Attorney at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Vaccine Injuries
Low-speed motorcycle crashes are often brushed off as “minor,” especially when there’s no immediate visible damage or injury. You may be asking yourself if it’s worth it to talk to a lawyer even if it wasn’t a high-speed accident. Unlike the visible trauma you see in high-speed accidents, the types of injuries people suffer from after a low-speed motorcycle crash may take a while to appear. Many people don’t realize that a collision at 20 mph can still leave them with costly medical bills, nagging injuries, and a frustrating back-and-forth with the insurance company.
If you’ve been involved in a low-speed motorcycle accident, it is worth learning about your legal options. It doesn’t hurt to understand the workings of low-speed accidents, liability in accidents like yours, and if and when it may be worth contacting a Tulsa motorcycle accident attorney.
A low-speed motorcycle accident typically occurs at speeds under 25 mph. These types of crashes often happen in parking lots, residential neighborhoods, or while slowing down at intersections.
These aren’t the crash and burn horror stories; oftentimes, riders don’t experience total bike destruction at all. Low-speed crashes come with different types of injuries, but even these less severe injuries can impact your life. Without the protection of a vehicle frame, even a “small” fall can lead to bruises, road rash, fractured wrists, or concussions.
Many riders believe that if the crash seemed minor, there’s no need for legal help. But that assumption can backfire. Here’s why:
Some injuries like whiplash or head trauma don’t show symptoms immediately. Many of these slow-to-show injuries are soft-tissue injuries. You may walk away feeling fine, only to wake up the next day with stiffness, dizziness, or nerve pain.
Another common belief is that insurance will take care of everything. But insurers often minimize payouts in these situations, using language like “low impact” or “no visible damage” to argue against your claim. Low-speed motorcycle accidents can cause not just physical injury to you, but also your bike. When it comes to your physical health, having medical documentation connecting your injuries to the accident matters.
You want to treat your bike like your body. Bring her to your mechanic as soon as possible to document any damage that isn’t seen on the surface.
Insurance adjusters may try to convince you that your injuries are not severe or that legal help isn’t necessary. Their goal? Settle the claim quickly and for as little as possible. But they aren’t medical professionals or experienced motorcycle mechanics – they work for the insurance company’s bottom line.
When you’ve been in a low-speed motorcycle accident, you can expect the claims adjuster to downplay the impact of the accident, including:
They may also delay your claim or suggest shared fault, even in simple scenarios. This is especially true in Oklahoma, where comparative negligence laws come into play.
Your crash seems simple, and you’re not asking for a million-dollar payout. Why is your insurance company fighting so hard against you?
Unfortunately, even a minor crash can become legally complicated, particularly when:
Oklahoma’s legal framework makes these cases even trickier. If the fault is disputed even partially, your compensation could be reduced or denied entirely. That’s when a lawyer can step in to protect your side of the story.
Oklahoma law explains how liability is distributed after a motorcycle crash. In Oklahoma, the comparative negligence rule is followed; this simply means that if you’re 51% or more at fault, you cannot receive compensation.
Things that can impact your fault contribution can be if you were violating Oklahoma law requiring motorcyclists to wear a helmet, if you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or if you were driving recklessly. Wearing a helmet strengthens your case, but not wearing one doesn’t automatically bar compensation. Oklahoma law factors in fault, not helmet usage alone.
When you’ve had an accident, the police report may give clues to your part in an accident, but you won’t be able to refer to it to see if you’re 28, 58, or 78 percent at fault. Insurance companies are the ones to determine the percentage of fault, but you don’t have to take their word for it.
An attorney experienced in low-speed motorcycle cases can review the facts of your case and see if the insurance company is way off and just trying to deny you compensation.
In Oklahoma, you have 2 years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Two years can go by quickly, and keeping track of the time may not be a priority, but missing this deadline can cost you your case.
In a low-speed crash, legal help isn’t just about filing paperwork; it’s about protecting your rights from the start. When you hire a qualified personal injury attorney, they’ll begin by investigating the accident thoroughly. That includes reviewing video footage, photo evidence, analyzing the crash scene, gathering weather or road condition reports, reviewing police reports, parsing through medical documents, and speaking to witnesses if needed. Especially if there is a delay in your symptoms, a lawyer will work to make your medical records show the impact of the crash.
You have the right to legal counsel, and no one should be telling you otherwise. Insurers often prefer unrepresented claimants, they put up less of a fight and they don’t know the tips and tricks to negotiate a fair settlement. Without representation, you may be pressured into accepting less than you deserve.
It’s still possible to pursue a claim even if you didn’t seek immediate medical attention. Many injuries surface hours or days later; the important thing is to seek medical attention as symptoms arise. Medical documentation, even if delayed, can support your case.
A low-speed motorcycle crash in Tulsa might not seem serious at first, but even minor collisions can leave lasting effects. Delayed injuries, unclear faults, and uncooperative insurance adjusters often turn what looks like a simple case into a complex one.
Oklahoma law doesn’t give you unlimited time or second chances. Whether you’re dealing with mounting medical bills, a damaged bike, or just questions about what comes next, it’s worth knowing where you stand before signing anything or settling too quickly.
Graves McLain Injury Lawyers can answer any questions you may have about the personal injury claim process. Schedule a free consultation today so we can help you understand your options after a motorcycle crash.
When injury victims need a law firm with a reputation for excellence, turn to Graves McLain Injury Lawyers. We are a top-rated personal injury firm determined to be the best. With decades of award-winning representation, our clients recover the compensation they need to put their lives back together.