Little Rock Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

A motorcycle accident can happen quickly, resulting in devastating injuries or even death. If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident, you might feel that you are partially to blame. Or perhaps the insurance company believes you are to blame. However, very often, riders are not at fault.

Motorbike crashes are commonly caused by factors beyond the rider’s control, like bad road conditions, faulty or defective parts, other drivers, or other bikers. If another party’s negligence caused you to be injured in a motorcycle accident, you are likely entitled to compensation. In fact, even if you might be partially at fault, you may still be able to recover.

At Reed Firm, we are dedicated to righting the wrongs committed against those injured in motorcycle accidents. Unfortunately, insurance companies may attempt to use negative stereotypes of motorcycle riders against you. That’s why it’s important to protect yourself. Contact Reed Firm to ensure your rights are protected with the help of a Little Rock motorcycle accident lawyer.

Why Are Motorcycle Accidents So Dangerous?

Motorcyclists are more likely to suffer devastating injuries or death because they don’t have the same types of protection as the occupants of cars or trucks. Even when motorcyclists wear helmets and safety gear, they are often thrown from the motorcycle or pinned between the motorcycle and another vehicle, resulting in catastrophic injuries. Approximately 75 percent of motorcycle accidents involve a larger, passenger vehicle, and nearly half of all fatalities are caused by collisions between motorcyclists and passenger vehicles.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Negligent drivers cause the majority of motorcycle accidents because they just don’t look out for motorcyclists. Motorcycles are more difficult to see, and many drivers don’t take the time to check their surroundings. For example, inattentive drivers are more likely to change lanes and hit a motorcyclist traveling in a blind spot. It is also commonplace for drivers to pull from a stop and into the path of a motorcycle, causing the motorcyclist to broadside the passenger vehicle.

Distracted Driving

As with other types of car accidents, distracted driving is one of the most common causes of preventable accidents. Drivers tend to become distracted by their phones, passengers, the radio, other accidents that have occurred, or simply by staring into the distance and ignoring the conditions around them. When a passenger vehicle driver gets distracted, he or she could turn into a motorcyclist who has the right-of-way or swerve into the motorcyclist’s lane, causing a devastating accident.

Improper Turns

Motorcycles are much smaller than passenger vehicles and may appear farther away than they are. As a result, a driver may miscalculate how much time they have to change lanes or make a turn, resulting in the driver running into the motorcyclist or running the motorcyclist off the road. And far too many accidents are caused when an inattentive driver turns in front of a motorcyclist.

Aggressive or Reckless Driving

Aggressive driving is also very dangerous. Aggressive drivers generally drive faster, which means that more time is required to avoid a collision with a motorcyclist. Aggressive drivers often tailgate and cut drivers off, recklessly disregarding the consequences.

Not paying attention is one thing. Driving in a manner that knowingly places others at risk is another and might be considered reckless. Reckless driving is worse than negligent driving, and if a reckless driver has injured you, you may be entitled to punitive damages.

Careless Driving

Careless driving is a common factor in motorcycle accidents. While drivers have a legal duty to pay attention and operate their vehicles safely at all times, far too often they do not do so. Some examples of common careless driving mistakes that can lead to dangerous motorcycle accidents include:

• Changing lanes or merging without checking for motorcycles
• Drifting into the path of an approaching motorcycle
• Failing to come to a complete stop at a controlled intersection
• Misjudging a motorcycle’s speed or distance away
• Turning without checking for oncoming traffic

If any of these (or any other) careless driving mistakes are to blame for your injuries, Little Rock motorcycle accident lawyer Tim Reed can help you seek the financial compensation you deserve. Automotive liability insurance covers all types of careless driving mistakes, and seeking just compensation will involve filing an auto insurance claim in most cases.

Impaired Driving

Drivers who are drunk or high can present extreme risks to motorcycle riders. If you were hit or forced off the road by an impaired driver, you have clear legal rights under Arkansas law. Crucially, if the driver who hit you was arrested, his or her criminal case will likely not result in an obligation to compensate you for your losses. To seek just compensation, you must file a personal injury claim in civil court.

Fatigued Driving

Fatigued drivers can present serious risks for motorcycle riders as well. Fatigue causes impairments similar to alcohol intoxication, and this means that fatigued drivers should not be on the road. If you suspect that driver fatigue was a factor in your motorcycle accident, we can get to work immediately to determine what evidence is available to prove your legal rights.

Road Rage

If you were seriously injured in a road rage incident while riding your motorcycle, you deserve to be fully and fairly compensated for your losses. No matter what happened, there is no excuse for intentionally putting a motorcycle rider (or anyone else) in harm’s way. Motorcycle accident lawyer Tim Reed is passionate about representing road rage victims, and he can use his experience to seek the full compensation you deserve.

Motorcycle Accident Prevention

We can’t change the way some folks drive, so motorcyclists must be vigilant when riding. The following tips can help reduce the risk of a crash:

• Slow down to ensure you have time to react to inattentive or reckless drivers.
• Look behind you when you stop at intersections, and keep your bike in gear so you can pull away if it appears that a driver behind you isn’t going to stop.
• Never ride between active traffic and parked cars because, for example, a parked driver might open his or her car door and you might plow into it, or a pedestrian might walk in front of you.
• Never drink and drive, for obvious reasons.
• Perform regular maintenance on your bike; for example, you don’t want other drivers to have an even harder time seeing you because a light doesn’t work.
• Learn how to deal with common road hazards; for example, taking a motorcycle riding course will provide you with maneuvering strategies for potholes, blown out tires, etc.
• Never share a lane with another car because drivers typically do not expect that and likely will not see you.
• Always drive defensively and assume that other drivers will not see you.

