Preventing Motorcycle Accidents in St. Louis, Missouri

By The Cagle Law Firm | March 13, 2025 | Motorcycle Accidents, News

Motorcycle riding is thrilling on Missouri and Illinois roadways and it comes with inherent risks.  Motorcycle accidents can be devastating if not deadly.  These devastating injuries not only impact the rider but also their families.  After many years of representing seriously injured motorcycle crash clients, we see the dedication it requires to recovery.  Naturally, we think about prevention of motorcycle crashes by analyzing the data and valuing what transportation experts recommend. In Missouri, we have seen a 47 percent increase in motorcycle crash fatalities since the mandatory helmet law was repealed in 2020.  While motorcycle fatalities and serious injuries were high prior to 2020, 47 percent is a drastic increase.

Understanding the Risks

Most motorcyclists are extremely aware of the risks of riding in traffic.  In reality, simply riding in a motor vehicle is one of the riskiest things we do daily.  According to statistics provided by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, there are about 2000 motorcycle riders injured and about 100 die in 2023 alone.  There are some common causes of these crashes such as speeding, impaired driving and distracted driving. Understand, that these errors are not always on the part of the motorcyclist.  While a motorcyclist may be attentive and focused, the factor they cannot control is other drivers.  Needless to say, since motorcycle riding demands safety, riders who engage in impaired driving, distracted driving or speeding usually do not ride successfully for very long. Regardless of the motorcyclist experience level, other vehicles failing to yield at an intersection has the same result.

Motorcyclists are vulnerable compared to other vehicles because they do not have the protection of the motor vehicle such as a car, SUV or pick-up.  Injuries are generally very serious and can include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, road rash and broken bones.  Clearly, urgent and ongoing medical treatment is required in these type of injuries.  However, there are so many things we all can do to prevent these serious crash injuries.

Training and Education

Education and training are great ways to prevent motorcycle accidents. Comprehensive training programs reduce crashes and save lives. Many local motorcycle sales dealerships sponsor, conduct or connect riders to rider safety training.   Southern Illinois University offers free motorcycle safety courses at the Belleville campus.  If you are a resident of Illinois, Illinois Department of Transportation offers a variety of training courses that are free. Of course, Missouri Motorcycle Safety Program offers 21 training sites around the state.  If you are a beginner, it is really wise to take a safety course. If you haven’t rode in a few years, a refresher course is a great idea and not cost prohibitive.

Ride Defensively

Most successful motorcycle riders use Defensive Riding Techniques to mitigate the risk of motorcycle accidents.  Safe riders tell me that intersections are of particular concern and they emphasis the importance of situational awareness.  They remain vigilant and attempt to anticipate other driver’s moves.  Expert motorcyclists express that you cannot ever assume that other drivers see you or will follow the rules of the roadway.  Many motorcyclists join groups so they can ride in large groups for socialization but ultimately, greater visibility and safety.

Importance of a Motorcycle Helmet

Since Missouri repealed the mandatory helmet law in 2020, we have seen dramatic increases in motorcycle accident fatalities. Since the repeal of the mandatory helmet law for motorcyclist in Missouri, we have seen a 47 percent increase in motorcycle fatalities–Forty-seven percent.  The year 2023 was the deadliest year on record for motorcycle fatalities with 174 in Missouri according to MoDOT.  This horrible statistic was anticipated as every state that reversed their mandatory helmet law saw similar increases in fatalities.  Whether or not proper helmets save lives is not really the debate.  The debate seems to be about preference.

Impact of Failure to Wear a Helmet in a Motorcycle Injury Case

Under the current Missouri law, individuals aged 26 and above are not mandated to wear a helmet while operating or riding a motorcycle. Riders who are 25 or younger must wear a helmet in compliance with the law. If you meet the age requirement to not wear a helmet, you must have proof of health insurance and financial responsibility or motorcycle insurance.  We are lawyers, not lawmakers; but there are some significant problems with this law.  One, proof of health insurance does not mean that the cost of medical bills will not absolutely break you even with some basic health insurance. Motorcycle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries that can financially break a family with good health insurance. Two, motorcycle riders must show proof of the state minimum of motorcycle insurance.  Even you are not familiar with the Missouri state minimum of motorcycle insurance, it is $25,000 for bodily injury, $50,000 in bodily injury per incident and $25,000 in property damage liability.  If you only have “liability insurance”, it only covers damages you cause to other people, not you.  And, how far does anyone think $25,000 goes for medical treatment?

Insurance Companies Approach to Motorcyclists

When you are injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another party, adjusters and defense attorneys often take the position the injured rider assumed the risks.  Even though the mandatory helmet law has been repealed, they defense will argue that you assume more risks when you fail to wear a helmet.  This defense is not grounded in Missouri law, but it is a reality. In fact, the law states that “…no insurer, agent, producer, or claims adjuster of an insurer shall assign a percentage of fault to a party based on the sole fact that the party was operating a motorcycle in an otherwise legal manner”.  We know the law and we know litigation.  The law can say it, however, insurance carriers will devalue your case simply because you were on a motorcycle and especially if you were not wearing a helmet. They may go so far to say they are not responsible for any brain injury due to your lack of safety in wearing a helmet.

Hence, if you are injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another, you need a lawyer immediately.

Ride Safe and Insured

In addition to riding safely, it is really important that you be well insured as a motorcyclist or any kind of motor vehicle operator. No, we do not sell insurance. In fact, we fight insurance carriers daily to pay out fair compensation to those who are injured.   Being underinsured is a real problem when serious injuries are involved.  According to MoDOT State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer, Jon Nelson, stated that of the motorcycle fatalities not wearing helmets, half of those were unlicensed or improperly licensed.  Typically, if the rider is not licensed, they are not insured.  Loss of life is always tragic.  Serious injuries or death to a motorcyclists is devastating to families both emotionally and financially.

Community Awareness

Every spring, drivers in the greater metro area have to be reminded that motorcycle season is upon us.  As operators of cars and trucks, we have spent about four months never seeing a motorcycle. To reduce injury and death to motorcyclists, every driver has to keep a lookout for motorcycles.  Not only do we need to keep a lookout for motorcycles, but the warmer weather brings out the many bicyclists on our roadways and far more pedestrian traffic.

Final Thoughts…

Prevention of motorcycle accidents requires many parties to participate. Whether it is education, training or simply keeping a lookout for motorcycles, we all can contribute to the safety of our community.  Public policy has a responsibility as well. Whether or not any part of the Missouri legislature will re-examine the price of the loss involved by repealing the mandatory motorcycle helmet law is anyone’s guess.  Let’s take the steps we can to reduce the number of motorcycle accidents in the greater metro area this motorcycle season.  Take care of yourself, lookout for your neighbor and if injured, call an expert motorcycle accident lawyer at The Cagle Law Firm.   Locally 314.276.7681 or toll free 1.800.685.3302

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