jackson, ms motorcycle wrecks

Jackson Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Protecting the rights of injured Mississippi riders and passengers since 1982

There are many joys in riding a motorcycle, but there are also significant dangers. Motorcycles provide little protection when accidents happen. It’s easy to lose control of a motorcycle, and drivers of larger vehicles often don’t notice or respect motorcycles on the road.

Merkel & Cocke, P.A. has the experience and working relationships with liability and medical professionals to help you get justice. Our Jackson motorcycle accident lawyers understand Mississippi’s motorcycle laws and the rules of the road. Our personal injury lawyers can seek compensation for all your financial and personal damages and file wrongful death claims when motorcycle accidents are fatal.

How can we help?

How dangerous are motorcycle accidents?

According to the National Safety Council, motorcycle accidents accounted for 15.5 percent of all traffic deaths in 2023, even though only three percent of all registered vehicles are motorcycles. Unlike cars and trucks, motorcycle riders have no hood, trunk, roof, or doors to protect them. When a motorcycle wreck occurs, riders are likely to suffer a forceful impact with another vehicle and then a second impact with the hard road.

In 2019, Mississippi had one of the highest motorcycle fatality rates nationally (measured per 10,000 registered motorcycles).

Notable dangerous roads in Jackson, MS

Every road in Jackson presents potential dangers for motorcycle riders. Roads can quickly become treacherous if they’re wet, if it’s raining, or if the glare of the sun shines in a motorcycle operator’s eyes. Both rural and urban roads carry risks, and areas with higher speeds or heavier traffic can significantly increase the likelihood of a motorcycle accident.

Some of the roads that are known to cause accidents in Jackson, Mississippi, are I-55 (a major north-south corridor) and I-20 (a narrow winding road), which runs through the center of the state.

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

Our Mississippi motorcycle accident attorneys handle all types of motorcycle accidents, including the following:

  • Head-on crashes
  • Broadsides/T-bone accidents
  • Rear-end crashes
  • Intersection accidents
  • Lane-splitting accidents
  • Dooring accidents (where a driver opens a car door without looking to see if there are motorcycle riders nearby, causing motorcycle riders to crash into the door)
  • Accidents in curves
  • Accidents while riding in a group
  • Accidents due to defective motorcycle parts, such as clutches and brakes
  • Accidents due to faulty road design
  • All other types of motorcycle accidents

Why do motorcycle accidents happen in Jackson, MS?

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we work with investigators, the police, motorcycle product safety experts, and traffic reconstruction experts to show how your accident happened and who is responsible.

Some of the causes of motorcycle accidents include the following:

  • Driving while distracted
  • Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs
  • Driving while tired
  • Speeding, failing to yield the right of way, and other traffic violations
  • Failing to respect the right of motorcycle riders to be on the road
  • Failing to understand how to drive when motorcycles are nearby
  • Riders who lack the necessary experience to ride a motorcycle, including:
    • Not understanding how to turn or ride in curves
    • Not understanding how to ride in groups
    • Riding in a lane with another vehicle
    • Riding two abreast (with another motorcycle)
    • Not understanding how to ride when the weather is poor
  • Defective vehicle parts
  • Roads that are not properly designed for motorcycle riders
  • Many other causes

What laws regulate motorcycle riding in Jackson?

According to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, motorcycle riders have the same rights and privileges as any motor vehicle on the roadway.

Motorcycle drivers must have a "motorcycle endorsement" on their regular Class R driver's license. To obtain this endorsement, a rider must complete the written and riding tests. Riders who pass the written test should receive a learner's permit so they can receive the training they need to pass the riding test.

Riders can take approved courses through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation to learn new skills or improve their skills.

According to the Mississippi law:

  • You can obtain a temporary motorcycle permit at 15, and a full Class R license and motorcycle endorsement at 16 if you meet the testing and licensing requirements under Mississippi law ( Code Ann. § 63-1-9).
  • Motorcycle drivers and passengers should comply with proper equipment requirements, such as helmets ( Code Ann. § 63-7-64).
  • Drivers and owners must have the following minimum liability insurance: $25,000 for one victim, $50,000 for multiple victims in one accident, and $25,000 in property damage. Owners should also consider buying uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage (Per Miss. Code Ann. § 63-15-43).

Mississippi does not expressly permit lane splitting; riders may be cited under general lane-use and passing laws if they ride between lanes.

Am I required to wear a motorcycle helmet in Jackson, MS?

Mississippi requires that all drivers and passengers wear an approved helmet. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation has information about which helmet to choose.

Safety suggestions for motorcycle riders

All motorcycle drivers should enroll in a motorcycle safety course that helps riders understand the mechanics of their motorcycle, how to prepare for a motorcycle ride, and how to ride their motorcycle.

What types of injuries do motorcycle accidents cause?

Our Jackson personal injury lawyers handle all types of catastrophic, permanent, chronic, and serious injuries, including the following:

Our Jackson motorcycle crash lawyers also represent victims who suffer road rash. Road rash occurs when a rider slides along the road after an accident. Victims may require skin grafts and plastic surgery.

We also file wrongful death claims on behalf of families if a motorcycle accident is fatal.

What should I do after a motorcycle crash?

Your first priority is to focus on your health. You, someone with you, or the police should make arrangements to go to the closest emergency room.

You’ll need to exchange your address, driver’s information, and insurance information.

You should contact our experienced Jackson motorcycle accident lawyers. We can explain your rights and any duties you have (such as notifying your own insurance carrier).

You should not discuss what happened or a settlement with any of the other drivers or with any insurance companies for the responsible parties.

Who is liable for my motorcycle accident?

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we can 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
  • A driver’s employer
  • An owner of a vehicle, if the owner and the driver are not the same person
  • A manufacturer of defective vehicle parts
  • A seller of alcohol to someone who is visibly intoxicated and proximately causes the accident due to their intoxication
  • The Mississippi Department of Transportation or other governmental agencies/entities
  • Other defendants

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

Our Jackson, Mississippi motorcycle accident lawyers work with your doctors, employers, and others to fully determine all of your damages. We can pursue compensation for damages to date and all your future damages. These damages include all your:

  • Medical expenses of every nature
  • Lost income, including permanent disability income
  • Physical pain and emotional suffering
  • Property damage, including damage to your motorcycle
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Loss of bodily function
  • Inability to enjoy life’s pleasures

We also seek wrongful death damages if your loved one died in a motorcycle accident. These damages include the funeral and burial costs, the loss of financial support, and the loss of personal support (love, comfort, companionship, and guidance).

What is a good settlement for a motorcycle accident claim?

Every case is unique. We understand what similar cases to yours have settled for in the Jackson region. We understand what the insurance limits are. Our Jackson motorcycle accident attorney works to pursue the maximum recovery possible.

We’ve helped many personal injury victims like you obtain strong recoveries. While past recoveries don’t guarantee future results, they do show our commitment to fighting for our clients.

How do your lawyers fight for motorcycle accident victims?

We can investigate your accident, work with your medical team, question everyone who has knowledge about your accident, work with liability experts, negotiate with the insurance companies, and (if there is no settlement), argue your case before a local judge and jury.

Our lawyers anticipate the arguments that insurance companies and defense lawyers are likely to assert, and we work to counter those arguments.

We can guide you step by step through the claims process.

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

Please contact us as soon as possible. While the time limit for filing a motorcycle accident claim is generally within three years of the accident date (Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49), we need to speak with witnesses while their memories are fresh and we want to ensure that you are seeing the proper medical providers.

Shorter time limits may apply, such as when you file a claim against a governmental entity/agency.

Do you have a Jackson, Mississippi motorcycle accident lawyer near me?

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

2630 Ridgewood Road
Suite D
Jackson, MS 39216

We also consult with clients by phone and through online video platforms like Zoom. If your health prevents you from traveling, we can make alternate arrangements to meet with you.

Our lawyers are prepared to answer your questions and guide you through each step of the claim process.

Contact our Jackson motorcycle accident lawyers today

Our Mississippi motorcycle accident lawyers have more than 200 years of collective legal experience. Complete 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. We represent motorcycle accident victims and families on a contingency fee basis. This means we only receive fees if there is a settlement, an award, or a verdict in your favor.

 

 

Jackson Office

622 Duling Avenue
Suite 221
Jackson, MS 39216
Phone: (601) 653-1103