Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists are particularly exposed to dangers on the road and may suffer serious injuries in an accident. These injuries often lead to expensive medical bills, lengthy recovery times, missed work, and emotional trauma that can affect every aspect of life. However, there are legal options available to hold the responsible party accountable and recover damages resulting from the accident.
If you were hurt in a motorcycle crash caused by someone else, you may be entitled to compensation for your financial losses and suffering. At Brown & Crouppen, we’ve helped injured motorcyclists take legal action and demand justice for over 40 years. Contact us today for a free consultation with our motorcycle accident lawyers to learn how we can assist with your case.
- Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
- What Are Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
- Understanding Motorcycle Safety and State Laws
- Local Motorcycle Accidents and Their Effects
- Motorcycle Accident Videos & Resources
- How Brown & Crouppen Can Help With Your Motorcycle Accident Case
- Our Recent Motorcycle Accident Case Results
- Areas We Serve
- Get a Free Case Evaluation Today
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Several factors contribute to motorcycle accidents in the Midwest, including:
- Driver inattention: Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of crashes in Missouri, Kansas, and Illinois. The most common distractions include texting and using cell phones.
- Speeding: Driving above the speed limit can make it difficult to slow down for motorcyclists or avoid road hazards.
- Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can impair a driver’s judgment and reaction times, increasing the risk of motorcycle wrecks.
- Failure to yield: Failing to yield, share the road, or notice motorcyclists is a common cause of motorcycle accidents in the Midwest.
- Road hazards: Construction zones, aging infrastructure, or damaged roads can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
- Poor weather conditions: Midwest winter conditions, heavy rain, and poor visibility can lead to motorcycle crashes.
Dangers of Motorcycle Accidents
Because motorcycles don’t have seatbelts, airbags, and other safety features that are available in motor vehicles, motorcycle accidents are particularly dangerous for riders.
Motorcyclists make up a small share of vehicles on the road, but they account for a disproportionate share of traffic fatalities. While motorcycles only make up 3% of registered vehicles in the United States, 15.5% of all fatal crashes involve motorcyclists.
If you were injured in an accident or lost a loved one to a motorcycle crash, access our motorcycle accident guide below to learn more about your legal options.
Use our guide to understand key legal considerations and what to do after a motorcycle accident.
What Are Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
Motorcycle wrecks can lead to severe auto accident injuries, leaving families to deal with the serious consequences that follow. Examples of common motorcycle crash injuries include:
- Head injuries: Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), especially when the motorcyclist is not wearing a helmet.
- Back injuries: Herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, and spinal cord injuries resulting in mobility and functional issues.
- Bone fractures: Broken limbs, wrists, ribs, hips, and facial bones.
- Road rash: Skin abrasions from scraping against the road or pavement.
- Internal injuries: Punctured or collapsed lungs, internal bleeding, and other organ damage.
- Soft tissue damage: Cuts, bruises, pulled muscles, torn tendons, and ligaments.
- Emotional and psychological trauma: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and cognitive issues.
Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are also a leading cause of traffic fatalities. In Missouri, 98% of people who died in motorcycle accidents were the riders themselves. Missouri, and Kansas City specifically, set records for motorcycle fatalities in 2023.
Understanding Motorcycle Safety and State Laws
Many Midwestern states have laws and regulations in place to enhance motorcycle safety and reduce the risk of serious accidents. Our auto accident attorneys share the laws you need to know in Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas.
Missouri Motorcycle Safety Laws
If you live or plan to ride your motorcycle in Missouri, these are important laws to keep in mind:
- Motorcycle helmets: Any riders under the age of 26 must wear a helmet. Those who are 26 or older with health insurance have the option to ride without a helmet.
- License designation: You need a Class M motorcycle license or permit to operate a motorcycle on public roadways in Missouri.
- Required equipment: Motorcycles must have operating headlights, taillights, brake lights, and a horn for safety.
- Motorcycle insurance: Missouri motorcyclists are required to carry minimum policy limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage and $25,000 per accident for property damage.
Illinois Motorcycle Safety Laws
Illinois has also made strides to improve motorcycle safety through legislation. Essential motorcycle safety laws in Illinois include:
- Helmet requirements: While motorcycle riders and passengers are not required to wear helmets, a motorcycle helmet greatly reduces the chance of a serious head injury.
