Meridian Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Meridian Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

200 years of combined experience fighting for motorcycle riders in Meridian, Mississippi

While there are plenty of reasons to ride a motorcycle, there are also many dangers. Motorcycles provide little protection. Also, drivers in larger vehicles often fail to respect motorcycles. At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we hold negligent drivers liable when they cause a motorcycle crash in Mississippi. We demand compensation for traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, road rash, and other severe injuries. Call us today to assert your right to payment of your medical bills, money for your pain and suffering, and compensation for your other damages.

How can we help?

Why do motorcycle accidents happen in Meridian?

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we work with our own investigators, law enforcement, motorcycle product safety experts, traffic reconstruction experts, and others to show the cause of your motorcycle accident and why drivers and other defendants should be held liable. We represent both motorcycle operators and motorcycle passengers. We also represent families when a loved one dies in a motorcycle crash.

Our Meridian motorcycle accident lawyers are ready and able to show that motorcycle accidents are due to any of the following causes, among others:

  • A lack of respect by drivers of larger vehicles. Many car and truck drivers simply fail to respect the right of a motorcycle operator to drive on any of Meridian’s roads. They often fail to understand how to react when they see a motorcycle.
  • Driving under the influence. We hold drivers of any vehicle accountable if they cause an accident because they are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drunk driving crashes are often fatal. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that 27% of all deadly motorcycle accidents in 2020 involved a drunk driver.
  • Driver distraction. Many motorcycle accidents happen because drivers text, talk on a cell phone, eat, drink, or use a GPS while driving.
  • Lack of experience. All motorcycle operators need to understand how to drive in groups, in heavy traffic, on dangerous roads, and when turning. Motorcycle riders should take courses before they start riding and update their skills as they gain experience.
  • Speeding and other traffic violations. Our Meridian motorcycle accident attorneys hold drivers accountable when they cause a motorcycle accident because they speed, fail to yield, drive too closely, or violate any other Mississippi traffic laws.
  • Other causes. These include driving in the rain or sun and driving while tired.

What types of motorcycle accidents do you handle in Meridian?

We handle all types of motorcycle collisions including:

  • Head-on crashes
  • Broadsides (the front of one car hits the side of a motorcycle – or vice-versa)
  • Rear-end accidents
  • Improper passing accidents
  • Turning accidents
  • Accidents in curves
  • Intersection accidents
  • Dangerous road accidents - Potholes, dead animals, slippery roads, uneven roads, etc.
  • Accidents due to defective motorcycle parts such as brakes, throttles, and electrical systems
  • Accidents when motorcycle riders ride in groups
  • Dooring accidents – a driver opens their doors when a motorcycle passes by

What injuries do motorcycle accidents cause?

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., our personal injury lawyers represent motorcycle accident victims who have any type of serious, chronic, permanent, or catastrophic injury – including any of the following injuries:

  • Traumatic brain injuries, concussions, and head trauma
  • Spinal cord injuries including paralysis and disc herniation
  • Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
  • Simple, compound, and other types of broken bones
  • Kidney, lung, spleen, and other types of organ damage
  • Soft tissue injuries and nerve injuries
  • Third-degree burns
  • Muscle, ligament, and tendon damage
  • Back, neck, and shoulder pain
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Hearing and vision loss
  • Foot and leg injuries
  • Dental injuries
  • Pelvic injuries

We also represent riders who suffer from road rash. This injury occurs when a rider falls off their motorcycle and slides along the road, damaging their exposed skin. Many road rash victims require skin grafts and plastic surgery. Road rash can cause infections and scars.

What laws regulate motorcycles in Meridian, MS?

In Mississippi:

  • Motorcycle riders must wear a helmet “that complies with minimum guidelines established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
  • Motorcycle operators must have an approved motorcycle endorsement on their licenses.
  • Motorcycle owners must have liability and uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) insurance in the amounts of $25,000 for an individual rider, $50,000 for multiple riders, and $25,000 for property damage.
  • Lane splitting – riding between lanes is not specifically prohibited – nor is it specially authorized.

Riders should consider wearing bright clothing, using hand signals when changing lanes, and taking other precautions.

Who is liable for my motorcycle accident?

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we file personal injury and wrongful death claims against all negligent parties including:

  • Drivers of cars, trucks, and motorcycles
  • The employers of any drivers
  • The owners of the vehicles – if different from the driver/operator
  • Motorcycle parts manufacturers
  • Sellers of alcohol to visibly intoxicated drivers
  • Other defendants, depending on what happened

How much is my Meridian motorcycle accident case worth?

Our Meridian motorcycle accident lawyers work with your doctors to understand the full scope and severity of your injuries. We demand compensation for all your current and future:

  • Medical bills including emergency room care, surgeries, hospital stays, psychological counseling, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medications, and other types of medical care
  • Physical pain and emotional suffering
  • Lost income – wages, benefits, and business income – including long-term disability income
  • Damage to your motorcycle
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Loss of bodily function
  • Los of life’s pleasures
  • Loss of consortium

We seek punitive damages when another driver’s conduct is unconscionable.

Our Meridian motorcycle accident lawyers also represent families when a loved one dies in a motorcycle accident. Wrongful death damages in Mississippi include the funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and loss of personal guidance and comfort.

Do you have a Meridian motorcycle accident lawyer near me?

Yes. We meet clients at our Meridian office located at Regions Bank Building, Suite 205, 406 22nd Avenue. We discuss cases by phone and through online video. If your injuries prevent you from coming to our office, we can make alternate arrangements to meet with you.

We’re prepared to guide you step-by-step through this difficult time.

Talk with our experienced Meridian motorcycle accident lawyers now

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we’ve helped many accident victims like you obtain strong recoveries. We handle motorcycle accident claims on a contingency basis. Please call us or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation.