Mississippi Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Fighting For Motorcycle Accident Victims

If you have suffered catastrophic injuries in a motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault, you should not wait to get legal advice. You may be able to file a personal injury claim against the responsible party and pursue compensation for your losses, including medical bills, property damage, and lost income from missed work.

At Stroud, Flechas & Dalton, we make it our mission to provide large-firm results with small-firm dedication. We are here to advocate for motorcycle accident victims and have been doing so for over 25 years. Having secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts, our firm’s results speak for themselves. Our team recognizes the pain and stress you are no doubt experiencing in the wake of a motorcycle collision and can provide compassionate, solutions-driven support throughout each stage of the legal process.

Why Choose Us?

When you trust us to work on your motorcycle accident case, our attorneys can:

• Investigate the circumstances of your accident, gathering evidence like police reports, witness statements, and accident scene photos and videos
• Identify all potentially liable parties, whether it’s a negligent driver or the manufacturer of a defective motorcycle part
• Build a strong legal case to support your compensation claim and calculate your past, present, and future losses to accurately estimate a fair settlement value 
• Manage negotiations over your settlement with insurance adjusters to get a fair amount to compensate you for your medical bills, lost paychecks, and other damages
• If necessary, represent you in court and fight for the best possible outcome

Our team is available to speak 24/7, so call (662) 371-6580 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our motorcycle accident lawyers in Mississippi. If you can’t travel to our office, we can meet with you virtually. 

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident on any Mississippi roadway, your actions immediately after the crash can significantly affect your recovery and legal options. First, ensure your safety and the safety of others. Move out of traffic if it is safe, then call 911 to report the accident, even if it seems minor. Emergency responders will document injuries and prepare an official accident report.

After help arrives, exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver. Keep your conversation limited to what is necessary. Take pictures of the accident scene, your motorcycle, and your visible injuries if possible. If weather, poor road surfaces, or other hazards contributed—such as storms or gravel in rural parts of Mississippi—be sure to document them. Get contact information from witnesses and provide a factual account to law enforcement without speculating about fault.

Before you leave, make sure you know which agency completed the accident report. Different counties and cities in Mississippi have their own requirements for requesting a copy. By collecting this information quickly and getting prompt medical attention, you support your recovery, preserve evidence, and protect your rights.

How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Mississippi?

In Mississippi, you generally have three years from the date of a motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This three-year period is known as the statute of limitations. If you do not file your lawsuit within this timeframe, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation, regardless of how strong your claim might be.

If your loved one suffered fatal injuries in a motorcycle wreck, eligible family members or their estate’s personal representative have three years from the date they passed away to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Keep in mind that the date they passed away may not necessarily be the same date as the accident.

Even though you have several years to file a lawsuit, contacting an attorney immediately after a motorcycle crash is in your best interest. The sooner you get in touch with our team at Stroud, Flechas & Dalton, the sooner we can start investigating, preserving evidence, and building your case.

Types of Compensation Available in Motorcycle Accident Cases

In a Mississippi motorcycle accident case, you can seek both economic and non-economic damages to recover compensation for the harm you have experienced. Economic damages are financial losses you have suffered directly because of the motorcycle collision. They are objectively quantifiable, and you can prove them with bills, receipts, and other financial records. 

Non-economic damages are subjective, non-monetary losses that affect your quality of life. They are designed to compensate you for the intangible suffering and hardship caused by the accident.

Our attorneys at Stroud, Flechas & Dalton can fight to secure just compensation for all economic and non-economic damages, including:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning potential
• Property damage
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Pain and suffering

Courts may award punitive damages in a Mississippi motorcycle accident case only under very specific circumstances.Unlike economic and non-economic damages, which are specifically meant to compensate the injured party, punitive damages aim to punish the at-fault party for deliberately malicious or grossly negligent conduct and to deter them and others from similar behavior in the future. 

Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents

To recover compensation in a motorcycle accident case, you must be able to establish that another party (often a driver) acted negligently and that their negligence directly caused your injuries. Negligence occurs when someone’s failure to exercise the reasonable care that a prudent person would under similar circumstances leads to harm.