- Lane splitting: Lane splitting, or driving between two lanes of traffic, is illegal in Illinois.
- Proceeding through red lights: Outside of Chicago, motorcyclists can proceed cautiously through a red light that has been red for two minutes.
- Insurance requirements: All motor vehicles, including motorcycles, must have minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injury or death, and $20,000 per accident for property damage.
Kansas Motorcycle Safety Laws
Along with Missouri and Illinois, Kansas enforces laws to promote motorcycle safety, including:
- Motorcycle helmet law: Motorcycle riders and passengers under 18 years of age must wear a helmet. Anyone over 18 is not required to wear a helmet, but must have eye protection or a motorcycle with a windscreen.
- Lane splitting: Driving between lanes to pass another vehicle is illegal in Kansas.
- Insurance requirements: All drivers, including motorcyclists, must have minimum policy limits that include liability insurance of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury or death, and $10,000 per accident for property damage.
Local Motorcycle Accidents and Their Effects
Our motorcycle accident attorneys have seen the devastation that a crash can cause for victims and their families. If you experience a situation similar to those below, our team can help you file a motorcycle accident claim to recover damages and begin rebuilding your life.
Fatal Motorcycle Crash in St. Louis, MO
In November 2025, the Saint Louis County Police reported that a driver struck a motorcycle on South Broadway Avenue, causing fatal injuries to the motorcyclist. The driver fled the scene and eventually abandoned his car when it broke down.
Following an investigation, the at-fault driver was identified and charged with several criminal offenses. A wrongful death attorney can also help the family file a lawsuit to demand compensation for the loss of their loved one and the suffering caused by the death.
Motorcycle Accident in Lafayette County
While riding on Route PP in Lafayette County, a motorcyclist and his passenger tried to pass a vehicle but were cut off as the driver attempted a left turn. The car struck the motorcycle, which was overturned from the impact.
Local news KCTV5 shared that the motorcyclist suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to a hospital. Unfortunately, the motorcycle passenger died at the scene of the accident.
Motorcycle Crash Near Fort Plant in Claycomo
As reported by KSHB News, a car and motorcycle collided on US 69 in Claycomo near the Ford Kansas City Assembly Plant. The motorcyclist was ejected and passed away from his injuries at the accident scene.
Our motorcycle accident law firm understands how overwhelming it is to suffer an injury or lose a loved one in a motorcycle crash. We’ve guided injured motorcyclists and their families through countless trials, and our attorneys know what it takes to succeed in the courtroom.
"Fifty percent of the time in motorcycle crashes, the cause of the crash is another vehicle. So quite often what we see in motorcycle crashes is that there is another vehicle involved and we find the other driver to be partly or mostly at fault."
Motorcycle Accident Videos & Resources
In a time filled with uncertainty, our motorcycle accident lawyers share information to help you navigate the difficult process that follows a crash.
If you have a question that’s not found on this page, you can view the frequently car asked questions page or call us at 888-803-1307
How Brown & Crouppen Can Help With Your Motorcycle Accident Case
Motorcyclists often have an unfair reputation for being risk-takers, which can negatively impact settlement negotiations without an advocate by your side. Insurers may try to shift the blame to you or make an offer that is far less than your claim is worth.
Our attorneys have decades of experience and knowledge handling these types of cases and know what steps to take to claim maximum compensation for our clients, including:
- Conducting a full investigation to determine liability
- Gathering crucial evidence to build your case
- Communicating with insurance adjusters on your behalf
- Identifying and valuing your damages to include in your claim
- Negotiating a fair settlement that represents the full scope of your losses
- Taking your case to court when necessary
Since 1979, we’ve helped families across the Midwest recover over $1 billion in case results. We fight for what’s fair—working toward a full-value settlement when possible and standing strong in trial when it’s not.
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Our motorcycle injury law firm is one of the highest-rated law firms in the Midwest. At Brown & Crouppen, all of our motorcycle accident attorneys share the same goal – to get justice for people who have been injured. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from a motorcycle accident, get help from a lawyer at Brown & Crouppen Law Firm.
Getting started with your motorcycle accident case is easy. You can call us at 888-802-8156 for a free consultation, or tell us about your case with our free case evaluation form. And remember, there’s no upfront cost to you—if you don’t get paid, we don’t get paid.
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- Last Modified:
- January 23, 2026
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