Bowling Green Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Bowling Green can help you preserve the evidence you need to win your case. If you have been involved in a motorcycle wreck, take these steps:

• Immediately file a report with the police and notify your insurance company.
• If you were injured, seek medical attention right away.
• Get the name, address, license number, plate number, and insurer from the at-fault driver.
• Write down details of the motorcycle accident including date, time, location, what happened to cause the accident, and other details while they are fresh on your mind.
• If possible, also get names, addresses, and phone numbers of witnesses and take photos of the scene of the accident (such as damage to vehicles, skid marks, road signs, or anything that might have contributed to the wreck).

Do not discuss the accident with the other drivers’ insurance company before consulting with an attorney. If you have been injured, contact motorcycle accident attorney Flora Templeton Stuart immediately so you can focus on what is most important – recovering from your injuries.

Kentucky has one of the highest rates of no-helmet motorcycle riders in the country. The NHTSA reported that 66% of all Kentucky motorcycle riders do not wear a helmet. Despite some states requiring all motorcycle riders to wear a helmet, Kentucky only requires helmets for:

• Riders under the age of 21.
• Riders who have been licensed for less than 1 year.

Although helmet usage is not required and will not affect your claim, wearing a helmet is the most effective and easiest way to prevent serious injury or death in a motorcycle accident. Riders can choose between a full face or three-quarter helmets in various colors and styles.

No matter what style you choose, a helmet that follows DOT & state standards, fits snugly and has no obvious defects significantly improves your chances of survival after an accident.

Helmets save lives, plain and simple. For every 100 fatal injuries to motorcycle riders not wearing helmets, 37 could have survived if they were wearing a helmet. Some riders refuse to wear a helmet because they think it will limit visibility. Others only wear helmets for long trips or when traveling at high speeds. However, in a study of more than 900 motorcycle crashes, not a single case showed that helmets prevented a rider from spotting danger. Additionally, most crashes happen on short trips and occur just a few minutes after starting out.

Kentucky residents over the age of 18 are eligible to apply for a motorcycle permit at their Circuit Court Clerk’s office in their county of residence. Those with a valid operator license for any classification are also eligible to apply for a motorcycle permit. For applicants who are under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign the application and assume responsibility, even if the applicant has a valid license for a moped or automobile.

In both cases, a written exam, vision screening, and identification documents are required for applicants to receive their motorcycle instruction permit. The permit is valid for one year and can be renewed once. Motorcycle permit holders may ride a motorcycle, but there are a few rules they must follow:

• Passengers are not permitted.
• They must not be on the road between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m.
• They are required to wear a helmet.

After holding the motorcycle permit for one month, riders may apply for their Kentucky motorcycle license and enroll in a motorcycle education course. When applying for your motorcycle license, you must present either a certificate of completion for a rider education course OR written proof that you have passed the motorcycle road skills test.

Completion of an approved rider education course through the Motorcycle Safety Education Program (MSEP) allows applicants to waive the on-road motorcycle skills test. These courses promote motorcycle safety and increase awareness of the dangers associated with operating a motorcycle. The program also instills the knowledge, skills, and habits necessary for safely operating a motorcycle. These courses are free and suit all levels of experience.

All motorcycle riders are different, and all motorcycles require different skills and experience levels to ride. There are countless factors that a rider must consider when purchasing a motorcycle such as travel distance, frequency of use, luggage capacity, comfort, weight, and size. The most common types of motorcycles are cruisers, sportbikes, touring styles, standards, and dual sports. Each type is designed for entirely different purposes and riders should choose a bike that best matches their needs.

One of the biggest mistakes motorcyclists make is overestimating their abilities or choosing a motorcycle that does not match their body size or riding style. Sure, large bikes may look appealing and are more comfortable on long trips, but their weight and size make maneuvering and handling extremely difficult for inexperienced riders. Touring bikes, which can weigh in at over 700 pounds, can be safer in the hands of an experienced rider but can be significantly more dangerous for beginners or people with smaller body types. On the other hand, sportbikes are lighter and faster but are generally not suited for long trips.

Understanding your needs as a rider and the purpose of the bike is the single most important consideration in terms of safety. While some motorcycles provide more protection in the event of an accident, rider experience and proper motorcycle education can eliminate many of the dangers associated with riding motorcycles in Kentucky.