After a motorcycle crash, getting fair compensation is rarely simple. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and attorneys whose goal is to resolve claims efficiently, but that process doesn’t always align with what’s best for you, especially when injuries are involved.
You may be asked to give a recorded statement early on. This isn’t unusual, but it’s important to understand that anything you say could affect how your claim is handled. You might receive a fast settlement offer. For someone dealing with sudden medical bills and time off work, that offer may feel like relief—but it may not reflect the full cost of long-term care, lost income, or ongoing recovery.
Motorcyclists sometimes face additional scrutiny based on assumptions about riding behavior. These stereotypes complicate fault determinations, even when the facts support your side. That’s why documentation, medical records, and an experienced Oklahoma City motorcycle accident lawyer make a real difference.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, call us for a free consultation at (405) 691-1600. We’ll listen to your story and explain your options so you can make informed decisions about what comes next.
Why Oklahomans Have Trusted Carr & Carr for Over 50 Years
Our firm was founded in 1973 by Richard M. Carr with one clear mission: stand up for everyday Oklahomans against large insurance companies and corporations. Now led by the next generation of the Carr family, we’ve grown into a statewide firm with more than 10 attorneys and over 60 dedicated staff members. This is a multi-generational commitment to our community.
When you work with us, you are treated like family. Our practice is built on providing direct, personalized attention backed by the resources of a large, established firm. We offer:
- Free Case Reviews: A no-cost, no-pressure opportunity to understand your legal rights.
- No Win, No Fee Guarantee: We only get paid if you get paid.
- A Full Team on Your Side: You get the benefit of our in-house investigators, experienced attorneys, and dedicated support staff.
- Local Roots: Our Oklahoma City office is conveniently located at 1350 SW 89th St, Suite A, a short drive from I-44 and near the Oklahoma City Community College campus, making us accessible when you need us most.
What Compensation Can You Pursue After a Motorcycle Accident?
The goal of a personal injury claim is to secure financial recovery for every loss the accident caused. While no amount of money undoes the trauma, it provides the stability needed to rebuild your life.
Economic Damages: The Tangible Costs
These are the calculable expenses that pile up after a crash. We work to document every dollar, ensuring nothing is overlooked. This includes:
- Medical Bills: From the initial emergency room visit to future surgeries, physical therapy, and prescription medications.
- Lost Wages: The income you’ve already lost from being unable to work.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or earning the same income, we account for this long-term financial impact.
- Property Damage: The cost to repair or replace your motorcycle and any other damaged property.
Non-Economic Damages: The Human Cost
These damages are harder to quantify, but they represent the real, human impact of the accident. They address how the crash has rewritten your life. This includes compensation for:
- Pain and Suffering: The physical pain and emotional distress you endure.
- Mental Anguish: For anxiety, depression, or PTSD resulting from the traumatic event.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If you can no longer participate in hobbies or activities you once loved.
- Disfigurement or Scarring: For permanent physical changes caused by the accident.
Punitive Damages: A Rare but Important Tool
In some cases, where the at-fault party’s conduct was particularly reckless or malicious (like a drunk driver), Oklahoma law allows for punitive damages. These are not meant to compensate you for a loss but to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
Riding in OKC: Motorcycle Accident Hotspots and Local Dangers
Oklahoma City’s mix of sprawling highways and busy city streets creates unique dangers for motorcyclists. While an accident can happen anywhere, data and experience show us that certain areas are more prone to collisions.
Oklahoma City Motorcycle Accident Statistics
The numbers reveal a stark reality for riders in our city and state.
- In one recent year, there were 283 motorcycle accidents in Oklahoma City, resulting in 43 serious injuries and 15 fatalities.
- Statewide, there were nearly 1,300 motorcycle collisions in that same year.
- Riders between the ages of 25 and 35 are involved in the most accidents in OKC.
- The summer months are particularly dangerous, with 54% of OKC’s motorcycle crashes occurring between May and August.
Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Oklahoma City
While official data points to broad trends, our experience shows that certain types of roads present consistent risks:
- Major Highway Interchanges: The junctions of I-40, I-44, I-35, and I-240 are notorious for high traffic volume, sudden lane changes, and drivers who fail to see motorcyclists. The I-40 and I-44 interchange is particularly known for its tricky merges.
- The Northwest Expressway: Multiple intersections along this road, including those at Belle Isle, Portland, Rockwell, and Pennsylvania Avenue, are frequently flagged as hazardous due to confusing layouts and heavy commercial traffic.
- Stretches of U.S. Highway 62 (NE 23rd Street): The five-mile stretch between North Highland Drive and North Midwest Boulevard is considered one of the deadliest roads in the city.
- Busy Arterial Roads: Intersections like SW 59th Street and S. Western Avenue see a dangerous mix of high speeds and heavy traffic, leading to severe accidents.
Other Contributing Factors
- Road Conditions: Loose gravel, potholes, or unmarked hazards can be minor inconveniences for a car but catastrophic for a motorcycle. An accident on I-35 was attributed to loose gravel on a curve.
- Distracted Driving: This is a leading cause of all accidents in Oklahoma City, and it poses an even greater threat to riders who are less visible than a full-sized vehicle.
