Who Pays for a Motorcycle Accident in Missouri? | An Overview

Motorcycle accidents are more common than people would like to admit. No matter how cautious a person is while they're outside, there's always a chance of getting involved in an accident.

The main problem with getting into a motorcycle accident is that it can lead to extreme consequences like suffering a traumatic brain injury. It is known that motorcycle riders are more exposed to danger compared to car drivers. They can wear protective gear (and they should), but that may not be enough sometimes.

Who pays for a motorcycle accident in Missouri? That's a question that many victims ask themselves. Some people have missed out on a lot of money because they didn't know how the personal injury law in their state worked.

This page will cover everything about how Missouri motorcycle accidents affect a legal claim.

Who's Responsible for a Motorcycle Accident in Missouri?

The responsibility lies with the person or object that contributed to the accident. Usually, motorcycle accidents happen because of another driver's negligence.

When the accident is another driver's fault, the victim can negotiate with their insurance company.

Other special cases may influence the claim. Sometimes, for example, the road may be unstable, which can lead to an accident.

What if one of the motorcycle's parts fails, and that's the cause of the accident? The victim could build a claim against the part's manufacturer or the repair shop. However, it may be harder to prove fault in these scenarios.

Hiring a lawyer ensures the victim analyzes the case from every perspective available. The person responsible for the crash is usually the one who needs to pay. In the end, it's either them or their insurance company. For more information, a motorcycle accident law firm in St Louis may be able to help.

How to Prove Fault in Motorcycle Accidents

Victims need to prove negligence if they want to earn compensation to cover their medical expenses. Most motorcycle accident claims are based on that. Simply put, "negligence" happens when a person doesn't act as a reasonable one would have done.

The victim has to show that the other driver owed them a duty of care and breached it, leading to the accident. Also, they have to prove that the accident was the direct cause of the injuries and that they resulted in monetary losses.

Evidence is paramount in every case. Insurance providers who don't believe the victim has enough proof to support their claims won't pay what they're asking for.

How Does Missouri's Comparative Negligence Rule Work?

In Missouri, victims will get their compensation deducted based on their percentage of fault. This is called the pure comparative negligence rule.

Unfortunately, this is bad news for motorcycle riders. Most of the time, the at-fault parties will try to shift the blame to the rider. Due to the stereotypes that these people have, they will have a hard time proving they were not at fault.

Hiring a lawyer can help the victim balance things out and seek justice for what happened. They can also advise on who pays for a truck accident in Missouri. If they contributed to the accident by any chance, they will get a portion of their money deducted.

Which Factors Affect the Value of the Victim's Settlement?

Personal injury claims get bigger the more complicated they are. The value of the settlement varies depending on the type and severity of the injuries. Those with traumatic brain injuries, for example, will get a higher settlement compared to those with a few bruises.

Another factor is the victim's monetary losses after the crash. They must keep a record of all the expenses they had related to the accident, as they could be useful when negotiating later. Monetary losses include travel costs, personal care, household services, and more.

There's no way to guarantee a specific settlement amount, as each case is unique. It's always better to discuss these things with a legal professional to get a better perspective of everything.

What Happens If the Accident Leads to a Person's Death?

Some unfortunate accidents lead to the person's death. There's no money in the world that can take away the pain of losing a loved one, but family members can still get compensated for what happened.

They can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party. By hiring an experienced attorney, they can build a powerful case with solid evidence. This will get them compensation to cover medical expenses, burial costs, funeral expenses, and anything else they may need.

Should Victims Work with Personal Injury Attorneys for Their Case?

Motorcycle accident victims will always benefit from working with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Missouri law is hard to navigate, especially during such stressful circumstances.

It's already overwhelming enough to deal with severe injuries. The victim won't have the energy to focus on an entire personal injury case on their own. Thankfully, they can get the help of legal counsel and gather all the evidence they need to build a solid case.

At Powell Law, the team works hard to ensure all clients get the treatment they deserve during these hard times. Whether it's collecting evidence, talking to witnesses, or negotiating with insurance companies, they will get it done.

It's not fair for victims to fight on their own, and that's why the team at Powell Law is here to support them all the way through. They can also help with explain who pays for a bicycle accident in Missouri.

Bottom Line

There's no doubt that a Missouri motorcycle accident claim is always hard to navigate. Whether the injury is a minor fracture or a burn, victims deserve to get compensated to pay for their medical bills and lost wages.

Filing a personal injury lawsuit is one of the best ways to take the at-fault driver to justice, but it's necessary to do it with the help of a professional.

By hiring an experienced personal injury attorney from the Powell Law Firm, victims have a better chance of earning proper compensation and healing from their wounds without worrying about money.

Those involved in a motorcycle crash may want to discuss their case with an attorney before talking to their insurance company. They can schedule a free consultation with this law firm today and get their legal process started.