If you were injured in an Missouri motorcycle accident caused by another car or truck, get medical care, report the crash to police, preserve photographs and witness information, and speak with a motorcycle accident attorney before accepting a settlement. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and lasting injuries. Even when you did nothing wrong, evidence is essential to establish the other driver’s responsibility and the full impact of your injuries. Call Sansone & Lauber at 314-863-0500 or request a free consultation. The firm represents injured people throughout Missouri. Ben Sansone, working with co-counsel, secured a $14.2 million motorcycle accident jury verdict in Missouri.
Hit by a Car or Truck While Riding? Take These 7 Steps
1. Get medical treatment immediately
Your health comes first. Call 911 for emergency assistance when needed. Tell your medical provider how the collision happened, where you hurt, and whether you struck your head.
Follow treatment recommendations and document new or worsening symptoms. Keep discharge instructions, appointment records, prescriptions, and work restrictions.
Do not postpone necessary treatment while waiting for an insurance company to accept responsibility.
2. Report the motorcycle crash to police
Give an accurate account of what happened. Explain whether the driver turned across your path, changed lanes into you, struck you from behind, or entered the roadway without yielding.
Ask for the investigating agency’s name and the report number. Avoid guessing about speeds, distances, or events you did not see.
If you were taken to the hospital before speaking with an officer, tell your attorney.
3. Preserve photographs and witness information
If you can safely do so—or someone can help—document:
- The motorcycle and other vehicles before they are moved.
- Vehicle damage and debris.
- Lane markings, traffic signals, and signs.
- Skid marks and roadway conditions.
- The other driver’s license plate and insurance information.
- Witness names and contact information.
- Nearby cameras that may have recorded the collision.
For a truck collision, photograph the company name, identifying numbers, and trailer information if possible.
4. Protect your motorcycle, helmet, and riding gear as evidence
Before authorizing repairs, disposal, or salvage, ask your attorney whether an inspection is needed.
Your motorcycle, helmet, clothing, and protective gear may help show the impact and explain your injuries. Preserve original photographs, camera recordings, and electronic files.
Discuss storage arrangements promptly so evidence can be protected without unnecessary storage charges.
5. Notify your insurer and review requests carefully
Report the crash to your own insurer as required by your policy. Keep copies of correspondence and claim numbers.
Before providing a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer, signing broad medical authorizations, or accepting payment tied to a release, understand what is being requested.
Your own policy may impose cooperation requirements. An attorney can help distinguish those obligations from requests made by the opposing insurer.
6. Track how the injuries affect your life
Save documentation of:
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation.
- Missed work and reduced earnings.
- Prescription and equipment expenses.
- Help needed with daily activities.
- Physical limitations and persistent pain.
- Recommended future treatment.
Be specific and accurate. “I cannot lift the equipment required for my job” is more informative than “the accident changed everything.”
7. Get legal advice before settling
A settlement should be evaluated against your injuries, expected recovery, financial losses, and available coverage.
Do not let an early offer become a final decision before you understand your medical outlook and the rights you would release.
Can I Sue if the Motorcycle Accident Was Not My Fault?
Yes. If another driver’s negligence caused your Missouri motorcycle crash and injuries, you may pursue an injury claim or lawsuit against the responsible party.
Examples that warrant investigation include:
- A driver turning left across your path.
- A car merging into your lane.
- A truck entering an intersection without yielding.
- A distracted driver rear-ending your motorcycle.
- A driver running a red light or stop sign.
- A vehicle pulling out of a driveway or parking lot.
The investigation must establish what happened. The fact that you were riding a motorcycle does not prove that you caused the crash.
When a commercial driver is involved, an attorney should also investigate the driver’s employer, the purpose of the trip, and potentially applicable commercial insurance.
What if the Driver Says, “I Didn’t See the Motorcycle”?
That statement does not, by itself, excuse the driver or resolve liability. The important questions include where the motorcycle was, what the driver could see, and whether the driver acted reasonably before turning, merging, or entering traffic.
Evidence may include:
- Dashcam or surveillance footage.
- Independent witness accounts.
- Vehicle damage and impact locations.
- Roadway measurements and sight lines.
- Available vehicle data.
- Accident reconstruction analysis when appropriate.
