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Gulfport Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

While no form of transportation can be more exciting than a motorcycle, motorcycle riding comes at serious risk.  Motorcycle accidents have devastating effects on both motorcycle riders and their families.  If a reckless driver injured you or killed your loved one in a motorcycle accident, the attorneys at Haug, Farrar & Franco, PLLC can help you protect your legal rights. Call us today at (228) 872-8752.

At Haug, Farrar & Franco, PLLC, we fight to get motorcycle riders and their families the compensation they need to move forward with their lives and find closure after a severe motorcycle crash.  Our motorcycle accident attorneys are:

  • Compassionate and empathetic;
  • Focused and driven; and
  • Honest and responsive.

Call Haug, Farrar & Franco, PLLC, today and schedule your no-obligation consultation today.  We will provide you with the individual attention and legal guidance you need.

Motorcycle Accident Resources

Let Our Experienced Gulfport Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Help

It is imperative to have an experienced legal team on your side when facing any insurance company.  Insurance companies attempt to settle with injured victims as quickly and inexpensively as possible and prefer that you do not retain the services of an experienced motorcycle accident attorney like ours at Haug, Farrar & Franco, PLLC.

At Haug, Farrar & Franco, PLLC, we work tirelessly to do the following on your behalf:

  • Build your claim for compensation;
  • Avoid unnecessary delays in a settlement; and
  • Present a strong and persuasive case in court when needed.

When dealing with an insurance company, never sign any documents, accept any settlement, or make any recorded statements without first speaking to one of our motorcycle accident attorneys.  You could inadvertently admit guilt or sign away any right to further compensation for your motorcycle accident injuries.

Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Gulfport

Recent data named Mississippi the most dangerous state in the United States for motorcyclists.  In 2020, Mississippi lost more than fourteen people per every ten thousand registered motorcycles.  Motorcycles afford their riders little protection in the event of an accident.  Even minor collisions with cars or trucks can result in the death of a motorcyclist.

Some of the most common causes of Gulfport motorcycle crashes include:

  • Speeding;
  • Tailgating;
  • Distracted driving;
  • Failure to yield;
  • Failure to stop;
  • Unsafe lane changes;
  • Improper passing;
  • Improper turns; and
  • Crossing the centerline

Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Gulfport

A study by the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration found that most fatal and incapacitating motorcycle accident injuries occur when the crash impact is at the front of the motorcycle.  Regardless of the impact location, a motorcycle accident can injure a rider at any point on their body, causing the following:

What to Do if You Are in a Gulfport Motorcycle Accident

If you are in a motorcycle accident, you can do things to protect your legal rights and ensure you receive appropriate healthcare. These include:

  • Reporting the accident to your insurance company;
  • Not speaking with the other insurance company;
  • Not offering any statements or opinions as to guilt;
  • Getting a copy of the police report detailing your motorcycle accident;
  • Collecting your insurance paperwork; and
  • Calling an experienced Gulfport motorcycle accident attorney.

Potential Liable Parties in a Gulfport Motorcycle Accident

Several parties could potentially be held liable in a motorcycle accident in Gulfport:

Another Driver: If another driver involved in the crash was breaking traffic laws or driving negligently, they might bear full or partial liability for the accident.

A Driver’s Employer: In some cases where a commercial vehicle is involved, you can hold the driver’s employer responsible.

The Manufacturer of Bike or Parts: If mechanical failure or defective parts influenced the crash, it may be possible to hold the manufacturer liable. For example, if your brakes failed or there was a steering wheel malfunction, the manufacturer could be responsible.

Government Entity: A government entity could potentially be liable in a motorcycle accident if it’s found that there was negligence on their part regarding road care and maintenance. This can include situations like poor road maintenance, faulty traffic lights, or unsafe construction zones.

Injured Party: Doing something careless or breaking a traffic rule could mean you share part of the blame.

How Shared Liability Affects Your Gulfport Motorcycle Accident Compensation

In Mississippi, the rule of pure comparative negligence applies in accident claims. This means even if you are partially responsible for your motorcycle accident, you can still receive compensation for your injuries. However, the amount will be reduced by whatever percentage you were at fault:

“In all actions hereafter brought for personal injuries, or where such injuries have resulted in death, or for injury to property, the fact that the person injured, or the owner of the property, or person having control over the property may have been guilty of contributory negligence shall not bar a recovery, but damages shall be diminished by the jury in proportion to the amount of negligence attributable to the person injured, or the owner of the property, or the person having control over the property.”

For instance, if it’s determined that you were 20% to blame because you were speeding, and the total damages amounted to $10,000, you would only be entitled to receive $8,000 (which is 80% of the original award).

Even if you’re up to 99% at fault, you can still recover some compensation if someone else was also at fault for the accident. 

Proving Liability in a Motorcycle Accident

Proving liability or fault in a motorcycle accident involves providing evidence that another party acted negligently, leading to the collision. Here are some steps you should follow:

Call 911: Always call the police if you are involved in an accident so they can prepare an official accident report, which often details who was at fault.

Document the Scene: Take photographs of the accident scene, your injuries, and damages to your motorcycle immediately after the crash if possible.

Seek Medical Attention: Even with minor injuries, get yourself checked out promptly. This official record is crucial for establishing a link between the accident and any injuries you experienced. This will help you obtain compensation for medical expenses and other losses.

Collect Witness Information: If there were witnesses to the incident, try to obtain their information if possible. This way, your lawyer can speak with them to help corroborate your version of events. 

Consult With a Lawyer: Contact a lawyer who specializes in motorcycle accidents. They will know the applicable laws and guide you on how to prove fault and recover what is owed to you.

Contact a Gulfport Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

Do not face the physical, emotional, and financial burdens of a motorcycle accident alone.  Schedule your consultation with one of the Gulfport personal injury lawyers at Haug, Farrar & Franco, PLLC, today.  We can help you recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, property damage, long-term care expenses, and much more.

You deserve more, and at Haug, Farrar & Franco, PLLC, we deliver more than other law firms.  Learn more about how we can help by contacting us today.