Little Rock Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

As exhilarating as riding a motorcycle can be, there is no denying that it is dangerous. No matter how responsible you are as a rider, there are many other elements on the road that you do not have control over. These elements may include road conditions, the weather, or the actions of other drivers and riders around you. Every operator and passenger of a motorized vehicle is at the peril of other drivers and riders on highways and roads in Arkansas. Motorcyclists are more vulnerable than occupants of passenger vehicles as they lack protection in a collision.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5,286 motorcyclists were killed in crashes in a recent year – a five percent increase from the earlier year. Of those fatalities, 27 percent were riding without a valid motorcycle license, 37 percent were driving under the influence of alcohol, and 35 percent were not wearing helmets. Based on these findings, motorcycle accidents are 29 times more likely than accidents between two or more passenger vehicles.

Pursuing Justice After a Motorcycle Accident in Little Rock

Motorcycle accidents often result in tragedy. While permanent disabilities and deaths cannot be reversed, holding the negligent party responsible for their actions with a Little Rock motorcycle accident lawyer can offer a sense of peace to victims and loved ones. In the event you are the victim of a motorcycle crash, it’s imperative to understand your legal rights so you can ease your financial burdens and focus on recovery.

What are the Motorcycle Laws in Arkansas?

If you’ve sustained injuries from a serious motorcycle accident, it can help to familiarize yourself with the state laws concerning motorcycles and their riders. Here is a summary of Little Rock and Arkansas’ laws that may affect your case:

A Class M license is required to operate a motorcycle on public roadways.
A person has to be at least 16 years of age to obtain a Class M license.
A Class MD license, which offers restricted privileges, can be obtained to operate a motorcycle between 14 and 16 years old.
Everyone under the age of 21 is required to wear a helmet. Motorcyclists over 21 can choose whether or not they wear a helmet.
All motorcyclists must wear eye protection.
Passengers cannot be under the age of eight.
Daytime headlights are required.
Legal blood alcohol content (BAC) levels are the same for motorcycles as they are for cars. Any motorist operating a vehicle with a BAC above 0.08 percent is considered to be driving under the influence.

What are Some of the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcycles are less stable and less visible because they only have two wheels and are smaller than other vehicles on the road. Motorcycle accidents are often deadlier than car crashes because the riders don’t have the level of protection of an enclosed vehicle. One way to lower the number of accidents is to look at the causes of most collisions. Below are some of the most common reasons motorcycle accidents happen in our state and nationwide:

Blind Spots

Just like any vehicle, motorcycles have blind spots. It’s vital to understand how these blind spots function when making turns, changing lanes, passing, slowing down, and stopping. Other vehicles, like cars and trucks, must be aware and on the lookout for motorcycles in their blind spots.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of all motor vehicle accidents, including motorcycle crashes. Taking your hands or eyes away from the vehicle or road can lead to collisions or loss of vehicular control.

Lack of Awareness

A lack of awareness can contribute to any accident and equally applies to motorcyclists and motorists. Motorcyclists may be unaware of how dangerous riding a motorcycle can be and may not take the proper precautions. Car and truck drivers may be unaware of how to drive safely around motorcycles.

Speeding

Excessive speeding increases the chances of a collision, as well as the severity of injuries sustained in the event of an accident.

Tailgating

Some drivers underestimate the amount of room they need in front of them to come to a complete stop. If a car tailgates a motorcycle and hits it from behind, the rider may lose control of the bike and get seriously injured.

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The Dangers of Burn Injuries

Motorcyclists don’t have the luxury of a car’s body to absorb the impact after a crash. A collision causes the rider to let go of the bike. The rider can be ejected at high speeds if the crash happens with enough force. The friction between the rider’s skin and the ground can cause severe burn injuries, also known as road rash. Road rash is one of the most common motorcycle accident injuries.

