Louisville Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Negligent and distracted drivers are everywhere. They present a real danger to everyone on the road, specifically to motorcyclists. A motorcycle is much smaller than any car or truck, and it can be more difficult to spot as a result. A rider is also virtually unprotected in the event of a collision – even if he or she is wearing a helmet and other protective gear. There is no steel frame nor front and side airbags to protect his or her body from impact. In fact, motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to suffer fatal injury in traffic collisions than occupants of other vehicles, according to 2016 traffic accident statistics presented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Who Choose Our Firm

At Dolt, Thompson, Shepherd & Conway, PSC, we believe in advocating for injured riders and their families. Our firm has an over 30-year history of protecting our clients’ rights in complex personal injury and wrongful death claims involving motorcycle collisions across Kentucky. Our Louisville motorcycle accident lawyers know how to approach these cases with the attention to deal and care it takes to secure the best possible results. We are here to help you rebuild.

Our team of Louisville personal injury attorneys have represented injured riders throughout Kentucky and have the experience and skill to handle your motorcycle accident case. If you have been wrongly injured in a motorcycle crash, reach out to our law firm for legal support from our team of attorneys who are committed to fighting for maximum compensation.

Contact our team at (502) 244-7772 today for a free, confidential case evaluation.

What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?

Like any crash, a motorcycle accident may have one or more of various causes. It is important to determine exactly what contributed to the collision in order to identify fault, and therefore who should be responsible for paying for your medical treatment, lost earnings, and more. We accomplish this by using accident reconstruction specialists, investigators, and other experts to investigate and prepare a clear case of your accident’s cause.

The following are examples of common causes of motorcycle accidents:

• Texting while driving
• Drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs
• Speeding or driving too fast for current road/weather conditions
• Turning right into a motorcyclist’s path
• Failure to yield to a motorcyclist
• Following too closely
• Defective motorcycle or auto parts
• Negligently designed or maintained roadways

What if I am Being Blamed for the Motorcycle Crash?

Unfortunately, victims of motorcycle accidents have to deal with bias against motorcyclists. People have the impression that motorcyclists are thrill seekers, who ride too fast, are reckless, ignore road safety rules, and are hard to see on the road. While this may be the case in only a few cases, the unfortunate reality is that most victims of motorcycle accidents have to overcome these biases in the quest for justice.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, it is not unusual for the defendant to try to blame you for the accident to avoid responsibility for your injury. They do this to either avoid responsibility completely, or reduce the amount of compensation they are liable for. Under the rule of contributory negligence, if a victim is found partly responsible for the accident that caused their injury, they cannot recover any compensation for damages. This is the same whether the victim is one percent at fault or 90 percent at fault. To avoid such a harsh outcome for injured victims, Kentucky, like many other states in America, has adopted the rule of comparative negligence. 

Under the comparative negligence rule, the extent of every party’s fault, including the victim’s, is determined. If the victim bears any fault and is entitled to compensation, the compensation they receive is reduced by the percent of fault apportioned to them. This means that if it is determined that a victim is 30 percent at fault for their injury and they are entitled to $100,000 in damages, that amount will be reduced by $30,000, which is the amount the victim is responsible for.

How Much Time Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Kentucky?

Under Kentucky law, you must file your claim within one year after you are injured. Although one year may seem like a lot of time, it is not. It can take a lot of time to investigate your case, determine the legally responsible parties, and gather the evidence needed to prove your case. Keep in mind that the defendant will try to deny responsibility for your injury, and their insurance will also try to limit the amount of compensation that they pay out. To give yourself the best chance of getting the full compensation that you are entitled to for your damages, you should contact an experienced Louisville motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after your injury.

Contact a Louisville Motorcycle Accident Attorney For Help

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident you need an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Louisville to protect your interests. While you are recuperating from your injuries, the insurance companies may try to rush you into a settlement to close your case. It would be a mistake to accept their settlement before speaking with your Louisville accident attorney to help you determine the extent of your damages. You may be entitled to compensation for your economic losses such as your lost wages and medical bills, and non-economic losses such as your pain and suffering. Working with a Louisville personal injury attorney at Dolt, Thompson, Shepherd & Conway, PSC will help you understand Kentucky laws and can help fight for what you are entitled to. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our Louisville motorcycle accident lawyers and find out how we can help your case. 

Let’s get to the bottom of your motorcycle accident and who is responsible. Call our Louisville motorcycle accident attorneys today at (502) 244-7772 and put decades of experience in your corner.