Kentucky Motorcycle Accident Guide

Kentucky Motorcycle Accident Guide 

The United States experienced 5,579 motorcyclists killed during 2020, which accounted for 14% of all fatal traffic accidents. This was the highest number of motorcyclists killed in the nation during a single year since 1975.

It’s no secret that riding a motorcycle can be exhilarating, but it can also be extremely dangerous if a collision occurs with another motorist on the road. Given the smaller size, frame, and less protection offered on a motorcycle in comparison to a standard car, the resulting injuries that a motorcycle driver can face are often catastrophic, even leading to death in many cases.

There were an estimated 99,613 motorcycles registered in the state of Kentucky in 2022. With that many people operating a motorcycle on the roads and highways across the state, it is imperative to understand the legal steps following a collision with a motorcycle. If you sustained injuries from a motorcycle accident that was caused by another person, you may be able to receive compensation through a personal injury claim.

As motorcycle accidents can be quite complex, we’ve provided you with a comprehensive guide to motorcycle accidents. This will help define relative definitions, list the process for dealing with insurance providers, and explain how to successfully win a claim to get your life back on track.

What’s the most important aspect of filing an injury claim after a motorcycle accident? Hiring an experienced and knowledgeable attorney who can represent your case! So, follow along with Morrin Law’s advice on how to best handle a motorcycle accident in Kentucky.

How Do Motorcycle Accidents Occur?

When a motorcyclist is in a collision, it can occur with another motor vehicle, another motorcyclist, a pedestrian, or a crash caused by certain conditions or external factors. Common types of collisions involving motorcycles include:

• Rear-end collisions: When a vehicle crashes into the back of a motorcycle. These accidents can happen when a driver is following too closely, not paying attention, or is unable to stop in time.
• Head-on collisions: When two vehicles collide front-to-front. In the context of motorcycles, this occurs when a motorcycle and another vehicle (a passenger car, semi-truck, or another motorcycle) collide head-on.
• Side impact collisions: Also known as “T-bone” accidents, occur when a vehicle strikes the side of a motorcycle, which often happens at intersections.
• Underride collisions: When a motorcycle goes under the rear or side of a larger vehicle, such as a truck or semi-truck).
• Left-turn collisions: When a car makes a left turn in front of a motorcycle. These accidents typically occur at intersections, often due to the car driver’s failure to see the motorcycle or misjudging its speed.

According to NHTSA’s Crash Stats for 2020, the most harmful event of the 5,715 recorded fatal motorcycle crashes were collisions with motor vehicles in transport. In the crashes that only involved two vehicles, 76% of the fatal crashes were due to a collision from the front (head-on collision). In 42% of fatal crashes, the other vehicles were turning left while the motorcyclist was going straight, passing, or overtaking other vehicles.

Common causes of motorcycle accidents can include, but are not limited to:

• Failure of other drivers to detect/recognize motorcyclists;
• Motorcyclist riding in another driver’s blind spot;
• Inexperience or improper handling of a motorcycle;
• Drivers cutting off a motorcyclist with a fast lane-change;
• Aggressive drivers not wanting to share the road with a motorcycle;
• Either a motorcyclist or other driver speeding on the road;
• Reckless driving from failure to signal;
• Motorcyclist not wearing helmet or proper safety gear;
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Consider contacting a Kentucky personal injury attorney if you’ve recently been involved in a motorcycle collision you believe to be caused by another person’s negligent or reckless actions.

Injuries Sustained from a Motorcycle Accident

It should be noted that any accident involving a motor vehicle can result in severe injury. However, motorcyclists are at an even higher risk of injury due to their lack of protection and smaller frame. According to NHTSA, “per vehicle miles traveled in [the U.S.] in 2022, motorcyclists were about 22 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash and were 4 times more likely to be injured.”

When a person on a motorcycle is in a collision, some of the common injuries sustained can include:

• Road rash: When a motorcyclist falls off their bike during a collision and is dragged along the road’s surface, they can suffer road rash in the form of cuts, scrapes, or abrasions on the skin.
• Head trauma: Even with a helmet, impact from a motorcycle accident can cause a concussion, a fractured skull, or a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• Broken bones: Since motorcycles do not offer any of the additional safety features that a standard passenger car has, it is highly likely that being hit in a collision can result in broken bones or even the loss of limbs.
• Burns: In some instances, a motorcyclist involved in a collision where they encounter the engine parts can obtain 2^nd or 3^rd degree burns.
• Soft tissue injuries: A motorcyclist can deal with ongoing pain from injuries to the muscles, tendons, or ligaments. This can include sprains or strains.
• Internal injuries: A motorcyclist who is thrown off their bike or caught under another vehicle could obtain internal injuries to important organs such as the kidneys, lungs, or intestines.
• Neck and spine injuries: Head and neck injuries can easily happen when a motorcyclist is hit by another vehicle or gets thrown off their bike. This can include paralysis, herniated discs, or a cracked vertebra.