First-Degree Burns: Road rash can range from mild to severe. Sometimes, road rash doesn’t require medical intervention in cases where just the first layer of skin is affected. A first-degree burn can be red, painful, and itchy but heals on its own.
Second-Degree Burns: The burns get more severe as the degree increases. A second-degree injury goes below the first layer of skin. These burns require medical attention. The burn site may blister and be red and painful. The deeper the injury, the longer it will take to heal. Scarring may be avoided if the burn fully heals within two weeks of the injury.
Third-Degree Burns: Third-degree burns are when the skin is burned through, reaching the tissues beneath. This injury needs medical attention and could require skin grafts. It may not be as painful as second-degree burns because the nerves may be destroyed.
Fourth-Degree Burns: The most severe level of burn is fourth-degree. The burn reaches the muscles, tendons, and even the bones. Skin grafts cannot resolve these burns, and the person will need specialized care. They may never regain use or sensation in the burn area.

Doctors may be concerned about road debris like dirt or gravel in the wound causing an infection. If you’ve been injured in a wreck, you must get a medical evaluation to begin treatment for injuries as soon as possible. You’ll also have physical evidence of your injuries, which can help your case later if you decide to contact a personal injury lawyer and file a lawsuit against a negligent individual or party.

Ways to Avoid Burns

While there isn’t always a way to stop crashes, you can take measures to protect yourself as much as possible if one should happen. These measures could mean the difference between a minor road rash burn and one that’s significantly more severe:

Helmet. While those above 21 can opt not to wear a helmet, this is one of the most essential protective gear you can wear. The helmet will absorb shock and reduce the amount of damage done to your head. If there’s friction against the pavement, the helmet will be scraped instead of your skin.
Long-sleeved, Protective Clothing. Wearing thick, long-sleeved shirts, jackets, and pants will add another protective layer between you and the ground. While this clothing may not stop injuries like broken bones, it could reduce the risk of road rash or lacerations.
Riding Gloves. It’s common when people fall to try and brace themselves with their hands. If you’re in an accident and you try to catch yourself with exposed hands, you could severely damage them. Riding gloves may help reduce the damage from the pavement or gravel.

What Are the Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident?

In the event of a motorcycle accident, it’s essential to follow the proper procedures for the sake of yourself and anyone else involved:

Stay at the scene of the accident

To comply with the law, you are required to remain at the scene of the accident.

Seek medical attention

You may be in shock immediately following the accident; however, if you are able, call 911. Even if your injuries seem minor, motorcycle accidents can have severe effects on the body. It’s important to be seen by a medical professional to evaluate your injuries. If you decide to hire an attorney, the doctor’s notes will also be necessary to show how much compensation you may be entitled to.

Swap contact information with the applicable parties

If possible, get the contact information from the other driver at the accident scene. You’ll want to get their name and address, insurance information, and vehicle description. Avoid talking about how or why the accident happened.

Take pictures and notes of the accident

Try to take as many pictures as possible at the scene of the wreck. Document the damage to both vehicles, as well as the weather conditions and road conditions. Write down as much as you can remember, as you’ll need to report this information to the police and your insurance company.

File a police report

You must file a Motor Vehicle Accident Report if the motorcycle accident results in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000. You have 30 days to do this after the date of the accident.

File an accident claim with your insurance company

Once you’re able, you’ll need to report the accident to your insurance company. The sooner you do this, the faster you can negotiate a fair settlement.

Seek legal guidance

If your motorcycle accident claim isn’t proceeding as expected, or you have been offered a settlement that seems unfairly low to the injuries you’ve sustained, seeking legal guidance is a good idea. A Little Rock motorcycle accident attorney can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf and represent you in court if need be.

How can McMath Woods Help You?

All too often, motorcyclists get stereotyped as dangerous or reckless. This bias may also affect those reviewing your claim after a collision. If you encounter bias when attempting to recover compensation for your motorcycle wreck injuries, you should consider contacting an Arkansas motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.

An experienced lawyer will be able to ensure that all parties understand the facts about the case and that no information is left out. Receiving compensation for your injuries and property damage after a motorcycle accident can make the recovery process more manageable. With the proper legal team backing you, you’re more likely to receive full and fair compensation.

Valuing a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Little Rock

The motorcycle accident lawyers at McMath Woods have the experience and knowledge to help you assess your claim and its value in compensation. Our team of trial lawyers takes on a limited number of cases, offering a rare level of personalized legal counsel—you can expect one-on-one counsel with one or more of our attorneys. We pour all the resources of our personal injury attorneys into every case, focusing on the pursuit of justice for injured motorcyclists. Contact our legal representatives today for a free evaluation of your case.