Tulsa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Hurt in a Motorcycle Accident in Tulsa? Contact the McGuire Law Firm Today for a Free Case Review
Oklahoma is a great state for motorcycle enthusiasts. Nonetheless, motorcycle safety remains a serious issue. As motorcyclists have limited protection, they disproportionately bear the brunt of motor vehicle collisions.
If another person caused your accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A Tulsa motorcycle accident lawyer can help you recover what you are owed.
The personal injury attorneys at McGuire Law Firm have represented motorcycle accident victims and their families for more than 30 years.
We are proud to be on the side of injured victims and their families in Tulsa. As experienced Tulsa motorcycle accident attorneys, our team has specialized knowledge, skills, and legal experience. We are a small family personal injury firm that gets big results. Contact our law office for a free case review to discuss how we can help you.
How McGuire Law Firm Can Help You After a Motorcycle Accident in Tulsa?
Do not accept an insurance company’s settlement offer without legal representation. The insurance adjuster may seem sympathetic, but they are not on your side. The insurance company may try to shift blame, minimize the severity of your injuries, and use your statements against you. An experienced Tulsa personal injury lawyer can help you protect your rights and handle all communications on your behalf.
McGuire Law Firm is a small, family-run law firm that delivers big results. Our founding attorney, Kent R. McGuire, has over 30 years of legal experience, with almost half of this spent as a defense lawyer for insurance companies. We put this insight to work on your case. Let us put our reputation and six decades of combined experience to work on your case.
Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Tulsa, Oklahoma, will:
- Offer the sound legal advice, support, and guidance you need
- Handle all administrative tasks and communications on your behalf
- Analyze every aspect of your case to gather evidence, identify avenues for compensation, and prove liability
- Ensure the true value of your damages is calculated for effective negotiation and fair compensation
- Work with experts like financial specialists, medical experts, and accident reconstruction specialists
- Negotiate for a fair settlement with the insurance company
Unlike some personal injury lawyers, McGuire Law Firm is not afraid to take your case before a jury. Do not let an insurance company treat you unfairly or make lowball offers. Call our law office for a free consultation today. You owe nothing unless we are successful in recovering compensation for you.
WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT IN TULSA?
Were you involved in a motorcycle crash in or around Tulsa? It is imperative that you are prepared to take swift action to protect your health, your rights, and your financial interests. The scene of a motorcycle accident can be downright chaotic. By knowing what to do, you will be in the best position to get justice. Here are four steps to take after a motorcycle wreck in Tulsa:
- Stop Your Motorcycle and Call the Police: Immediately after an accident, it is paramount to halt your motorcycle in a safe place. All motorcycle crashes that result in injuries should be reported to local or state law enforcement. Generally, you should call the Tulsa Police Department or the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office. The responding police officers will help to control the scene and write an accident report.
- Seek Prompt Medical Care for Any Injuries: Severe injuries require immediate emergency care. Regardless of the apparent severity, injured motorcyclists always seek immediate medical attention following a motorcycle accident. Many injuries may not be immediately visible or fully symptomatic. Further, you need medical records to bring a legal claim.
- Document Your Motorcycle Crash: Oklahoma is an at-fault motorcycle accident state. To hold a defendant legally responsible for your crash, you must prove that they bear liability. In general, this is done by establishing that their negligence—lack of due care—caused the accident. Documentation is key. Collect as much information as possible at the scene, including photographs of the vehicles, your injuries, the road conditions, and any other pertinent details.
- Consult With a Tulsa Attorney Before an Insurer Adjuster: Insurance companies put their own bottom line first. Before you give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster—whether an opposing party’s insurer or your own insurer—you should always consult with an experienced Tulsa motorcycle accident lawyer. A top attorney such as those at McGuire Law Firm can review your case, investigate the accident, and take action to protect your rights and help you secure the maximum financial compensation.
How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Tulsa, Oklahoma?
In 2019, there were almost 129,500 motorcycles registered in Oklahoma, compared to 3.2 million automobiles. While motorcyclists account for a small share of drivers on the road, they make up a large share of serious and fatal accidents.
In 2019, there were 66 motorcyclist fatalities in Oklahoma, down from 89 in 2018. There were also 979 motorcycle accidents with injuries.
Of these 66 motorcyclist deaths, seven were in Tulsa County. This is second only to Oklahoma County, which had 12 fatal motorcycle accidents. There were 215 motorcyclists involved in crashes in Tulsa County, with 43 suffering serious injuries and 79 suffering minor injuries. A further 44 crashes were reported with “possible injury.”
The city of Tulsa had six motorcyclist fatalities in 2019 and 87 injury crashes.
Motorcyclists were not wearing a helmet in 52.4% of all motorcycle accidents in Oklahoma. This percentage increased to 62.3% for fatal motorcycle crashes.
What Is My Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?
The value of your injury claim depends on factors that are very unique to your case. While your current economic losses like medical bills are a good place to start, a variety of factors have an impact on how much you may recover.
We’ll analyze the following questions to get a sense of what your case may be worth:
- What type of injuries did you sustain? How severe are they?
