Missy Wigginton
Hello friends and family, I am Missy Wigginton, also known as Mama Justice. When meeting me, some people ask me how I got my name…. View ProfileOur Awards
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Tupelo Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Have you or someone you love been injured in a Mississippi motorcycle crash? If so, call the Tupelo motorcycle accident attorneys at Mama Justice today. We can help you.
A lot of people choose to ride a motorcycle because it gives them a sense of adventure and freedom, but what happens when a careless driver causes an accident and that freedom is taken away? If you or a family member has been seriously injured in a Tupelo motorcycle accident you are probably worried about the medical bills you have piling up and are wondering how you are going to make up for your lost wages and your potential lost earnings in the future.
These questions and many others are common among Mississippi motorcycle accident victims. Most people feel lost and confused as they try to find a solution to their financial, physical, and mental difficulties.
Our team at Mama Justice has handled a wide variety of different Tupelo motorcycle accident injury claims in our decades of personal injury law experience. We work tirelessly to obtain the best possible results for our clients.
We believe that being a personal injury attorney involves more than just knowing the law and applying it to our client’s cases. It requires compassion, diligence, and the ability to be aggressive.
Under the guidance of our founding attorney, Missy Wigginton, AKA Mama Justice, our Tupelo legal team has decades of combined personal injury experience. We understand personal injury and loss and will fight for justice on your behalf or on behalf of your family member.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Tupelo
Motorcycles are considerably smaller than a standard passenger vehicle and are extremely susceptible to being ignored or overlooked by careless drivers. As a matter of fact, driver negligence is the main cause of motorcycle accidents. This negligence can take multiple forms, including:
- Unsafe lane changes: Drivers should only change lanes when it is safe to do so. Motorcycles are small, so responsible drivers should always check their surroundings, including blind spots and mirrors, and ensure they use their blinker before changing lanes. A driver making a sudden and dangerous lane change can cause a disastrous motorcycle accident.
- Failure to yield: Motorcycle accidents often happen at intersections, particularly when the driver of a passenger vehicle doesn’t notice a motorcyclist and fails to yield the right of way. Failure to yield collisions occur frequently on right-hand turns and unprotected left-hand turns. Left-hand turn accidents are the most common kind of collision between cars and motorcycles.
- Distracted driving: Driver distraction is the most dangerous threat on Mississippi roadways, especially for motorcycle riders who can easily go unnoticed by a driver who chooses to text, make a phone call, or perform another distracting activity over showing attention to the road.
- Drunk driving: Driving under the influence is a negligent, illegal, and very dangerous act that can forever change the life of an innocent motorcycle rider. When drunk drivers choose to get behind the wheel, they are more likely to overlook a motorcycle rider.
Every driver has a legal obligation to operate their vehicle safely and take reasonable precautions that lower the risks of an avoidable accident. When this duty is not met due to negligent behavior, drivers can and should be held accountable for the damages they cause.
These damages often include substantial medical bills and lost wages from being unable to work. Damages can also include the costs of anticipated future medical care, psychological anguish, pain and suffering, and even emotional injuries endured by the victim’s family members.
Most Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents in Tupelo
Just like car accidents, motorcycle accidents can happen in many different ways. Some of the more common types of motorcycle accidents in Tupelo include:
A broadside collision is one of the most dangerous kinds of accidents a motorcyclist can be involved in. When a motorcycle gets broadsided, or “T-boned,” they have almost no protection against the impact. In most cases, the rider will be pinned, ejected, flipped, or otherwise get ejected, pinned, or otherwise removed from his bike.
The number one cause of broadside motorcycle accidents is a complete lack of awareness on behalf of one of the motorists. Although driver distraction and inattention are completely preventable, injury-causing and deadly broadside crashes are still happening in Tupelo and across the country.
Some of the more common causes of broadside motorcycle accidents are:
- Blindly entering traffic
- Driver inattention
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Running a stop sign or traffic light at an intersection
- Making a right on red without looking
- Road rage or aggressive driving
Head-on collisions can be serious and even deadly for motorcyclists. This kind of accident is dangerous enough when it involves passenger vehicles and even oversized trucks. Motorcycles do not come equipped with the myriad of safety features available on larger vehicles. A rider is completely exposed and can become a human projectile during a head-on collision.
Motorcycles are not designed to withstand this kind of impact. Although most people are aware of the hazards associated with oncoming traffic, there are still some drivers who refuse to properly and safely share the road. When drivers are impaired, reckless, or distracted, they are putting motorcyclists and others on the road at an increased risk of being involved in a serious or fatal crash.
Studies have shown that the majority of head-on motorcycle accidents in Mississippi are caused by:
- Distracted drivers
- Drunk drivers
- Reckless drivers
- Drowsy drivers
- Roadway debris
- Aggressive driving or road rage
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Falling asleep at the wheel
- Confused elderly drivers
A left-turn accident is something that motorcyclists are aware of and vigilant about. They happen when irresponsible drivers pull out directly into the path of a motorcycle, forcing the rider to sharply swerve or slam on their breaks to avoid a collision. Unexpected maneuvers and sudden braking are much more dangerous to motorcycle riders. These vehicles require more distance and time than others to safely circumvent a negligent driver. In many instances, drivers claim they never even saw the motorcyclist before they pulled out in front of them.
