Oklahoma Motorcycle Injuries

With the increasing cost of fuel, many people are choosing to ride a motorcycle for transportation on the streets and roads of Oklahoma. However, due to the obvious lack of restraints and protection a traditional 4-wheel automobile provides, motorcycle riders are at an increased risk of severe injury or death if they are in a motorcycle crash. Fortunately, Zach Smith is an Oklahoma trial attorney with two decades of courtroom and trial experience that allows him to serve the legal needs of anyone who has suffered an injury from a motorcycle wreck.

Motorcycle riders in Oklahoma may also choose to not wear a helmet, a right many of them enjoy. However, if a negligent driver or reckless person causes a motorcycle collision, the damages to the rider and risk of greater injury increase. Due to the potential for high-dollar damages, it is important all motorcycle riders in Oklahoma understand how to protect themselves before a motorcycle wreck occurs (see further explanation below). Motorcycle collisions caused by the negligence or recklessness of another can result in:

Broken Bones
Head Injuries
Fractured Skulls
Brain Damage
Wrongful or Negligent Death
Damaged Internal Organs
Major Lacerations
Blunt Force Trauma
Amputated Limbs

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports the statistics from 2021 show the highest number of fatal motorcycle accidents in America (5,932) since 1975, and these deaths comprised of 14% of the total number of traffic fatalities. The increase in the number of deaths most certainly reflects the increase in the number of motorcycle riders on the highways.

Causes of Oklahoma Motorcycle Collision Injuries

Lack of Awareness: Many drivers do not look for motorcycles nor do they anticipate them, so they often DO NOT SEE the riders, even though motorcycle riders are commonly represented on the streets roads and highways of Oklahoma.
Road Conditions/Weather: While one cannot certainly predict the weather, unexpected rain can cause surfaces of the road to become slick, and roads in Oklahoma regularly have large potholes or even foreign objects in the way. Such a foreign object can cause the driver of a vehicle to swerve into the lane of a motorcycle rider, causing severe injury or death in the event of a crash.
Night-Time Riding: With limited visibility and a general unawareness, riding a motorcycle at night can increase the likelihood the driver of a truck or car does not see you. Night-time conditions also increase all the other potential hazards facing motorcycle riders.
Drugs and/or Alcohol: Clearly people who under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol pose a significant threat to everyone on the road, but motorcycle riders are especially vulnerable to these people.
Speed: This is where experienced riders benefit more. The speed at which a motorcycle is traveling (along with its location) almost always determines the severity of the riders injuries or whether they suffer a deadly injury.

What can you do to protect yourself?

Motorcyclists are 24 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) and 4 times more likely to be injured than passenger vehicle occupants. Because of this, it is important motorcycle riders take necessary precautions to not only protect themselves (such as choosing to wear a helmet) or protective clothing (such as boots, leather clothing etc.), but to also ensure they are proficient riders. Safely riding a motorcycle requires balance, coordination, and good judgment, and many seasoned riders are very experienced and adept at these. However, being new to riding a motorcycle requires a person be very careful and ensure they get the proper instruction on how to ride.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: EVERY Motorcycle rider in the State of Oklahoma should have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Policy!! In the event you are injured by the negligence of another driver, you will almost always want UM/UIM Coverage, and it is cheap and easy to obtain from your insurance company!
Road Ready: Ensure you are properly trained and licensed to ride a motorcycle in the State of Oklahoma.
Equipment: Ensure your motorcycle is safe and maintenance is regularly performed on the body/frame, engine, and tires. Inspect your motorcycle before every ride.

The injuries you sustain from a motorcycle injury can require lengthy hospital stays, medical bills for medevac or ambulances rides, multiple surgeries, etc. Zach Smith practices in the area of Oklahoma Personal Injury Law and he knows how to recover compensation you are owed for damages you sustain in a Motorcycle Wreck.