- Is liability clear in your case?
- How much insurance coverage is available?
- Did you contribute to your crash?
- Will your injuries affect your quality of life in the future?
- Is your ability to work affected?
- Will you have future medical needs?
Contact our law office to schedule a free initial consultation. We will discuss your case’s potential value, challenges you may face, and how we can help you.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover After a Motorcycle Accident in Oklahoma?
Under Oklahoma law, you have the right to seek fair compensation from the at-fault party after an accident.
There are three main types of damages available:
- Economic damages are the most common type of compensation in a personal injury claim. These cover the financial losses you suffered in an accident, such as property damage, medical bills, future medical care, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity.
- Non-economic damages compensate for personal and non-financial losses. These include pain and suffering, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, mental anguish, and emotional distress.
- Punitive damages may be awarded by a jury in rare personal injury cases. These damages do not compensate you for losses but punish the defendant for gross negligence or egregious conduct.
At McGuire Law Firm, we are committed to helping you seek the compensation you need by building a strong evidence-based negligence claim. We work with specialists to prove the extent and value of your damages and fight insurance company attempts to minimize their liability.
Can I Still Recover Damages if I’m Partially at Fault for My Motorcycle Crash in Tulsa, OK?
Oklahoma uses a modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% bar. You can still recover compensation if you are found to have contributed to your accident. However, if you are 51% or more at fault, you will be barred from recovering anything.
The insurance company may try to shift as much blame as possible to you. If they can successfully have at least 51% of the blame assigned to you, they will not have to pay anything and escape all liability. You can be assigned blame for behavior that contributed to the crash or due to your failure to mitigate damages afterward.
Do not let the insurance company unfairly blame you for your crash. A Tulsa motorcycle accident injury lawyer will fight back against blame-shifting tactics.
We’ll Fight for Full Compensation for All the Motorcycle Accident Injuries You Suffered
Motorcycle riders are incredibly vulnerable in an accident and may suffer serious injury even in low-speed collisions.
McGuire Law Firm will use our decades of legal experience to pursue full compensation for all your injuries, including:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Catastrophic injuries
- Back injuries
- Internal injuries
- Traumatic amputation
- Chest injuries
- Nerve damage
- Fractures
- Soft tissue injuries like road rash
The insurance company may try to minimize your injuries and your ongoing medical needs and impairment. Our Tulsa motorcycle accident lawyers will fight back and seek the compensation you need to move forward.
What Causes Most Motorcycle Crashes in Tulsa, Oklahoma?
After a crash in Oklahoma, Police assign various contributing factors for each driver involved in the collision. This includes “no improper action by driver” if the driver did not contribute to the crash.
The 2019 Oklahoma Highway Safety Crash Facts Book lists the following factors as the most common contributors in motorcycle crashes:
- Unsafe speed (21.3% of motorcycle collisions)
- Following too closely (7.4%)
- Other improper movements or acts like failing to signal or improper lane use (5.4%)
- Inattention (4.9%)
- Alcohol (3.8%)
- Failure to yield (3.2%)
In fatal motorcycle accidents, alcohol was a primary factor in 10% of crashes.
In more than 41% of motorcycle accidents, the motorcyclist was assigned no fault at all. In fatal accidents, motorcyclists were assigned no fault 34% of the time.
How Do You Prove Negligence in a Motorcycle Accident Case in Oklahoma?
To win a personal injury lawsuit, you must prove the other party was negligent and, therefore, responsible for your injuries and damages.
Proving negligence requires showing:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care.
- They breached their duty.
- This breach caused your accident.
- You suffered damages.
One of the hardest elements to prove in any motorcycle accident case is causation. Our Tulsa attorneys will investigate your accident to gather evidence. We may work with specialists to interpret this evidence and offer expert testimony for the strongest case possible.
Depending on the circumstances of your crash, we may prove negligence with:
- Accident reports, which will likely offer the police officer’s opinion on the cause of your motorcycle crash and who was to blame
- Footage from dash cams and traffic cams
- Witness statements
- Arrests or citations against the at-fault driver
- Expert testimony from specialists, such as accident reconstruction specialists
McGuire Law Firm will use 60 years of combined legal experience to build your case. Contact our law office today to discuss your accident and how we can help.
MOTORCYCLISTS FACE UNFAIR STEREOTYPES (TIPS FOR DEALING WITH INSURERS)
Motorcyclists face disproportionate challenges in the accident claims process, largely due to prevailing stereotypes perpetuated by insurers. They often struggle to secure fair compensation, with insurance companies presuming they bear more fault due to a misguided perception of inherent risk. Bias can complicate an injured rider’s path to justice. Following a motorcycle accident in Tulsa, it is crucial that you are prepared to navigate the insurance claims process. Here are four tips that you can use:
- Avoid Giving a Recorded Statement: While insurance adjusters may ask for a recorded statement to "speed up" your claim, it is best to avoid this without proper legal counsel. They might use your words out of context or manipulate them to diminish your claim. You are not required to give a recorded statement to an opposing insurer.
