Oxford MS motorcycle accident

Oxford Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Strong advocates for the injured throughout Mississippi

Motorcyclists know that fresh air and freedom are good for the soul. Unfortunately, riding a motorcycle comes with inherent risks to the body.

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we represent riders and families when motorcycle crashes cause injuries and deaths. Our Oxford motorcycle accident lawyers have more than 200 years of combined experience holding negligent car, truck, and motorcycle drivers accountable for the accidents they cause. We seek compensation for all your economic and personal damages. Many of the personal injury claims we handle do settle out of court, but our lawyers are relentless advocates, and will be ready to argue your case in court.

How can we help?

How risky is riding a motorcycle in Mississippi?

According to Consumer Affairs, in 2021, the odds of dying in a motorcycle accident in the US were 24 times the odds of dying in a car accident. In 2022, about 42,795 people died in America in traffic crashes. About 15 percent (6,218) of those deaths involved motorcycle accidents. More than half of all motorcycle accidents and half of all deaths involved a collision with another motor vehicle. Non-vehicle collision accidents include motorcycles that roll over and riders who fall from their motorcycles.

WLBT News reported that, in 2019, Mississippi had the highest motorcycle fatality rate per 10,000 registered motorcycles.

Dangerous roads in Oxford

Some of the roads in and near Oxford that are known as having a high risk for accidents include:

  • MS-9W / MS-9
  • The SR-9W/SR-7 junction
  • MS 7, which narrows from freeway to two lanes north of Oxford

Other dangerous Oxford roads include MS-6/US-278, MS-7, and MS-314.

We’ve written previously about dangerous roads throughout Mississippi.

Urban roads are dangerous because there’s more traffic. Rural roads tend to cause high-speed accidents, wildlife-related accidents, and accidents because many roads are wooded and dark.

What types of motorcycle accidents do you handle in Oxford, MS?

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we handle all types of motorcycle accidents, including the following:

  • Head-on accidents
  • Rear-end accidents
  • T-bone accidents/broadsides
  • Accidents at intersections
  • Lane-splitting accidents
  • Passing accidents
  • Dooring accidents (accidents that occur when a motorcycle rider crashes into a door that a car driver opens without looking for nearby motorcycle riders)
  • Turning accidents
  • Crashes that occur when motorcycle riders ride together
  • Accidents due to defective motorcycle parts, such as clutches and brakes
  • Roadkill accidents
  • Potholes and other road hazards
  • All other types of motorcycle accidents

Why do motorcycle accidents happen in Oxford, MS?

What is one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents?

Many motorcycle accidents happen because the driver of a larger vehicle (such as a car or a truck) fails to respect the right of a motorcycle driver to be on the road or fails to understand how to drive when motorcycles are nearby.

Other common causes of motorcycle accidents in Oxford, MS

Our Oxford motorcycle accident lawyers work with liability experts (investigators, traffic reconstruction experts, and others) and through the formal discovery process to determine the cause of your accident and who’s responsible. Some of the many causes of motorcycle accidents in Oxford are:

  • The negligence of all drivers, including:
    • Driving while distracted – texting, using a mobile phone, eating, drinking, and other distractions
    • Speeding and driving too fast for the weather conditions
    • Drunk driving
    • Driving while fatigued
    • Improper passing and other traffic violations
  • The negligence of a motorcycle driver (who injures a passenger or the riders on other motorcycles) due to:
    • A lack of experience and training
    • Potholes and other dangerous road conditions
    • Weather conditions, including rain, sun, and wind
    • Not riding in groups correctly
    • Lane-splitting
    • Riding two abreast with another motorcycle rider
    • Failing to handle curves correctly
  • Defective motorcycle parts
  • Roads that are not properly designed for motorcycle riders
  • Many other causes

What laws regulate motorcycle riding in Oxford?

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety states that motorcycles must have a proper “motorcycle endorsement” on their license. Drivers must pass a written test and a skills test to obtain this endorsement. Drivers can get a temporary permit as early as age 15 and a full driver’s license at 16 or older.

Drivers and owners must have the following minimum liability insurance:

  • $25,000 of bodily liability insurance for one victim
  • $50,000 for multiple victims in one accident
  • $25,000 for vehicle and other property damage

Mississippi also has specific motorcycle and passenger equipment requirements that our Oxford personal injury lawyers can explain.

What is Mississippi’s helmet law?

Mississippi requires all motorcycle operators and passengers to wear a helmet pursuant to minimum guidelines established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration pursuant to federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218 (Miss. Code Ann. § 63-7-64). The Motorcycle Safety Foundation offers guidance on selecting certified helmets.

Is lane splitting legal in Mississippi?

Mississippi does not expressly authorize lane splitting, and existing lane-use laws effectively prohibit it. Lane splitting involves driving a motorcycle between lanes of travel. The general rule (Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-603) requires vehicles to stay within a single lane and change lanes only when safe.

Safety suggestions for motorcycle riders

All beginners should take a motorcycle safety course offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation or a similar course. Experienced riders can also benefit from refreshing and updating their riding skills and understanding the guidelines for inspecting their motorcycles.

Some of the areas the Oxford motorcycle riders should focus on include:

  • The proper way to stop and start a motorcycle
  • How to ride before and in curves, such as on MS-314, MS-7 rural stretches, and MS-6
  • Avoiding blind merges and high-speed bunching near exits
  • Treating roundabouts defensively—wait for clear gaps and expect erratic car behavior
  • Use high-visibility gear and lights, especially in wooded or shadowed zones
  • Riding slower during student game weekends since the center of Oxford can get chaotic
  • Watch your speed, be aware, and use your gears properly

What types of injuries do motorcycle accidents cause?

