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St. Louis Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

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Content Reviewed by: A. Parker Trotz
Mr. Trotz was recognized from 2019-2023 as a Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Star. Mr. Trotz is also a member of the Young Lawyers Division of the Memphis Bar Association, Memphis Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, and the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association where he serves on the Executive Committee. READ OUR EDITORIAL GUIDELINES

Mr. Trotz was recognized from 2019-2023 as a Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Star. Mr. Trotz is also a member of the Young Lawyers Division of the Memphis Bar Association, Memphis Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, and the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association where he serves on the Executive Committee. READ OUR EDITORIAL GUIDELINES

Mr. Trotz was recognized from 2019-2023 as a Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Star. Mr. Trotz is also a member of the Young Lawyers Division of the Memphis Bar Association, Memphis Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, and the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association where he serves on the Executive Committee. READ OUR EDITORIAL GUIDELINES

Table Of Contents

Motorcycle enthusiasts in St. Louis have great reasons to love riding their motorcycles. But unfortunately for motorcycle drivers, motorcycle accidents are some of the most dangerous vehicle accidents, with a high rate of fatal injuries. While motorcycles account for only 3% of registered vehicles in the United States and only .6% of all traveling vehicles, they are involved in 14% of all fatal accidents. In 2019, 5,014 people had their life taken in motorcycle crashes in the United States. In the same year, bikers were 29 times more likely than car drivers to die in an accident for every vehicle mile, and they were four times more likely to suffer injuries.

Riding a motorcycle involves unique risks for a couple of reasons. First, motorcycles are smaller than cars, so they are simply not as easy to see on the road. Many accidents happen when car drivers change lanes, and they do not see the motorcycle next to them. Also, unlike cars, motorcycles do not have seat belts, airbags, or metal cages, so motorcycle accident victims are sometimes thrown off their bikes by force, resulting in serious injuries.

If you are a victim of a motorcycle accident, a motorcycle accident lawyer will work hard to obtain compensation for both property damages and personal injuries. You may be eligible for compensation for the costs of your medical treatment, lost wages (including any decreased future earning capacity as a result of permanent disability from the crash), property damage losses, intangible or non-economic damages like emotional pain, and loss of enjoyment (meaning damages to compensate for your inability to do certain things after the accident).

If you have a loved one who died in a serious motorcycle accident in St. Louis, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the person who caused the accident. In a wrongful death lawsuit, the administrator or executor of the deceased person’s estate brings a claim on behalf of the family that lost their loved one. You may be able to recover “loss of consortium” damages, which are money damages for the emotional pain caused by losing your loved one.

protective biker gloves on a motorcycle wheel

Why choose the experienced motorcycle accident lawyers at NST Law?

Our team of St. Louis personal injury lawyers at Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz have more than 30 years of experience with motorcycle accidents and other personal injury cases. We are a large personal injury law firm with 33 lawyers scattered across numerous offices, and we serve people who are injured in Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.

Our attorneys with decades of experience take pride in developing strong relationships with our clients. We offer you a dedicated, personalized service. We will come to your home, office, or hospital to discuss your legal rights and possible legal actions. As you navigate through complicated aspects of your claim, we will be with you every step of the way, tailoring your claims according to your individual needs. If you are in a motorcycle accident, please contact us immediately for a free initial consultation.

What should I do if I was in a motorcycle accident in St. Louis?

If you are in a motorcycle accident in St. Louis, you need to remain at the scene and wait until a police officer arrives to write a police report. Motorcycle crash victims should seek immediate attention from a medical expert for their own safety and for medical records, which are important in supporting a claim for damages of motorcycle injuries. You need to gather evidence from the scene, including the police report, contact information of other parties involved, and photos of your motorcycle, yourself, the other vehicle, the surrounding area, and the road conditions at the time of the accident.  

After your motorcycle accident, your insurance company may make a settlement offer. It’s always in the interest of the insurance agent to settle for the least amount of money possible. Therefore, if you want a fair settlement, it’s vital to contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney who can help you recover the most amount of money possible for your economic damages. Our attorneys at NST Law have many years of experience in seeking the highest amount of compensation possible for our clients.

St. Louis Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Driving in and around St. Louis can be dangerous for motorcycle riders. In 2010, there were 1,727 motorcycle accidents in Missouri, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol statistics. This number increased to 1,892 and 2,059 in 2011 and 2012, respectively. In August 2020, Missouri passed a law waiving the requirement that all motorcycle riders must wear helmets. The law now allows persons 26 and older to ride without a helmet as long as they have proof of medical insurance and proof of financial responsibility. Although wearing a helmet improves your chance of survival in an accident, accidents involving riders with helmets can still be fatal.

What are the most common types of motorcycle accidents?

Motorcycle accidents are more dangerous than other types of motor vehicle accidents because the motorcycle driver has little protection and safety features to prevent severe injuries. Although helmets and protective clothing provide some protection for the biker, a high percentage of motorcycle accidents result in serious injuries, even death. According to the Insurance Information Institute, motorcycle riders are 29 times more likely than car drivers to die in an accident.

Most motorcycle accidents happen when a car or truck is taking a left turn at an intersection. In fact, more than 42% of motorcycle accidents happen when another vehicle is turning left, because car and truck drivers often do not see the motorcycle moving in their direction.

The next most common motorcycle accident occurs when other motor vehicles are changing lanes and do not see the motorcycle in the other lane, resulting in a car accident.

Another common cause of motorcycle accidents is when one motorcycle collides with another motorcycle. Bikers often ride with others in packs, which can be very fun. But there’s always the danger that one driver in the pack will collide with another, causing serious injuries.

