Tom Dickerson
Tom Dickerson is a trial attorney and co-founder of Dickerson Oxton, where he focuses on personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury litigation. Since launching the firm with Chelsea Oxton Dickerson in 2010, Tom has helped recover millions of dollars for injured clients through aggressive advocacy and courtroom experience. Known for his client-first approach, he is dedicated to standing up for individuals and families against insurance companies and large corporations.
In 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that motorcycle accidents are responsible for thousands of deaths and serious injuries each year in the United States. While the CDC suggests that more motorcycle helmets could reduce these life-altering consequences, many crashes would not have happened if not for driver negligence. It may be difficult to determine the root cause of motorcycle accidents for various reasons. Riders may be deceased, leaving few witnesses to tell the authorities what really happened. Traumatic brain injuries may also incapacitate victims or leave them with memory loss.
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Kansas City may be able to help victims and their families determine who might be responsible for these incidents. Dickerson Oxton has over 80 years of combined experience and a 98 percent success rate when recovering compensation for its clients. Continue this dialogue by contacting us at (816) 542-6599. We serve motorcycle accident victims in Kansas City.
Various Parties May Be Responsible for Your Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accidents can occur in many different ways. As a result, various parties may be responsible for these crashes. Sometimes, more than one party is responsible for the same motorcycle accident. In many cases, motorcyclists themselves are partially responsible for their own injuries. The “negligent party” does not necessarily need to be a person at all. This party could be a company, such as the manufacturer of a defective motorcycle. The negligent party could also be a construction contractor, a city municipality, or some other type of organization responsible for maintaining or repairing roads.
Summary of Motorcycle Accident Liability and Personal Injury Claims
Responsibility for a Kansas City motorcycle accident often depends on which party acted negligently, and liability may involve another driver, a motorcyclist, a company, a government entity, or multiple parties. Drivers may be responsible for motorcycle accidents when they fail to yield, make unsafe lane changes, neglect to check blind spots, fail to signal, or engage in aggressive driving behaviors such as tailgating or brake-checking.
Motorcycle accidents frequently occur when drivers turn left into the path of an oncoming motorcycle, merge without yielding, or change lanes without properly checking for riders. Kansas follows a modified comparative negligence system that may limit recovery when a motorcyclist is more than 49 percent responsible, while Missouri follows a pure comparative negligence doctrine that may allow claims even when a rider shares substantial fault.
When Is Another Driver Responsible for a Motorcycle Accident?
Another driver is responsible for a motorcycle accident if they failed to yield. Another driver might also be responsible if they failed to properly signal before switching lanes. Road rage behavior, such as intentionally “brake-checking” or tailgating a motorcyclist, may constitute another example of negligence.
When Do Motorcyclists Have the Right of Way?
Motorcyclists have the right of way in many scenarios. One of the most common types of motorcycle accidents involves a vehicle turning left into the path of a rider at an intersection. As most motorists know, left-turning vehicles must yield to both oncoming traffic and right-turning vehicles. A motorcycle may be less visible than a passenger vehicle, making it more challenging for left-turning vehicles to spot. As a result, left-turning vehicles must exercise extreme caution when turning left, particularly at night or in low-visibility conditions.
While motorcyclists do not “automatically” have the right of way, other drivers must yield to them in various situations. Another example involves merging onto a highway. If a motorcyclist is already on the highway and another driver attempts to merge on an on-ramp, the motorcyclist has the right of way. As a result, the merging vehicle must match the speed of the motorcyclist and wait for a safe moment to merge onto the highway.
Drivers Often Fail to Check Their Blind Spots for Motorcyclists
The same basic logic applies when a motorist switches into a lane occupied by a motorcyclist. A driver who switches lanes must yield to motorists already within that lane. The first step in this process should be a shoulder check, as motorcyclists (and cyclists, for that matter) often remain hidden within blind spots. Too often, drivers take quick, cursory glances at their mirrors instead of actually checking their blind spots. If a rider lies within a blind spot, a subsequent lane-change maneuver can easily cause that motorcyclist to crash.
