Jackson Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Whether you’re an avid motorcyclist or just beginning to learn to ride, you know the freedom and excitement that comes from riding a bike. But motorcycle riders also know that with the thrill comes unique dangers. While riders understand these hazards, other drivers may not be so aware.

If you were injured in a Mississippi motorcycle crash caused by someone else’s negligence, a Jackson motorcycle accident lawyer from Pittman Roberts & Welsh, PLLC is here for you.

Dealing with the insurance company is overwhelming, especially when you’ve been seriously injured. Our personal injury attorneys help motorcycle accident victims with legal matters—giving them the freedom to focus on getting their lives back in order.

Don’t wait to seek legal guidance if you were injured in a Jackson, MS motorcycle crash. Schedule your free consultation today. The lawyers of Pittman Roberts & Welsh, PLLC are ready to help you win fair compensation.

What Causes Motorcycle Accidents in Jackson, MS?

Most causes of motorcycle accidents are completely avoidable. That’s because one of the leading causes of Mississippi motorcycle crashes is driver negligence. When a driver is reckless, distracted, or aggressive, motorcyclists get hurt.

Our lawyers see these factors in many motorbike injury claims:

Distracted Driving

Many motorcycle accidents are caused when a driver is distracted. Distracted drivers may be:

• Texting or using social media
• Talking on a cell phone
• Eating or drinking
• Having conversations with passengers

Unsafe Lane Changes

When a driver neglects to check their blind spots or fails to signal lane changes, they could strike an unsuspecting motorcyclist.

Driving Under the Influence Sudden Braking

Rear-end collisions, which happen when an abrupt stop occurs, can be deadly for bike riders. Motorcycle helmets can make a big difference in these crashes involving direct contact between the bike and another vehicle.

Left Turn Errors

Right-of-way errors, especially while turning left, are common causes of motorcycle wrecks in Jackson, MS. The other driver has a duty to check carefully before turning into a motorcyclist’s path.

Other Factors That May Contribute to Mississippi Motorcycle Accidents

• Mechanical malfunction
• Adverse weather
• Poor road conditions
• Lane splitting

What Should I Do After a Jackson, Mississippi Motorcycle Accident?

Your health should always be your top priority after a motorcycle accident in Jackson. Even if you don’t feel pain, contact your personal care physician to schedule a full physical evaluation. Accident injuries can be masked by adrenaline.

Here are a few steps our lawyers recommend taking after a Jackson, MS bike crash:

• Move to safety
• Call 911 if there are any serious injuries
• Communicate with the police and get a copy of the police report
• Do not admit fault or assign liability
• Exchange contact, vehicle, and insurance information with any involved driver
• Take pictures of the crash site and surrounding conditions
• Report the incident to your insurance company
• Set up a case consultation with a law firm of Jackson motorcycle accident attorneys

Who Can Be Held Liable When Motorcycle Riders Suffer Injuries?

If you, as a motorcyclist, were harmed through the negligent actions of a car, truck, or SUV driver, Mississippi law allows you to hold that motorist liable through a motorcycle accident injury claim. The majority of claims our motorcycle accident lawyers handle in Jackson, MS involve a negligent driver.

However, there are other parties that may be liable for your motorcycle wreck. Under product liability law, the manufacturing company of a faulty product can be held financially responsible for damages caused. There may be other situations in which a vehicle repair shop or motorcycle dealer can be named in a personal injury lawsuit.

Under Mississippi law, injured motorcyclists may also be able to hold a bar or restaurant legally responsible for overserving the driver who caused the accident.

When Can a Bar or Restaurant Be Held Liable for a Motorcycle Accident in Mississippi?

The Mississippi Dram Shop Act makes liquor-licensed establishments responsible for the harm caused by a patron they knowingly overserved. If a bar, restaurant, or other alcohol provider serves alcohol to a visibly intoxicated customer who later causes a serious accident, the law states that you may be able to hold the establishment liable. Your motorcycle accident lawyer from Pittman Roberts & Welsh, PLLC can advise if this is an appropriate course of legal action in your case.

Can I Receive Compensation if I’m Partially at Fault for My Accident?

Yes, you can still receive compensation even if you are partly at fault for your motorcycle crash. Mississippi law recognizes a comparative fault doctrine. That means more than one party can be at fault in an accident.

If you contributed in some way to the accident, you can still recover a settlement award. It will be reduced by your amount of fault. Let’s say you are 10% at fault. Your total settlement award would then be reduced by 10%.

Examples of Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

There are a number of serious injuries a person could suffer in a motorcycle crash. Many of them require significant medical treatment. If you’ve been injured in an accident, you may have suffered:

• Broken or fractured bones
• Road rash
• Spinal cord injury
• Traumatic brain injury
• Internal organ trauma
• Psychological injuries

If you were not wearing a motorcycle helmet, injuries are likely to be more severe. Head injuries, spinal injuries, and other forms of acute physical trauma are often categorized as “catastrophic.” This means the impact on the injured victim’s life is extensive and long-term.