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we handle all types of injuries that cause pain and suffering, including the following:

Our Oxford motorcycle accident attorneys also represent riders who suffer road rash. Road rash happens when a motorcycle driver or passenger slides along the asphalt due to a crash. The pain can be excruciating. Victims may need skin grafts and plastic surgery.

Our lawyers also file wrongful death claims for parents, children, and spouses if a motorcycle accident takes the life of your loved one.

What should I do after a motorcycle crash?

Your priorities are the following:

  • Get medical help. You should go to the nearest ER or burn center as soon as possible. In severe cases, the police should arrange for an ambulance or an EMT.
  • Call the police. Mississippi law requires that drivers contact the police immediately after an accident if the collision involves injury, death, or apparent property damage of $500 or more.
  • Exchange information. You or the police should obtain the addresses, driver’s information, and insurance information of the drivers in the motorcycle accident.
  • Contact Merkel & Cocke, P.A. We can answer your questions, explain your rights, and fight aggressively to obtain all the compensation you deserve.
  • Notify your insurance company. You or our firm will notify your own insurance company of the accident so they can conduct their own investigation.

You should not discuss your case with the other drivers or their insurance companies. You should not accept any settlement offers without first speaking with our lawyers.

 

Who is liable for my motorcycle accident?

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we file personal injury and wrongful death claims against everyone responsible for your injuries or the death of a loved one.

The defendants may include one or more of the following:

  • A driver of a motorcycle, car, truck, or other vehicle
  • A driver’s employer (employers are generally vicariously liable for the negligence of their employees)
  • The owner of a vehicle, if the owner and driver differ
  • A manufacturer of defective vehicle parts
  • A seller of alcohol to a minor or someone who is visibly intoxicated, who causes your accident due to their intoxication
  • The Mississippi Department of Transportation or other governmental agencies/entities, pursuant to Mississippi Tort Claims Act
  • Other defendants

How much is my motorcycle accident case worth in Oxford, MS?

Our Oxford, Mississippi motorcycle collision lawyers work with your physicians to verify your injuries, review what medical care you will need, and discuss all the ways your injuries are affecting your life. We also consult with your employer, life planners if you have a catastrophic injury, and other damage experts.

Our personal injury lawyers seek compensation for your current and future damages, including:

  • Medical bills of every type
  • Lost income, including wages, benefits, salary, overtime, and long-term disability compensation
  • Physical pain and emotional suffering
  • The damage to your motorcycle
  • Loss of bodily function
  • Loss of life’s pleasures
  • Loss of consortium
  • Scarring and disfigurement

Our wrongful death lawyers seek compensation for the funeral and burial costs, the loss of financial support (the money your loved one would have provided each family member), and the loss of personal support (companionship, comfort, love, and guidance).

How do you file a motorcycle accident claim?

Our lawyers handle all parts of your accident claim. After the initial consultation with you, our Oxford motorcycle accident lawyers will hire investigators to investigate the accident site, question local residents and businesses, discover available video of the accident, and speak with any eyewitnesses. Our team identifies the insurance companies for each responsible defendant. We also work with your doctors to understand the severity of your injuries.

Once we have the necessary information, we can file a claim against everyone responsible. We file many Oxford-area cases in Lafayette County, but remember that venue in Mississippi depends on where the defendant resides or where the accident occurred.

After the defendants respond, our lawyers formally question (in writing and in person) everyone who has knowledge of your accident.

We then submit a formal demand for settlement to the insurance carriers. Many personal injury cases do settle. If we cannot reach a settlement, we can argue your case before a local judge and jury.

Please know that if you are partially at fault for the accident, we can still file a claim for you. Your damage award will be reduced by your degree/percentage of fault. Mississippi is a pure comparative negligence state, which means you can recover damages no matter how much at fault you are (between 1 and 99 percent at fault), though your damage award will be reduced by your degree of fault. (Miss. Code Ann. § 11-7-15).

Our lawyers will prepare you for each step of your claim.

What is the deadline for filing a motorcycle accident claim in Mississippi?

Mississippi law generally requires that personal injury and wrongful death victims file their claims within three years of the accident date (Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49). Some exceptions may apply. Please don’t wait. The sooner we meet with you, the better we can fight for you.

Do you have an Oxford, Mississippi motorcycle accident lawyer near me?

Yes. We meet clients at our Oxford office located at:

2084 Old Taylor Road,
Suite 110
Oxford, MS 38655

Our lawyers also speak with clients by phone and through online video. If you cannot physically travel, we can make arrangements to see you at your home or a healthcare facility.

We can guide you through each step of your claim.

Speak with our accomplished Oxford motorcycle accident lawyers now

We’ve been fighting for motorcycle accident victims since 1982. Merkel & Cocke, P.A. is respected by former clients, insurance companies, and the legal community for our compassion for our clients, our experience, and our strong record of verdicts and settlements.

Contact us using our contact form to schedule a free initial consultation right away. We also have offices in Clarksdale, Jackson, Greenville, Oxford, and Meridian. Merkel & Cocke, P.A., also represents clients in Tennessee and Arkansas. Our lawyers handle motorcycle accident claims on a contingency fee basis. This means our success depends on your success.

 

Oxford Office

2090 Old Taylor Road
Suite 207
Oxford, MS 38655
Phone: 662-236-0080

[Directions]