Muskogee is a beautiful city to get around on a motorcycle. Unfortunately, drivers don’t always watch out for motorcycles the same way they do other vehicles, which can result in serious if not deadly motorcycle accidents. With little protective gear other than a helmet and goggles, motorcyclists are completely exposed in accidents. When crashes occur between a motorcycle and a larger vehicle, the biker almost always suffers severe injuries.

At Edwards & Patterson Law, we protect the rights of injured motorcyclists in Muskogee and throughout Oklahoma and Arkansas. If a negligent motorist caused you to suffer injuries in a collision, we will fight for the compensation you deserve. We care about you and your future, and we know how important that compensation will be as you recover from your injuries. Contact us now to discuss your case in a free consultation.

What Are Some Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Muskogee?

A motorcycle accident can happen anywhere and at any time – something too many bikers in Muskogee learn firsthand. However, some causes of motorcycle accidents are more common than others. They include:

  • Driving under the influence – Unfortunately, many drivers in Oklahoma still get behind the wheel after they have been drinking. This is a leading cause of all accidents, including motorcycle crashes.
  • Distracted driving – When drivers are looking at their phones, dealing with pets or allowing other things to distract them, they may fail to see motorcyclists.
  • Making unsafe lane changes – If drivers fail to check their blind spots for motorcycles, or if they don’t signal when they are changing lanes, it can end in disaster for the biker.
  • Failing to yield – Drivers often fail to see or simply refuse to yield to bikers who are making left turns in front of them at intersections.
  • Following too closely – When a driver tailgates a motorcyclist, and the motorcyclist comes to a stop, the driver can easily plow into the motorcycle.
  • Poor road conditions – If a road has been improperly designed or poorly maintained, it can wreak havoc. A biker who hits a pothole or deteriorating shoulder can easily lose control and crash.
  • Motorcycle defects – Motorcycle manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products are safe to use. When they fail to do so, and part of the motorcycle is defective, it can readily lead to an accident.

All of these types of accidents are scary for motorcyclists. They can also result in some of the most serious injuries. Tragically, many bikers cannot survive the crash.

What Are Some Common Injuries in Muskogee Motorcycle Accidents?

Because bikers are so exposed, they can suffer a wide range of injuries in a collision with a vehicle. Among the most common injuries that motorcyclists suffer in Muskogee motorcycle crashes are:

  • Head injuries – Under Oklahoma law, riders over the age of 18 can choose to ride without a helmet. Unfortunately, without a helmet, a rider faces a high risk of suffering traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other serious head injuries.
  • Neck injuries – When the back of any vehicle, including a motorcycle, gets struck, the rider is likely to suffer a whiplash injury. Other neck injuries that motorcyclists commonly suffer are slipped discs.
  • Road rash – Motorcyclists often get thrown from their bikes in collisions. When they do, they can skid across the road and suffer friction burns from dragging across the pavement.
  • Foot and leg injuries – The most common non-fatal injuries which bikers sustain in accidents are injuries to their feet and legs. Sprained and fractured bones are common. Also, they often tear knee ligaments.
  • Arm and hand injuries – When motorcyclists are thrown from their bikes, they often put their hands out in front of them to break the fall. As a result, they can suffer torn rotator cuffs, broken bones, nerve damage, broken elbows and fractured fingers.
  • Torso and pelvic injuries – During a crash, a motorcyclist may roll after hitting the ground and suffer injuries such as a dislocated hip, pelvic fracture or fractured ribs.

All of these injuries can be painful and costly to treat. Sometimes, accident victims are never the same.  This is why it is important to work with a law firm that will focus on how your motorcycle accident injuries have affected your life and seek compensation which reflects that impact.

How Can a Motorcycle Injury Attorney Help My Case?

When they get hurt in a crash that was the fault of someone else, motorcycle accident victims often think they can take on their case alone. That’s a mistake. While you are focusing on your recovery and just trying to get better, an attorney at Edwards & Patterson Law can effectively handle your claim and pursue maximum compensation for you. For instance, we can:

  • Obtain a copy of the police report
  • Gather witness statements
  • Photograph the scene
  • Obtain video footage of the crash
  • Consult with an accident reconstruction expert
  • Obtain medical records, invoices, and receipts
  • Communicate with the insurance company
  • Take your case to trial if necessary.

What Compensation is Available for Muskogee Motorcycle Accident Victims?

CompensationThe damages available in motorcycle accident cases generally fall into two categories – economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages carry an actual dollar value such as past and future medical expenses, lost wages, reduced future earning ability, and other out-of-pocket expenses. Non-economic damages are those that do not have an actual dollar value such as pain and suffering and emotional distress. These damages often represent a significant percentage of an injury claim.

Your attorney at Edwards & Patterson Law will carefully evaluate your case and calculate the amount of damages that you should seek. We will negotiate aggressively with the insurance company and be prepared to fight for you at trial if that’s what it takes to pursue what you are due.

Our Muskogee Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Will Fight for You

If you have been hurt in an accident in Muskogee, don’t wait to contact our experienced and dedicated legal team at Edwards & Patterson Law. “We care. We fight. We win.” That’s more than a slogan to us. It means that we will tirelessly pursue all compensation that you deserve because we care about your future. Contact us now and receive a free case review.