May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

As the weather warms up, more and more people in the St. Louis area will be dusting off their motorcycles and hitting the open road. As exhilarating as motorcycling can be, it’s critical to keep in mind that every time you get on your bike, you are exposing yourself to a risk of serious injury. May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and there’s no better time to review some basic motorcycle safety tips to reduce your risk of involvement in an accident.

Here are safety tips shared by the National Safety Council:

• Choose a bike that is appropriate for your skill level
  
• Be aware of the rules of the road
  
• Install anti-lock brakes
  
• Never drink alcohol and ride your motorcycle
  
• Practice defensive driving, especially at intersections
  
• Use your headlights at all times
  
• Assume that other motorists cannot see you
  
• Look out for road hazards like potholes, oil slicks, debris, railroad tracks, and gravel
  

Motorcycle Accident Victims Can Often Recover Compensation

Unfortunately, there is always a chance that you will be involved in an accident, even if you are being as safe as possible. When the negligence of other drivers results in injury-causing motorcycle accidents, motorcyclists can often recover compensation for all of their accident-related injuries. The damages available in a typical motorcycle accident case typically include:

• Property damage
  
• Medical expenses
  
• Physical and emotional pain and suffering
  
• Lost income
  
• Lost quality of life
  

As a motorcycle accident victim, it’s important to understand that compensation does not happen automatically and that there are certain steps that you need to take to protect your rights and ensure that you obtain the compensation to which you are entitled. If you’re able to stay at the scene of the accident, ask the driver or drivers involved for their names and insurance information. Next, make sure to undergo a thorough medical evaluation, even if you think your injuries will heal on their own. It’s critical that you’re well-documented for any insurance claim that you may make in the future. Do not provide the insurance company with a recorded statement, and be sure not to sign anything that releases the at-fault party from liability. Finally, contact an experienced attorney as soon as you can. The sooner you are represented by a lawyer, the more likely it is that you will recover the compensation to which you entitled under Missouri law.

Call Bruntrager & Billings Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a St. Louis Personal Injury Attorney

If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident, you should call an attorney as soon as you can. The lawyers of Bruntrager & Billings are dedicated to helping injured victims obtain the compensation to which they are entitled and work hard to ensure each client we represent obtains the full and fair value of their claim. To schedule a free case evaluation with a personal injury lawyer in St. Louis, call our office today at (314) 646-0066 or contact us online.