If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, a Liberty motorcycle accident lawyer is here to provide the support and legal guidance you need. At Empower Injury Law, we understand just how overwhelming these accidents can be, leaving you with serious injuries, medical bills, and uncertainty about the future.
Our team will help you pursue the compensation you deserve, allowing you to focus on your recovery. Contact Empower Injury Law today for a free consultation.
HOW CAN A LIBERTY MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER HELP YOU?
At Empower Injury Law, we’re more than just your legal team, we’re your neighbors, right here in Liberty, Missouri . We care deeply about helping motorcycle accident victims and their families because we know how life-changing these events can be.
You’re not just another case to us; you’re part of our community, and we’re committed to supporting you every step of the way.
Comprehensive Case Evaluation: We meticulously examine all aspects of your case, including police reports, medical records, and witness statements, to create a solid foundation for your claim.
Witness Interviews: We interview key witnesses to gather valuable information to strengthen your case.
Collaboration with Experts: We partner with experts to investigate the cause of the accident and consult with medical professionals to accurately evaluate the extent of your injuries.
In-Depth Insurance Review: We carefully review your insurance policies to uncover every possible source of compensation.
Skilled Negotiation with Insurers: We handle all negotiations with insurance companies to ensure any settlement offer fully reflects your financial and emotional losses.
Trial Advocacy: If we cannot reach a fair settlement, we will take your case to court and advocate for the justice you deserve.
HEAR FROM OUR SATISFIED CLIENTS
“Kevin helped me out tremendously when I was injured after a wreck. I interviewed with several attorneys before making a decision, and I am beyond grateful that I chose Kevin to represent me. He put in so much work to ensure we had the best outcome possible. I would recommend his services to anyone in need of legal representation.”
–Hayley
“Kevin was wonderful to have in my corner after I got in a car accident where several others had also been involved. He was very professional as well as prompt in giving updates on further developments and what is available for compensation regarding my physical injury, as well as settlement costs and other factors. As I am going through school at the moment, he has made things go a lot smoother for me during this transition. I am very grateful for the final results of our settlement and I highly recommend his firm if you are looking for an attorney that truly cares about giving you the best possible outcome for your case.”
–Chelsea
MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT CASES WE HANDLE
Motorcycle accidents can have devastating consequences, and the number of motorcycle crashes in Missouri is alarming. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, 82% of 2023 motorcycle crashes resulted in injury or death.
At Empower Injury Law, we handle a wide range of Liberty motorcycle accident claims:
Motorcycle accidents in Liberty can result from various circumstances, many of which are preventable. Understanding the common causes of motorcycle accidents helps both riders and drivers stay alert and reduce the risk of serious crashes.
Distracted Riding/Driving: Both motorcyclists and other drivers may become distracted by phones, navigation systems, or other activities, increasing the risk of collisions.
Speeding: Speeding limits a rider’s ability to react to road hazards or sudden stops, making it harder to avoid accidents. The Missouri Department of Transportation reports that 38% of motorcycle drivers killed were speeding.
Inexperienced/Unlicensed Riders: Riders who lack proper training or experience are more prone to making mistakes or failing to react appropriately in dangerous situations. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, 35% of motorcycle drivers killed were either unlicensed or improperly licensed.
Impaired Riding/Driving: Operating a motorcycle or vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly raises the likelihood of accidents due to reduced reaction time and impaired judgment. Twenty-four percent of motorcycle drivers killed were substance-impaired, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation.
Unsafe Road Conditions: Poorly maintained roads, potholes, loose gravel, and debris can cause motorcyclists to lose control more easily than larger vehicles. In Missouri, rapidly changing weather conditions like ice, snow, and rain can make roads especially dangerous for motorcyclists.
Defective Motorcycle Parts: Faulty brakes, tires, or other mechanical issues can lead to accidents, often resulting from improper maintenance or manufacturing defects.
At Empower Injury Law, we identify the cause of your motorcycle accident and work tirelessly to hold the responsible party accountable, ensuring you get the compensation you deserve.
COMMON MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT INJURIES
Motorcycle accidents frequently cause severe injuries because riders lack the protection that vehicles provide. Here are some of the most common injuries motorcyclists face:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Spinal Cord Injuries
Broken Bones
Amputations
Road Rash
Internal Injuries
Burns
If you’re involved in a motorcycle crash, seek immediate medical attention and consult a Liberty motorcycle accident lawyer to explore compensation options.