Since motorcycle accidents often leave riders in the hospital unable to work, it is important to reach out to a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer in Tupelo immediately following your accident.
Some of the leading causes of left-turn motorcycle accidents in Mississippi include:
- Speeding
- Driving through an intersection against the light
- Driving while distracted
- Passing a vehicle waiting for oncoming traffic to clear
- Jumping a turn signal as it’s changing color
- Driver inattention
- Making a turn in dangerous conditions
- Misjudging or mistiming your entrance into traffic
- Limited visibility due to inclement weather or poor intersection planning
After a motorcycle accident, you need to speak with a Tupelo motorcycle accident attorney about your case, even if liability seems obvious and your insurance adjustor is cooperative. A Tupelo motorcycle crash lawyer can ensure that you are treated fairly and aren’t being short-changed for your damages.
Get our Tupelo motorcycle accident lawyers on your side. Contact Mama Justice now.
The Helmet Laws in Mississippi
Mississippi law states that any motorcyclist on a public roadway must wear a helmet inspected, approved, and certified by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.
It is important to keep in mind that not all helmets qualify. Riders should wear only helmets that have been approved, are up to state standards, and meet basic safety specifications. Unsurprisingly, studies have shown that states that enact helmet laws have fewer deadly motorcycle crashes than states that have no helmet laws.
Without the proper use of a helmet, motorcycle accidents, even ones that occur at slow speeds, can be devastating and even fatal for riders. Even bicyclists, who don’t ride on major interstates, can sustain fatal head trauma if they are not wearing a helmet. Mississippi helmet laws exist to protect motorcyclists and reduce the severity of potentially life-ending head injuries. Obeying helmet laws can be the difference between surviving an accident and being fatally injured in one.
Picking the right helmet is an important step towards motorcycle safety. Make sure the helmet you select has a U.S. Department of Transportation sticker. This indicates that minimum safety standards for penetration protection, impact protection, and retention are being met. The helmet should fit properly and be comfortable to wear. Helmets that provide full jaw and facial coverage are ideal.
Serious Injuries Caused by Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists are some of the most vulnerable travelers on roads. They are not surrounded by a steel cage specifically designed to withstand impact. They do not have seat belts or airbags, and they are at the mercy of other drivers. Even the most experienced riders can become severely or fatally injured by the single action of a negligent driver.
Due to the fact that riders can easily be ejected or otherwise separated from their bikes, they have much higher odds of sustaining debilitating or deadly injuries. The injuries that occur most frequently in motorcycle accidents include:
- Bone breaks and fractures
- Abrasions
- Lacerations
- Mild to severe concussions
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Disfigurement
- Paraplegia and quadriplegia
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputations
- Death
Injured victims should always speak with a qualified Tupelo motorcycle accident lawyer before talking to an insurance adjuster or the other person’s attorney. At Mama Justice, we know the most effective ways to navigate Mississippi’s complex legal system and maximize your economic recovery.
Bone breaks and fractures, particularly of the ribs and limbs, are common in motorcycle accidents. If a rider’s legs or arms make contact with asphalt, trees, other vehicles, or almost any other object at a high rate of speed, they can break or fracture. Even large bones, such as the femur, can be broken under certain conditions.
Abrasions and lacerations are injuries also frequently sustained by motorcycle accident victims. Abrasions and road rash from a motorcycle accident can occur when a rider is dragged across the asphalt. Bikers often wear leather pants and jackets because they help prevent road rash. Protective pants, jackets, gloves, and vests are all essential in preventing road rash and other abrasions and lacerations during an accident.
Head injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries and concussions are also serious injuries associated with motorcycle crashes. Even while wearing a helmet it is possible to endure a severe head injury. While helmets help prevent and reduce a head injury, bad accidents that take place at high speeds or with powerful impacts can still leave riders injured. The recovery process behind a traumatic brain injury can be an expensive, difficult, and even lifelong process.
What Damages Can I Be Compensated for After a Motorcycle Accident?
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be able to pursue financial compensation for a wide variety of damages, including:
- Current and future medical bills, including prescription medications, doctor visits, the cost of transportation to any related appointments, physical therapy expenses, and more.
- Lost income and lost benefits from being unable to work.
- Diminished earning capacity.
- Any property damage caused by the accident, including your bike.
- Pain and suffering.
- Mental trauma.
- Loss of emotional and financial support if your family member was injured or killed.
Why Mama Justice is the Right Choice for You
Accidents happen when you least expect them. Even the most cautious person can never be fully prepared for an unforeseen accident or the hardships that come after it.
If you or a family member has been injured in a motorcycle accident, you might be entitled to financial compensation.
Our experienced Tupelo motorcycle accident attorneys represent victims throughout Mississippi. We know that our clients depend on us to get them the compensation they deserve after a serious motorcycle accident. We take that responsibility very seriously and always put their best interests first.
At Mama Justice, we know first-hand how a serious motorcycle crash can impact every area of your life. When this happens, we want to make sure that you are properly represented when dealing with the insurance companies.
If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle accident, we are here to help. We treat our clients like family. Call us today at 800-670-0567 to schedule your free consultation with Missy Wigginton, AKA Mama Justice.
We handle personal injury claims in Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee.
Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Tupelo are standing by to represent you and fight for your rights. Call today to get started with a free case consultation.
