Tulsa motorcycle accident lawyer

Traveling on the open road on your motorcycle is an exhilarating experience. Unfortunately, motorcyclists sometimes pay too high a price for that freedom when reckless drivers put them in harm’s way. A Tulsa motorcycle accident lawyer can provide expert legal representation, guiding you through the complexities of legal proceedings, negotiating with insurance companies, and securing fair compensation for injuries and damages. A car has a seatbelt, airbag, and other equipment to keep you safe. Motorcycles provide very little protection when an accident occurs. You’re likely to sustain severe injuries if you collide with a car, truck, or motorcycle.

Learn how the Tulsa motorcycle accident attorneys from Abel Law Firm can help you. We have decades of experience representing victims of motorcycle crashes. Call us today at (918) 777-7046.

Tulsa Office 5525 E 51st St, Suite 540, Tulsa, OK 74135, USA +1 918-393-3193
Table Of Contents

    Are Motorcycles Safe in a Motorcycle Accident?

    Motorcycles are much smaller and lighter than passenger vehicles. They lack safety restraints, airbags, and a roof. When you’re involved in an accident, there’s a good chance you’ll get ejected. You could get thrown into another vehicle, tree, or other objects on the road. Compared with passenger car occupants, riders face a much higher risk of head injuries, catastrophic injury, and other devastating injuries in a crash, and a fatal injury is far more likely because there is so little protection. Common motorcycle accident injuries can include broken bones, road rash, spinal trauma, and some of the most serious injuries a person can suffer.

    Various hazards could cause a motorcycle accident, including:

    • Road debris: If a car strikes a rock, traffic cone, or other hazards on the road, it leads to minor damage at. When you’re on a motorcycle, however, it could cause you to lose control.
    • Visibility: It’s more difficult for a driver to see a motorcycle than a passenger, especially if it’s in their blind spot.
    • Protective barriers: Unlike a car, motorcycle riders don’t have a metal frame protecting them from injury.
    • High-risk behavior: Some drivers drive recklessly or aggressively near a motorcycle, not giving them enough space or yielding the right of way, which can lead to fatal motorcycle accidents.

    Motorcyclists are much more vulnerable to other drivers’ mistakes, which is why it’s so important to watch for motorcycles on the road, moreso during autumn.

    Who Is Responsible for a Motorcycle Accident?

    Liability is a crucial factor in motorcycle collisions. The modified comparative negligence rule in Oklahoma allows individuals to recover damages if they are less than 50% at fault for an accident. Much like auto accidents, it’s necessary to prove driver negligence by the other person involved. If you sustain any injury, even if it’s minor, you could hold the at fault party financially responsible.

    In Oklahoma, you must prove the following facts of negligence to pursue compensation in a motorcycle accident case:

    • The other motorist owed you a duty of care;
    • They breached that duty of care by their action or inaction; and
    • Their recklessness resulted in your injury.

    To gather evidence after a crash, obtaining the right documentation is crucial for a legal claim and for showing how injured victims were harmed.

    Before you leave the scene, you must retrieve the following information:

    • The other driver’s name, contact info, and auto insurance carrier and policy number
    • Photos of the wreck, including damage to your motorcycle and any vehicle involved
    • accident reports from the investigating officer
    • witness testimony, including the name and phone number of all eyewitnesses to the accident

    The information listed above could sufficiently prove the other motorist caused the accident. After filing a claim with their auto insurance, you can submit the evidence you found to seek a settlement. The money you receive could reimburse you for your resulting expenses, such as medical bills and lost wages.

    Behaviors Associated with Motorcycle Accidents

    It’s common for drivers of cars and other vehicles to exhibit dangerous behavior around motorcycles. Those unaware of your presence or who don’t obey basic traffic laws could put you at risk. The most common reasons injured motorcyclists get hurt by others include the following:

    • distracted driving, such as texting, checking email, or looking at a GPS
    • drunk driving
    • Speeding
    • Failure to yield the right of way
    • Failure to check blind spots before merging
    • Tailgating
    • Disobeying traffic signs and signals

    When someone chooses to drive erratically or take their attention off the road in front of them, it’s usually the motorcyclist who suffers the consequences. Since they have very little protection, an individual riding a motorcycle could experience a range of serious injuries, and a serious motorcycle accident can leave lasting trauma and ongoing medical needs. Common motorcycle injuries include:

    • Lacerations or open wounds
    • Road rash
    • Burns
    • Concussion or traumatic brain injury
    • traumatic brain injuries
    • Nerve damage
    • Spinal cord damage or paralysis
    • Neck injury
    • Broken bones
    • Other physical injuries

    An accident can occur in the blink of an eye. The cost of reckless driving, whether texting, speeding, or driving too close to a motorcyclist, is too high. Personal injury attorneys can provide essential legal support to motorcycle accident victims in Tulsa, helping them handle the complexities of personal injury claims and secure compensation for medical expenses and other damages. A motorcycle accident lawyer helps injured riders protect their legal rights and advocates for victims harmed by driver negligence.

    Common Expenses for Motorcyclists

    Whether a passenger vehicle or another motorcycle hits you, there’s a good chance they have insurance. Oklahoma law requires all vehicle owners and operators to carry liability insurance, and distracted driving significantly increases the risk of motorcycle crashes. That insurance coverage provides coverage for those injured in an accident.

    Depending on the severity of your injury, you could receive the maximum coverage listed on the policy and seek compensation for your losses. The liability limit usually covers the following losses:

    • Medical bills
    • Lost wages
    • Vehicle repair and replacement
    • Disfigurement
    • Pain and suffering (with specific policy limits)
    • Emotional trauma (with specific policy limits)
    • Death benefits

    Drunk driving is another major cause of serious wrecks, and alcohol was a primary factor in 10% of fatal motorcycle accidents. Motorcycle injuries can include severe physical injuries such as fractures, spinal cord damage, and traumatic brain injuries.

    If the insurance company approves your claim, you may be able to recover compensation for treatment costs, lost income, and other damages as financial compensation. Personal injury law ensures that victims of accidents can seek justice and fair compensation, including damages whether it be compensatory, punitive, or economic damages. Injured riders and injured motorcyclists can suffer serious harm even when they follow the rules, and insurance companies often try to shift blame despite data showing that in over 41% of motorcycle accidents, the motorcyclist was assigned no fault.

    Should I File an Insurance Claim or Lawsuit?

    It depends. You could sue for a financial award if you believe the other person displayed careless actions. Under different circumstances, an insurance claim could provide sufficient compensation. Oklahoma requires motorcycle riders to carry liability insurance, and that insurance coverage must include at least $25,000 for bodily injury per person.

    In Oklahoma, it’s the law to report an accident that resulted in injuries after a motorcycle wreck. Call 911 so the police can come to the scene and investigate the crash. A copy of the police report will show who caused the accident and if anyone sought medical treatment.

    Even if you don’t think your injury is severe, you should still undergo an evaluation. Medical records are vital in any claim. It shows the insurance adjuster that your injury resulted from the collision as opposed to a previous medical condition.

    If you file a motorcycle accident lawsuit or other personal injury lawsuit against the negligent motorist, there’s a strict deadline known as a statute of limitations. In Oklahoma, the statute of limitations for a motorcycle accident is two years. That means you have two years from the crash date to bring legal action against someone else. Depending on the facts, your lawyer may try to recover compensation through a settlement or in court, and will evaluate both economic and non-economic damages, including medical bills and lost wages.

    Do I Need to Hire a Tulsa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

    Seeking legal representation from a Tulsa motorcycle accident attorney ensures you receive the maximum compensation available. The average person doesn’t understand insurance policies or state laws surrounding motorcycle accidents. If you don’t know how the process works, you’ll likely make mistakes that could hurt your case. It depends. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can determine whether a lawsuit or insurance claim is the better route to recover compensation.

    Abel Law Firm isn’t a jack of all trades. As a personal injury law firm, focusing on personal injury cases gives us skills and knowledge that help us succeed. We understand what insurance companies look for to determine a settlement amount, and an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can step in when insurers raise complex liability issues. If you enter negotiations alone, there’s a good chance you’ll walk away with much less than you deserve.

    How Will Abel Law Firm Win My Case?