The most dangerous type of motorcycle accident is a head-on collision. Although head-on collisions are not common and are usually due to drivers’ inattentiveness, they account for half of all fatalities of motorcycle accidents.

Downtown streets - St Louis, Missouri

What are the most common injuries people suffer after a motorcycle accident?

If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, you may suffer minor to catastrophic injuries. The most common motorcycle accident injuries are broken bones, head injuries, brain injuries, road rash, spinal cord injuries, and face and eye injuries.

Of all non-fatal injuries, the most common areas for injuries are the leg and foot areas. In fact, up to 30% of all non-fatal injuries were reported in the leg and foot areas. Head and neck injuries are the next most common injuries, with up to 22% of all non-fatal injuries in those areas. Finally, less common injuries involve injuries to the upper trunk, back, shoulders, chest, arms, hands, hips, and pelvis. Even if you do not feel injured after an accident, you should seek medical care because some injuries may take weeks to show.

What percentage of motorcycle accidents result in death?

While motorcycles can be fun, they can also be very dangerous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are roughly 88,000 motorcyclists injured and 5,000 motorcycle fatalities in a single year. In accidents that end in death, about 40% of the riders are not wearing a helmet.

In Missouri, the percentage of motorcycle accidents that resulted in death have been:

  • 2010: 5.4% were fatal accidents.
  • 2011: 4.3% were fatal accidents.
  • 2012: 4.8% were fatal accidents.
  • 2013: 4.1% were fatal accidents.
  • 2014: 5.0% were fatal accidents.

If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you are likely very upset and confused about how to proceed. Our compassionate motorcycle accident attorneys at NST Law can explain your legal rights and how you should proceed during this difficult time. 

How much compensation can I receive after a motorcycle accident?

The amount of damages for each motorcycle accident case can vary widely. Some accidents are fairly minor, with the injured person only suffering from minor scrapes and bruises, and some motorcycle accidents result in serious and debilitating physical injury, or even death. How much victims of motorcycle accidents can recover in damages depends on the facts of their case.

Our legal team has the tools and experience to evaluate how much your claim is worth. Several factors will be used to evaluate how much your motorcycle accident claim is worth. These may include your medical bills and other medical expenses, lost wages for being out of work, the degree of your fault versus the other fault driver in the accident, and how the accident happened. Recently, our firm obtained $1,000,000.00 on behalf of a man who suffered significant injuries in a motorcycle accident when another driver turned in front of him.

Who will pay for my damages?

In Missouri, a person who acts or fails to act in a way that violates a duty owed to someone else and therefore causes someone else’s injury can be held liable for “negligence.” For example, if a negligent driver is distracted because he’s texting in his car and then crashes into your motorcycle and injures you, you can sue him in Missouri state court to recover damages caused by your injuries.

How can I prove that the other driver caused my injuries?

Some states today have “contributory negligence” laws, which means that if you are even partially at fault in an accident, then you cannot recover anything from the other driver, even if the crash was mostly their fault. Missouri rejects this approach and allows you to recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Missouri is a “comparative fault” state, which means that if you were partially at fault in a motorcycle accident, then the court will apportion your money damages according to your degree of fault. For example, suppose your damages total $50,000. If after a thorough investigation, the court decides you were 10% at fault, then the court would award you $45,000 in damages.

If you are a Missouri motorcyclist that was in an accident, it is imperative to gather all documentation that can help support your claim for financial compensation – professional legal representation with experienced injury lawyers can help with this. Documents will include the police report of the accident, witness statements, any photos or videos you have taken, your records of medical expenses from the hospital where you were treated after the accident, and records of missed work after the accident. An experienced St. Louis motorcycle accident attorney can help you collect this documentation and help determine how much your claim is worth. Your attorney will also communicate with other parties, such as the insurance company, in discussing your claim.

How much time do I have to file a lawsuit?

When another driver’s negligence causes your injuries, you have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit against that person. This time limit is referred to in legal terms as a “statute of limitations.” If you are in a motorcycle accident in Missouri, you have five years to file a lawsuit against the person who caused your injuries. This five-year period starts from the time you discover your injuries. If you do not file your lawsuit within this time period, you may be barred from bringing a lawsuit.

How long will it take to get paid?

Typically, after you’ve been in an accident, the insurance coverage claims process will take several months, although the time varies for different types of cases. An experienced personal injury lawyer will handle all communications with your insurance company to make the process more efficient and ensure you file all the right documents on time.

How can a St. Louis motorcycle accident law firm help me?

It is in an insurance company’s best interest to get people to take the least amount of money in an insurance settlement. At NST Law, our compassionate attorneys will fight for your right to receive fair compensation for your damages. People who receive legal advice and are represented by attorneys tend to receive more compensation for their damages than those who do not have a lawyer on their side.

How much does it cost to hire a lawyer?

When you hire our injury attorneys at NST Law to represent you in a lawsuit, you pay nothing up-front. You will sign a contingency fee agreement with your attorney, which states that your attorney will only be compensated if you win your motorcycle accident case. Our attorneys at NST Law will explain in detail the amount we will be paid if you win your case, and there will never be any hidden legal fees.

When should I contact an experienced St. Louis motorcycle lawyer?

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact our lawyers at NST Law immediately for a free consultation.

Our St. Louis Office

St. Louis Office
701 Market St Suite 285
St. Louis, MO 63101
Phone: 314-476-0500
Fax: 314-476-0006

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