Local Kansas City Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Near You

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents and How We Investigate

Motorcycle accidents happen fast. In many cases, a surviving victim has no memory of the crash at all by the time they wake up in a hospital bed.

That’s why a thorough investigation needs to begin as quickly as possible after the collision. Building a clear picture of what happened is the only way to establish who was at fault and who is responsible for the resulting injuries and losses.

Matthew Bretz has spent decades investigating accidents caused by a wide range of factors. His team can conduct a detailed investigation into your crash and determine whether any of the following played a role:

• Improper lane changes: Cars and trucks can clip an unsuspecting motorcyclist during a lane change, particularly when the rider is sitting in the driver’s blind spot.
• T-bone accidents: These rank among the most deadly types of motorcycle crashes because of the speed and location of impact.
• Sudden stops: A car traveling too fast that brakes hard without warning can leave a motorcyclist with no time to react before hitting the rear bumper.
• Left-turn accidents: One of the most common and most deadly motorcycle accident scenarios occurs when a car or truck driver fails to spot an oncoming motorcycle and turns left directly into its path.
• Drunk driving collisions: Impaired drivers are far more likely to behave recklessly behind the wheel, putting motorcyclists at serious risk. If a drunk driver caused your crash, Bretz Injury Law can help you pursue a claim.
• Road hazards: Some crashes are caused in part by road defects, poor maintenance, or highway safety issues.

If your accident involved any of these factors or another form of negligent driving, the motorcycle accident attorneys at Bretz Injury Law are ready to help. We can file a personal injury claim on your behalf and pursue fair compensation for your injuries and financial losses.

The Most Common Injuries We See in Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists don’t have the protection of a steel frame, airbags, or a seatbelt the way car and truck drivers do. That leaves them vulnerable to far more serious injuries, even in crashes that might seem relatively minor. Motorcycle accident injuries vary widely, which is why it matters to work with an attorney who understands the medical realities of what you’ve been through.

Matthew Bretz has more than 30 years of experience handling serious injury claims, including those arising from motorcycle accidents across Kansas and Missouri. He has helped injured riders pursue compensation for a range of injuries, including but not limited to:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Neck injuries
• Internal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Road rash
• And more

If you’ve suffered one of these injuries or another condition resulting from a crash caused by someone else, reach out to Bretz Injury Law. We can help connect you with appropriate medical care and pursue the compensation you need to cover your accident-related losses.

The Steps You Should Take Immediately After a Car Accident

The first thing to do after a motorcycle accident is check yourself for injuries and figure out whether you need immediate medical attention. If the injuries are serious, call 911 right away. If you’re able to move around safely, take the following steps:

• Get out of traffic and move to a safe location.
• Photograph your bike before moving it, but don’t put yourself at risk to do so.
• Call local law enforcement and give a statement for the accident report.
• Collect the contact and insurance information of every driver involved in the crash.
• Write down the license plate number, make, and model of all vehicles involved.
• Get contact information from anyone who saw the accident happen.

Don’t apologize to the other driver or say anything that could be interpreted as admitting fault. Anything you say at the scene can be used against you later and could hurt your right to compensation. Stay polite, but keep the conversation short.

Once you’ve done what you can at the scene, see a doctor as soon as possible. A physician can properly diagnose your injuries and put together a treatment plan to help you recover.

After getting medical care, contact the motorcycle accident attorneys at Bretz Injury Law. We’ll get to work on your case right away and walk you through every step of the claims process.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Hire Representation for your Motorcycle Crash

Getting legal help as soon as possible after a motorcycle accident can make a real difference in your case. Missouri sets a firm deadline for taking legal action. Under Missouri Code section 516.120, you have five years from the date of your crash to file a civil suit for compensation.

Miss that deadline and you lose the right to pursue the damages you need to rebuild your life physically and financially. Reaching out to Bretz Injury Law sooner rather than later gives your attorney time to build a strong case, gather evidence while it’s still fresh, and make sure every deadline is met.