Wichita Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Let our injury attorneys help with maximizing your claim

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle wreck that was a result of another driver’s fault, our Wichita motorcycle accident injury lawyers will help you get maximum compensation for your damages. PISTOTNIK LAW has over 68 years of combined experience getting results for clients in Wichita and we have the power and resources to get our clients the results they are entitled to.

Everyone knows that drivers don’t pay proper attention and fail to see motorcyclists, who are legally using Kansas roadways. In the event of a crash, motorcyclists and their passengers have little protection and are more vulnerable compared to those driving inside enclosed cars, SUVs, and trucks. Proper use of a helmet and other safety gear might not prevent you from sustaining serious injuries.

Due to these serious injuries, it is common to be transported from the accident scene by ambulance, common to be hospitalized or need surgery, common to be off work, and common to have large damages.  Insurance adjusters like to try and blame bikers for driving too fast, changing lanes, or driving erratically.  Witnesses have poor perceptions about the speed of bikers, and overestimate speeds based on the loud engine noises of motorcycles.   How do you protect yourself?

Get an experiences injury law firm that knows Kansas laws and cares about bikers. Our legal team has helped injury victims from the motorcycle community and understands how to deal with the insurance adjusters to make sure you are protected. Our injury attorneys have extensive experience representing bikers who have been injured in Wichita motorcycle accidents and can answer all your questions. We know how to deal with large medical bills, lengthy wage loss, and the insurance adjusters who intentionally are trying to lower your case value.

Should I get a lawyer if I’ve been in a motorcycle accident?

Yes, people sometimes try to deal directly with insurance companies, but if you were injured in a motorcycle wreck because of someone else’s fault, you should strongly consider hiring an injury attorney to help you recover maximum compensation for your damages. We help by:

• Getting you the quality medical care that you need
• Performing a thorough investigation into your crash
• Building a strong case, both as to fault, and to increase your damages
• Making sure every possible insurer that has possible exposure or coverage pays their fair share
• Getting experts on both fault and damages, if needed
• Handling all the calls, texts, emails from multiple adjusters assigned to different parts of the claim
• Handling negotiations to get you a full fair settlement
• Filing suit and representing you in court, if necessary
• Negotiating down outstanding medical bills

Insurance companies have done studies showing that injury victims will get more on average in compensation compared to when they try to handle things on their own. If someone you love died in a motorcycle accident due to negligence, an attorney can also help you file a wrongful death lawsuit.

What special laws apply to motorcyclists?

“A person driving a motorcycle has the same obligations and is entitled to the same protection under the law as other persons in vehicles upon the highway.” Pattern Instruction of Kansas 121.61.  This simply means that the normal rules of the road apply to motorcyclists.

There are  some specific laws that are directed to the operation of motorcycles. 

“The laws of Kansas provide that all motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and a motor vehicle shall not be driven in such a manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane.”  Pattern Instruction of Kansas 121.70  Additional parts of this law state that a motorcyclist shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.  A motorcyclist shall not drive between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.  Also, motorcyclists shall not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane.

The Kansas Driver’s Handbook describes situations involving motorcycles wherein drivers of vehicles need to be careful.  Examples include:

1. Motorcycles/scooters/mopeds have a much smaller profile than motor vehicles, which can make it more difficult to judge the speed and distance as they approach.
2. Before turning left be alert for motorcycles/scooters/mopeds by looking carefully to the front and sides of your vehicle.
3. Do not assume a motorcycle/scooter/moped is turning when you see its turn signal flashing.  Motorcycle/scooter/moped turn signals may not self-cancel, and the motorcyclist/scooter/moped may have forgotten to turn them off.  Do not pull out in front of a motorcycle/scooter/moped until you see that it is beginning to turn.
4. Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic.  This allows motorcyclist/scooter/moped to anticipate traffic flow and find a safe lane position.
5. Obstacles and road conditions that may be  minor to a  motorist can be deadly to a motorcyclist/scooter/moped.  Be prepared for them to make sudden changes in lanes or speed as they attempt to avoid a hazard on the road such as potholes, gravel, wet or slippery surfaces, pavement seams, railroad crossings and grooved pavement.  Allow room for the motorcyclists/scooters/mopeds to maneuver.
6. When following a motorcyclist/scooter/moped, allow for a 3 to 4 second following distance or more in wet conditions, or you may not have enough time or space to avoid a crash.  Motorcycles/scooters/mopeds can stop quickly and following too closely endanagers your life and that of the motorcyclist.
7. When a motorcycle/scooter/moped is passing your vehicle, you should maintain your lane position and speed.  Allow the motorcyclist/scooter/moped to complete the maneuver and assume proper lane position as quickly as possible.  Never speed up or interfere with their ability to pass safely.

What damages can I get a settlement for from a motorcycle accident?

In general, if you were injured in a motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault your damages include:

• Property Damage
• Medical Expenses, Past and Future
• Lost Wages, Past and Future
• Loss of Earning Capacity
• Essential or Substitution Services
• Pain and Suffering, Mental Anguish, Disability, Disfigurement, Loss of Time, Inconvenience, Loss of Enjoyment of Life, Loss of Consortium For Your Spouse, and All Noneconomic Losses

The value of your case will depend on the specific details of your case, the severity of your injuries, and the overall impact your motorcycle accident injury has had on your life.

For information on the value of your case, call our law firm for free today. Our legal team will review your case and let you know what you are entitled to recover in damages.

Get maximum compensation for your injuries with help from our injury attorneys

You need to know your rights when injured by someone else’s negligence.  With Kansas no fault laws, you may be eligible for benefits up front and our experienced injury lawyers will let you know how that works.  At time of settlement, insurance companies like to make injured bikers lowball settlement offers – or worse yet, deny your claim.

Our injury lawyers will handle every aspect of your claim. We won’t let the insurance company push you around. We are experienced negotiators or if a lawsuit is necessary, we will fight to prove your damages to a jury.

There are no up front costs and you do not pay us unless we win. We represent our clients on a contingency fee basis. Call us to learn how an experienced motorcycle accident injury attorney in Wichita can help you. Contact us today for a free consultation.