Traumatic Brain Injuries After Motorcycle Accidents: How Oklahoma Laws and Lawyers Support Victims
For Oklahomans, motorcycles offer a unique thrill and daily transportation means. While riding a motorcycle can be an exciting passion, it comes with significant risks. Motorcycle accidents in Oklahoma, especially in busy urban areas like Tulsa, frequently result in severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBI’s)—a life-changing consequence for many riders. Our Tulsa motorcycle accident lawyers combine experience, knowledge, and aggressive negotiation tactics to hold insurance companies accountable and secure the maximum compensation you deserve.
Traumatic brain injuries can devastate victims and lead to lifelong symptoms. If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident in Oklahoma and suspect you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury, it’s time to seek legal help. The legal team at Aizenman Law Group works with many motorcycle accident victims to help them achieve maximum compensation for their injuries.
Motorcycle Safety Laws in Oklahoma
It’s no secret that riding at high speeds with motorcycles’ minimal protection is risky. While risk is unavoidable, riders can take steps to stay safe on the road. In addition to general best practices, Oklahoma has several laws related to motorcycle use.
Motorcyclists must have a valid motorcycle license or “L” endorsement to operate in the Sooner State. To be issued a motorcycle license, riders must pass a written test, a vision test, and a skills test to prove they can safely operate.
While motorcycle safety courses are highly recommended, they are not legally required for adult applicants. However, anyone between the ages of 14 and 18 must complete a motorcycle safety course to become licensed. Although motorcycle licenses are restricted to individuals 16 and older, teens under 16 may apply for a permit with additional requirements.
Motorcycles are subject to strict design requirements under Okla. Stat. 47 § 12-609. Motorcycles must have two rear-view mirrors with a reflection surface of at least three inches in diameter. They must also be equipped with a windshield or other protective eyewear, fenders, working turn signals, lights, a horn, and a muffler or other effective noise-suppressing system. While there is no law against motorcycles being too loud, it is illegal to intentionally alter your muffler to make your motorcycle louder than it would be otherwise. See Okla. Stat. tit. 47 § 12-402.
According to Okla. Stat. tit. 47 § 12-609, no person under 18 may operate or ride on a motorcycle without a helmet. Adults are not legally required to wear helmets while riding or operating a motorcycle but doing so can significantly prevent injury risks. In fact, studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have shown that motorcycle helmets are 37 percent effective in preventing rider deaths and 69 percent effective in preventing the risk of head injury.
Understanding these laws is critical for your safety and legal rights. If you’ve been injured in a crash, a Tulsa motorcycle accident lawyer can evaluate your case to determine if any violations of Oklahoma motorcycle laws contributed to your injuries.
Recent Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office’s 2021 Fatal and Injury Crash Report, 762 people were killed, and 11,619 people were injured in motorcycle accidents. The least number of accidents that year occurred in June, and the most happened in July. 282 of the motorcycle accident fatalities that year occurred in drug or alcohol-related accidents. Most crashes occurred in urban areas, like Tulsa or Oklahoma City.
The fact that June saw the fewest accidents while July experienced the most, despite similar weather conditions, suggests that factors other than weather impact accident rates. Additionally, the sobering reality that nearly 37% of motorcycle fatalities were linked to drugs or alcohol highlights the devastating impact of impaired driving.
The concentration of motorcycle accidents in urban areas like Tulsa and Oklahoma City highlights how congested roads, distracted drivers, and increased traffic density contribute to these dangerous crashes. Motorcyclists visiting urban areas should exercise increased caution to avoid becoming an accident statistic. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in urban areas like Tulsa, a Tulsa motorcycle accident lawyer from Aizenman Law Group can help you navigate the legal process and recover the compensation you deserve.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) occur when a sudden external force impacts the brain, often resulting from high-impact crashes like motorcycle accidents. Depending on the accident, TBIs can range from mild to severe. In minor cases, TBI victims may experience headaches and nausea, while more severe cases can alter the way the brain operates indefinitely and even death.
Motorcycle crash victims often experience non-penetrating TBIs. This type of TBI is caused when an exterior force causes the brain to move within the skull. Motorcycle riders may experience dizziness and confusion immediately after suffering a TBI, with other symptoms developing later. While some individuals may return to pre-TBI levels of ability, others require lifelong medical care.
Effects of TBIs include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Speech Delays/Slurred Speech
- Trouble Balancing
- Light Sensitivity
- Agitation
- Frustration
- Confusion
- Changes in Sight
- Memory Loss
- Depression
- Anxiety
These life-altering symptoms often require significant medical treatment, which a skilled attorney can help you recover compensation for.
The most important thing to do after experiencing a TBI is to seek prompt medical care. A timely medical evaluation can sometimes be the difference between life and death. If you are unsure where to look, the Oklahoma traumatic brain injury attorneys at Aizenman Law Group can help connect you with competent medical professionals trained in TBI treatment.
How Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Can Help
When the effects of TBIs caused in a motorcycle accident in Oklahoma interfere with your life and livelihood, the experienced accident attorneys at Aizenman Law Group can take on the task of getting you rightful compensation for your injuries. We’ve been doing it for years and have helped many Oklahomans receive significant compensation following a motorcycle accident.
First, an attorney will ensure you undergo the proper diagnostic testing following your accident. This testing can include CT scans, MRIs, and concussion screening to determine the full extent of your injuries. Frequently, the more severe your injury is, the more compensation you may be entitled to.
After the accident, our Tulsa motorcycle accident lawyers and traumatic brain injury attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation to gather evidence and identify all responsible parties. This may include witness interviews, reviewing police reports, visiting the scene, speaking to medical professionals, and other tasks to understand how your accident occurred and who is to blame. We’ll know who to hold responsible for your injuries using this information.
Our Tulsa motorcycle accident lawyers combine experience, knowledge and aggressive negotiation tactics to hold insurance companies accountable and secure the maximum compensation you deserve. Our attorneys include former insurance defense attorneys, so we know the lowball tactics they rely on to minimize your payout and turn a profit. And if the insurance company is unwilling to pay up, we will fearlessly litigate your case.
Why Timing Is Critical in Motorcycle Accident TBI Cases
Motorcycle accident victims should not wait too long to seek legal help. Important evidence, like witness statements and road conditions, can quickly disappear following an accident. The sooner you involve a Tulsa motorcycle accident lawyer, the better chance they have to collect crucial evidence, such as witness statements, traffic camera footage, and road conditions.
Oklahoma also has a two-year statute of limitations for motor vehicle accidents. That means accident victims have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. Missing this timeframe can result in losing your right to legal compensation, no matter how serious your injuries are and how at fault the other party is for what happened.
Take the First Step Towards Recovery with Aizenman Law Group
We understand the physical and emotional toll TBIs can take on motorcycle accident victims. That’s why we work tirelessly to get our clients the compensation they need. We’re here to be an ally at every step of the recovery process so you can focus on healing.
Time is of the essence. Reach out to Aizenman Law Group, the trusted Tulsa motorcycle accident and traumatic brain injury attorneys in Oklahoma, before evidence disappears or insurance companies take advantage of delays.
Call Aizenman Law Group at 918-215-8856, today for a free consultation. Together, we’ll evaluate your case and pursue the maximum compensation you’re entitled to. The road to recovery is tough, but with the right legal team, you can take control of the legal process. Don’t wait—contact Aizenman Law Group today and let our Tulsa motorcycle accident lawyers fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
