Episode 126: In today’s episode, Calloway County motorcycle accident attorney Jeff Roberts provides his motorcycle safety tips. Jeff has ridden motorcycles for many years. As an injury attorney who has handled many motorcycle wreck cases over the past 33 years, being a motorcyclist himself provides a valuable perspective when he’s litigating these cases.
Jeff explains how motorcyclists must pay much more attention when other cars are on the road. They tend not to see motorcycles or make decisions that can place the motorcyclist in danger. In Jeff’s experience, most motorcycle collisions tend to be the fault of the driver of the car, not the motorcycle. Even though it’s early in the year, Jeff’s already been contacted by an injured motorcyclist who was involved in an accident on 641, in Murray.
Maintenance Checks before You Take a Long Motorcycle Ride
Jeff offers a number of reminders focused on mechanical issues. Your motorcycle has probably been parked in the garage or barn for several months. It’s always a good idea to make sure your bike is road-ready, before heading out for a long ride.
Inspect your tires to make sure they are in good condition, no dry-rot and properly inflated. Inspect your brakes to ensure they are functioning properly.
The lights on your motorcycle are important safety equipment. The headlight should be in good working order. Make sure the bulb is properly lighting in both low-beam and high-beam positions. Your headlight will alert other drivers, so they can better see you and hopefully drive more carefully when they are close to you.
Next, check your break lights and blinkers to ensure they are visible to the other drivers around you. Replace any bulbs that have burned out. This is especially important in helping you to avoid getting rear-ended by a car.
Inspect your brake fluid, oil levels and any other fluids. If your motorcycle has a chain, make sure it’s in good working condition. This is also a good time to inspect your battery. Hopefully, you’ve had it on a trickle-charger during the off season.
Take Time to Wake Up Your Muscle Memory
While you probably already know how to ride your motorcycle, it’s important to easy back into it. The first time you take your bike out, practice some turns and braking to re-orient yourself. A motorcycle obviously handles differently that your passenger car. It’s a good idea to take some to drive through the neighborhood or an empty parking lot. Your skill will come back, quickly, but don’t assume you can just hit the road. Even athletes warm-up before a game.
Wear Your Helmet
As a motorcycle accident attorney, Jeff is a strong advocate of wearing a helmet if you’re on a motorcycle. The risks are already increased for a motorcyclist. If a collision occurs, there is very little protection beyond your clothing and motorcycle helmet. Jeff has handled many injury cases involving traumatic brain injuries. A motorcycle helmet is a vital piece of safety equipment. During his many years of riding, Jeff has been involved in a number of motorcycle accidents. His advice comes from his first-hand experience. Always wear your motorcycle helmet, even if it’s just a short trip.
Review Your Current Motorcycle Insurance Policy
Before you head out, now is a good time to review your current motorcycle policy. Did you pause your coverage during the winter? Make sure you contact your insurance agent to re-activate the coverage.
Do you have the right types of coverages and do you have enough coverage? There’s a chance you’ve gotten married or have a new baby. Is your liability coverage still adequate?
Jeff also takes time to explain the importance of Under Insured Motorist (UIM) and Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. These are extremely important and can make a significant difference in having your medical expenses paid. It’s very possible the severe injuries a motorcyclist incurs will result in medical bills that exceed the other driver’s insurance policy. Basically, that driver is under-insured. Your own UIM policy will be used to help cover medical expenses, once the at-fault driver’s policy limits are reached.
The same applies if your hit by a driver who doesn’t have car insurance. Your own UM, uninsured motorist, coverage will provide insurance to pay for some or all of your medical bills. Yes, the accident may not have been your fault, but medical expenses can quickly add up for an injured motorcyclist. This is especially true for catastrophic injuries. Your car insurance coverage may exclude motorcycle accidents.
Beware of the Motorcycle Insurance Loophole
There is a very significant difference between car insurance and motorcycle insurance in Kentucky. In an accident, the driver of the car and each passenger is automatically covered for $10,000 in medical expenses and some lost wages. However, PIP coverage does not automatically apply to motorcyclists. This can be a huge problem for motorcyclists in Kentucky.
This loophole means an injured motorcyclist cannot recover the first $10,000 in medical expenses and lost wages, unless he/she specifically paid for motorcycle PIP coverage. Unfortunately, many people fail to purchase this coverage. What that means is that even if the other driver caused the accident, the injured motorcyclist is already in the hole, financially.
Attorney Fee Structure – No Upfront Fees
Jeff does not charge upfront fees for motorcycle cases. He only gets paid at the end of the case, when he’s successfully resolved the claim. He’ll pay the litigation fees, including any court costs and expenses. Those fees and expenses, along with his attorney fee will be deducted from the settlement or verdict, at the end of the case. This is referred to as a contingency fee basis. If Jeff is unsuccessful in your case, clients are not responsibility for the litigation fees, nor the court costs and other expenses.
There is no cost to contact Jeff. He offers free, initial consultations.
We hope you found this episode insightful and helpful.
Thank you for listening!
What Do Other Clients Think About Jeff?
We always encourage listeners to read the Google Reviews Jeff Roberts has received from many of his clients. A 5-Star rating and the comments are earned recognition and demonstrate Jeff’s commitment to his clients. As a solo attorney, he has more Google Reviews than some firms with multiple attorneys. Jeff shares the credit with his staff at the Roberts Law Office. Successfully representing injured clients is a team effort. It’s why Jeff likes to say his firm offers “Small Town Service with Big City Results.”
Jeff Roberts Represents Injured Clients Throughout Kentucky
With offices located in Calloway County (Murray) and now in Christian County (Hopkinsville), Jeff has a history of representing personal injury clients, workers’ compensation clients and social security disability clients across the state. He’s represented clients from Paducah, Bowling Green, Louisville, Covington, Whitesville and many other Kentucky locations. He’s not just a Western Kentucky injury attorney.
Is It Time to Speak with an Attorney about Your Motorcycle Accident Claim?
The office phone number is (270) 753-0053 or toll free at 800-844-5108. For more information, visit www.JeffRobertsLaw.com. This podcast is meant to provide information and is not legal advice. Jeff’s principal office is located at 509 Main Street, Murray, Kentucky. Co-host Jim Ray is a non-attorney spokesperson. This is an advertisement.