COMPENSATION FOR MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT VICTIMS
After a motorcycle accident, you may qualify for economic and non-economic compensation. These damages help cover the financial and emotional costs of your injuries.
ECONOMIC DAMAGES
Economic damages cover the tangible financial losses you experience due to the accident, including:
Medical Expenses: This includes costs for surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, and any ongoing treatments you may need in the future.
Lost Wages and Future Earnings: If your injuries keep you from working, you can claim compensation for lost income and any future earnings you may lose due to long-term recovery or disability.
Property Damage: You can receive compensation for repairs or replacement of your motorcycle and any personal belongings damaged in the accident.
NON-ECONOMIC DAMAGES
Non-economic damages address the emotional and psychological effects of the accident, which may include:
Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.
Emotional Distress: Serious accidents can leave victims with lasting anxiety, depression, or PTSD, and we will factor these into your claim.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries prevent you from participating in activities you once enjoyed, you may be entitled to compensation for this diminished quality of life.
Loss of Consortium: If your injuries affect your relationship with your spouse, you may qualify for compensation for lost companionship.
PUNITIVE DAMAGES
Courts award punitive damages in motorcycle accident cases when the at-fault party’s behavior is especially reckless or malicious. Unlike compensatory damages, which cover your losses, punitive damages aim to punish the responsible party and prevent similar conduct. These damages may apply to cases involving driving under the influence, reckless driving, or intentional harm.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage for Liberty motorcyclists
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage both come from your own motorcycle policy.
A motorcycle gives you nothing to absorb a collision. There is no crumple zone, no frame around you, no airbag, so the same impact that dents a car can break bones or worse for a rider. The medical bills climb fast, and the driver who caused the crash frequently carries only Missouri’s minimum liability limits or, too often, no insurance at all. That gap is where your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage comes in, and for riders in Liberty, Gladstone, Kearney, and the rest of Clay County it is often the difference between a real recovery and a stack of unpaid bills.
What uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage are
Uninsured motorist coverage pays when the driver who hit you had no insurance, or cannot be identified at all, which includes a hit-and-run. Underinsured motorist coverage applies to the other common situation: the at-fault driver carried insurance, but not enough to cover what your injuries truly cost. Both coverages sit on your own policy and step in where the other driver’s coverage runs out or never existed.
When a motorcyclist is hit by an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver
A UM or UIM claim is a claim against your own insurance company, not the other driver’s. That surprises a lot of riders, because it means you may be dealing with your own carrier after a crash you did not cause. You may be able to look to the coverage on your motorcycle policy and, depending on how the policies are written, to other auto policies in your household as well. A hit-and-run where no one can identify the driver is the classic uninsured motorist situation. In Missouri, that coverage can apply to an unidentified driver even when there was no physical contact between the vehicles.
Why reviewing every available policy matters
The size of a motorcycle claim often turns on how many coverages apply, not on the facts of the crash alone. Finding every applicable UM and UIM policy across your coverage, and stacking those limits where Missouri law allows it, is frequently what moves a claim from a lowball offer to a figure that reflects the injury. We do this review at the start of a case, because the coverage you find in the first weeks shapes everything that follows. Our Missouri uninsured and underinsured motorist claims page walks through how stacking and setoff work in detail.
If you were hit on a motorcycle by an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver in the Northland, our standalone guide to Missouri UM/UIM claims explains the full process. For a free consultation about your own coverage, call our Liberty office at 816-367-6937.
HOW MUCH IS MY MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT CASE WORTH?
Wondering about the value of your motorcycle accident case? Watch this video to discover the factors that affect your potential compensation.
MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT SETTLEMENT: CLIENT SUCCESS STORY
$2,000,000 Motorcycle Accident Settlement
Our client was injured in a motorcycle accident when another car crashed into him at an intersection. He suffered a serious brain injury that left him permanently disabled.
At first, the insurance company told his family there was only $100,000 in coverage to pay for his medical bills and replace his income for his family. However, our investigation revealed additional insurance coverages that provided him and his family with much-needed financial resources.
Now, he doesn’t have to worry about taking care of his family while he continues to regain his health.
Those additional policies were uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage that the initial adjuster never accounted for, which is why reviewing every available policy early is so often what separates a $100,000 opening offer from the full value of a claim.
PROVING NEGLIGENCE IN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT CASES
To prove negligence in a motorcycle accident case, a motorcycle accident attorney must establish four key elements:
Duty: Everyone has a legal responsibility to act safely to avoid harming others. For example, drivers must stop at red lights to protect other road users, including motorcyclists.
