If you ride a motorcycle, you’ve probably heard people say: “It’s not a matter of if you’ll crash – it’s a matter of when.” The truth is, not every motorcyclist will be involved in an accident. There aren’t reliable statistics to predict how many riders will eventually crash.
In reality, no one can accurately calculate the percentage of motorcycle riders who get into accidents. Riders have different experience levels, riding habits, locations, and exposure to traffic. Rather than focusing on a single percentage, it is more important to understand why motorcycle accidents happen, why they cause severe injuries, and what your legal options might be after a crash.
Why Is Motorcycle Riding More Dangerous Than Driving a Car?
Motorcycles can be an enjoyable and efficient way to travel, but they also expose riders to significantly greater risks than passenger vehicles. Without many of the built-in safety features found in cars and trucks, motorcyclists are more vulnerable when collisions occur.
Several factors make motorcycle riding more dangerous than driving a car, including:
- Less physical protection: Cars surround occupants with a steel frame, airbags, seat belts, and other safety features. Motorcycles offer much less protection comparatively, leaving riders exposed during a crash.
- Greater visibility challenges: Because motorcycles are smaller than most other vehicles, they are easier for drivers to overlook. A motorist who fails to check a blind spot before changing lanes or making a turn may not see an approaching motorcycle.
- Higher risk of serious injuries: Even when wearing a helmet and other protective gear, motorcycle riders have little protection from the force of an impact. As a result, they are much more likely to suffer severe or catastrophic injuries than occupants of passenger vehicles involved in similar collisions.
Because of these risks, motorcycle crashes often result in far more severe injuries than collisions involving passenger vehicles.
What Causes Most Motorcycle Accidents?
Many people assume motorcyclists cause their own accidents. In reality, many crashes occur because another driver fails to notice the motorcycle or violates the rider’s right of way.
Some of the most common reasons for motorcycle accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Unsafe lane changes
- Driving under the influence
- Running red lights
- Dangerous road conditions
- Defective motorcycle parts
In many cases, the rider has little or no time to avoid a collision.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Motorcycle Accident?
If another person’s negligence caused your motorcycle accident, Oklahoma law may allow you to recover compensation for both your financial losses and the personal impact of your injuries.
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate you for measurable financial losses, such as:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospital bills
- Surgery
- Therapy
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
These losses can often be documented through bills, receipts, employment records, and expert witness testimony.
Non-Economic Damages
Not every loss has a dollar amount attached to it. A serious motorcycle accident can affect nearly every aspect of your life. Non-economic damages provide compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Loss of quality of life
- Permanent disability
- Scarring and disfigurement
These damages recognize the very real human cost of a serious injury.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, Oklahoma law allows for recovery of punitive damages. These are not available in every case. These damages are intended to punish egregious or reckless conduct and deter similar behavior in the future.
How Do You Prove Liability for a Motorcycle Accident?
Recovering compensation requires more than showing that an accident occurred. You must establish that another person’s negligence caused your injuries. Building a strong case requires gathering evidence, such as:
- Police reports
- Photographs
- Surveillance video
- Witness statements
- Vehicle damage
- Medical records
- Accident reconstruction analysis
In some cases, expert witnesses can analyze skid marks, impact angles, vehicle speeds, and other evidence to determine exactly how the collision occurred.
How a Lawyer Can Help
Motorcycle accident claims can involve serious injuries, disputed liability, and aggressive insurance companies. Having a lawyer on your side can make a meaningful difference during this process.
A lawyer can help by:
- Gathering evidence
- Interviewing witnesses
- Reviewing medical records
- Working with experts
- Negotiating with insurers
- Preparing the case for trial
No amount of money can erase the pain of a serious accident. However, fair compensation can help you obtain the medical care, rehabilitation, and financial security you deserve.
Contact McIntyre Law Today To Schedule a Free Consultation With an Oklahoma City Motorcycle Accident Attorney
No statistic can predict the percentage of motorcycle riders who will be involved in an accident. Still, if someone else’s negligence caused your accident, you should not have to shoulder the legal burdens alone.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Oklahoma, contact McIntyre Law to schedule a free consultation with an Oklahoma City motorcycle accident lawyer. We will investigate your accident, explain your legal options, and fight for the recovery you deserve.
Reach out to McIntyre Law for help today. We proudly serve injured clients throughout Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, and surrounding communities across Oklahoma.
McIntyre Law P.C. – Oklahoma City
8601 S Western Ave,
Oklahoma City, OK 73139
Monday–Friday: 8:30 AM–5:30 PM
(405) 917-5200