You should discuss your rights and legal options with our Mississippi motorcycle accident lawyers if you suffered injuries in a crash caused by any negligent driver behavior, including:

• Failure to yield the right-of-way. Drivers often fail to see motorcycles or misjudge their speed and distance, leading them to turn left in front of an oncoming motorcycle, pull out from a stop sign or side street into a motorcyclist's path, or fail to yield when merging. Drivers frequently claim they "did not see" the motorcycle, but this does not excuse their failure to yield.
• Distracted driving. Drivers who divert their attention from the road pose a significant threat to motorcyclists. This includes texting, talking on a cell phone, eating, adjusting GPS devices, interacting with passengers, or focusing on anything other than driving. A distracted driver may drift into a motorcyclist's lane, fail to notice a motorcycle slowing down or stopping, or simply not perceive a motorcycle in their blind spot before making a lane change.
• Driving under the influence (DUI). Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs severely impairs a driver's judgment, reaction time, vision, and ability to process information. Impaired drivers may weave across lanes, follow too closely, disregard traffic signals, or fall asleep at the wheel, all of which create extremely dangerous situations for motorcyclists and others on the road.
• Speeding. Exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for conditions (such as rain, fog, or heavy traffic) reduces a driver's reaction time and increases the distance required to stop. When a driver speeds, they have less time to react to a motorcycle, especially one that might be smaller and harder to see.
• Reckless driving. This includes a wide range of dangerous behaviors, including tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, illegally passing, or attempting to intimidate other drivers. Aggressive drivers often drive erratically and unpredictably, making it difficult for motorcyclists to anticipate their actions and avoid collisions.
• Following too closely (tailgating). Drivers who follow motorcycles too closely reduce the reaction time available to both parties. If the motorcyclist needs to brake suddenly, the tailgating driver may not have enough space or time to react, leading to a rear-end collision. This is especially dangerous for motorcyclists, who lack the protective cage of a car.
• Disregarding traffic signals. Running red lights, ignoring stop signs, or failing to obey yield signs are clear acts of negligence. Such actions can lead to devastating T-bone or head-on collisions with motorcyclists who are lawfully proceeding through an intersection.
• Dooring. This specific type of negligence occurs when a driver or passenger opens a vehicle door into the path of an oncoming motorcycle or other vehicle. Drivers have a duty to look for approaching traffic, including motorcycles, before opening their doors. Failure to do so can cause a motorcyclist to collide with the suddenly opened door.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcycle accidents can lead to lifelong complications. Motorcyclists face a significantly higher risk of catastrophic injuries in collisions compared to occupants of cars or trucks primarily due to a lack of external protection. Unlike other vehicles, motorcycles do not offer an enclosed metal frame, airbags, or seatbelts to absorb impact forces or restrain the rider. When a collision occurs, motorcyclists are directly exposed to the road and other vehicles, often resulting in them being thrown from the bikes.

Motorcycle collisions can cause many types of serious injuries, including: 

• Road rash. This prevalent injury involves skin abrasions caused by contact with the pavement during a crash. While seemingly minor, severe road rash can lead to infections, nerve damage, and significant scarring. 
• Bone fractures. Motorcyclists often suffer femur, forearm, shin, and pelvis fractures in crashes. 
• Foot and leg injuries. The legs and feet are particularly vulnerable in motorcycle accidents.
• Head and neck injuries. Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBI), can happen even if the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet. TBIs can have devastating consequences, including brain damage, paralysis, and even death.
• Spinal cord injuries. The spine can suffer significant strain or damage in motorcycle accidents that can result in chronic pain, paralysis, and permanent disability.
• Abdominal injuries. These can include internal organ damage, such as lung lacerations and rib fractures, as well as serious injuries to the heart and blood vessels. 
• Hand and arm injuries. Motorcyclists frequently use their hands, wrists, and arms to brace for impact during a collision, but this natural instinct can cause injuries. The term “Biker’s Arm” refers to a common type of nerve damage that can occur when the motorcycle falls on the rider’s arm. 
• Burn injuries. Fuel spills during a crash can cause severe burns that require extensive medical treatment, including skin grafts.
• Muscle injuries. Road rash and back injuries can cause significant muscle damage.

FAQs

Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault for the motorcycle accident?

Yes, Mississippi uses pure comparative negligence. You can still recover damages, but your compensation will decrease by your percentage of fault for the accident.

Does Mississippi require motorcycle riders to carry insurance?

Yes. Every motorcycle rider must carry liability insurance that meets Mississippi's minimum coverage. If you do not have insurance, you may face limits on the damages you can recover.

What if the other driver leaves the scene of my motorcycle accident?

If the other driver leaves the scene, report the accident to local law enforcement right away. Collect witness information or vehicle details if you can. These details may help with the investigation and your uninsured motorist claim.

Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Mississippi Today

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a motorcycle accident, our Mississippi motorcycle accident lawyers are ready to help. We understand the specific challenges motorcycle riders face and are dedicated to defending your legal rights while fighting for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a consultation and let us put our experience to work for you so you can focus on your healing and moving forward.

You can still seek compensation if you were not wearing a helmet when the motorcycle wreck that injured you occurred. Call (662) 371-6580 or contact us online to discuss your case and options with our Mississippi motorcycle accident attorneys.