A rider who was proceeding lawfully may still face allegations about speed, visibility, or evasive action. Preserve the evidence needed to answer those allegations.
Sansone & Lauber’s $14.2 Million Motorcycle Verdict
Ben Sansone, working with co-counsel Brent Sumner, secured a $14.2 million jury verdict in a motorcycle injury case in Phelps County, Missouri, in March 2021. The case involved a husband and wife injured after a company truck turned left into the path of a motorcycle convoy. The rider suffered a severe brain injury.
According to the firm’s case account, the defense disputed responsibility and the extent of the injuries, and the insurer’s highest pretrial offer was $200,000. The case proceeded to trial.
The distinction between the verdict and judgment matters: the appellate opinion records a $12.8 million award after a comparative-fault reduction. The Missouri Court of Appeals affirmed the judgment on September 30, 2022.
Read about the motorcycle crash verdict and the appeal.
This Missouri result demonstrates experience litigating a serious motorcycle injury case. Illinois law governs Illinois claims, and past results do not guarantee a particular outcome.
What if the Insurance Company Tries to Blame Me?
An insurer’s allegation is not a final determination of fault. Ask what evidence supports it and have your attorney evaluate the claim.
- A person found more than 50% at fault cannot recover damages in a negligence action.
- A person found 50% or less at fault may recover, with damages reduced by their percentage of fault.
- If no fault is attributed to you, there is no comparative-fault reduction.
For riders injured through no fault of their own, documenting the other driver’s conduct is central to protecting the claim.
What Compensation Can an Injured Motorcyclist Seek?
Depending on the evidence, an Missouri motorcycle injury claim may include:
| Type of loss | Examples |
|---|---|
| Medical expenses | Hospital care, surgery, medication, and rehabilitation |
| Future medical needs | Supported costs of additional treatment and care |
| Lost income | Earnings lost while recovering |
| Reduced earning ability | Lasting limitations affecting future work |
| Pain and suffering | Physical pain and injury-related distress |
| Disability and disfigurement | Permanent limitations, scarring, or loss of function |
| Property damage | Motorcycle and riding equipment damage |
A serious injury claim should account for future consequences as well as bills already received. Medical evidence, liability, insurance coverage, and collectability all affect the practical value of a case.
How Long Do I Have to File an Missouri Motorcycle Injury Lawsuit?
Most Missouri personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years after the claim accrues, ordinarily the crash date in a motorcycle collision case.
An insurance claim is not the same as filing a lawsuit. Settlement discussions should not be assumed to extend the deadline.
Evidence also has its own practical urgency: video may be overwritten, vehicles repaired, and witnesses harder to locate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer if the other driver admitted fault?
An admission can help, but disputes may remain over injuries, treatment, coverage, and settlement value. A consultation is particularly useful when you need ongoing care, cannot work, or have lasting limitations.
What if a truck driver caused my motorcycle crash?
Preserve the truck’s identifying information and contact an attorney promptly. The investigation may involve the driver, employer, maintenance history, electronic records, and commercial insurance.
Can I make a claim as an injured motorcycle passenger?
Potentially. A passenger’s claim depends on who caused the collision and which coverage applies. You can request a review even if you do not know which driver was responsible.
What if the driver fled or had no insurance?
Report the crash promptly and preserve witness and video evidence. An attorney can examine potentially applicable uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, including policy conditions and reporting requirements.
Should I accept a settlement while still receiving treatment?
Review the offer carefully before signing a release. If your prognosis or future care remains uncertain, the offer may be difficult to evaluate accurately.
Can Sansone & Lauber handle an Missouri injury case?
Yes. The firm states that its attorneys handle cases in Missouri. Contact Sansone & Lauber to discuss the location, injuries, and circumstances of your motorcycle crash.
How much does a consultation cost?
Sansone & Lauber offers free initial consultations and states that attorney fees are payable only if compensation is obtained. Before hiring the firm, review the written agreement for the fee percentage and treatment of case expenses.
Injured by Another Driver? Get Your Motorcycle Claim Reviewed.
You should not have to accept an unsupported accusation of fault or a settlement that overlooks your injuries.
If a car or truck driver injured you while riding in Missouri, call Sansone & Lauber at 314-863-0500 or request a free consultation.
Discuss the evidence, available insurance, medical losses, and next steps. Act while the evidence can still be preserved.
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