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Motorcycle Accidents

Oklahoma Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Riders face unique challenges in Oklahoma courts—stereotypes, assumptions, and lowball offers. We know how to counter jury bias and ensure injured riders receive full compensation.

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No Fee Unless We WinRide-Friendly RepresentationTribal Supreme Court Justice

Key Takeaways for Riders

  • Jury bias is real: Studies show jurors harbor negative assumptions about motorcyclists—we address this head-on
  • Injuries are more severe: Motorcycles offer no protective cage—compensation should reflect the severity
  • Helmet law nuances: Oklahoma doesn't require adult helmets, but insurers exploit helmet choice—we fight back
  • Evidence disappears fast: Dashcam footage, traffic cameras, and witness memories fade quickly—act now

On This Page

The Bias Against Riders Is Real—Here's How We Beat It

Studies show jurors harbor negative assumptions: "they were probably speeding," "they accept the risk," "they weave through traffic." Insurance companies exploit this bias ruthlessly—offering lowball settlements because they expect riders to fear a jury trial.

Address Bias Directly

During jury selection and opening statements, we acknowledge stereotypes head-on. Research shows this approach actually reduces bias more than pretending it doesn't exist.

Objective Evidence

Accident reconstruction experts prove actual speeds, driver negligence, and collision physics—eliminating doubt about who caused the crash. Numbers don't lie.

Humanize the Rider

Before jurors see a "motorcyclist," they see a person—family relationships, career, community contributions, and safety-conscious riding habits.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes

Almost all motorcycle accidents involve driver negligence—failure to see, yield, or respect the rider's right to the road.

Left-Turn Collisions

Drivers turning left in front of oncoming motorcycles—the single most common cause of fatal motorcycle accidents. Accounts for over 40% of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes.

Lane-Change Crashes

Drivers fail to check blind spots before merging into a motorcycle's lane. Often occurs on highways where speed differences magnify impact severity.

Rear-End Impacts

Following too closely at stops or in traffic. Motorcyclists have no protective cage when struck from behind—even low-speed impacts cause serious injury.

Intersection Violations

Drivers running red lights or stop signs and colliding with motorcyclists who had the right of way. Often results in T-bone collisions with devastating injuries.

Door Strikes (Dooring)

Parked drivers opening doors into motorcycle lanes without checking for approaching riders. Common in urban areas and parking lots.

Road Hazards

Potholes, debris, gravel, uneven pavement, and slippery surfaces that cars drive over safely can cause motorcycles to lose control and crash.

Proving the Other Driver's Fault

Insurance companies try to blame riders for every crash. We counter with objective evidence that proves exactly what happened:

Police Reports & Citations

Traffic citations issued to the other driver, witness statements recorded at the scene, and the officer's fault determination.

Video Evidence

Traffic cameras, dashcams, doorbell cameras, and business surveillance footage that captured the crash or moments before.

Accident Reconstruction

Expert analysis of skid marks, vehicle damage, debris patterns, and final rest positions to prove speeds, angles, and fault.

Vehicle Black Box Data

Modern vehicles record speed, braking, throttle position, and steering inputs seconds before impact. This data proves or disproves driver claims.

Cell Phone Records

Was the driver texting or on a call at the moment of impact? Phone records and forensic analysis can prove distraction.

Witness Testimony

Other drivers, pedestrians, and passengers who saw the crash and can testify about what really happened.

Oklahoma Motorcycle Law: What You Need to Know

Oklahoma law has unique provisions that affect motorcycle accident claims. Understanding these rules is critical.

IssueOklahoma LawWhat It Means for You
Helmet RequirementNo helmet required for riders 18+Insurers will argue helmet choice caused head injuries—but Oklahoma limits this argument for injuries helmets wouldn't have prevented.
Comparative NegligenceModified (51% bar)You can recover if you're 50% or less at fault. Recovery reduced by your fault percentage.
Statute of Limitations2 years from accidentGovernment claims require notice within 1 year. Missing deadlines = case dismissed forever.
Minimum Insurance$25K/$50K/$25KMany drivers carry only minimum coverage. Your UM/UIM coverage is critical for serious injuries.
Lane SplittingNot legal in OklahomaRiding between lanes of traffic is illegal and can be used against you if a crash occurs while splitting.

