Columbia, MO Motorcycle Accident Attorney

What does the process of filing & fighting a motorcycle crash case look like for Columbia, MO injury & wrongful death victims?

Every case will be unique, but there are essential steps that must be followed in order to maximize the recovery for Columbia motorcycle injury and wrongful death victims. Once you commit to working with an attorney, they will begin to investigate the circumstances surrounding your motorcycle crash. They will review any available video footage of the accident, obtain witness statements, speak with expert witnesses such as medical professionals or crash investigators, examine medical records, order hospital bills, prepare future care plans, and more. With the evidence to support both the liability of the crash and your resulting damages in hand, your lawyer will then submit a demand for settlement to the at-fault party’s insurance company. In the best of circumstances, the at-fault party’s insurance company will accept your settlement demand and your case will be resolved quickly for the maximum amount of compensation available for your claim. More often than not, however, reaching a fair and full settlement will take time, including back-and-forth negotiations and possibly even taking the at-fault party to court.

When the at-fault party’s insurance company fails to offer fair and full compensation for all of your damages, your motorcycle attorney should not be afraid to file a lawsuit and litigate your case. Fighting a personal injury or wrongful death claim in the Boone County court system will begin with a discovery phase, where both parties exchange relevant information to understand each other’s arguments and to build their respective cases. Once the discovery phase is complete, mediation often occurs, in which both parties agree to attempt to resolve the claim via settlement with the help of a third-party neutral (i.e., a “mediator”). During mediation, the mediator will listen to both sides’ positions and help facilitate dialogue and negotiations between the parties in order to hopefully reach a settlement agreement. It’s important to note, though, that the mediator will not have authority to force a settlement and both parties are free to walk away at any point. 

If mediation fails, the lawsuit may proceed to trial, where a judge or jury will determine the outcome of the case (including how much money you are entitled to). While many attorneys may prefer to just settle your case out of court to lighten their caseload and earn a quick payday, EC Duckworth does not shy away from litigation. Instead, he takes an aggressive approach to motorcycle accident lawsuits, working tirelessly for his clients until he has exhausted every avenue for pursuing your full damages.

Families like yours deserve a relentless motorcycle accident attorney who won’t settle when it’s convenient for them. Choose Duckworth Injury Law, a personal injury law firm committed to taking your case as far as it takes to win you the compensation you so rightfully deserve. Contact us today for your free case review to get the process started.

Learn about the risks of motorcycle accidents in Columbia, MO & the legal rights available to victims

In comparison to drivers of automobiles, Columbia, MO motorcyclists face an increased risk of injury or death while riding on Stadium Boulevard, Providence Road, I-70, and other local roads and highways. While many motorcycle crashes are simply unavoidable for the motorcycle driver (due to negligence of the auto driver), bikers can take measures to reduce the likelihood of crashes and to mitigate the injuries sustained if a crash does occur. 

When it comes to reducing the likelihood of a crash, motorcycle drivers should drive at an appropriate speed for the conditions, keep their eyes focused on their surroundings, keep a safe distance from other vehicles, and should anticipate the actions of other drivers (even anticipating that other drivers may make careless decisions around them). 

In mitigating the injuries sustained if a crash does occur, wearing proper safety gear, such as a helmet and protective gear, can often help. In 2020, the Missouri State Legislature voted to allow motorcycle riders over the age of 26 to ride without a helmet, provided they carry motorcycle insurance. As a result, the number of motorcycle fatalities among riders not wearing helmets rose from 11 in 2019 to 73 in 2023. Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by 69% and the risk of death by 42%, but helmets cannot fully protect motorcyclists from other drivers or unsafe road conditions. Intoxicated or distracted drivers and construction zones pose a major threat to motorcyclists in Columbia. 

Reducing the risk of a motorcycle accidents and mitigating the severity of motorcycle accident injuries is essential for anyone who rides or is a passenger on a motorcycle in Columbia. However, despite riders’ best efforts at operating their bikes safely, motorcycle accidents still happen far too often. For those injured or killed in a motorcycle crash, it is equally important that motorcycle accident victims and their families understand their legal rights and the limitations of a motorcycle accident personal injury case.

Learn more about the compensation that may be available to you after a serious motorcycle accident, and contact Duckworth Injury Law for a free, no-obligation case review. Taking this first step is key to securing your maximum compensation.