Mississippi Motorcycle and ATV Accidents

It is estimated that a total of 123,000 motorcycles were involved in crashes in 2007. http://www.iii.org/media/hottopics/insurance/motorcycle/. The 2006 figure for all-terrain vehicle related injuries is estimated at 146,600. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23169857/

Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle cases are especially tough. The injuries involved are typically very serious and the cases can be difficult to win. The facts are that most motorcycle accidents take place because of the negligence of automobile drivers or because of debris and unsafe road conditions. Unfortunately, however, insurance companies and juries are often biased against motorcyclists. They blame motorcyclists for their own injuries because insurance adjusters and jurors don't understand the difficulties of riding with cars on the road. To get the compensation you deserve for your motorcycle accident injury, you need an experienced Mississippi motorcycle accident lawyer — someone to advocate for you, convincing insurance companies and juries to do right by you.

ATV Accidents
ATVs have been around now for 30 years. They are useful for hunters and landowners, and they are extremely fun to ride, but they have an inherently unstable design. These vehicles, which can sometimes weigh over 750 pounds, can easily tip over or roll. The engines have been tweaked over the years, achieving speeds over 60 miles per hour, and the frequent use of ATVs on uneven surfaces, and by children, has led to a continuous growth in the number of ATV-related fatalities and injuries. Finally, certain ATVs, such as the Yamaha Rhino, have been recalled, and are the subject on ongoing lawsuits.

For these reasons, only a skilled Mississippi ATV Accident Attorney should handle your case.

Both types of accidents are growing steadily, and are a major cause of concern throughout the USA. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle or ATV accident there are a number of important issues to consider:

1. Damages – You may suffer certain hardships following a motorcycle or ATV accident. For example, you may have medical bills, find it difficult to work in future, will most likely have damaged your own property, and might be sued for damaging someone else’s property. Your insurance company will not want to pay all these expenses. It is therefore important to hire a lawyer that is well versed in these areas to ensure that your rights are protected and that the maximum amount of compensation is awarded and collected in your case.
2. Comparative Negligence – Your insurance company or an affected 3rd party may argue that your conduct helped cause the accident, or at least made the damage more severe. Not wearing a helmet, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and not adhering to traffic regulations are common legal arguments under this doctrine. Legal arguments can become very complex where both parties may have been negligent, and Mississippi will apply the principles of “comparative negligence,” where the relative negligence by each party determines the damages. Hire an attorney that is well versed in this area of the law, as it may have far reaching consequences and affect the size of damages you receive.
3. Causation and Product Liability - Sometimes the manufacturer of the vehicle may be held liable in cases where there was a defect which has contributed to causing the accident. Examples are faulty tires, gas tanks, or brakes. The evidence may get complex and the manufacturer may decide to fight the case in court, arguing that, although there was a defect, there was no link between it and the injury. A good lawyer will examine the evidence and ensure that all possible compensatory avenues are explored.

After an accident it is important that you maximize your chances of financial recovery by collecting witness information from anyone who has witnessed the accident, receiving an accident report from local police, and maintaining confidentiality about the accident and its causes. See Clarence’s published article on this topic at [link to Thunder Roads article]. Clarence will take this information and ensure that you receive the maximum amount of recovery in the minimum time.

Clarence T. Guthrie is an experienced attorney with ten years of litigation experience and over 200 cases to his name. And if you ask him nicely, he will show you the scar on his knee that a Honda ATC110 gave him in 1981. Clarence is extremely knowledgeable in this area of law, and will be glad to discuss your motorcycle or ATV accident with you for free. This firm has the experience, resources, and the plan to make sure your case is done right.

If you would like to discuss your motorcycle or ATV case with us, please call The Guthrie Firm, PLLC at (601) 991-1099 or contact us online. We are here to help.