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Motorcycle Accident Lawyer St Louis

Talk to a lawyer for Free 24/7 (314) 361-4242 :: Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers fight to get compensation for accident victims. Don’t talk to an insurance claims adjuster before you speak with a lawyer!

Motorcyclists often suffer catastrophic injuries when they are involved in a collision with a car or truck. Compounding this already difficult situation is the fact that the financial costs of a serious injury can easily exceed the available insurance coverage.

If you have been injured, or a loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident, it is important that you work with a motorcycle accident attorney who knows how to pursue all possible sources of compensation, including uninsured and under-insured motorists coverage.

What should you do after a motorcycle accident?

Collecting and preserving important evidence after a motorcycle accident can help prove your personal injury claim for compensation from a negligent driver. If possible, follow the tips listed below.

  • Photographs of the Accident Scene – At the scene of the accident, use your cell phone camera to take photographs of the scene. Take pictures of the bike as it lies on the ground and capture the point of contact between the bike and the car.
  • Do Not Admit Fault – Sometimes an accident is your fault and sometimes it is someone else’s fault entirely. Or maybe both drivers share some of the blame. But in many cases, it is not always immediately apparent how an accident was caused. So be careful about saying anything that could be harmful to your claim. Accidents are confusing and traumatic, but keeping a clear head is important.
  • Document Everything – Make sure that all damages and injuries are documented with the police.
  • Contact Your Insurance Company – Without admitting fault, you should call the insurance company as soon as possible and report the accident. You will need to give them specific information like the police report number, the name and badge number of the responding officer, and the other driver’s contact and insurance information. If there are any witnesses at the scene, you should also get their contact information. If the claims person asks you about damage to your vehicle or your injuries, it is better to tell them you do not know yet than to guess. You may realize later that your injuries are more extensive, or your motorcycle is more damaged than you initially thought, and you do not want to get locked into anything too early on.
  • Police reports – When the police arrive at the accident scene, they will make a report. The report will include a diagram of the accident scene and contact information of any eyewitnesses. The report will also include notes about the weather conditions and whether the driver received any citations.
  • Ask For Clarification – If the other driver was clearly at fault, your insurance company might work directly with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to get your damage covered. Sometimes insurance companies automatically assign responsibility to the motorcyclist, and this will go on your record, and your rates will go up. You should ask your insurance adjuster if you are assigned any fault for the accident. If the fault has been assigned to you,  you may be able to file an objection.
  • Helmet – Preserve the helmet the way it is and photograph it at the accident scene. By showing that you wore a helmet at the time of the accident, you will prove that you did not contribute to your injuries in any way and the other driver was solely responsible for the injuries.
  • Eye Witnesses – Eyewitnesses can play a crucial role in proving your personal injury claim. Collect contact information of any eyewitnesses and record their account of the accident.
  • Surveillance Cameras – Look around the accident scene for any surveillance cameras. If there is a business, school, or any other commercial property around, there are chances that a surveillance camera is installed outside the property. You can request a copy of the recording.
  • Debris – Photographs of the accident debris can also play an important role in proving your claim. Take pictures of the motorcycle parts that were broken during the impact.
  • Medical Records – If you have suffered any injuries in the accident, preserve all the medical records to prove your claim. Keep a copy of your lab reports, prescriptions, diagnosis of the doctor, and test results.
  • Work with a Mechanic You Trust – An insurance company may recommend somebody but you do not always have to go to that particular mechanic. You should use someone you trust to give you an estimate that includes everything.
  • Return to the Scene – Return to the accident scene as soon as possible after the accident to make a note of any changes that have been made to the scene.

Free Consultation with a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

Don’t talk to an insurance claims adjuster before speaking with The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We can help you avoid making statements that may affect the outcome of your case. The consultation is free; you don’t pay unless we get you money!

Free Consultation (314) 361-4242

Compensation for Injuries

Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are often accompanied by serious injuries. You should be able to recover compensation for injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. In addition to compensation for medical expenses you may be able to recover funds for pain and sufferinglost wages, and disability. At this point, you should consult a motorcycle accident attorney who can help you to successfully pursue full compensation.

Counteracting the Bias Against Motorcycles and Bikers

It’s a sad fact that many people (including jurors) have preconceived notions about motorcyclists, namely that they are reckless drivers. We believe this reputation is undeserved and unfounded. In fact, motorcycle accidents often result from the negligence or carelessness of other drivers who:

  • Do not check their blind spot when making a lane change
  • Do not see the motorcycle when entering or exiting a street or road
  • Do not yield the right of way at a stop
  • Made a sudden left-hand turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle at an intersection

Attorney Christopher Hoffmann works hard to counteract this negative image of bikers. Through careful investigation of the accident and consultation with expert witnesses, he can often present evidence showing that the driver of the car, truck or other vehicle was the precise cause of the accident.

Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, don’t talk to the insurance adjuster until you have had a chance to discuss your accident with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242 to schedule a free consultation.

Is Wearing a Helmet Really Necessary?

A helmet can be the difference between life and death in the event of a motorcycle accident. In fact, according to the NHTSA, wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle can reduce your risk of brain injuries by up to 67 percent. Here are a number of important reasons you should wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle.

Reducing Wind Noise

While riding a two-wheeler, you are constantly bombarded with wind noise. This can be quite tiring and even dangerous if you have to concentrate on the road for a long period of time. Wearing a helmet helps reduce this noise, enabling you to focus on your ride and prevent distraction.

Improve Your Visibility On The Road

Inattentional blindness among car and truck drivers is one of the leading causes of accidents involving motorcycles. In essence, inattentional blindness is when a driver fails to see a two-wheeler that is right in front of them because they are not expecting it or looking for it. Wearing a brightly colored helmet can help improve your visibility on the road and make it less likely that you will be involved in an accident.

Helmets Can Save You Money

Wearing a helmet can help you avoid costly medical bills and time off work due to injuries sustained in an accident. Some insurers even offer discounts on motorcycle and bicycle insurance premiums for riders who wear helmets.

Prevent Death

Did you know that wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle can reduce the risk of death by up to 37%? Wearing a helmet is one of the most effective ways to prevent death while riding a two-wheeler.

Reduce The Risk of Road Rash

Road rash is a condition that occurs when skin rubs or scrapes against the pavement. Wearing a helmet can help reduce the risk of road rash because it provides a layer of protection between your skin and the pavement.

Improve Your View

While it may seem counterintuitive, wearing a helmet can improve your view. This is because many helmets have visors that help block the sun and other objects from obstructing your view.

Choosing the Right Motorcycle Helmet

A good helmet should be comfortable to wear and, most importantly, provide adequate protection.

motorcyclist holding his helmet

Unlike a car that provides those inside some level of protection in the form of airbags, seatbelts, and a metal frame, motorcyclists are out in the open, vulnerable to whatever may come their way. This is very scary as in the event of an accident, your head, neck, and spinal cord are all at risk of severe injury or death.

Fortunately, wearing a helmet can greatly reduce your risk of sustaining a serious or fatal injury in an accident. In fact, according to recent studies, wearing a helmet reduces the risk of head injuries by 69% and that of death by 42%. With this in mind, it is clear that wearing a helmet could be the difference between life and death.

However, to fully protect yourself, it’s important that you choose the right helmet. A good helmet should be comfortable to wear and, most importantly, provide adequate protection. To help you choose the right helmet, we have put together a list of things to keep in mind when shopping for a motorcycle helmet:

Helmet Type

There are three main types of helmets- full face, open face, and half helmet. Full-face helmets generally offer the most protection as they cover the entire head, including the chin and face. Open-face helmets only cover the top and back of the head, leaving the face exposed. Half helmets offer the least amount of protection as they only cover the top of the head. When choosing a helmet, it is important to decide what type of coverage you are looking for.

Helmet Fit

A helmet should fit snugly and comfortably on your head. It should not be too loose or too tight. To test the fit, put the helmet on and fasten the straps. Next, try to move the helmet from side to side and up and down. If the helmet moves more than an inch in any direction, it’s too loose. If you cannot get the helmet on or if it feels too tight, it is too small.

Field of Vision

Another important consideration when choosing a motorcycle helmet is the field of vision. You want to make sure that you have a clear and unimpeded view of the road ahead. To test the field of vision, put on the helmet and look from side to side and up and down. If you cannot see clearly in all directions, then the helmet is not suitable for you.

Weight

Another factor to consider when choosing a motorcycle helmet is the weight. A heavy helmet can be tiring to wear for long periods and may even cause neck pain. On the other hand, a light helmet may not provide enough protection in an accident.

Ventilation

You want to ensure that the helmet you choose has adequate ventilation to keep your head cool and dry. To test the ventilation, put on the helmet and fasten the straps. Next, stand in front of a fan and turn it on to full power. If you feel cool air coming through the vents, then the helmet has adequate ventilation. If you don’t feel any air coming through the vents, then the helmet does not have adequate ventilation.

Padding

You wouldn’t want to wear a helmet that is too hot and stuffy, so make sure to choose one with adequate padding. To test the padding, put on the helmet and fasten the straps. Next, press firmly on the padding with your fingers. If you can feel your fingers pressing through the padding, then the helmet does not have adequate padding. Sadly, insufficient padding also reduces the helmet’s ability to protect your head in the event of an accident. It would be best to find one that’s well padded.

Remember to always wear your helmet when riding, no matter the distance or duration of the ride – it could be the difference between life and death.


Free Consultation with a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

Don’t talk to an insurance claims adjuster before speaking with The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We can help you avoid making statements that may affect the outcome of your case. The consultation is free; you don’t pay unless we get you money!

Free Consultation (314) 361-4242