Driving a motorcycle around Ponca City can be exciting and rejuvenating. However, it can also be dangerous since you are not protected like you are in an enclosed vehicle. The injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents can be physically and financially devastating.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, an experienced Ponca City personal injury lawyer can help you file a claim against the parties responsible for your injuries. Each Ponca City motorcycle accident lawyer at BDIW Law can aggressively pursue compensation for your damages. We have a successful track record of obtaining favorable results for our clients.
Ponca City Motorcycle Information
Oklahoma considers a motorcycle to be any motor vehicle that has a seat for the use of each person riding on the vehicle. To be classified as a motorcycle, there must be no more than three wheels in contact with the ground. Further, the vehicle must have a combustion engine or an electric motor with at least 1,000 watts of power.
To drive a motorcycle in Ponca City, you must be licensed to do so by possessing an “M” endorsement on your Oklahoma driver’s license. To receive this endorsement, you must pass vision, written, and road exams. To carry a passenger on your motorcycle, you must be at least 16 years old.
There are certain equipment laws in place to increase the safety of motorcycles, as well. For example, they must have two rearview mirrors, a horn, and handlebars that do not exceed the eye level of the driver. If you are under 18, you must wear a helmet, and if you do not have a windshield on your motorcycle, you should wear goggles or a face shield.
Our Team Is Here To Assist You Every Step Of The Way.
SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYCauses of Motorcycle Accidents in Ponca City
Although motorcycles make up only 3% of all registered vehicles in the United States, 14% of all traffic fatalities are motorcyclists. It is especially important for motorcycle drivers to be aware of the common causes of collisions since they are more vulnerable than other drivers.
Common causes of motorcycle accidents that lead to devastating injuries or fatalities include:
- Lane splitting: Illegal in Oklahoma, this occurs when a motorcyclist rides between two lanes of traffic.
- Failing to see motorcyclists: Drivers often turn left across traffic and change lanes without noticing or yielding to motorcyclists.
- Hazardous driving: Unsafe driving includes speeding, tailgating, failing to yield the right of way, and changing lanes without proper signals.
- Distracted driving: Drivers may be preoccupied with actions such as cell phone use and changing radio stations.
Other than when the cause is lane splitting, motorcycle accidents can be anyone’s fault. In fact, motorcycle accidents in Oklahoma are often caused by the negligence of another driver. If this was the case in your accident, contact a Ponca City motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible to review your options for recovering your damages.
Injuries Caused by Ponca City Motorcycle Accidents
Because of the lack of protection for motorcyclists, injuries caused in an accident can be devastating, if not deadly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 67% of motorcyclists known to have been riding without helmets were killed in accidents in 2020. If you live through a motorcycle accident, you may suffer from the following injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Headaches
- Broken bones
- Neck and back injuries
- Road rash
- Lacerations
- Disfigurement
- Amputations
It is important that, regardless of what injuries you received in your motorcycle accident, you seek medical treatment immediately. Sometimes, you may not have immediate symptoms of an injury due to increased adrenaline or internal injuries that you cannot see. To protect your claim, it is important to get medical help and speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Ponca City as quickly as possible after your collision.
Damages You Can Recover After a Ponca City Motorcycle Accident
If you have injuries from your motorcycle accident, you probably also have mounting medical bills and other financial losses. If your injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other damages. A Ponca City motorcycle accident lawyer can help you recover the following damages:
Special Damages
These damages can also be known as economic or compensatory damages. They cover your material losses. Examples of quantifiable damages you can recover include medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
General Damages
These damages consist of your non-economic losses. They are harder to calculate because they are not material losses. The non-quantifiable damages you can collect compensation for can include pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are rare and are only awarded in special circumstances. For example, you could be awarded these damages if a jury finds that the party responsible for your motorcycle injuries acted intentionally or with reckless disregard for your safety. In Oklahoma, punitive damages in personal injury cases are limited to the greater of $100,000 or the amount of special and general damages awarded.
Our skilled personal motorcycle accident lawyers at BDIW Law can inform you about which of these damages you may be entitled to as a result of your collision. We will work to get you the maximum compensation possible. Because your time to file a lawsuit against the responsible parties is limited to two years from your accident date, it is important that you contact us right away so you do not lose your right to obtain recovery for your damages.
Consult with a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Ponca City Today
Letting an experienced Ponca City motorcycle accident lawyer handle your legal claim will help you focus on recovering from your accident. Our personal injury lawyers are knowledgeable about the Oklahoma laws that govern your legal claim. We can handle your case from start to finish, beginning with the initial investigation to negotiating with the insurance companies and, finally, going to trial if necessary.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident that someone else caused, contact us today for a free consultation with our experts. We will fight for your rights as an accident victim and can help you get the compensation you deserve. Reach out to us as soon as possible and begin your journey to recovery.
