Oklahoma City Attorney Representing Motorcyclists Hit By Drunk Drivers
Riding a motorcycle can be an exhilarating experience. But, it also can be a painful, even deadly experience. Motorcycles provide excellent tools for avoiding a collision. They're small in size, have an unobstructed field of vision, have excellent braking and acceleration, and are ease to maneuver. These factors don't mean anything once a crash happens because of the lack of protection for a rider, and the weight of cars and trucks.
If you've been injured in a collision while riding a motorcycle, you need to consult an experienced OKC motorcycle accident attorney. Motorcycle accidents can result in serious and life-changing injuries. You may need to take legal action against a negligent driver to recover such damages as:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages due to time off of work
- Physical therapy
- Property damage
- Punitive damages
Attorney Ray Maples has been representing injured Oklahoma City motorcycle riders for over a decade. He has succeeded in winning large settlements for his clients. He's passionate about the rights of motorcyclists and will fight for you. For a free consultation, call his office at (405) 883-4487.
Risks for Motorcyclists
As a motorcyclist, you are aware of the risks that come with riding a motorcycle. You're far less visible than other vehicles, and have almost no physical protection in an accident. If you ride a motorcycle, you have agreed to accept these risks. What you haven’t agreed to accept is negligent, distracted, or worst of all, impaired drivers.
Impaired Drivers and Motorcyclists
Drunk, or chemically impaired, drivers pose a particular threat to motorcyclists. Many years of study have shown that a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent has:
- Slower reaction reflexes. Reflexes are vital to safe driving. A driver whose reflexes are slowed or dulled will not be able to take the necessary improvisational actions to avoid an accident.
- Altered depth perception. Depth perception is another essential element of safe driving. The inability to accurately judge distances in relation to speed and stopping time leads to many serious accidents.
- Blurred vision. If there’s one thing that’s important to being a safe driver, it’s the ability to see your surroundings, other vehicles, and pedestrians.
- Impaired judgment. Ingested chemicals like alcohol have a remarkable ability to cause a person make poor decisions. Indeed, getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while impaired is the first of many disastrous decisions a driver can make.
If you, as a motorcyclist, are injured by a drunk driver, consider yourself lucky. The majority of motorcycle riders involved in collisions with drunk drivers are killed. If you've lost a loved one to an impaired driver, you could be entitled to such damages as:
- The victim’s medical bills
- Pain and suffering of the victim before they died
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of future income, benefits, and retirement funds
- Loss of companionship and consortium
- And much more
If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunken or otherwise impaired driver, you need to seek representation from an expert personal injury/wrongful death attorney. Attorney Ray Maples has dedicated his practice to getting Oklahoma City injury victims the compensation they deserve.
Call him at (405) 883-4487 for a free consultation.