Being injured in a motorcycle accident can be a frightening and costly experience. Beyond just the physical pain endured during the crash, it can cause emotional and financial hardships for the rider and their family. OMQ Legal has years of experience providing expert legal support to victims of motorcycle accidents in Sioux Falls. If you or someone that you know has been injured in a motorcycle accident, reach out to one of our motorcycle accident lawyers today to schedule a consultation.
Mike Ogborn is a lawyer that you can trust for your motorcycle injury case because he is a lawyer who rides motorcycles. When it comes to motorcycle accidents, he has seen it all. He understands the serious nature of being involved in a motorcycle accident and is able to provide passionate and empathetic legal support.
At OMQ Legal, we recognize the physical, emotional, and financial toll that a motorcycle injury can have on you and your family. Injuries often leave riders unable to work and pay medical bills and can result in long-term damages. Our firm of motorcycle accident lawyers is well-prepared to fight on your behalf and help you secure the compensation that you deserve. We offer 24/7 support and do not charge any fees unless a settlement is reached. Call today to see how we can provide you with exceptional legal representation.
It can be beneficial to familiarize yourself with specific traffic laws that apply to your situation, like helmet laws, right-of-way rules, and any relevant signage that may be in the area where your accident occurred. Having a clear understanding of any traffic laws that may have been violated and your surrounding area can go a long way toward determining liability in a motorcycle accident. Consider consulting one of our Sioux Falls motorcycle accident lawyers, who will be able to help guide you through the process and gather valuable evidence related to your case.
Filing a police report is advisable, as it will provide an objective and official account of what took place. Law enforcement may even be able to assist in taking witness statements and photographs of the scene. A motorcycle accident attorney will also be able to help gather evidence and determine liability.
It is important to keep an organized record of all medical bills, lost wages, and any other personal expenses lost due to the accident. Having detailed documentation will be useful in your case.
Motorcycle insurance is a requirement for all riders in Sioux Falls. If involved in an accident, your insurance company could also perform an investigation, which could be useful in your injury case as well. In the event that you are in an accident and do not have motorcycle insurance, we strongly recommend that you contact us. There are still ways to secure compensation, even without insurance.
South Dakota abides by a modified comparative fault rule, meaning that riders who are injured in an accident are eligible to receive compensation as long as they were less than 50% at fault for the collision. This also means that whatever percentage you are found at-fault will be subtracted from your total compensation. Consulting with an experienced motorcycle injury lawyer at OMQ Legal is strongly encouraged.
There are quite a few factors that can contribute to a motorcycle accident. As a motorcycle rider, Mike Ogborn and the team of motorcycle accident lawyers at OMQ Legal have seen just about everything. In Sioux Falls, some of the most common causes for motorcycle accidents include:
As of 2021, lane splitting/lane filtering is no longer legal for motorcycle riders in Sioux Falls. Being aware of some of these common causes of motorcycle collisions can help riders prevent these scenarios and ride safely.
As shown in the graphic above, failure to yield accounts for 35% of all motorcycle accidents in Sioux Falls over the last 20 years. The driver who fails to yield is typically found to be at-fault after an accident. Failure to yield accidents are most common during left turns, merging traffic, and at intersections when not recognizing another driver’s right-of-way. By approaching these scenarios with the utmost caution as a driver and as a motorcycle rider, you can help to prevent motorcycle accidents and injuries.
Motorcycles are often viewed as a dangerous mode of transportation, mostly due to the rider’s increased exposure to other vehicles and traffic. Injuries sustained during motorcycle accidents are often more severe than those from a car accident. While some injuries may seem minor after the adrenaline of a collision, it is still recommended to seek medical treatment for a further assessment. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you seek compensation for injuries such as:
A lot of these injuries can be life-altering and oftentimes require immediate medical treatment. Aside from the initial injury itself, the recovery period could last long periods of time and result in lost wages, psychological trauma, and more.
It is not uncommon for severe motorcycle injuries to result in death. If you have experienced the death of a loved one, we strongly urge you to reach out to our team of compassionate motorcycle injury lawyers in Sioux Falls. We understand the pain that motorcycle deaths cause for a family, and we can offer empathetic and resolute legal representation.
While motorcycle riders over the age of 18 are not legally required to wear a helmet in Sioux Falls, our team of motorcycle accident lawyers strongly encourages every rider to do so. Motorcycle helmets helped save tens of thousands of lives during motorcycle accidents.
Wearing protective gear of all kinds is strongly encouraged for all riders. Leather jackets, pants, and gloves all help to reduce the risk of injury in motorcycle accidents.
Making sure that your bike is properly maintained can also help prevent collisions. Regularly checking the tire pressure and tread is recommended.
Obey all traffic laws and avoid distractions like texting or calling while riding. It is crucial that you are fully aware of your surroundings and the relevant traffic laws in your area.
Try to avoid riding in adverse weather conditions when not absolutely necessary. Driving on slick roads after a heavy rain or snow storm can be hazardous. Avoiding driving in high-traffic areas during busy times of the day can also be beneficial. In areas with pedestrian traffic and construction workers, drive with caution at slower speeds.
It is also important for drivers of other vehicles to remain vigilant for motorcycle riders and cyclists at all times. Drivers are required to share the road with motorcycle riders in Sioux Falls and exercise caution while driving. Careless driving is a large contributor to motorcycle accidents.
OMQ Legal strongly encourages any rider to follow these tips while riding. Even if you take all of the precautions, it is important to remember that you may still suffer injuries in the event of an accident. If so, do not hesitate to reach out to our motorcycle injury lawyers to request a case evaluation. Our team has years of experience representing clients who have suffered catastrophic injuries from motorcycle accidents and we understand the care and attention that each client needs and deserves.
For motorcycle riders who were involved in an accident and were found to not be obeying traffic laws, you could face serious consequences. Not only will disobeying traffic laws lead to fines and points against your license, but it could also have a negative impact on your case and reduce your compensation. If your accident caused damage to another driver, you may even be held legally liable. Traffic violations like speeding or running red lights that result in an accident may impact the determination of liability.
While choosing to wear a helmet while riding is optional in Sioux Falls, it may be considered negligence and could reduce your compensation as well. Wearing a helmet while riding can be favorable for all riders when determining liability in an accident, and more importantly, it could save your life.
Our motorcycle accident lawyers have represented hundreds of clients in personal injury cases. If you or a loved one is suffering injuries from a motorcycle accident in Sioux Falls, you need experienced and proven legal support, and our team of motorcycle injury lawyers are here to help. Contact OMQ Legal today to see how we can provide you with compassionate, personalized legal representation that can help you secure the compensation you deserve.