Keep in mind that these are just several examples of potential injuries. If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident and the injury isn’t listed above, still contact Morrin Law to discuss your options.

Kentucky Motorcycle Crash Data

Based on the information gathered in the 2022 Traffic Collision Facts, there were 196,260 motor vehicle collisions in Kentucky that year. Out of those, there were 1,619 motorcycles involved in the accidents.

The following data reflects recent statistics on motorcycle collisions in Kentucky:

• There were 98 motorcycles involved in fatal collisions;
• Motorcycle collisions represented 8% of vehicles in fatal collisions;
• There were 1,004 motorcycles involved in injury collisions;
• There were 1,198 total persons injured in motorcycle collisions;
• 96 people were killed in collisions involving motorcycles;
• There were 62 people killed where helmets were not used, and 33 people killed where helmets were used; and
• There were 577 people injured where helmets were not used, and 543 people injured where helmets were used.

Additionally, we’ve gathered the top 10 contributing factors for Kentucky motorcycle collisions in 2022:

To view the full 2022 annual report, click here.

What To Do After Being in a Motorcycle Accident in Kentucky

No one intends to be involved in a roadway collision. However, it’s important to know the steps you should take. This is especially important if you were injured in an accident and are seeking compensation through a personal injury claim.

Follow these steps after a motorcycle accident in Kentucky:

1. Seek medical attention – After any collision in Kentucky, seek medical attention. This is crucial even if you feel like your injuries are minor. In some instances, you may not feel the full extent of the injury due to shock from the collision. In any case, it is essential to receive immediate medical evaluation. This will also help document the evidence for a personal injury claim.
2. Contact the police – Having a police officer respond to a collision is important for several reasons. First, the officer can examine the crash scene, speak to both drivers and any witnesses to determine the cause of the crash. Additionally, Kentucky law requires a collision report to be filed. If a police officer did not respond to your motorcycle accident, you have 10 days to fill out a civilian collision report.
3. Document evidence from the crash site – It can immensely help to collect evidence from the scene of the crash. Taking documentation of the crash scene, any property damage, collecting witness statements, getting the other person’s insurance, phone number, address, and vehicle information can all significantly help in a personal injury claim.
4. Notify the insurance company – The insurance company should be notified of the accident and any resulting damages. In some cases, insurers may not settle a claim if it is reported outside a certain time frame. So, it’s important that you or a personal injury attorney contact them in a timely manner.
5. Contact Morrin Law – Securing the right legal representation after a car collision is paramount to a successful claim. Contact Morrin Law’s personal injury attorneys experienced in motorcycle accidents to discuss your options during a free case evaluation.

Motorcycle Accidents & Wrongful Death Claims

Due to the smaller size and lack of protection motorcyclists have on the road, they are considered 24 times more likely to die in a traffic collision than a standard vehicle. According to NHTSA’s overview of motorcycle accidents, motorcyclists accounted for 14% of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities in 2021. This is despite motorcycles only making up 3.5% of all registered motor vehicles.

When a person perishes due to an unforeseen collision, a wrongful death claim can be filed on their behalf. In the state of Kentucky, only a court-appointed representative of the deceased person’s estate is eligible to file a wrongful death claim. This usually includes the immediate family members, such as a parent, spouse, or adult children.

To initiate a wrongful death claim, you will need to identify the estate administrator or the personal representative of the deceased’s estate. This person is responsible for managing the estate and representing the family throughout the wrongful death claim.

The representative, with the help of an experienced wrongful death attorney, will need to establish that the death was caused by another person’s negligence or recklessness. A wrongful death attorney with Morrin Law can help you prove the financial impact the wrongful death has had on the remaining family members.

How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim for a Motorcycle Accident?

For most civil matters, there is a time limit on how long you can pursue compensation. Kentucky’s Statute of Limitations on filing a claim for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident provides individuals with two years from the date of the accident or last PIP payment to do so. This includes motorcycle accidents.

If you are considering seeking compensation through a personal injury claim, you should be very aware of this time frame. Any attorney will tell you that the worst thing you can do for your case is wait to file. This is because it becomes more difficult to gather evidence, speak to witnesses, or have other important documents in a timely manner. If you attempt to file outside of the statute of limitations or do not have all the required information in time, your case could get barred, meaning you’d lose out on potential compensation. At Morrin Law, we understand the difficulties your injuries are causing you and will do everything we can to win you the compensation you deserve. Take the initiative today by contacting our team for a free cases evaluation.