St. Louis Failure to Yield Motorcycle Accidents
A motorcycle accident can be physically, emotionally, and financially distressing. This is especially true when a serious injury has occurred. Oftentimes, injuries from motorcycle accidents are more severe than those from car accidents because of the lack of protection between the rider and the vehicle impact or pavement.
If a motorcyclist falls from a bike, there’s a higher chance of major trauma. It’s especially jarring if the accident occurs due to the fault of another driver, such as when a motorist fails to yield and the motorcyclist doesn’t have time to react.
If you’ve been injured in St. Louis in a motorcycle accident by a driver who failed to yield, it’s important to contact a motorcycle accident lawyer at NST Law. An experienced attorney knowledgeable about St. Louis motorcycle accidents can work with you to recover damages incurred due to your crash.
Missouri Failure to Yield Laws
Missouri’s failure to yield laws are a bit complex. In general, the following situations constitute a failure to yield:
- Entering an intersection when another vehicle is present
- A motorist at the left of an intersection not allowing the vehicle at the right to cross first
- Turning left when a motorist is already crossing an intersection
- Not slowing or stopping for a yield or stop sign
- When entering a highway, not yielding to vehicles already on the roadway
If a police officer observes a motorist not following the failure to yield laws, they may issue a ticket to the offender. Tickets generally start at $30.50 for infractions not resulting in an accident.
If an accident occurs because a driver has failed to yield, additional fines and penalties may apply. A crash that results in physical injury may result in a fine of up to $200 and automatic license suspension for up to 30 days.
If a driver’s failure to yield results in an accident with serious injuries, they may receive a fine of up to $500 and a 90-day license suspension.
In the case of a fatality, the fine may be up to $1,000, and a license suspension of six months may be ordered.In the case of a criminal failure to yield charge, the person who has sustained an injury may still seek compensation through legal means.
Dangerous Intersections in St. Louis for Motorcycles
Intersections are the primary sites of failure to yield violations. If you often drive in St. Louis, check out this list of particularly dangerous intersections, including:
- Gravois Ave. and Morganford Rd. and Delor St.
- Chippewa St. at Jefferson Ave. and S. Broadway
- Memorial Dr. at Lumiere Pl. Blvd. aka Dr. Martin Luther King Bridge
- S. Kingshighway Blvd. at Highway 40
- Brentwood Blvd. and Highway 40 and 170
- Lindell Blvd. and Olive St.
- McCausland Ave. and Oakland Ave. and Clayton Ave.
- N. Lindbergh at Highway 270
- Grand Blvd. and Forest Park Parkway
- Southwest Ave. and Watson Rd. and Sulfur Ave.
- Hampton Ave. and Oakland Ave. at Highway 40
- Tower Grove Ave. and S. Vandeventer Ave.
- Halls Ferry Road exit off of 270
How serious are injuries to motorcyclists after failure to yield accidents?
Motorcyclists are at a serious disadvantage when they’re involved in failure to yield accidents. While they may wear protective clothing and specially designed helmets, a serious blow to the bike can cause a motorcycle to fall or the rider to be thrown. The impact with which they hit the ground can lead to very serious injuries.
Common injuries incurred due to a motorcycle accident include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Facial injuries
- Road rash
- Muscle damage
- Death
If you’re a motorcyclist involved in a failure to yield accident, it’s important to go to the doctor right away for a medical evaluation, even if you don’t feel that your injuries are that serious. It’s common for the impact of an injury to not be felt until several hours after an accident occurs due to adrenaline or shock.
Proving Failure to Yield Violations in St. Louis
After a motor vehicle accident occurs, it’s important to follow several steps to ensure that proper documentation and evidence are obtained to support a case, especially if
injuries are involved.
Check for Injuries and Call the Police
If you’re able to, check with all motorists involved in the crash to see if they have sustained injuries. Call the police to observe the scene of the crash and provide a police report.
Take Pictures of the Crash
Obtaining documentation such as pictures of the crash or injuries and any damage to vehicles or property can be helpful if legal assistance is needed. Elements of negligence, such as damage to the vehicle, skid marks on the road, and other details, can be quite helpful for supporting your case.
Obtain Contact Information of People Involved
Ask for the contact details and insurance information of all drivers involved in the crash. Try to avoid any discussions about fault or negligence. Leave that to the police, your insurance company, and your legal representation.
If There Are Any Witnesses, Ask for Their Contact Information
A witness may be able to assist insurance companies, police, and legal representation by providing details they observed during the crash.
Documentation, pictures, police reports, and witness testimony can provide a lot of evidence to support your case.
If there was no sign indicating the need to yield or stop, other laws related to failure to yield will be considered.
What If I'm Partly at Fault for a Failure to Yield Motorcycle Accident in St. Louis?
Missouri is a state that recognizes comparative negligence, meaning if you’re partly at fault for a motorcycle crash, you can still receive a proportionate share of damages.
For example, if a judge determines that you are 30% at fault and the other driver is 70% at fault, you can recover up to 70% of the damages you incurred as a result of the accident.
Types of Available Damages After a Failure to Yield Motorcycle Accident in St. Louis
LouisThere are three main types of damages that you may recover after a failure to yield
motorcycle accident, including:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are tangible damages that can be quantifiably determined. Their value doesn’t change. Common economic damages include medical costs, past and future lost wages, vocational rehabilitation, property damages, and out-of-pocket expenses.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages may include pain and suffering, emotional anguish, humiliation, reputational damage, or worsening of prior injuries. They’re more difficult to prove than economic damages. Typically, a jury may adjust non-economic damages in a personal injury case.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are often awarded to set a public example. They’re less common than economic and non-economic damages but may be appropriate in cases of extreme negligence or recklessness, such as drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs.
There are no caps on personal injury damages in the state of Missouri.
Missouri Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accidents
The statute of limitations in Missouri is generally five years from the date of the accident. There are exceptions if someone involved is under 21, has diminished mental capacity, or leaves the state for a period of time.
How much is it going to cost upfront to hire a personal injury attorney?
The St. Louis personal injury lawyers at NST Law work on a contingency fee arrangement. This type of fee arrangement doesn’t require an initial fee for services. Instead, a personal injury attorney will listen to your account of the accident and review the evidence and documentation that you provide. If the attorney believes you have a case, they’ll work on your behalf to recover damages. If the case is won and you receive a payment for damages, your attorney will receive a percentage of your compensation as their fee.
Why should I hire NST Law to handle my failure to yield motorcycle accident case?
NST Law is committed to the people we serve. We understand the economic cost, pain and suffering, and other losses that our clients incur as a result of life-changing motor vehicle accidents. Our dedicated team of attorneys at NST Law is ready to help you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Our St. Louis Office
St. Louis Office
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St. Louis, MO 63101
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