Pursuing compensation through a personal injury claim is often the only way to ensure you can afford quality medical care for as long as you need it. Our lawyers are standing by to answer questions about this process.

What Compensation Is Available for Victims of Motorcycle Accidents?

Our motorcycle accident lawyers work hard to make sure victims of motorcycle crashes caused by another driver’s negligence receive fair compensation. We believe the cost of someone else’s wrongdoing should never come out of your own savings account.

Our lawyers will look into all economic damages and non-economic damages you are entitled to receive and will examine whether punitive damages are also applicable.

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses (including the cost of future medical care)
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• In-home assistance
• Loss of future earnings

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement
• Permanent disability
• Emotional anguish

Punitive Damages

In rare cases of extreme negligence, a court may award punitive damages. These are only applied in order to punish egregious behavior and prevent it from happening again. For example, cases involving drunk drivers who cause fatal accidents may warrant punitive damages. Although rare in personal injury law, a skilled motorcycle accident attorney will recognize the need for punitive damages if appropriate.

What Evidence Can Be Used in a Jackson Motorcycle Accident Case?

Your Jackson motorcycle accident lawyers from Pittman Roberts & Welsh, PLLC will use evidence to analyze the cause of the accident, prove liability, and support your claim to a full and fair settlement amount. Evidence in a Jackson, MS motorcycle crash case may include:

• Footage from a dashcam, traffic or surveillance camera, or motorcycle helmet camera
• Photographs of the accident scene, injuries, and damage to vehicles
• Eyewitness statements
• Police report
• Medical records proving your injuries
• Expert testimony from a medical professional
• Testimony from other expert witnesses, such as accident reconstructionists or auto mechanics

Dangers Associated With Riding a Motorcycle

Motorcycles are inherently more dangerous than passenger vehicles. Because of this, there are certain hazards that only motorcyclists face.

No matter what you drive, it’s important to be aware of these unique dangers. Awareness can aid in the prevention of devastating crashes.

These are common dangers to operators of motorcycles:

Specialized Skills

A motorcycle requires more skill and coordination than a four-wheeled vehicle. This puts a greater physical demand on the rider.

Road Hazards

In 2020, Jackson, MS was ranked 10th worst for road conditions in a mid-size urban area by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Potholes, uneven pavement, railroad tracks, and debris may only be a minor irritation for drivers—but can spell disaster for a motorcyclist.

Visual Recognition

If a driver isn’t paying attention, a motorcycle is easy to miss. Motorcycles may be lost in blind spots or obscured by other vehicles or weather. This is why so many Jackson, MS motorcycle crashes occur at intersections.

Manufacturing Defects

While all vehicles face the risk of defects, even a minor misalignment can cause a bike to become dangerously unstable. Similarly, a manufacturing defect in a helmet or safety equipment could cause the only defense riders have against impact to be compromised.

Your lawyers will investigate to see if a manufacturing defect was a factor in your crash.

What Can I Do if a Loved One Was the Victim of a Fatal Motorcycle Accident?

In 2020, 5,579 people lost their lives in motorcycle accidents. Every year, motorcycle fatalities make up a disproportionately high percentage of all traffic deaths. Even though Mississippi helmet law requires all riders to wear a helmet, this safety precaution is still not sufficient to prevent fatal crashes from happening.

A Mississippi motorcycle accident attorney from Pittman Roberts & Welsh, PLLC can provide compassionate representation to those who have lost a loved one in a fatal bike crash. We can help seek damages such as funeral and burial costs and lost financial support.

Wrongful death lawyers like ours regularly work to prevent the dangerous behaviors that put our community’s riders at risk. Set up a free consultation at our office to discuss your family’s legal options with our fatal motorcycle collision lawyers.

Reach Out to the Jackson Motorcycle Accident Attorneys With Experience

If you are a new client, we hope you will consider the experienced lawyers of Pittman Roberts & Welsh, PLLC when searching for a Jackson motorcycle accident attorney. Our lawyers have the expertise to guide you through the complex legal process with dignity and care.

We use our wealth of knowledge and resources—and over 150 years of combined experience—to the benefit of our clients in Jackson, MS. Our lawyers also take most cases on a contingency fee basis, allowing you to afford the highest level of legal representation without up-front attorney’s fees.

The lawyers at Pittman Roberts & Welsh, PLLC are available for a free consultation. We have expertise in a variety of practice areas and are fully qualified to answer all your legal questions. The attorney-client relationship is based on trust, and we want to give you the opportunity to find out for yourself why we are the right law firm for you.

Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation.