The road is a place of freedom. But when a driver fails to see you, that freedom is shattered. The sound, impact, and sudden and brutal connection with the pavement are violations.
Now, you are not just a rider; you are an injury victim facing a system that is often biased against you from the start. You are blamed for a crash you did not cause, and the insurance company is already working to deny your claim.
You need a Midwest motorcycle accident lawyer who sees the truth, counters the bias with facts, and has the strength to hold the negligent driver fully accountable.
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Table of contents
- Key takeaways
- Why Choose The Bruning Law Firm?
- Cost of a Motorcycle Wreck
- Missouri and Illinois Motorcycle Laws
- Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
- Motorcycle Accident Injuries
- Protecting Your Claim from Insurance Company Tactics
- What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
- FAQ for Midwest Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
- Get the Strong Representation You Need
Key takeaways
- Motorcycle accident claims require a specific legal strategy to overcome the unfair bias riders often face from insurance companies and juries.
- Missouri and Illinois have different motorcycle laws and personal injury rules. The location of the crash determines which laws will govern your case.
- Evidence like damaged gear, photos of the scene, and witness statements are critical. An attorney works to preserve this evidence immediately after a crash.
- The full value of a claim includes not only medical bills and bike repairs but also compensation for the profound impact on your life and ability to ride.
- A firm with experience in both Missouri and Illinois provides a significant advantage for riders in the St. Louis metropolitan area.
Why Choose The Bruning Law Firm?
After a serious motorcycle wreck, you need a law firm prepared for the unique challenges these cases present. The Bruning Law Firm brings a powerful combination of regional resources and deep local knowledge to your corner.
We are a St. Louis-based firm with a long history of representing clients who have suffered catastrophic injuries. Our attorneys are licensed and practice extensively in both Missouri and Illinois.
This is not just a convenience; it is a necessity in our bi-state region. Whether your crash was on I-270 in Missouri or across the river in the Metro East, our team has the proficiency to manage every legal complexity without handoffs or confusion.
We start with a free consultation to review your case. This is a straightforward conversation where you get answers and a clear picture of your legal options. We handle all motorcycle accident claims on a contingency fee basis.
You pay no attorney's fees unless we secure a financial recovery for you.
Cost of a Motorcycle Wreck
A motorcycle accident claim is about more than just repairing your bike and paying the initial emergency room bill. It is about securing the resources needed for a full recovery and accounting for how the crash has affected your life. A thorough valuation is a detailed process of documenting every single loss.
Documenting your financial losses
Economic damages are the tangible costs associated with the accident. We meticulously compile every receipt, bill, and pay stub to build a comprehensive demand for the insurance company.
This includes the full cost of medical treatment, lost wages from time away from work, and the cost to repair or replace your motorcycle and damaged gear.
The lifelong effects of a crash
The most severe harm from a motorcycle accident is often not financial. Non-economic damages provide compensation for the profound personal impact of the crash. This includes the physical pain of your injuries, permanent scarring or disfigurement from road rash, and the emotional distress of the traumatic event.
It also covers the loss of your ability to enjoy the activities you love, especially riding.
Countering the unfair bias against riders
One of the biggest hurdles in a motorcycle accident claim is the unfair assumption that the rider must have been doing something wrong. Insurance adjusters, and even potential jurors, often picture motorcyclists as reckless.
This bias is a tactic used to shift blame and reduce the value of your claim.
We counter this prejudice with facts, evidence, and a clear story of what really happened. We show that you were operating your motorcycle safely and that the other driver's negligence caused the crash.
A driver's failure to see a motorcycle is not an excuse but a confession of inattention. We investigate to prove the driver was distracted, speeding, or otherwise failed in their duty to share the road safely.
Missouri and Illinois Motorcycle Laws
The laws governing your case depend entirely on where the accident occurred. A crash on the Missouri side of the river near Laclede's Landing is subject to different rules than one in O'Fallon, Illinois.
An attorney who knows both sets of laws provides a critical advantage.
The two states have distinct regulations that can significantly influence your case. These differences highlight the need for localized legal knowledge.
- Helmet laws: Missouri has a law that allows riders over age 26 to ride without a helmet if they have health insurance. Illinois requires all riders and passengers to wear eye protection, but not necessarily helmets.
- Lane splitting: Neither Missouri nor Illinois explicitly permits lane splitting, the practice of riding between lanes of slow-moving traffic.
- Statute of Limitations: This is the hard deadline for filing a lawsuit. Missouri provides a five-year window, while Illinois law requires you to file your claim within two years of the crash.
These legal nuances can determine the viability and strategy of your entire claim. Our bi-state team applies the correct state's laws to protect your rights from day one.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Most motorcycle accidents are not caused by rider error. They happen because car and truck drivers fail to be aware of their surroundings and violate the motorcyclist's right of way.