Helmet Defense Limitation: Under Oklahoma case law, an insurance company cannot reduce your damages based on helmet non-use for injuries that a helmet would not have prevented—such as leg fractures, internal organ damage, spinal injuries below the neck, or arm injuries. We fight helmet arguments aggressively.

Motorcycle Injuries: Higher Stakes Than Car Crashes

Motorcycles offer no protective cage, airbags, or crumple zones. When crashes happen, injuries are often catastrophic—and compensation should reflect that reality.

Common Motorcycle Injuries

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) & concussions
  • Spinal cord damage & paralysis
  • Multiple fractures & crush injuries
  • Severe road rash & skin grafts
  • Amputation & permanent disfigurement
  • Internal organ damage & bleeding
  • Facial injuries & dental damage
  • PTSD & psychological trauma

Why These Injuries Are Worse

  • No protection: No airbags, seatbelts, or metal cage between you and impact
  • Ejection: Riders are thrown from the bike, striking pavement, vehicles, or objects
  • Secondary impacts: After initial collision, riders often suffer additional injuries
  • Crushing: Bikes can fall on riders, causing crush injuries to legs and lower body

Damages Available in Motorcycle Cases

Oklahoma allows recovery for both economic and non-economic damages. Because motorcycle injuries are often more severe, damages tend to be higher.

Economic Damages

  • Emergency room & hospital bills
  • Surgery & rehabilitation costs
  • Future medical expenses & care
  • Lost wages during recovery
  • Lost future earning capacity
  • Motorcycle repair or replacement
  • Transportation costs to treatment

Non-Economic Damages

  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress & mental anguish
  • Disfigurement & scarring
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of consortium (for spouse)
  • Inability to ride again
  • PTSD & psychological impact

Punitive Damages

When the at-fault driver was grossly negligent—such as driving drunk, texting, racing, or fleeing a crime—Oklahoma allows punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct. These can significantly increase total recovery.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash

The steps you take immediately after a crash can make or break your case. Follow this checklist:

1

Get Medical Attention

Call 911 and get checked out, even if you feel okay. Adrenaline masks pain. Internal injuries and TBIs may not be immediately apparent. Medical records from day one document your injuries.

2

Call Police & Get a Report

Insist on a police report. Get the officer's name and badge number. The report documents the scene, witnesses, and often includes the officer's fault determination.

3

Document Everything

Photograph your injuries, the scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and debris. Get contact info for all witnesses. Take photos of the other driver's license, insurance, and registration.

4

Preserve Your Gear

Don't repair, clean, or throw away your helmet, jacket, gloves, or boots. These may contain crucial evidence about impact direction and severity. Store safely until your attorney reviews.

5

Don't Talk to Insurance

Politely decline recorded statements. Insurance adjusters are trained to get admissions that hurt your case. Let your attorney handle all insurance communications.

6

Contact an Attorney

Time is critical. Evidence disappears quickly—traffic camera footage is overwritten, witnesses forget, vehicle evidence gets repaired. We send preservation demands immediately.

Explore Our Guides

Deep-dive guides on specific motorcycle accident topics:

Left-Turn Crashes

The #1 cause of fatal motorcycle accidents and how to prove liability.

Road Hazard Liability

Claims against cities and contractors for dangerous road conditions.

Helmet Laws Oklahoma

How helmet choice affects your claim and the 'helmet defense'.

Uninsured Motorist Claims

Maximizing recovery when the at-fault driver has no coverage.

