Oxford Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Strong advocates for the injured throughout Mississippi
Even those who have never experienced the thrill of riding a motorcycle probably have an idea of how exhilarating it must be to ride fast on the open road. But those feelings of freedom are tempered by the lingering fear that another motorist will not see them and crash into them causing injury or death. There were 4,976 fatal motorcycle crashes (13% of all motor vehicle deaths) which is up from 4,736 the previous year according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Motorcycle riders lack of protection from the impact of other motor vehicles leaves them incredibly vulnerable to serious injury and death.
Those who have been hurt in motorcycle accidents, and those who have lost loved ones in a motorcycle crash know that they can turn to the compassionate Oxford motorcycle accident attorneys at Merkel & Cocke, P.A. We are here to fight relentlessly for the rights of the injured and to recover the compensation they need to move ahead with their lives.
What is one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents?
One of the most dangerous scenarios for motorcycle riders occurs when a car is making a left-hand turn. The vehicle turns directly into the path of the oncoming motorcycle and when the dust settles after the crash, the driver is wringing their hands and saying, "I didn't see you." What the driver is admitting is that he did not expect to see you. He may have cast a quick glance before pressing on the accelerator, and as a story in Road and Track magazine discusses, he failed to see what was in front of him:
A motorcycle approaching head-on from a distance occupies a very small part of a driver's vision. If it's going quickly, it's possible that the eye simply won't get around to looking at it enough to make it "stick" in the brain before it arrives in the driver's immediate vicinity. That part is important because the brain can really only see things that it understands.
Other common causes of motorcycle accidents in Oxford, MS
With so many factors that can cause and contribute to motorcycles colliding with another motor vehicle, we have listed a few of the most common ones we continue to see:
Unsafe lane change, a car changed lanes and veered into your lane.
- Cars coming to a sudden stop ahead of you
- Other motor vehicles crashing into the rear of your motorcycle
- Driver failed to look before making the turn
- Driver failed to yield the right of way
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Malfunctioning or defective parts or equipment
- Bad weather conditions
- Defective road conditions
What kinds of injures do motorcyclists often suffer in collisions with cars or trucks?
Along with a serious accident usually comes serious injuries. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that motorcyclists die 27 times more frequently than occupants in other vehicles. If you or someone you care about was injured in a motorcycle you might be facing:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Head and neck injury
- Road rash
- Broken bones
- Knee, ankle and foot injuries
- Limb loss
- Spinal cord injury
- Paralysis
The Insurance Information Institute (III) recommends the following to enhance motorcycle safety:
- Wear a motorcycle helmet. Mississippi has a universal helmet law.
- Take a motorcycle training course. Riders who complete an approved safety course may be eligible for discounted insurance rates.
- Ride a bike equipped with antilock brakes, which allow the rider to apply the brakes without the fear of them locking up or flipping the bike.
How Merkel & Cocke can help
An Oxford motorcycle accident lawyer from the law firm of Merkel & Cocke is prepared to represent you as you seek to recover compensation for your injuries. We offer a free consultation to discuss your case and advise you of your options. Whether you have suffered an injury, or you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle crash and you are looking to file a wrongful death claim, we are committed to making sure that you recover the maximum when you have been hurt because of someone else's negligence.
You can schedule a consultation with our Oxford motorcycle accident lawyers today
At Merkel & Cocke, we are strong advocates for the rights of our motorcycle injury clients. We work together to create the best strategy for your case. From our office in Oxford, we serve injured clients throughout Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas. You are welcome to call us at 662-627-9641 or complete our contact form to schedule a free initial consultation right away.
Types of Cases We Handle
Our Oxford attorneys handle a variety of cases, including:
Oxford Office
2090 Old Taylor Road
Suite 207
Oxford, MS 38655
Phone: 662-236-0080