Free Case Evaluation
Piedmont Motorcycle Accident Lawyers, OK
Strong advocacy for the victims of motorcycle crashes and the families of loved ones killed in a motorcycle crash
Motorcycle riding involves joy and risk. The joys include the feeling of the wind in your hair, the fun of riding with other motorcycle enthusiasts, and the knowledge that you’re saving money compared to the price of a new car. The risks involve being struck by drivers who don’t see you or don’t respect your right to be on the road, the danger of driving when the rain and wind appear, or just riding over potholes. When accidents do happen, they are often serious or fatal, because the riders aren’t protected by the metal of cars and trucks or by seatbelts and airbags.
At Cunningham & Mears, our Piedmont motorcycle accident lawyers have more than 105 years of combined experience holding drivers, manufacturers, and others liable for personal injury accidents. We work with investigators to quickly examine the accident site and the damage to the vehicles. We’re skilled at questioning the drivers who caused your injuries or the death of a loved one. We understand how to show what injuries you have, what medical treatments you need, and what pain and suffering you have – for now and for the rest of your life.
Our strong record of insurance settlements and jury verdicts includes obtaining $1.3 million for a motorcycle rider who was severely injured when an oncoming driver struck the rider’s vehicle head-on.
Free Case Evaluation
How can we help?
- How dangerous and deadly are motorcycle accidents?
- What are the causes of motorcycle accidents in Piedmont?
- Do you handle all types of motorcycle injuries?
- What laws do motorcycle operators need to follow in Piedmont?
- Who is responsible for motorcycle accidents in Piedmont?
- How is the value of my Piedmont motorcycle accident claim determined?
- Do you have a motorcycle accident lawyer near me?
How dangerous and deadly are motorcycle accidents?
According to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, 76 motorcycle riders were killed in motorcycle accidents and almost 1,000 suffered injuries in 2021.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, motorcycles are 28 times as deadly as car accidents. Motorcycles aren’t enclosed like trucks and cars. Motorcycles are also “less stable than passenger vehicles during maneuvers such as emergency braking and swerving and are less visible on the road.”
When collisions occur, motorcycle riders are usually struck by another vehicle and then strike the hard ground.
What are the causes of motorcycle accidents in Piedmont?
Common causes of motorcycle crashes in Piedmont include:
- Passenger and truck drivers who don’t see or respect the rights of motorcyclists
- Distracted driving including texting while driving and talking on a cell phone while driving
- Speeding
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Rain, wind, snow, sun, and other dangerous weather conditions
- Splitting lanes with a car or with or another
- Object on the road
- Roads that are poorly maintained
- Tired drivers
- Failure to yield and other Oklahoma traffic violations
- Defective motorcycle parts including clutches, throttles, brakes, chassis, and tires
Do you handle all types of motorcycle injuries?
At Cunningham & Mears, we handle all types of motorcycle accident injuries including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Damage to the spinal cord
- Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
- Third-degree burn injuries
- Broken bones
- Tissue, ligament, muscle, and nerve damage
- Injuries to your feet, legs, hands, and arms
- Injuries to your neck, back, and shoulder
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
One type of injury that is fairly unique to motorcycle riders is road rash. This serious disorder to the skin and possibly the nerves, muscles, and bones of your arms occurs when you slide along the ground after you fall off your motorcycle.
What laws do motorcycle operators need to follow in Piedmont?
Oklahoma law regulates the equipment that motorcycles must have, who must wear helmets, and other aspects of motorcycle operation.
Motorcycles are required to have:
- Rearview mirrors on each side so the driver can clearly see the roadway behind him/her.
- Either a windshield or goggles that meet American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards, or other devices to protect the motorcycle driver from foreign objects.
- A speedometer that works
- Fenders for the wheels
- A horn that works
- A muffler or “other effective noise-suppressing system”
Oklahoma law requires that motorcycle drivers and passengers under 18 must wear a “crash helmet of a type which complies with standards established by 49 C.F.R., Section 571.218.” Even though helmet use is not mandatory for adults, wearing a helmet is generally considered advisable.
Other rules you should know:
- The handlebars shouldn’t be above the eye level of the driver.
- Oklahoma prohibits lane splitting, where a motorcycle drives between vehicles in lanes of traffic.
- There are special rules when motorcycle drivers transport passengers.
All motorcycle operators should consider taking education courses based on their skill levels. Riders should wear clothing that allows them to be seen by others on the road and helps protect them in case of an accident. Riders should be extra careful when riding at night or in bad weather.
Who is responsible for motorcycle accidents in Piedmont?
The defendants in your motorcycle accident case may include people other than the driver. At Cunningham & Mears, we may file claims against:
- An owner who may be responsible for failing to monitor the driver
- An employer
- A manufacturer
- A repair company
- Other drivers if more than your vehicle and one car is involved
- Other defendants depending on what happened
How is the value of my Piedmont motorcycle accident claim determined?
Each claim is unique. There are many factors that determine the value of your claim depending on the injuries you have, the severity of the injuries, your ability/inability to work, and other factors. Our personal injury lawyers demand compensation for all your current and future:
- Medical expenses. The liable defendants should pay for your emergency transportation (such as ambulances), emergency department care, surgeries and hospital stays, physician visits, rehabilitative therapy, assistive devices, medications, psychological treatment, and other types of medical care.
- Lost income. At Cunningham & Mears, we work with your employers and with financial professionals to show all your wage losses, including your inability to ever work again.
- Pain and suffering. We demand compensation for all the pain and anxiety you have every day no matter how severe or how often.
- Scars and disfigurement. Some injuries cause unsightly scars. Victims with scars such as scars due to road rash may need psychological help and cosmetic surgery as well as surgery to help restore bodily function.
We also seek damages for damage to your property and other financial and personal damages.
We recommend that you contact us as soon as possible after a Piedmont motorcycle accident. The outside time limit for filing an Oklahoma motorcycle accident claim is within two years from the date of the accident. There may be shorter exceptions such as if you have a claim against the state of Oklahoma.
Do you have a Piedmont motorcycle accident lawyer near me?
Our Piedmont motorcycle accident lawyers have two offices located in Oklahoma City located at:
- 5104 N Francis Ave., Suite 102, Oklahoma City. We are near Penn Square Mall. You should be able to find plenty of parking spots.
- 9428 Westgate, Suite 102B, in the Brookhaven West part of Oklahoma City. We are near Resurrection Cemetery and off the Northwest Expressway.
Cunningham & Mears does make alternate arrangements for clients who are too ill or immobile to come to our office.
We understand your trauma. We’ll guide you through the claims process and prepare you for each step along the way.
Talk to our caring Piedmont motorcycle accident lawyers today
Motorcycle accidents require lawyers who understand why motorcycle accidents happen, and what steps car drivers, truck drivers, and motorcycle operators should take to prevent crashes from happening. Motorcycle crashes also require personal injury and wrongful death lawyers who are skilled at handling catastrophic and serious injuries and accidents that cause a loved one to die. At Cunningham & Mears, our Piedmont motorcycle accident lawyers have earned the respect of many former clients and the insurance industry for our impressive record of settlements and verdicts in personal injury cases. To discuss your motorcycle accident claim, contact us or call us today to schedule a free initial consultation.
