Jackson Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Jackson, MS

When you enjoy the freedom of riding a motorcycle, you also have to maintain alert awareness when sharing the roads with other types of vehicles. If you experience a motorcycle accident, you are likely to need the services of an experienced Jackson motorcycle accident lawyer who can advocate for your rights and interests during the claim process.

Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

When you hire a motorcycle accident lawyer, you want someone who understands the added challenges of handling motorcycle bias during the claims process. Many insurance agents inherently believe motorcyclists are automatically responsible for accidents. Starting the claim process with this bias makes it more challenging to determine who is actually liable.

At Chhabra, Gibbs & Gustavis, P.A., we understand this bias and the need to demonstrate quickly how our clients were not at fault just because they were riding a motorcycle. With more than 25 years of experience in personal injury law, our team understands how to build a strong claim around the facts of your case. We have helped Mississippians recover hundreds of millions in personal injury cases. We work tirelessly to pursue fair compensation for your claim.

Motorcycle Accident Prevalence

Information from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System shows trends in motorcycle fatalities in the United States. In 2024, there were a total of 6,228 motorcyclist fatalities that occurred as the result of motorcycle crashes. This number represents a 23% increase in motorcyclist deaths since 2019. Motorcycle crash fatalities accounted for 16% of all fatalities from any crash type in 2024.

In Jackson, there are some areas more likely to see motorcycle accidents compared with other areas. Heavy congestion, high speeds, and high-traffic urban corridors contribute to motorcycle accidents. Some of the most dangerous roads in Jackson are listed below:

• Interstate 55
• Lakeland Drive
• Interstate 20
• U.S. 80

When seeking compensation after a motorcycle accident, you usually can negotiate directly with the liable party’s insurance company. If negotiations fail to provide adequate compensation for your damages, you may have to file a claim in civil court to receive a settlement offer.

For accidents in Jackson, you can file your claim with the Hinds County Circuit Court, located at 407 E. Pascagoula Street. The circuit court handles major civil claims, the county court handles intermediate claims, and the justice court handles minor claims.

Motorcycle Bias

Motorcycle bias is a problem all motorcycle riders face that can impact how they are perceived in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident. This bias labels motorcycle riders as reckless speeders who are inherently more likely to ride dangerously compared with drivers of passenger vehicles. After a motorcycle accident, this bias can affect how insurance adjusters, judges, and the general public view the motorcycle rider.

Some of the many negative effects motorcycle bias can have on the motorcycle accident claim process are explained below:

• Failure to investigate the claim. When insurance adjusters assume the motorcycle rider is at fault, they may fail to properly investigate the claim. When this happens, the motorcycle rider bears the burden of proving they were not at fault or did not behave recklessly.
• Assumed irresponsibility. Although motorcycle riders over 18 years of age are not legally required to wear a helmet in Mississippi, failure to wear one could be used as evidence of a motorcycle rider’s reckless behavior.
• Exploit comparative negligence rules. Insurance adjusters can use motorcycle bias against the motorcycle rider to artificially inflate their fault percentage, resulting in a lower payout than they otherwise should have been awarded.

To combat motorcycle bias, you need a Jackson motorcycle accident lawyer who understands this bias and how to counter common arguments made against motorcycle riders. You deserve fair representation during the claim process. Our team at Chhabra, Gibbs & Gustavis, P.A., understands how to counter these biases so you receive fair compensation for your claim.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle riders have fewer protections against hazards during an accident, which can result in severe or life-changing injuries. Many motorcycle accidents are caused by the careless or reckless actions of passenger vehicle drivers. Some common causes of motorcycle accidents are detailed below:

• Left-turn collisions. Drivers fail to yield to motorcycle riders when making a left-hand turn. Drivers may see the motorcyclist approaching but misjudge how fast they are coming.
• Unsafe lane changes. Merging lanes can be dangerous when drivers fail to check their blind spots for motorcycle riders.
• Road hazards. Motorcyclists are more prone to accidents from potholes, uneven pavement, or loose debris on the road compared with passenger vehicle drivers.

How to Build a Motorcycle Claim

After a motorcycle accident, there are some steps you can take that could help you build your personal injury claim. If you can safely do so, follow the steps outlined below:

• Report the accident. Call law enforcement to report the accident. Reporting starts the process of filing a police report on the accident. You then have the opportunity to describe what happened, and you can use the report later when filing for compensation.
• Get medical attention. If an ambulance is called to the scene, do not leave until you have been cleared to do so, and do not remove your protective gear until given the okay. In some instances, your protective gear could mask potentially life-threatening injuries.
• Gather evidence at the scene. Take photos or video of the accident site and the damage to all of the vehicles involved in the accident. Make note of any weather or road conditions that may have contributed to the accident.
• Exchange information. You should exchange information with the other driver, including your name, address, phone number, and insurance information.
• Collect witness information. If there were witnesses, collect brief statements and their contact information so you can contact them if needed.
• Visit your regular medical provider. Seek your regular physician after the accident to check for any injuries that may not have been immediately evident. If you are given a treatment plan, follow that plan precisely.
• Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer. Find an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer who can guide you through the process while protecting your rights and interests.

FAQs

Contact Local Personal Injury Law Firm Chhabra, Gibbs & Gustavis, P.A.

Motorcycle accidents in Jackson can leave you feeling overwhelmed. You may not know what your next step should be to build your compensation claim. Our team can help you navigate this complex process, so you don’t miss important deadlines or risk losing valuable evidence.

We are prepared to negotiate on your behalf, so you receive a fair settlement amount for the damages you have suffered. If negotiating is not possible, we are prepared to take your case to court. Contact Chhabra, Gibbs & Gustavis, P.A., today to schedule your initial consultation.