What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Little Rock, AR

Even if you are clearly entitled to financial compensation for your motorcycle accident in Little Rock, it is up to you to take action. You need to be proactive about asserting your legal rights, and you need to be very careful to avoid mistakes that could jeopardize your recovery. With this in mind, if you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you should:

• Seek treatment for your accident-related injuries (and be sure to tell your doctor that you were injured in a motorcycle accident);
• Take detailed notes about the accident (if you are physically able to do so), or have someone else take notes for you;
• Be sure to keep your copy of the police report, any photos or videos you took with your phone, and copies of your medical records related to the accident;
• Avoid providing a recorded statement to the insurance companies or posting about your motorcycle accident on social media; and
• Schedule a free case review with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.

We offer free case reviews for injured motorcycle riders in the Little Rock area, and you can contact us 24/7 to schedule an appointment. During your free case review, you can expect to receive the advice you need to make informed decisions about next steps.

Understanding Your Legal Rights as a Motorcycle Rider in Arkansas

Motorcycle riders in Arkansas have clear legal rights. Motorcycle riders have legal rights on the road, and they have legal rights when they suffer serious injuries due to someone else’s negligence. As a motorcycle rider in Arkansas, some of your key rights include:

#1. The Right to Share the Road

In Arkansas (and in other states), motorcycle riders have the same rights on the road as drivers of cars, trucks, and SUVs. You have the right to occupy your lane, and you have the right not to be put in harm’s way by other motorists’ negligence or poor decision making.

#2. The Right to Hold Negligent Drivers Accountable

When you get hit by a negligent driver, you have the right to hold the driver fully accountable. Practically speaking, this involves filing an auto insurance claim in most cases. All drivers are required to carry liability insurance in Arkansas, so the driver who hits you should have coverage available.

#3. The Right to Seek Full Compensation for Your Accident-Related Losses

When you have a claim for a motorcycle accident in Arkansas, you have the right to seek full compensation for your accident-related losses. This includes not only the losses you have already incurred as a result of the accident, but also the losses you will incur in the future.

Injuries Caused By Motorcycle Accidents

No matter how safe you are, another driver may cause you to be involved in a collision. And though many motorcyclists wear safety gear when riding, even the best safety gear can’t prevent every type of injury. Wearing a helmet can decrease the severity of a head injury, but head injuries are always a possibility. Other safety gear might prevent some superficial injuries, but you may still suffer broken bones or other catastrophic, lifelong injuries. Some of the most severe types of motorcycle accident injuries we see include the following:

• Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Road rash that can lead to serious infections
• Muscle, tissue, or joint damage
• Broken bones
• Partial or complete paralysis caused by spinal cord injuries
• Concussions
• Amputations
• Burn injuries

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, it’s crucial that you obtain medical treatment asap. If the paramedics at the scene suggest that you go to the emergency room, follow their advice. Otherwise, you should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible after the accident. Some injuries may not become apparent until hours or even days after the accident. You should undergo a comprehensive evaluation early on, follow your doctor’s orders, and keep all of your medical documentation. Doing so can help you obtain the best possible outcome in your case.

Recovering Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident

You can pursue compensation for your injuries, whether you were moderately injured or severely injured. Under Arkansas law, victims of personal injury accidents have a right to file a lawsuit against the party or parties whose negligence caused their injuries. Depending on the facts of your case, multiple parties may be liable, such as an employee and his or her employer. The following damages are often available:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain, suffering, and mental anguish (“loss of enjoyment of life”)
• Loss of consortium

In cases where a motorcyclist dies, his or her family can pursue a wrongful death claim or lawsuit against the responsible parties. In those cases, the family can claim compensation for the victim’s medical expenses, as well as funeral and burial expenses. The family can also recover for the victim’s pain and suffering and “loss of life.” Finally, certain family members can recover for their own mental anguish caused by the loss of their loved one.

Q&A with Little Rock Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Tim Reed

Can I still recover damages if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?

Choosing not to wear a helmet does not prevent you from filing a claim for a motorcycle accident in Arkansas. If you suffered a head injury, your decision not to wear a helmet could potentially impact the value of your claim, but it should not impact your ability to seek just compensation for other accident-related injuries.

What if the motorcycle accident was partially my fault?

First and foremost, you should not make any assumptions about who was at fault in your motorcycle accident. Determining the specific cause of your accident will require a comprehensive investigation. With that said, even if you were partially at fault, you may still be entitled to partial compensation under Arkansas law.

Is “lane splitting” legal in Arkansas?

As a general rule, Arkansas law requires all motorists, including motorcycle riders, to operate their vehicles within a single lane of traffic. This means that “lane splitting” is generally prohibited under Arkansas law. If you were injured in an accident while driving between lanes, it will be important for you to speak with an experienced Little Rock motorcycle accident lawyer who can explain what this means for your legal rights.

Schedule a Free Case Review with a Little Rock Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Whether you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, road congestion, or dangerous conditions on the road, you need an experienced attorney on your side. Attorney Tim Reed has extensive experience representing clients who were injured in motorcycle accidents. He understands how devastating those injuries can be and will work diligently to pursue the compensation you need and deserve. Contact Reed Firm to schedule your free, no-obligation case review and learn more about your legal rights.