can help by:
- Investigating the cause of the motorcycle crash
- Collecting and preserving vital evidence
- Identifying all potentially liable parties involved
- Managing communication between you and an insurance adjuster
- Building a compelling claim on your behalf
- Calculating the value of your losses
- Negotiating for maximum compensation
- Preparing a personal injury lawsuit when necessary
At Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC, our well-respected personal injury lawyers have a long track record of delivering results for the people we represent. We have won over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for our clients, helping them recover and move forward from the traumatic aftermath of an accident caused by a careless individual. Let us provide you with the same care, support, and service.
Contact an Experienced Bowling Green Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
The aftermath of a motorcycle accident can alter your life, impacting your career, your financial stability, and your overall health. You deserve fair compensation to help get your life back on track. The legal team at Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC can help. We have decades of legal experience and can tenaciously fight to pursue the compensation you need. Let us support you during this challenging time.
Call our office today at (270) 517-2014, arrange a free legal consultation, and discuss your situation with an experienced Bowling Green motorcycle accident attorney. We’re here to help you.