Breach of Duty: When someone fails to meet this responsibility, it’s a breach of duty. For example, if a driver runs a red light, they’ve breached their duty to stop.
Causation: This connects the breach to the accident. If a driver runs the red light and hits a motorcyclist who had the right of way, the driver’s actions cause the crash.
Damages: These are the injuries or losses suffered as a result. The motorcyclist might suffer broken bones, require surgery, or miss work due to the accident.
MISSOURI’S MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWS
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
In Missouri, you have five years from the date of a motorcycle accident to file a lawsuit.
For wrongful death cases related to motorcycle accidents, the statute of limitations is shorter, at three years.
If a defective or unsafe road maintained by a government entity contributed to the accident, you must notify the government within 90 days of your injury.
Missing these deadlines could mean losing your right to seek compensation. Contact the motorcycle accident lawyers at Empower Injury Law to file your claim on time and meet all legal requirements.
COMPARATIVE FAULT
Missouri follows a pure comparative fault rule in motorcycle accident cases. This means that even if you are partially responsible for the accident, you can still seek compensation. However, the percentage of fault assigned to you will reduce your total compensation.
For example, if you’re found 20% at fault and awarded $100,000 in damages, your compensation will be reduced to $80,000.
MANDATORY INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
Missouri law mandates that all motorcyclists carry liability insurance with the following minimum coverage:
$25,000 for bodily injury per person
$50,000 for bodily injury per accident
$25,000 for property damage
Ensure your policy complies with these limits to stay protected on the road.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage requirements
Under RSMo 379.203, Missouri requires every auto liability policy to include uninsured motorist coverage, at minimum limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, tied to the liability figures in RSMo 303.030. Underinsured motorist coverage is not mandatory in Missouri, so a rider has to purchase it to carry it. How much of either coverage you carry is one of the first things we check after a crash, and our Missouri UM/UIM page covers the requirements in full.
MISSOURI MOTORCYCLE HELMET LAW
Missouri’s helmet law varies based on age and insurance. If you’re under 26, wearing a helmet is required by law. Riders 26 and older can choose to forgo a helmet, but only if they have health insurance that covers medical benefits for motorcycle accident injuries.
Regardless of the law, wearing a helmet is strongly recommended for all riders, as it greatly reduces the risk of serious head injuries. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, wearing a helmet reduces the risk of fatal injury by 37%.
WHAT TO DO AFTER A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT IN LIBERTY, MO
If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident in Liberty, MO, this video explains why the steps you take afterward are important and how they can affect the outcome of your case.
HOW MUCH DOES A LIBERTY MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER COST?
At Empower Injury Law, we believe everyone deserves access to high-quality legal representation, especially after a life-changing motorcycle accident. Worried about legal fees? Here’s what you can expect when you work with us:
No Upfront Fees
When you hire a personal injury lawyer at Empower Injury Law, you won’t have to worry about paying any fees upfront. We understand that finances can be tight after an accident, and we’re here to help, not add more stress.
Pay Only If We Win
Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay us if we win your case.
If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing. This approach guarantees our full commitment to securing your best possible outcome.
Transparent and Clear Terms
We believe in clear communication. From the beginning, we’ll explain our fee structure in detail so there are no surprises down the road. Empower Injury Law is committed to transparency and ensuring you fully understand the process.
Frequently asked questions about motorcycle uninsured and underinsured motorist claims
What if the driver who hit my motorcycle in Liberty had no insurance?
If the at-fault driver had no insurance, you would generally look to the uninsured motorist coverage on your own policy, which exists for exactly this situation and pays for injuries the other driver cannot. Our guide to Missouri uninsured and underinsured motorist claims explains how the claim works, and you can call our Liberty office at 816-367-6937 to have your coverage reviewed.
Does my motorcycle insurance cover a hit-and-run in Missouri?
A hit-and-run is one of the clearest uninsured motorist situations, because the driver who caused the crash cannot be identified, so you turn to the UM coverage on your own policy. In Missouri, that coverage can apply even when there was no physical contact with the other vehicle. See our Missouri UM/UIM page for the details, or call 816-367-6937.
CONTACT A LIBERTY MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER TODAY
If you’re injured in a motorcycle accident, it’s important to have an advocate who understands the unique challenges motorcyclists face.
Insurance companies often treat motorcycle accident victims differently, trying to minimize or deny claims. They may argue that riders assume the risk by being on the road, but at Empower Injury Law, we know this is unfair.
We’re here to stand up to the insurance companies and secure the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation, or call (816) 892-9909.