Understanding Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Most motorcycle accidents are not caused by rider error, but by the negligence of other drivers. Common scenarios include:
- Cars Making Left Turns: A driver fails to see an oncoming motorcycle and turns directly into its path, one of the most frequent causes of motorcycle crashes.
- Unsafe Lane Changes: A car or truck merges into a lane without checking their blind spot, forcing a rider off the road.
- Rear-End Collisions: A following driver is distracted or tailgating and does not have enough time to stop.
- “Dooring” Accidents: A driver or passenger in a parked car opens their door into the path of an oncoming motorcyclist.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Because a motorcycle offers no protection, the injuries are often severe and life-altering. We handle cases involving:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Even with a helmet, a rider’s head is vulnerable to impact.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: These can lead to partial or full paralysis.
- Road Rash: Severe abrasions that can cause permanent scarring and require skin grafts.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: Commonly occurring in the legs, arms, and ribs.
- Internal Injuries: Damage to organs that may not be immediately apparent.
Key Oklahoma Laws Affecting Your Claim
- The Statute of Limitations: In Oklahoma, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If your claim is against a government entity (like a city or state for a poorly maintained road), the deadline is much shorter—you must provide formal notice within one year.
- Modified Comparative Negligence: Oklahoma uses a “modified comparative negligence” rule. This is a legal concept that simply means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, as long as your share of the blame is 50% or less. Your final compensation award is then reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 10% at fault, your award is reduced by 10%.
- Helmet Laws: Riders 18 and older are not required to wear a helmet in Oklahoma. It is important to know that an insurance company cannot use your legal choice not to wear a helmet to deny your claim or argue you were at fault for the accident itself.
How Insurance Companies Approach Motorcycle Accident Claims
An insurance company is a business, and its goal is to protect its bottom line. This means their adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, which directly conflicts with your need for fair compensation.
The Insurance Adjuster’s Playbook
We anticipate these tactics and are prepared to counter them on your behalf.
- Requesting a Recorded Statement: They may ask you to give a recorded statement, and may look for anything you’ll say that can be used to assign blame to you or downplay your injuries. We advise clients to politely decline and let us handle all communications.
- Making a Quick, Lowball Offer: An early settlement offer rarely accounts for the full, long-term cost of your injuries and is designed to close your case for as little as possible.
- Shifting the Blame: They will look for any reason to invoke the comparative negligence rule, from questioning your speed to using the unfair “reckless biker” stereotype against you.
- Delaying the Process: Some companies may drag their feet, hoping that financial pressure will force you to accept a lower settlement out of desperation.
What You Should Do Now to Protect Your Claim
While we handle the legal work, there are practical steps you should take to strengthen your case and protect your right to fair compensation.
- Follow Your Doctor’s Orders: Stick to your prescribed treatment plan. Missing appointments or discontinuing therapy can be used by an insurance company to argue your injuries weren’t as severe as you claim.
- Keep a Pain and Recovery Journal: Each day, write down your pain levels, the challenges you face with daily tasks, and how the injuries are affecting your life. This is evidence of your non-economic damages.
- Track All Expenses: Keep every receipt related to the accident. This includes not just medical bills, but also receipts for prescription co-pays, mileage to and from doctor’s appointments, and any other out-of-pocket costs.
- Obtain the Official Police Report: This report is a foundational piece of evidence. It contains the responding officer’s initial findings, witness information, and other key details.
- Stay Off Social Media: Do not post about the accident, your recovery, or any activities you are doing. Insurance investigators will search your profiles for anything they can use to contradict your claim—a photo of you at a family barbecue could be twisted to argue you aren’t really injured.
- Do Not Speak to the Other Driver’s Insurer: Politely decline to speak with them and refer them to our office.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oklahoma City Motorcycle Accidents
What if the other driver was uninsured or underinsured?
Your own auto insurance policy may include Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This is coverage you pay for that steps in to act as the at-fault driver’s insurance when they have none or not enough to cover your damages. We’ll help you manage the process of filing a UM/UIM claim with your own insurer.
How long will my motorcycle accident case take?
Every case is different. A straightforward case might settle in a few months, while a more complex case involving severe injuries or a disputed fault could take longer, especially if a lawsuit is necessary. Our goal is to secure the maximum compensation for you, and we will not rush to a quick settlement that doesn’t cover all of your needs.
Do I have to go to court to get compensation?
The vast majority of personal injury cases are settled out of court through negotiations. We prepare every case as if it is going to trial, which shows the insurance company we are serious. This thorough preparation often leads to a fair settlement offer without the need for a trial. However, if the insurance company refuses to be fair, we are always ready to present your case to a judge and jury.
Let Our Family Help Yours
You have one chance to get the compensation you need to move forward. At Carr & Carr, we have spent five decades helping Oklahomans with these challenges. We handle the fight so you can focus on healing.
For a free, confidential conversation with an Oklahoma City personal injury lawyer, call us today at (405) 691-1600 or fill out our online contact form.
Carr & Carr Injury Attorneys – Oklahoma City Office
Address: 1350 SW 89th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73159
Contact No: 405-691-1600