Motorcycle riders face unique dangers on Oklahoma roads. Without the protection of an enclosed vehicle, a crash that might be a minor fender-bender for a car driver can be catastrophic for a motorcyclist. Road rash, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries are all common outcomes of motorcycle accidents — and the medical costs can be staggering.
What makes motorcycle accident cases particularly challenging is the bias that many people — including insurance adjusters and jurors — hold against motorcyclists. The assumption that riders are reckless or at fault is pervasive, and insurance companies exploit it aggressively. Having an experienced motorcycle accident attorney in your corner is essential.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Oklahoma
The most common causes of serious motorcycle accidents in Oklahoma include:
- Left-turn accidents — a vehicle turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle is the most common and deadly type of motorcycle crash
- Rear-end collisions — a vehicle following too closely and striking a motorcycle from behind
- Lane changes — a driver changing lanes without checking their blind spot
- Distracted driving — drivers looking at phones or otherwise not paying attention
- Road hazards — potholes, gravel, debris, and uneven pavement that are minor inconveniences for cars can be deadly for motorcycles
- DUI drivers — impaired drivers are a disproportionate cause of fatal motorcycle accidents
Oklahoma Motorcycle Laws You Should Know
Understanding Oklahoma motorcycle laws is important for your case:
- Helmet law: Oklahoma requires all motorcycle operators and passengers to wear helmets. Failure to wear a helmet can affect your claim if you suffered a head injury — the defense will argue your injuries were worsened by not wearing a helmet.
- Lane splitting: Lane splitting (riding between lanes of traffic) is illegal in Oklahoma. If you were lane splitting at the time of the accident, it will affect your comparative fault percentage.
- Comparative negligence: Oklahoma's modified comparative negligence rule applies to motorcycle accidents. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover. If you are less than 50% at fault, your damages are reduced proportionally.
Why Insurance Companies Target Motorcycle Riders
Insurance companies know that juries can be skeptical of motorcycle riders. They use this bias strategically — arguing that the rider was speeding, weaving, or otherwise behaving recklessly, even when the evidence doesn't support it. They also use the helmet defense aggressively in cases involving head injuries.
An experienced motorcycle accident attorney knows how to counter these tactics: through thorough accident reconstruction, witness testimony, dashcam and surveillance footage, and expert testimony that establishes the true cause of the crash.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Oklahoma
- Call 911 and get medical attention immediately — even if you feel okay
- Document the scene with photos if you are able to do so safely
- Get the other driver's information and insurance details
- Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company
- Contact a motorcycle accident attorney before speaking with any insurer
I have represented motorcycle accident victims across Tulsa and all of Oklahoma. Call me at (918) 640-7383 for a free consultation — I'll fight the bias and fight for the full value of your claim.
