Motorcyclists often pay the highest price, suffering severe or even fatal injuries. Unfortunately, societal bias against motorcyclists still has many people believing that motorcyclists are the main problem—not reckless drivers. This can make it difficult for injured motorcyclists to get the compensation they deserve after a crash.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle crash in Pascagoula, we’re here to help you explore your legal options. Call Reeves & Mestayer at 228-374-5151 to schedule a consultation now.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics You Need to Know
Despite safety advances and ongoing efforts to teach drivers about safely sharing the road with motorcyclists, bikers continue to be at significantly higher risk of injury than those in other types of vehicles. Per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 5,000 motorcyclists died in fatal crashes in 2019.
Roughly 84,000 suffered injuries in the same timeframe. Fatal crashes, as well as those causing motorcyclist injuries, were twice as likely on the weekends versus weekdays. The most dangerous times of day for motorcyclists were noon to 6:00 P.M., with accident rates remaining high through at least 9:00 P.M.
Additional data reported by local news stations paints a harrowing picture for Mississippi motorcyclists. The NHTSA and FHWA researched fatality rates per 10,000 registered motorcycles in each state to see which states had the highest rates of fatalities. Mississippi unfortunately ranked highest in this category, with 14.57 fatalities per 10,000 registered motorcycles.
Crash data from the NHTSA also hints at possible causes of motorcycle crashes. Among fatal motorcycle accidents, 33% of riders had some level of alcohol in their system. Over 20% had enough alcohol in their system to be considered legally impaired, and a full 7% had a BAC of 0.15 or higher.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Mississippi
To protect yourself while on the road, it’s important to know why accidents happen in the first place. The sooner your motorcycle accident attorney in Pascagoula can figure out what caused your accident, the sooner they can start fighting for the compensation you are owed. Common causes of crashes include:
- Failing to yield right of way. This is a serious issue for drivers when they share the roads with motorcyclists. There is a commonly held belief that cars have first right to the road, and so should not have to yield to motorcyclists or others. This lays the groundwork for serious accidents. One of the most common accident setups occurs when a motorcyclist is driving straight through an intersection and a car is waiting to turn left from the opposite direction. A driver may misjudge the motorcycle’s speed or simply think they have time to make it through the intersection. By the time they realize they didn’t actually have enough time, it’s too late.
- Failure to observe a motorcyclist in one’s path. Drivers are trained to look for other cars, trucks, and larger vehicles. They often fail to watch out for motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. When drivers do not notice motorcyclists, it is easy to cause a serious or fatal crash.
- Speeding or driving recklessly. Careless driving, both on the part of drivers and motorcyclists, is a major contributor to the high rate of motorcycle accidents in Mississippi.
- Intentionally driving aggressively. While many drivers are simply unaware of what it means to drive safely around motorcyclists, others are intentionally rude or aggressive.
- Following too closely. Motorcyclists need extra space on the road, due to the lack of protection provided by their vehicles. Drivers often forget this and tail them too closely.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Injuries vary from victim to victim, depending largely on the type of accident you’re involved in and its severity. Some of the most commonly reported injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations and cuts
- Road rash, which may lead to serious systemic infection
- Loss of limbs
- Spinal cord damage
- Back and neck injuries
- Internal organ injuries
- Joint damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
What You Need to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
After a motorcycle accident, you must call 911 and report it. Getting a police report proves that the accident happened and lays the groundwork for your attorney to figure out the root cause of the crash. From there, your top priority should be seeking medical attention.
Motorcycle crashes are extremely dangerous, and without medical care, you have no idea what injuries could be lurking below the surface. A full diagnostic screen can uncover hidden injuries and allow you to get the care you need.
Once you’ve been seen by a doctor and you’re safe, it’s time to talk to an attorney. Our team of Pascagoula motorcycle accident lawyers can help you build a solid case for full and fair compensation.
How We Can Help
The goal of the Reeves & Mestayer team is to help every single client get the most compensation possible. We know that it’s an uphill battle for motorcyclists who have been injured through no fault of their own. You’ll go up against insurance adjusters who will insist you must have been driving recklessly, drivers who refuse to admit their own errors, and a societal view that motorcyclists are everything that’s wrong with the road.
We know what it takes to fight these misconceptions and help our clients get treated fairly. From the very beginning, we’ll use every piece of evidence we have to build a rock-solid case for you. We’ll look at your medical records and documentation and use them to prove the extent of your injuries. When the insurance company realizes that they can’t use the same underhanded tricks they use on clients on our team, they’ll be forced to come to the table in good faith.
Most personal injury claims settle without you ever having to step foot in a courtroom. However, if the insurance company refuses to approach your case fairly, we are more than ready to take your case to court and fight for you there.
Call Reeves & Mestayer Today
We’re here to discuss your motorcycle accident case with you and help you plan your next steps. Set up a consultation now by calling us at 228-374-5151 or reaching out to our team online.