    When you hire one of our Tulsa motorcycle accident lawyers, we’ll investigate the crash and review each detail to prove the other person’s negligence. We’ll efficiently secure essential evidence before it gets damaged or lost. Some of the critical pieces of evidence we’ll need includes:

    • Copies of insurance policies
    • Police reports
    • Witness statements
    • Video surveillance
    • Photos
    • Vehicle estimates and repair bills
    • Your medical records

    As a personal injury law firm, Abel Law Firm handles these claims the way a Tulsa personal injury lawyer should: by building the case from the ground up. Our legal team can also work with accident reconstruction specialists when a collision is disputed. In more complex cases, accident reconstruction helps explain vehicle positions, impact angles, skid marks, and roadway conditions. We may also rely on accident reconstructionists when expert analysis is needed to show how the crash occurred. If the facts support it, we can pursue a motorcycle accident lawsuit against the responsible party.

    Insurance companies don’t intimidate us. We understand what insurance companies look for, including common disputes over rider visibility and insurance tactics. We’ll fight hard until we reach a favorable outcome in your case. If you have a specific number in mind, we’ll try to reach your goal. It’s our job to make sure you’re satisfied with the results.

    Our litigation attorneys handle complex lawsuits throughout Oklahoma. Your motorcycle injury probably caused a debilitating injury that required many months of treatment. Medical bills add up over time and are difficult to afford.

    In any lawsuit, we use the full weight of our experience and resources to prove the other motorist’s negligence. We’ll explain how that person’s negligence caused your suffering. We never back down from a fight and won’t give up until we seek the justice you deserve. See why clients recommend us by reviewing their experiences.

    Our Experience

    Senior Partner Ed Abel founded Abel Law Firm in 1976. Since then, we’ve won millions of dollars for our clients throughout Oklahoma. With a combined experience of over 130 years,

    our attorneys investigate evidence to establish how the collision occurred and know how to navigate the complicated legal process. In complex cases, we may work with accident reconstruction specialists and use accident reconstruction to clarify fault, and we stay current with statewide safety trends reflected in data from the oklahoma highway safety office.

    Each attorney focuses on specific areas of the law. We understand how to tackle motorcycle accidents and other cases because of our history with them, and we know insurance companies often try to minimize payouts. We understand the importance of hiring a lawyer who won’t let anything fall through the cracks.

    Our team handles communications with insurance companies, and depending on the case, we may negotiate a settlement or file a motorcycle accident lawsuit when necessary.

    What if I Don’t Live in Oklahoma?Motorcycle Accident Attorney Serving Tulsa, Ok

    If your motorcycle crash occurred in Oklahoma, you’ll need a licensed lawyer. Even if you live on the other side of the country, we can represent you in your case.

    You won’t have to travel to our office for appointments. We can speak with you over the phone and send legal documents through email or fax.

    How Do I Schedule an Appointment?

    Call (918) 777-7046 or use our contact form to schedule an initial consultation. The motorcycle accident attorneys in Tulsa from Abel Law Firm provide a free case evaluation for all prospective clients. There’s no risk of receiving legal advice from one of our personal injury lawyers in Tulsa.

    Our team will review the details of your motorcycle accident and injuries to determine if you have a solid case. If you decide you want to move forward, we’ll get to work immediately. Call our law firm today if you would like to pursue the compensation you deserve.

    Voted Oklahoma's Best Personal Injury Law Firm

    Oklahomans across the state have recognized the Abel Law Firm's unique heritage as a statewide institution. Founded by Ed Abel, and today led by his son, Luke Abel, our personal injury law firm has become synonymous with empathy, compassion, and the highest professional performance serving our neighbors. Our family has sought to leave a profound impact upon the State of Oklahoma. We appreciate that former Governor Mary Fallin recognized that dedication when she declared May 1st "Ed Abel Day."

    To be named Oklahoma's Best Personal Injury Law Firm is humbling. We are grateful to have won this prestigious honor. We work every day to earn the trust of those we serve: Oklahoma families who are facing some of the most difficult days of their lives due to the negligence of others. It is our intention and resolve to continue to be deserving of the faith Oklahomans have placed in our family's law firm. Thank you!

    The Journal Record 2023 Reader Rankings - Top Winner - Abel Law Firm - Best Peronal Injury Law Firm
    The Journal Record 2024 Reader Rankings - Top Winner - Abel Law Firm - Best Peronal Injury Law Firm
    The Journal Record 2025 Reader Rankings - Top Winner - Abel Law Firm - Best Peronal Injury Law Firm
    The Journal Record 2026 Reader Rankings - Top Winner - Abel Law Firm - Best Peronal Injury Law Firm