Pine Bluff Motorcycle Accident Atttorney
Motorcycles are popular in Pine Bluff and throughout Arkansas, but it is crucial for all riders to understand the risks they face on a motorcycle compared to operating an enclosed motor vehicle. While motorcycle accidents are less common than car accidents, they tend to result in far worse damage. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash caused by another driver, you need to consult a Pine Bluff motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as you can.
Experienced Legal Counsel for Motorcycle Accident Cases in Pine Bluff, AR
The Law Office of Geoffrey D. Kearney, PLLC, has experience representing victims of numerous types of motor vehicle accidents in Pine Bluff and surrounding communities. With the right attorney on your side, you can get the answers to your most pressing legal questions quickly, build a strong case aimed at securing maximum compensation for your damages, and have the greatest chance of reaching a positive outcome for your case.
We take time to listen to each client’s unique story, helping them to address their greatest concerns and capitalizing on their greatest opportunities to maximize their recoveries. Motorcycle accident cases can be particularly challenging compared to other vehicle accident cases due to the severity of damages that often result and the complex questions of liability that could arise.
The Law Office of Geoffrey D. Kearney, PLLC, is ready to provide support and guidance through all stages of your legal proceedings. We have confronted major insurance carriers on behalf of our clients and will be attentive to the tactics they often use to avoid liability for the harm they cause. Your Pine Bluff motorcycle accident lawyer can also assist you with building a personal injury suit if necessary to ensure your recovery.
Pine Bluff Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Call Law Office of Geoffrey D. Kearney, PLLC today at 870-376-3068 for your Free Consultation!
Proving Fault for a Motorcycle Accident in Pine Bluff
Motorcycle accidents can happen for the same reasons that all other vehicle accidents occur in Pine Bluff. However, motorcyclists are also vulnerable to additional risk factors due to the smaller size of their vehicles. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes in Pine Bluff include distracted driving, moving violations, speeding, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Your Pine Bluff motorcycle accident lawyer can help you gather evidence needed to prove fault for your accident. The state follows the fault rule for all vehicle accidents, meaning it will be crucial for you to prove liability for your accident before you can recover any compensation for your damages. A good attorney canwork with you to secure the evidence you need to establish fault after your accident.
It is important to remember that Arkansas is a modified comparative fault state. This means that when multiple parties share liability for an accident, each party will have a fault percentage assigned to reflect how much of the resulting damages they must pay. While this could include more than one defendant, it is also possible for a plaintiff to be partially responsible for causing the accident.
This shared fault will not prevent them from claiming compensation for their damages as long as they are less at fault than the defendant. Whatever fault percentage is assigned to them will be the percentage of their case award they will lose to reflect their shared liability. If you have any concerns about comparative fault applying to your case, your attorney can explain what you can expect as to how this could impact your recovery.
Recovering From Your Motorcycle Accident in Pine Bluff
Every driver must have auto insurance that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements. When a driver causes an accident and injures someone else, their insurance pays for the resulting damages. However, the total damages from a motorcycle accident could eclipse the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage, or they may not have insurance at all. Additionally, it can be very difficult to negotiate with insurance companies.
Most insurance company representatives will do everything they can to reduce settlement offers as much as possible or deny claims whenever they see an opportunity to justify this decision. They will often attempt to take advantage of unwary injured claimants, hoping that in their desperation, they will accept the first lowball offer they receive. Your attorney can prevent this from happening and work to ensure that your claim is processed in good faith.
When insurance will not fully cover your losses, a personal injury suit is typically the next step for recovering compensation for your damages. Success with a personal injury case will require proof of fault, showing the full extent of the damages the defendant caused. The standard of proof in a personal injury case is a “preponderance of the evidence,” meaning the evidence must show the defendant is more likely than not responsible for the accident.
If you are successful in proving fault for your motorcycle accident in Pine Bluff, you will have the right to claim compensation for any economic losses you suffered. These are likely to include vehicle repair and replacement costs, medical expenses, including long-term medical treatment costs for severe injuries, and lost income during recovery. If you are unable to return to work due to the severity of your injuries, the defendant is also liable for your lost earning capacity.
In addition to these economic damages, you can also claim compensation for your pain and suffering. You can hold the defendant accountable for the physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological suffering you have experienced because of the accident and your resulting injuries. Generally, the more serious your injuries are, the more you can expect in compensation for pain and suffering if you are successful with your case.
Ultimately, motorcycle accidents have a substantial chance of resulting in serious injuries, and a victim is likely to have many difficult legal questions about their recovery options that they will be unable to answer for themselves. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a motorcycle accident in Pine Bluff, you need to work with an experienced attorney you trust to help you maximize your recovery as efficiently as possible.
FAQs
You can prove fault for a motorcycle accident in Pine Bluff with various types of evidence. The police report from the accident and photos of the crash scene are crucial, and your attorney can seek traffic camera footage, cell phone records, and vehicle computer data. If anyone saw the accident happen, their witness testimony could also prove invaluable to your case. You must prove fault before you can recover compensation for your damages.
The most common motorcycle accident injuries include bone fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, damage to internal organs, and friction burns from sliding on the road surface. Catastrophic injuries are more likely to occur from motorcycle accidents than passenger vehicle accidents. This is because the rider faces a severe risk of injury from the impact of the other vehicle, followed by the secondary impact of hitting the ground.
Yes, it is possible for a driver to go to jail for causing a motorcycle accident in Pine Bluff. If they caused the accident by breaking the law, they not only face liability for the damages they caused for their illegal act but potentially criminal penalties, as well. The most common examples of illegal misconduct responsible for causing motorcycle accidents in the state include reckless driving and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The value of a motorcycle accident claim in Pine Bluff largely depends on the severity of your damages. If you are able to prove the other party is responsible for causing the crash, it is possible to recover compensation for any financial losses you suffered, along with compensation for your pain and suffering. Your Pine Bluff motorcycle accident lawyer can help you assess your claim’s total potential value.
You should hire a Pine Bluff motorcycle accident lawyer because you will be substantially more likely to reach a positive outcome to your case with their assistance, and they will also likely be able to resolve your case more quickly than you may expect. The right attorney can help you prove fault for your accident, guide you through the insurance claim filing process, and assist you in recovering maximum compensation for your damages with a personal injury suit.
Speak To Our Pine Bluff Motorcycle Accident Attorney
The Law Office of Geoffrey D. Kearney, PLLC, offers compassionate and results-driven legal representation for a wide range of personal injury cases in the Pine Bluff area, including motorcycle accident claims. We know the unique challenges you might face after such an accident, and we want to help you recover as much as possible. Contact us today and schedule a consultation with a Pine Bluff motorcycle accident lawyer.