Left-turn accidents
This is the classic and most dangerous scenario for a rider. A car making a left turn at an intersection drives directly into the path of an oncoming motorcycle. The driver often claims they "never saw" the rider, which is a clear admission of their failure to yield.
Unsafe lane changes
Drivers who change lanes without checking their blind spots or signaling their intention pose a massive threat. They can force a rider off the road or directly into the side of their vehicle. This is a common occurrence in the heavy traffic on St. Louis highways like I-64 and I-44.
Rear-end collisions
A rear-end collision can be catastrophic for a rider, who has no protection from the impact. These crashes are almost always the fault of the following driver, often due to tailgating or distracted driving.
Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Without the protection of a steel frame, a motorcyclist's body absorbs the full force of a collision. This reality means that even a low-speed crash can result in devastating and permanent injuries.
We work with medical professionals to document the full extent of these injuries. This ensures the claim reflects the need for lifelong care and support.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Even with a helmet, a rider's head can strike the pavement with enough force to cause a TBI, leading to cognitive and physical disabilities.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or total paralysis, forever changing a person's life and requiring millions in future medical care.
- Severe road rash: This is far more than a simple scrape. Deep abrasions can cause permanent scarring, nerve damage, and require painful skin graft surgeries.
- Lower-extremity injuries: The legs are extremely vulnerable in a crash, often resulting in complex fractures to the tibia, fibula, and femur that may require multiple surgeries.
Documenting the severity and long-term consequences of these injuries is essential. We build a case that accounts for every future surgery, therapy session, and necessary accommodation.
Protecting Your Claim from Insurance Company Tactics
The insurance company for the at-fault driver is not on your side. Their goal is to close your claim as quickly and cheaply as possible. They will use the bias against riders and other tactics to achieve this goal.
An attorney acts as a shield between you and the insurance adjuster. We manage all communication, submit all paperwork, and handle all negotiations. This protects you from saying something that could be twisted and used to damage your claim.
The quick, lowball settlement offer
Adjusters often make a fast settlement offer before the full extent of your injuries is even known. This offer may seem like a lot of money, but it is a fraction of what your case is truly worth. Accepting it means you forfeit all future rights to compensation.
Using the helmet law against you
If you were not wearing a helmet in Missouri, the insurer might argue that your head injuries are your own fault. However, the law is complex. An attorney can fight to show that the driver's negligence caused the crash itself, which is the primary cause of your injuries.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), helmets are highly effective, but not wearing one does not give a driver a free pass for causing a crash.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
After you have received emergency medical care, the steps you take can help preserve the strength of your legal claim.
- Do not repair your bike: Your motorcycle is a critical piece of evidence. Do not have it repaired or scrapped until your attorney has had it inspected and photographed.
- Preserve your riding gear: Your helmet, jacket, and boots also contain evidence of the impact. Do not throw them away.
- Document your injuries: Take photos of your injuries, including road rash, bruises, and cuts, as they heal. This creates a visual record of your suffering.
- Follow your doctor's orders: Attend every medical appointment and therapy session. This shows you are serious about your recovery and creates an official record of your treatment.
FAQ for Midwest Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Does the fact that I was not wearing a helmet prevent me from filing a claim in Missouri?
No. While the insurance company will try to use it against you to reduce your compensation, not wearing a helmet does not prevent you from holding the at-fault driver liable for causing the crash. An attorney can argue that the crash, not the lack of a helmet, was the primary cause of your harm.
What if the driver who hit me fled the scene?
If you were the victim of a hit-and-run, you may still have options. You might be able to file a claim through your own insurance policy's Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. We can review your policy and help you pursue this type of claim.
The insurance company says my custom motorcycle parts are not covered. Is that true?
Standard insurance policies may not cover custom parts and accessories. However, if you have special coverage for these items, or if we are pursuing a claim against the at-fault driver, we will fight to include the full replacement value of all your custom work in the total damages.
How do you prove the other driver was at fault?
We use a variety of evidence. This includes the police report, photos and videos from the scene, witness testimony, and data from traffic cameras. In some cases, we hire accident reconstructionists to create a scientific model of the crash to prove the other driver's fault.
I have a passenger who was also injured. Can you represent both of us?
In most cases, yes. We can represent both the operator and the passenger of the motorcycle. We would file separate claims for each of you to address your injuries and losses.
Get the Strong Representation You Need
Riding is your passion. When a careless driver takes that away from you, you need a law firm that respects the rider and has the strength to take on the insurance companies.
You need advocates who know the local roads, from the curves of the Great River Road to the city streets of St. Louis, and who understand the laws in both Missouri and Illinois.
The Bruning Law Firm provides the determined and capable representation that serious injury cases demand. We stand with riders against unfair blame and fight for the full compensation you need to heal.
Call us today at (314) 735-8100 for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your motorcycle accident.
The Bruning Law Firm - Headquarter
Address: 555 Washington Ave Ste 600A,
St. Louis, MO 63101
Phone: (314) 916-1632