Oklahoma Broadside Motorcycle Crash Attorney
Motorcycles are a lot of fun to ride and a fuel efficient way to commute around town. But, motorcycles can be dangerous. And it's not always because of the rider. Most motorcycle accidents happen because the driver of another vehicle doesn't see them. This happens often when the other driver is changing lanes or turning left at an intersection.
If you've been injured riding a motorcycle, you need to contact a lawyer experienced in representing motorcyclists. Attorney Ray Maples has represented hundreds of injured Oklahoma motorcycle riders and recovered significant damages for them. Call his office today at (405) 883-4487 for a no cost consultation.
Motorcycles verses Automobiles
Simple math can help illustrate how deadly a collision between a motorcycle and a car can be. Depending on the model, a street motorcycle weighs between 500 to 1,100 pounds. The smallest car on the road, a Smart car, weighs over 1,800 pounds. A Cadillac Escalade weighs almost 6,000 pounds (three tons). As you can see, the weight difference puts motorcycles at a disadvantage in a collision with a car. Another disadvantage motorcycle riders have is that they don’t have the protection that cars do. This makes the rider vulnerable to injury.
Broadside Collisions
This serious type of collision seems to be increasing, probably because of the growing number of distractions - cell phones, texting, checking email, etc. These accidents, also referred to as "T-bone collisions," usually happen at intersections when the car’s driver runs a stop sign or red light, fails to see a motorcycle, misjudges the distance and speed of the motorcycle, or fails to yield.
In a broadside collision, a motorcycle rider has few options. Because they're being blindsided, the rider won’t be able to stop or speed up, or lay the bike down to avoid the collision. Broadside collisions can result in serious injuries and even death to the motorcycle rider. Common broadside injuries include:
- Head, neck, face, back, and shoulder injuries
- Broken arms and hands
- Broken and shattered legs
- Broken pelvis
- Internal injuries
- Road rash injuries
If you're in a collision with a distracted or negligent driver, you could be entitled to a large amount of compensation, including:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages due to time off of work
- Physical therapy
- Damage to equipment
- Loss of a limb
- Becoming paralyzed
- Punitive damages
If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident, seek immediate medical attention. When you're able to do so, contact an experienced Oklahoma traffic accident attorney. The sooner you do this, the better, because the attorney will want to start investigating right away when witnesses' memories are fresh.
Since 2002, Attorney Ray Maples has successfully representing injured clients throughout Oklahoma, fighting to get them the compensation they deserve. He is tenacious and not afraid to take on insurance companies. Let him get started on your case by calling (405) 883-4487 for a free consultation.