Another common mistake is the failure to signal before switching lanes. A driver may take a quick look at their mirrors and assume that they are the only ones on the road. They may then assume that using their turn signal is therefore unnecessary. However, a motorcyclist may be hidden within their blind spots, and they may be caught completely off-guard by the lane switch. On that note, the failure to signal before any turn can be dangerous for riders. For example, a driver might fail to indicate before turning right at an intersection, thereby cutting off a motorcyclist and causing catastrophic injuries.
Motorcyclists Are Extremely Vulnerable to Road Rage Incidents
Motorcyclists are often vulnerable to road rage incidents. When altercations between riders and drivers escalate, all kinds of reckless and negligent behavior can occur. One common scenario involves “brake-checking” motorcyclists. A road-raging driver might also intentionally cut a rider off. Tailgating is another issue that motorcyclists often have to deal with.
Motorcyclists May Be Partially Responsible for Their Own Injuries
Sometimes, motorcyclists are partially responsible for their own injuries. However, this does not necessarily make a motorcycle accident lawsuit impossible. According to the Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes, the Sunflower State follows a modified comparative negligence system. In other words, a motorcyclist loses the right to compensation if they are more than 49 percent responsible for their own accident. Under the Revised Statutes of Missouri, the Show-Me State operates under a pure comparative negligence doctrine. In other words, a motorcyclist can pursue a personal injury lawsuit even if they are 99 percent responsible for their own injuries.
This distinction means that (generally speaking) Missouri makes it easier to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit than Kansas. The key takeaway is that even if a rider believes that they are to blame for their own injuries, they may still want to discuss their legal options with an established personal injury law firm like Dickerson Oxton, especially after a motorcycle accident in a multi-jurisdictional area like Kansas City.
Learn More About Motorcycle Accidents With Dickerson Oxton
While it may be challenging to determine the root cause of certain motorcycle accidents, victims and their families do not have to investigate these incidents alone. Along with local crash scene investigators, motorcycle accident attorneys in Kansas City may be able to search for potential signs of fault and negligence. Once an accident attorney identifies one or more negligent parties, they can help victims pursue fair compensation for medical bills, lost earnings, funeral costs, and any other damages the family may have incurred. Continue this dialogue by contacting Dickerson Oxton at (816) 542-6599.
Helpful FAQs About Motorcycle Accidents and Liability in Kansas City
These commonly asked questions can help injured victims of motorcycle accidents understand their legal rights.
Who Can Be Held Responsible For A Motorcycle Accident?
Several parties may be responsible for a motorcycle accident, depending on the circumstances. Potentially liable parties include negligent drivers, motorcycle manufacturers, construction contractors, government entities responsible for road maintenance, or even multiple parties acting together.
When Is Another Driver Responsible For A Motorcycle Accident?
A driver may be responsible when negligent actions contribute to a collision. Common examples include failing to yield, making unsafe lane changes, failing to signal, driving aggressively, or disregarding traffic laws that protect motorcyclists.
Do Motorcyclists Have The Right Of Way?
Motorcyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other motorists. They have the right of way in many situations, including when traveling lawfully through an intersection or occupying a lane that another vehicle intends to enter.
Why Are Left-Turn Motorcycle Accidents So Common?
Left-turn collisions often occur when a driver misjudges the speed or visibility of an approaching motorcycle. Drivers making left turns generally must yield to oncoming traffic, including motorcycles, before proceeding through an intersection.
How Do Blind Spots Contribute To Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycles are smaller than many passenger vehicles and may be difficult to see in mirrors alone. Drivers who fail to perform proper shoulder checks before changing lanes may overlook riders and cause serious collisions.
Can Road Rage Lead To Motorcycle Accident Liability?
Yes. Aggressive driving behaviors such as tailgating, intentionally cutting off a rider, or brake-checking may support allegations of negligence and liability if those actions contribute to a crash.
Can A Motorcyclist Still Recover Compensation If They Were Partially At Fault?
In many situations, a motorcyclist may still pursue compensation even if they share some responsibility for the accident. The availability of compensation often depends on state comparative negligence laws and the percentage of fault assigned to each party.
What Evidence Is Used To Determine Fault In A Motorcycle Accident?
Investigations may involve police reports, witness statements, photographs, video footage, vehicle damage assessments, accident reconstruction findings, medical records, and other evidence. This information can help establish how the collision occurred and who may be responsible.