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Motorcycle Accidents

St. Louis Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Fighting for Motorcycle Accident Victims in St. Louis, MO

Motorcycle accidents can be devastating, often resulting in catastrophic injuries and other serious consequences for the victim. Even with proper safety gear and precautions, motorcyclists are at a higher risk of injury due to their lack of protection compared to drivers of cars or trucks. In the event of an accident, motorcycle riders can suffer from broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other life-altering conditions that can require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. The financial toll can also be significant, with medical bills and lost wages adding up quickly. If you sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you should not wait to get legal advice, as you may be entitled to compensation.

Your story matters, and we want to help. Our St. Louis motorcycle accident lawyers at SWMW Law understand what you are going through and have the skills and experience needed to get you justice, including full and fair compensation for your losses. We have recovered over $750 million for our clients, and that figure continues to grow. Our compassionate team is familiar with the strategies needed to navigate these cases quickly and successfully, and we will leverage the full extent of our firm’s vast resources in our fight to get you the best possible result. 

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Missouri 

The moments immediately following an accident can be chaotic and overwhelming, and there is a good chance you will sustain severe injuries that require emergency medical attention. Do not hesitate to request an ambulance and to the nearest hospital for immediate treatment if your injuries are significant. If you can remain at the scene, there are several steps you should take to protect your legal rights before you have the opportunity to get in touch with our St. Louis motorcycle accident attorneys.

After a motorcycle accident, you should:

  • Call 911 and report the accident. If anyone was injured, you must report the accident to the police and wait for them to arrive to assess the scene. The responding officer will create an accident report. Be as calm and objective as possible as you tell them what happened.
  • Avoid unnecessary conversation. You may be tempted to discuss the accident with the other driver, but doing so is not in your best interest. Anything you say at the scene could eventually be used against you in court, so even something as seemingly harmless as a statement like “I’m sorry” or “I think I’m okay” could weaken your case.
  • Gather evidence. If at all possible, take photos of the damage to your motorcycle, your injuries, and the accident site, including any other factors that may have contributed to the collision. You should also take a photo of the helmet you were wearing at the time of the accident, if applicable.
  • Get the other driver’s contact information. You will need their name, address, phone number, license information, and insurance information. Decline any request to “not involve” the insurance companies. Make note of any traffic or security cameras that could have captured the accident, and ask for contact information from any witnesses. 
  • See a doctor. If you did not immediately go to the hospital, you should see a healthcare provider for a full medical evaluation as soon as you can after leaving the scene. A doctor can fully evaluate your injuries and prescribe the appropriate treatments. Doing this promptly will establish the connection between the accident and your injuries.
  • Do not make any statements or sign anything. A lawyer or insurance adjuster representing the at-fault driver may reach out in the days or weeks after the accident. Again, remember that anything you say could be used in court. Do not give any written or recorded statements, and do not accept any settlement or sign any legal documents without first speaking to a legal professional.
  • Call SWMW Law. Our firm is ready to discuss your legal options and fight on your behalf. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can get to work on your personal injury claim.

Accountability matters, and we are committed to helping you get it. Schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your motorcycle accident by calling (855) 744-1922 or contacting us online today.

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How Missouri’s Motorcycle Laws Can Affect Personal Injury Claims

Missouri enforces several laws that apply specifically to motorcyclists and can eventually impact motorcycle accident lawsuits. Generally, every motorcyclist must wear a helmet that meets U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements when driving in Missouri. However, a new law passed in 2020 permits motorcyclists who are at least 26 years of age to ride without a helmet if they have a Class M license or Class M endorsement and have sufficient insurance that covers motorcycle accidents. Motorcyclists under the age of 26 must still always wear helmets. Not wearing a helmet when you are legally required to wear one can potentially weaken your claim. 

Lane splitting is not explicitly permitted or prohibited in Missouri. It can be viewed as an unsafe driving maneuver, meaning you may be found to be partially at fault if a jury believes your lane splitting contributed to your accident. Fortunately, Missouri follows pure comparative negligence rules, so you can still recover a portion of your damages even if the jury believes you are partially to blame for the collision. Your percentage of fault will determine how much you can recover. 

If you were lane splitting or not wearing a helmet when your motorcycle accident occurred, do not assume you do not have a claim. We can assess your circumstances and advise how Missouri’s pure comparative negligence system may impact your legal options and what you can recover. 

  • American Association for Justice
  • MATA
  • The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis

What Damages Can I Recover for Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

Recovering compensation for motorcycle accident injuries requires filing a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver. This must be done before the state’s deadline. In Missouri, that means you have five years from the date of the accident to bring a claim. 

Many motorcycle accidents tragically result in the victim sustaining fatal injuries. In these situations, the victim’s immediate surviving relatives will generally get three years from the date of their passing – not the date of the accident – to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

There are two main types of damages you can recover through a motorcycle accident lawsuit: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are those that can be easily calculated based on actual financial losses you incurred. Non-economic damages refer to consequences that are less tangible and more challenging to quantify. Punitive damages are only awarded in Missouri if the defendant intentionally caused the collision or if they behaved without any concern for your safety.

Our St. Louis motorcycle accident lawyers will fight on your behalf to obtain just compensation for all economic and non-economic damages, including:

  • Medical expenses (past and future)
  • Lost income (past and future)
  • Property damage
  • Disfigurement
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Pain and suffering

Our legal professionals push as hard as we do for maximum compensation because people matter. Contact us online or call (855) 744-1922 to explore your legal options with us today.

Because We Are Different.
  • Decades of Cumulative Experience
    Our team is comprised of dozens of highly talented and experienced attorneys ready to fight for your best outcome.
  • Thousands of Clients Represented
    Over the course of our firm's experience, we have helped thousands of victims and their families recover.
  • National Reach
    We come to you wherever you are in the United States to help you and your family recover.
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    A senior partner of our firm will be involved in your case, utilizing a team approach with massive resources uniquely applied to your case.
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