Most crashes involving a motorcycle rider and other vehicles are the result of a car driver’s error. However, there are some cases when a motorcyclist is at fault for causing the crash.
Statistically speaking, bikers in Missouri are also involved in more single-vehicle accidents than other motorists. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, single-vehicle motorcycle crashes account for more than 40 percent of all motorcyclist fatalities, of which 55 percent are caused by alcohol impairment.
Regardless of whether a motorcycle rider was involved in a single-vehicle or multi-vehicle accident, the question of fault becomes critical. Discuss your case with a Kansas City motorcycle accident lawyer from Mayer & Rosenberg, P.C., to determine liability in your case.
Missouri is an at-fault motorcycle insurance state. Meaning, if a motorcyclist has purchased the right coverage and was found at fault for causing a crash, he or she will face penalties, fines, license suspension, and even a jail sentence.
Missouri law requires motorcyclists to carry the following types of insurance coverage:
In addition to these, a motorcyclist in Missouri is required to carry the Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UIM).
Since many car drivers and insurance companies are biased against motorcycle riders, it is not uncommon for motorcyclists to be falsely accused of causing a motorcycle accident.
A motorcyclist who is being blamed for a motorcycle crash must keep in mind the following two things:
The presumption of fault by police or insurance adjusters is not the final word. It will be up to your Kansas City motorcycle accident attorney and the court to make the final determination.
Missouri is a comparative fault state, which splits the damages caused by a motorcycle crash among all parties involved, including the victim. Therefore, a motorcyclist’s fault can reduce his or her compensation by the percentage of his/her own fault in the crash.
In a single-vehicle crash, the motorcyclist is usually presumed to be at fault for causing the accident, though an experienced lawyer by his/her side can prove that another party, i.e., a government entity, was at fault for the accident (for example, for failure to maintain the road in a safe condition).
If you are a motorcyclist who has just been in a motorcycle crash and you are being blamed for what happened, there are certain things you should and should not do to protect your legal rights.
Discuss your particular situation with our motorcycle accident attorneys at Mayer & Rosenberg, P.C. Let us help you establish fault in your case. Receive a free evaluation of your case.
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.