Wichita Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

You buy a motorbike for the freedom and the exhilaration of being on the open road with the wind in your face. But, with that feeling of excitement comes danger. Motorcyclists are far more likely to be injured in an accident with another vehicle since motorcycles offer no real protection to their drivers like a car or truck does.

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 80% of all reported motorcycle crashes result in injury or death to the motorcyclist. In 2021, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KSDOT) reported 869 vehicle crashes involving motorbikes on our state’s roads, 680 of which were fatal, while 43 caused injuries.

Due to the dangers involved in operating a motorbike, you have a higher chance of being involved in an accident and severely hurt. In the unfortunate event that a crash on your bike does occur, a Wichita motorcycle accident lawyer can help with your case.

Dangers Posed by Other Drivers

The biggest cause of motorcycle accidents is other drivers. These bikes are harder to see because they’re smaller than all other vehicles, and, unfortunately, most car or truck drivers don’t look properly before changing lanes or maneuvering through traffic. These wrecks can occur from negligent actions such as:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence
• Failure to yield the right of way
• Failure to leave sufficient room between vehicles
• Roadway hazards (road damage, construction, etc.)
• Inclement weather

Although speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol cause most of these crashes, helmet use for riders and their passengers also plays a large role in the severity of injuries our office sees. KSDOT data also shows that of the 46 motorbike crash deaths that occurred in 2021, only 18 of those killed wore a helmet.

Common Injuries From Motorbike Crashes

Even wearing the maximum amount of protective gear or a helmet does not prevent a motorcyclist from suffering serious injury during a crash. Bikers and their passengers are far more vulnerable than any other driver on the road. Common injuries our office has seen in the Wichita area include but are not limited to:

• Fractured or broken bones
• Road rash or burns
• Internal bleeding or organ damage
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Partial or total paralysis
• Amputation or loss of limb
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Wrongful death

Due to the traumatic nature of these collisions, the aftermath can be devastating and confusing, which makes pursuing legal action against those responsible more difficult. Our law firm has experience with personal injury cases just like yours and will fight for you while you recover.

Important Kansas Motorcycle Laws

The Kansas Highway Patrol lists certain laws and requirements for anyone operating a motorbike. For the driver, these rules are:

• Must have a valid Class M driver’s license or a motorcycle designation on their valid Class C license
• Must wear protective eye gear unless the bike has a windscreen that is at least ten inches high when measured from the center of the handlebars
• All drivers or riders under the age of 18 must wear a helmet approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation

The bike itself must be equipped with fully functioning:

• Headlights
• Taillights
• Brake lights
• Turn signal lights
• Registration plate lights
• Rear reflectors
• Horn

If a passenger is on the bike, there must be a designated passenger seat, or the single seat must be large enough to fit two people.

Additionally, motorcycles in the Sunflower State are entitled to the use of a full traffic lane, like any other vehicle, and two motorbikes are allowed to drive next to each other within one lane. However, our state does not allow lane splitting, which is when bikers drive or cut between two lanes of traffic.

It is important to thoroughly understand these laws, not just as a motorcyclist, but because this knowledge can be helpful in any legal case you may bring forward.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for Crashes Involving Motorcycles?

When you’re in a vehicle collision, especially one caused by another driver’s actions, you may think that only that other driver can be held responsible for your injuries and the damage to your motorbike But that may not be the case, so you should hire a qualified lawyer. The injury attorney you consult with may find any of the following responsible for your accident:

• Car or truck drivers
• Construction workers (if work zones were not properly marked or barricaded)
• Commercial truck drivers or their employers
• Government entities (or those responsible for road maintenance)
• Motorcycle manufacturers (if there is evidence of faulty or defective parts)

Your attorney will gather all the available evidence and do their own research to fully understand all the details of your case and bring to justice anyone who caused your pain. When our office presents a lawsuit against the guilty party, we’ll fight for compensation for economic and non-economic damages such as:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Loss of quality of life
• Pain and suffering
• Funeral and burial costs

Why You Should Hire a Wichita Lawyer

It’s a shocking experience to be involved in a motorcycle crash, and it often leads to severe injury and, sadly, death. In the aftermath of something so traumatic, you shouldn’t have to worry about gathering evidence and filing a claim on your own. Contact our office today, and one of our Wichita motorcycle accident lawyers will look over the details of your case.

We will do the legal work for you, such as gathering all necessary documentation, submitting your claim within the two-year statute of limitations, and fighting for the maximum compensation the law allows. Don’t wait another day;  let our legal team at Prochaska, Howell & Prochaska LLC help!