- Never Admit Fault for the Crash: You should never admit fault at the scene of the crash or during conversations with insurance adjusters. The circumstances leading to an accident are complex and often require professional investigation to determine liability.
- Beware of the Initial Settlement Offer: Insurers often present an initial lowball offer hoping you'll accept it quickly to close the claim. However, this first offer might not fully cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. You should not settle a motorcycle accident claim without knowing its full value.
- Work Through a Tulsa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer: The right attorney can make the difference. A top Tulsa motorcycle accident lawyer can provide reliable legal advice, help collect and present evidence, negotiate with the insurance adjuster on your behalf, advocate for your rights, and ensure that the insurance company is held accountable.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Motorcycle Accident in Oklahoma?
The Oklahoma statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit is just two years from the date of your crash. If you miss this deadline, the court can dismiss your case, and you will lose your right to seek compensation from the at-fault party. This statute of limitations is one of several Oklahoma statutes that can affect your case.
Do not delay in pursuing your case. Even small delays can make it challenging to investigate your crash, gather evidence, and build a strong claim. Contact an experienced Tulsa motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your claim.
At McGuire Law Firm, Our Tulsa Personal Injury Attorney Also Focuses on the Following Practice Areas:
- Bad Faith Insurance
- Bicycle Accident
- Car Accident
- Dog Bite
- Medical Malpractice
- Ridesharing Accident
- Slip and Fall Accident
- Taxi Accident
- Truck Accident
- Wrongful Death
Contact a Tulsa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
After a motorcycle accident, you may face financial uncertainty, a painful recovery, and life-changing injuries. You should not have to fight an uphill battle against an insurance company alone. McGuire Law Firm will take over the fight for you to pursue the fair compensation you need.
Contact our law office today to schedule your free consultation with a Tulsa motorcycle accident lawyer ready to help. We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing out of pocket for the legal representation you deserve. We fight for motorcycle accident victims in Tulsa and throughout the region, including in Tulsa County, Osage County, Rogers County, and Wagoner County.
Recent Motorcycle Accident Blog Posts
- Do You Have to Wear a Motorcycle Helmet in Oklahoma?
- 7 Common Motorcycle Crashes and How to Avoid Them
- Is a Motorcycle Really Worth the Cost?
- The Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident in Tulsa
- What are the Motorcycle Laws in Oklahoma?
- Common Mistakes People Make in Their Tulsa Motorcycle Accident Cases
Frequently Asked Questions for Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Tulsa
How do I know if I have a valid motorcycle accident claim in Tulsa?
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, such as a distracted driver or hazardous road conditions, you may have a valid claim. Our attorneys can assess your case during a free consultation to determine your legal options.
Will my motorcycle accident case go to trial in Tulsa?
While many cases are resolved through negotiation or mediation, our attorneys are prepared to take your case to trial if necessary to achieve the best possible outcome. We have the experience and resources to litigate complex motorcycle accident cases effectively.
Can I still pursue a motorcycle accident claim if I didn't wear a helmet in Tulsa?
Oklahoma law does not require motorcyclists over the age of 18 to wear helmets, but not wearing one can impact your claim. However, failing to wear a helmet does not automatically bar you from seeking compensation. Our attorneys will evaluate all aspects of your case to build a strong legal strategy.
How long will it take to resolve my motorcycle accident case in Tulsa?
The timeline for resolving a motorcycle accident case can vary depending on factors such as the severity of your injuries, the complexity of the case, and the willingness of the insurance company to offer a fair settlement. Our attorneys will work diligently to pursue a timely resolution while advocating for your best interests.
Do I need to go to court if I hire a motorcycle accident attorney in Tulsa?
While many motorcycle accident cases are resolved through negotiation or alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation, some cases may require litigation and potentially go to court. Rest assured, our attorneys are seasoned trial advocates prepared to litigate your case if needed to achieve a favorable outcome.
How can I afford medical treatment for my injuries after a motorcycle accident in Tulsa?
If you lack health insurance coverage or cannot afford medical expenses upfront, our law firm can assist you in accessing medical treatment through healthcare providers who may be willing to defer payment until your case is resolved. Additionally, any medical expenses incurred as a result of the accident can be included in your claim for compensation.
What if the insurance company denies my motorcycle accident claim?
If the insurance company denies your claim or offers an inadequate settlement, our skilled attorneys will advocate for your rights. We can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and, if necessary, pursue legal action to seek fair compensation through litigation.
Can I handle my motorcycle accident claim without hiring an attorney?
While you have the right to handle your motorcycle accident claim on your own, it’s not advisable. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether. Having an experienced attorney from McGuire Law Firm on your side can significantly increase your chances of obtaining maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.
I've lost a loved one in a fatal motorcycle accident. Can you help?
Yes, our compassionate attorneys at McGuire Law Firm understand the devastating impact of losing a loved one in a motorcycle accident. We can assist you in pursuing a wrongful death claim against the responsible parties to seek justice and compensation for your loss.
