Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Motorcycle accident injuries can change your life in an instant, leaving you with an uncertain future and a stack of bills. Although you cannot necessarily regain your health, you can become eligible for financial compensation if you can prove that someone else was to blame for the accident.
The motorcycle accident lawyers at Federman & Sherwood understand how devastating a crash can be for riders and their families. We take the time to listen, explain your options clearly, and fight for the compensation you need to recover. Our focus is on helping you rebuild with care, dignity, and support.
Federman & Sherwood is located at 10205 N Pennsylvania Ave, The Village, OK 73120, a few blocks from the interchange between I-344 and US-77. Schedule a free initial consultation by calling us today at (800) 237-1277.
Recent Review
When you hire a motorcycle accident lawyer, you need an attorney who will do what it takes for you to win. Client Bruno Muchanga writes: “Always ready to help and go [the] extra mile for your satisfaction! Thanks Federman & Sherwood.”
Oklahoma Motorcycle Accident Laws and Statistics
In recent years, there has been an average of 1,400 motorcycle accidents on Oklahoma roads on an annual basis. These crashes have a very high fatality rate, with approximately 80 motorcyclists losing their lives in these accidents each year. More than 20% of motorcycle accident fatalities in the state occur in Oklahoma City.
When it comes to motorcycle safety, both drivers and riders must follow a number of laws:
- Motorcyclists are entitled to their own lane in traffic, just like any other driver
- When making left-hand turns, drivers must yield to oncoming motorcycles and bikes that are proceeding straight through intersections
- Drivers must maintain a safe following distance between their vehicle and a motorcycle
- Motorcyclists are not required to wear helmets if they are over the age of 18
- Bikers are not allowed to split or filter lanes
In addition, Oklahoma follows the law of modified comparative negligence. A motorcyclist cannot recover any financial compensation if they were more than 50% to blame for the accident, and lesser fault will result in their settlement check being proportionately reduced.
How Do I Win a Motorcycle Accident Case?
You must show that someone else’s actions were to blame for your motorcycle accident injuries. Typically, this means proving that the driver who was involved in the accident acted negligently. When you file a claim or lawsuit, you need evidence of what they actually did to cause the accident. Common examples of negligence in a motorcycle accident case include:
- Making an illegal left-hand turn that cuts in front of a motorcyclist
- Failure to properly check blindspots before changing lanes
- Running into the back of a motorcycle because the driver was following too closely behind
- Cutting off a motorcyclist in traffic
Like any other civil case, you must meet your burden of proof to win your case. Here, you must show that it is more likely than not that the facts you allege are true by providing evidence that shows what happened.
How Much Is My Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?
Once you are able to prove negligence, it becomes time to discuss compensation, either by negotiating it with the insurance company or proving your damages to a jury. Given the severity of your injuries, your motorcycle accident case could be worth a substantial amount of money. The calculation of your damages is an individualized exercise that depends on the scope and extent of your own injuries.
Motorcycle accident compensation may include the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
If your loved one died in a motorcycle accident, your family may seek wrongful death damages in accordance with Oklahoma law.
Are Insurance Companies Biased Against Motorcyclists?
You may have heard others saying how insurance companies have an inherent bias against motorcyclists who file claims. This statement is only partially true. The insurance company has a primary motivation of protecting their bottom line at all costs. When they see a seriously injured motorcyclist who has filed a claim, they will know almost immediately that they can owe a significant amount of money. As such, the insurance company does everything in its power to protect its interests at the motorcyclist’s expense.
How this manifests itself in practice is that the insurance company will often try to blame the injured biker for the crash. They know that motorcyclists are perceived as risky by the average person, and they try to leverage that fact in their favor. The insurance company is counting on the jury siding against you if your case goes to trial. Therefore, if you are wrongfully blamed for the accident, it is vital that you present evidence that contradicts what the insurance company is claiming.
“The insurance company will try to protect themselves at your expense, and I will use every means at my disposal to keep this from happening.” Oklahoma motorcycle accident lawyer J.T. Sherman.
Contact an Oklahoma Motorcycle Accident Law Firm
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a motorcycle accident, you deserve a lawyer who will take the time to understand what you are going through and is committed to fighting hard on your behalf. That is what we are all about at Federman & Sherwood. Schedule a free initial consultation with an Oklahoma motorcycle accident attorney by messaging us online or by calling us today at (800) 237-1277.