Been Seriously Injured?
Bretz Injury Law Is Ready to Fight for You.
Motorcyclists have the same legal rights as any other driver on the road. Other vehicles are expected to follow right-of-way rules and all applicable traffic laws when sharing the road with motorcycle riders. But far too many drivers fail to exercise the level of caution that motorcyclists deserve.
When that happens, accidents follow, and it’s almost always the motorcycle rider who walks away with the most serious injuries or doesn’t walk away at all. If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident, talk to the attorneys at Bretz Injury Law about your options and what your claim may be worth.
Motorcycle accident victims commonly suffer from:
- Head injuries
- Spine injuries
- Muscle or nerve damage
- Leg injuries
- Broken bones
After a motorcycle accident in Wichita or anywhere in Kansas, having an experienced attorney in your corner can make a real difference. Matthew Bretz brings over 30 years of serious injury litigation experience to every motorcycle accident case he takes on.
How Bretz Injury Law Protects Your Rights After a Motorcycle Accident
Being involved in a motorcycle accident is a traumatic experience, and understanding your rights and legal options in the aftermath can feel overwhelming. The attorneys at Bretz Injury Law are dedicated to helping you navigate the legal process and pursue the compensation you deserve.
When you work with Bretz Injury Law, Matthew Bretz and his team will:
- Investigate the accident thoroughly to determine who was at fault
- Collect evidence including police reports, witness statements, and medical records
- Work with accident reconstruction experts to build a strong case
- Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to pursue a fair settlement
- Prepare your case for trial if necessary and advocate for your rights in court
This approach is grounded in over 30 years of serious injury litigation experience and a genuine commitment to giving every client the personal attention their case deserves. Every motorcycle accident case is different, and the strategy at Bretz Injury Law is built around the specific facts and needs of your situation.
What if Defective Motorcycle Parts Played a Role in My Crash?
Dangerously defective vehicle parts make headlines regularly, and for good reason. The harm they cause can be devastating. But defective parts are not limited to cars and trucks. A negligent motorcycle part manufacturer can put thousands of riders at serious risk by allowing a poorly designed or produced component to reach the market.
There are two types of motorcycle part defects:
- Design: Some motorcycle parts should never have made it to production. More thorough review or preliminary testing should have caught a dangerous flaw in the original design before it ever reached a rider.
- Manufacturing: A part that looks sound on paper does not always come off the production line that way. When assembly workers fail to follow the manufacturing process carefully, defective parts can be shipped to retailers and dealerships without anyone catching the problem.
When a defective part causes an accident, it falls to motorcycle accident attorneys and crash scene investigators to determine what went wrong and build proof that the part was the source of the crash.
Understanding Jury Bias in Motorcycle Accident Cases
Working with an attorney matters in any personal injury case, but in motorcycle accident cases it can be especially critical. Jury bias against motorcyclists is a well-documented reality that can work against even the most straightforward claim. Matthew Bretz works to identify and address these biases through pre-trial hearings and jury selection, so that no one who exhibits prejudiced attitudes toward motorcyclists gets to decide your case.
What kinds of bias do motorcycle riders face from juries?
- Recklessness: Hollywood has spent decades portraying motorcyclists as wild, reckless thrill-seekers who weave through traffic and pull dangerous stunts for fun. Most motorcyclists know how far from reality this picture is. But some jurors walk into a courtroom having already decided that the rider must have been speeding or showing off when the accident happened.
- Unruly: The stereotype of the dangerous motorcycle gang member is another media-driven image that can color a juror’s thinking before a single piece of evidence is presented. A rider who was hit while on a Harley Davidson and happens to have visible tattoos may face a juror who has already concluded they caused the crash and don’t deserve compensation.
- Accepted the Risk: Perhaps the most common bias is the mistaken belief that motorcyclists simply accept the dangers of riding and should expect to be in an accident eventually. This is not accurate. A motorcycle ridden responsibly and within the rules of the road is no more inherently dangerous than any other vehicle.
Identifying and removing jurors who carry these biases is a critical part of building a fair trial, and it is a responsibility Matthew Bretz takes seriously in every motorcycle case he handles.
How Long Do You Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Kansas?
In Kansas, personal injury victims have up to two years from the date of their accident to file a claim. Two years can feel like a long time, but reaching out to an attorney as soon as possible makes a real difference. An attorney can give you the clarity and peace of mind you need to focus on your recovery while making sure the right steps are taken to protect your claim from the start. The team at Bretz Injury Law can help gather key evidence and documentation to support your case and will be with you through every step of the process.
What Causes Most Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycle crashes are dangerous, often deadly, and far more common than they should be. Understanding how most of these accidents happen can help riders stay alert and may even help avoid a collision.
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Lane splitting by riders
- Riders being hit by motorists opening car doors
- Other motorists merging, turning, or changing lanes without checking for motorcycles
- Roadway hazards such as potholes, abandoned construction equipment, and poorly marked construction zones
- Excessive speeding
- Failure by riders and other motorists to leave sufficient following distance
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
In many police accident reports, drivers who strike motorcyclists claim they never saw the motorcycle at all. It points to a widespread problem of drivers simply not knowing or not following the right-of-way rules that apply to motorcycles on public roads.
A motorcycle is entitled to the same right-of-way as a full-sized vehicle in all applicable situations, including multi-stop intersections, left turns, and lane merges. Drivers also have a well-documented tendency to fail to register a motorcycle even when looking directly at it, particularly when distracted by a phone. Conditioned to expect two headlights and a large vehicle in their mirrors or blind spots, a driver can look right past a motorcyclist without ever truly seeing them.
Why Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Makes a Difference
Motorcycle accident claims are complicated for several reasons. Diagnosing and understanding the full extent of a rider’s injuries often takes time and requires input from medical specialists and financial experts who can properly assess the long-term impact of those injuries.
Many riders suffer catastrophic injuries that require extensive and ongoing medical treatment, which means these claims can involve significant compensation. Because large payouts are costly for insurance companies, there is almost always resistance on their part to settle for a fair amount.
Insurance companies are not on your side. Their goal is to minimize what they pay out while avoiding a trial. Matthew Bretz understands how insurers operate and knows how to negotiate effectively with adjusters on your behalf. When an offer falls short of what a case is worth, he is not afraid to push for litigation. Having Bretz Injury Law in your corner helps level the playing field and protects your rights throughout the process.