Related Reading

In-depth articles on motorcycle accident topics:

Featured

Motorcycle Bias and How to Beat It

Specific tactics we use to counter anti-rider stereotypes.

Insurance

Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Why UM/UIM coverage is critical for Oklahoma riders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Oklahoma doesn't require helmets for riders over 18. However, insurance companies often argue that not wearing a helmet contributed to your injuries. Oklahoma law limits this argument—helmet choice cannot reduce your recovery for injuries helmets wouldn't have prevented, like leg fractures, internal injuries, or certain head trauma types. We counter helmet arguments aggressively with medical evidence.
"I didn't see the motorcycle" is not a legal defense—it's an admission of negligence. Drivers have a duty to look for and yield to all vehicles, including motorcycles. This excuse actually helps your case by proving the driver failed their basic duty of care. We use accident reconstruction experts and evidence to demonstrate exactly how the driver was negligent.
Pretending bias doesn't exist gives it power. We address stereotypes directly during jury selection, humanize the rider before jurors see them as a 'motorcyclist,' and present objective evidence eliminating any doubt about who caused the crash. Research shows this approach actually reduces bias more than avoidance. We've developed specific strategies for motorcycle cases based on decades of trial experience.
You may recover medical expenses (emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, future care), lost income and future earning capacity, pain and suffering, disfigurement or scarring, loss of enjoyment of life, motorcycle repair or replacement, and wrongful death damages if the crash was fatal. Because motorcycles offer less protection, injuries tend to be more severe—so compensation is often higher than typical car accident cases.
Oklahoma's statute of limitations is generally two years from the accident date. Cases involving government vehicles or entities have shorter deadlines—often one year or less for the Tort Claims Notice. Contact us immediately to protect your rights. Critical evidence like traffic camera footage, dashcam videos, and black box data may be deleted within days or weeks.
Oklahoma follows modified comparative negligence. You can recover compensation as long as you were less than 51% at fault, though recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Example: if you're 20% at fault for a $100,000 case, you recover $80,000. Insurance companies exploit anti-rider bias to exaggerate your fault—we fight back with objective evidence and expert testimony.
Absolutely. Your helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, and other protective equipment may contain crucial evidence—impact marks, road rash damage, or manufacturer defects. Store everything in a safe, dry place and don't repair, clean, or throw away any gear until your attorney reviews it. Damaged gear can prove the severity of impact and the direction of forces in the crash.
Many motorcycle accidents involve drivers with minimum insurance ($25,000 in Oklahoma) or no coverage at all. Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage becomes critical. We help you understand your policy, file claims properly, and maximize recovery from all available sources—including the at-fault driver's personal assets if they have them.
Yes. If dangerous road conditions—potholes, debris, inadequate signage, slippery surfaces, or construction hazards—caused your crash, you may have a claim against the government entity responsible for road maintenance or the contractor who created the hazard. These claims have special procedures and shorter deadlines. Document the hazard immediately with photos and witness information.
Case value depends on injury severity, medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and liability strength. Motorcycle cases often have higher values than car accidents because injuries are more severe. While we can't guarantee specific amounts, our motorcycle accident cases regularly result in six-figure settlements and verdicts. We evaluate each case individually based on the specific facts.
Never accept an insurance company's first offer without consulting an attorney. Early offers are almost always far below the case's true value. Insurance adjusters are trained to settle quickly before you understand your injuries' full extent. Once you sign a release, you cannot seek additional compensation—even if you need surgery or your injuries are worse than expected.
Most cases resolve in 12-24 months, though complex cases may take longer. The timeline depends on injury severity (we often wait for maximum medical improvement), liability disputes, the number of defendants, and whether the case goes to trial. While we push for efficient resolution, we never rush a case at the expense of maximum recovery.

Don't Let Bias Cost You. Take Action Now.

Critical evidence disappears quickly—traffic camera footage, witness memories, and physical evidence at the scene. We know how to build motorcycle cases that overcome stereotypes and win.

No Fee Unless We Win

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