3 Things You Need to Know About Mississippi Motorcycle Crashes

Mississippi is a beautiful, scenic state. There’s nothing better than cruising the open road on a motorcycle and enjoying all our state has to offer. What many don’t realize before getting on their bike is a risk. If you do get in a motorcycle accident, you should know what to do afterward. This includes:

• Calling 911
• Getting the names and contact information of any witnesses
• Getting the name, contact information, and insurance details of the person who caused the accident
• Taking photos of the scene of the crash, if you can
• Getting immediate medical attention
• Contacting an experienced Mississippi motorcycle crash attorney.

However, that’s just the beginning of your accident claim. Keep reading to learn more about motorcycle crashes, injury claims, and how Andy Citrin Injury Attorney’s fights for victims and their loved ones.

Three Things to Know About Motorcycle Crashes in Mississippi

1. Motorcycle Wrecks Account for 7% of Mississippi’s Crashes

Motorcycle crashes make up roughly 7% of all vehicle crashes in Mississippi, and they’re some of the deadliest. Unlike a car or truck that has airbags, seatbelts, crumple zones, and even crash prevention systems, most motorcycles have limited safety systems. In a wreck, a biker is incredibly vulnerable.

Fortunately, our state has a mandatory helmet law, which prevents hundreds of senseless deaths each year. However, helmets can’t stop a crash or eliminate road hazards.

2. Driving in Mississippi Is Dangerous

Mississippi has a reputation for its dangerous roads. Many factors can contribute to roadway safety. Notably, most of our roads are rural. While rural roads typically have less traffic than urban ones, they pose different challenges. Many have narrower shoulders and fewer lanes, making it harder to avoid a crash. They’re also farther away from hospitals and major trauma centers.

When a crash occurs on a rural road, it’s going to take longer for first responders to arrive on the scene. Then, you’ll have to travel farther to get the medical care you desperately need. After a motorcycle accident, seconds matter, and many people lose out on life-saving care because of these delays.

3. Distraction and Intoxication Increase Your Motorcycle Crash Risk

There’s not a lot of room for error on a motorcycle. If you’re distracted, texting while riding, fatigued, or on drugs or alcohol, your risk of a crash is much higher than average. Nationally, over 5,000 people die each year in motorcycle crashes involving alcohol.

Furthermore, too many other drivers are distracted and impaired. Even if you follow all of the rules, a reckless or negligent driver can cause a crash.

So, what should motorcycle crash victims do if they’ve been in a motorcycle crash on Mississippi roads? Keep reading to find out.

Hurt in a Mississippi Motorcycle Crash? Here’s What to Do Next

The moments after a motorcycle crash are some of the scariest and most important. Here’s what you should do if you got in a collision that wasn’t your fault:

Call First 9-1-1 and an Ambulance if You’re Hurt

After a crash, call 9-1-1 as soon as possible. Even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured, it’s in your best interest to get a police report. And if someone needs emergency medical treatment, your quick action could save their life. Once the first responders arrive, they’ll tend to the injured, investigate the crash, and document the situation. If the wreck wasn’t your fault, records like your police report will provide powerful evidence later on.

Take Photos of the Crash if You Can

You or a witness should take pictures of your crashed bike, the road, the vehicle that hit you, and anything else that could have affected the crash. Even cell phone pictures are good enough in this case. Make sure these images are saved and show them to your lawyer later.

Get Everyone’s Contact Information

If you are able, make sure you get the names and contact information of any witnesses. They can testify later and will help your lawyer and the insurance company understand what happened during and after the crash.

Get Immediate Medical Attention

After a motorcycle crash, make sure you and anyone involved get medical attention right away. Even if you don’t feel hurt, the doctor may be able to find developing injuries that you might otherwise miss. If you’re worried about medical bills, remember the cost of your treatment can be included in an insurance claim or lawsuit.

Preserve Your Evidence

Once you’re home from the hospital, it can be tempting to erase any evidence that you were in a crash by throwing away your road-burned gear and cracked helmet and fixing your bike. Wait to do these things until you’ve taken pictures of everything, and your lawyer says it’s okay.

Damaged property, photographs, and other evidence may become important during a personal injury lawsuit. For example, suppose you find out after your crash that your motorcycle’s brake system was recalled. If you’ve already replaced the bike or its damaged brakes, you won’t be able to prove that a dangerous or defective bike part caused your crash – and you may lose out on a valuable product liability claim.

Call a Motorcycle Crash Lawyer

It’s not easy to get what you’re owed from an insurance company. If you’ve been in a motorcycle crash and it wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t have to fight for the financial resources you need. In cases like these, it’s time to call a Mississippi motorcycle crash lawyer who understands motorcycles and Mississippi culture, and who isn’t afraid to fight for you.

RELATED: How Long Does it Take to Settle a Personal Injury Claim in Mississippi?

The Andy Citrin Team Knows How to Handle Motorcycle Crash Cases

We believe that everyone deserves to be safe on the road, no matter what they drive or ride. That’s why we fight for motorcycle crash victims like they were our own family members. A great example is one of our former clients, Ashley. Ashley was on his bike when a drunk driver hit him. After being left for dead on the road, Ashley was lucky to be alive. He needed someone who could find the drunk driver and hold them (and anyone else who contributed to the crash) accountable for their reckless actions.

After months of recovery, investigations, and fighting, Ashley and the Andy Citrin team tracked down the drunk driver, identified the bars that over-served them, and got Ashley an enormous settlement that more than covered the costs of his injuries.

Hurt in a Mississippi Motorcycle Crash? Call Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we’re proud of our track record of success fighting for motorcycle crash victims like you. If you want to learn more about how a lawyer can help you after a crash, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love to speak with you and learn more about your situation. To schedule your free, completely private meeting with an experienced member of our team, call our office at 251-888-8888 or fill out this simple online contact form.

References

Facts & Statistics: Motorcycle Crashes. (2019, December). Insurance Information Institute. Retrieved from https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-motorcycle-crashes#:~:text=In%202017%2C%205%2C172%20motorcyclists%20died,crash%20per%20vehicle%20mile%20traveled.

The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.