Truck-Against-Motorcycle Crashes: Liability & Injury Risks

An accident between a commercial truck and a motorcycle is one of the most dangerous crash scenarios imaginable. When these two very different vehicles collide, it’s the motorcyclist who almost always suffers the worst injuries, or even loses their life entirely. While both commercial truck accidents and motorcycle accidents are serious on their own, combining the two creates a perfect storm of high-impact forces, low visibility, and life-threatening injuries. And, in cities like Kansas City, where interstates, highways, and rural roads intersect, these types of crashes aren’t as rare as you might think. If you or a loved one has been involved in this kind of accident, the team at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys is here to help.

Why are truck-against-motorcycle crashes so dangerous?

Here’s why truck-against-motorcycle crashes are so dangerous. A typical motorcycle weighs between 300 and 600 pounds. A fully-loaded commercial truck (like a semi or 18-wheeler) can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Now, imagine that truck hitting a motorcycle, even at a relatively low speed. The results can be catastrophic. Motorcyclists are exposed and vulnerable, without airbags, a steel frame, or a buffer between themselves and the road. These crashes often lead to:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Severe fractures
• Spinal cord injuries or paralysis
• Traumatic amputations
• Internal organ damage
• Fatalities

Further, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die in a crash than occupants of passenger vehicles. Add a commercial truck to the equation and the risk skyrockets.

What are some common scenarios where trucks hit motorcycles?

Motorcyclists know how to ride defensively, but truck drivers often don’t see or expect motorcycles on the road. Here are some of the common ways these crashes occur:

• Large trucks have huge blind spots on all four sides. A motorcycle riding alongside the trailer could be completely invisible to the driver. If the truck merges without seeing the bike, it can force the motorcyclist off the road or crush them between vehicles.
• A truck may not stop in time and slam into the back of a motorcycle. While rear-ending a car might result in a case of whiplash, rear-ending a motorcycle can send the rider flying off their bike, often with deadly consequences.
• Just like in car-vs-motorcycle crashes, a truck making a left-hand turn across traffic may fail to see an oncoming motorcycle. The biker has nowhere to escape and often collides with the side of the trailer.
• Trucks need extra room to make their turns. If a motorcyclist is in the right-hand lane while a truck is turning right, they may get caught between the trailer and the curb, leading to crush injuries.
• Sometimes it’s not a direct crash that causes the injury. If a truck’s cargo isn’t properly secured, it can fall onto the road and hit a passing motorcycle or cause the rider to swerve and crash.

Who’s responsible in a truck-against-motorcycle crash?

In personal injury law, the big question is almost always, “Who’s at fault?” In many truck-against-motorcycle crashes, the truck driver (or the company that employs them) can be held liable. However, determining fault isn’t always simple. Here’s a closer look at the parties who might be held responsible.

• The truck driver. Truck drivers are required to follow strict safety rules, including maintaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL), following hours-of-service rules to prevent drowsy driving, completing regular vehicle inspections, and avoiding distracted or impaired driving. If the crash happened because the trucker didn’t check blind spots, was speeding, was texting or distracted, or failed to yield or obey traffic signals, then they may be personally liable for the crash.
• The trucking company. Even if the driver made a mistake, the company for which they work can be held vicariously liable under the legal principle of respondeat superior, which means that employers are responsible for the actions of their employees while acting within the scope of employment. However, the company could face negligence claims if it failed to train the driver properly, forced the driver to meet unrealistic deadlines, ignored red flags in the driver’s record, or skipped vehicle maintenance. Independent contractor drivers may have limited employer liability, but these are important details that our Kansas City motorcycle accident lawyers will investigate when building your case.
• A third party. Sometimes, other parties are involved. For example, a cargo loading company could be responsible if unsecured cargo caused the crash. A vehicle parts manufacturer could be held liable if a brake or tire defect caused the crash. Or, another driver may have cut off the truck, causing it to swerve and hit the motorcycle.

This is why a full accident investigation is so important.

Proving liability in a truck-against-motorcycle crash

Truck accident claims are different from regular car crash cases. There’s more at stake here, and more complexity. That’s why working with an experienced Kansas City accident attorney is so important. Here’s what our lawyers do to prove liability:

• Obtain black box data from the truck (shows speed, braking, etc.).
• Review the driver’s logs and qualifications.
• Analyze traffic camera or dashcam footage
• Interview witnesses.
• Hire accident reconstruction experts.
• Investigate company records for hiring, training, maintenance, and safety violations.

All of this evidence helps show that the truck driver or company was negligent, and that their negligence caused your injuries.

What if the insurance company blames me, the motorcyclist?

Let’s be honest. Motorcyclists often face unfair bias. Insurance companies love to argue that the biker was speeding, weaving through traffic, or driving recklessly. However, just because you were on a motorcycle doesn’t mean you caused the crash. In Missouri and Kansas, comparative fault laws apply. Missouri follows a pure comparative fault model, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partly at fault. Your compensation, though, will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Kansas uses modified comparative fault, meaning that if you’re 50% or more at fault for the accident, you are barred from recovering compensation.

This is why it’s so important to have a lawyer who understands how to push back against these types of tactics and present the facts clearly.

What kind of compensation can I recover after a motorcycle-truck crash?

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle-truck crash, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses (ER visits, surgeries, physical therapy)
• Future medical care
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Property damage

In tragic cases involving a fatal motorcycle accident, certain family members  of the victim may file a wrongful death claim for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and lost income the person would have provided.

What should I do after a truck hits my motorcycle?

If you’re involved in a truck-against-motorcycle crash, take the following steps immediately.

• Call 911 and get medical help. Even if you feel okay, serious injuries can surface later.
• Ensure the responding officer fills out a police report. This creates an official record of what happened.
• Gather evidence, if you can. Take pictures of the scene, your injuries, and damage to your bike.
• Get witness names and contact information.
• Don’t speak to the trucker’s insurance company. They are not on your side and may try to get you to admit fault or accept a lowball offer.

Then, call a Kansas City motorcycle accident lawyer. The sooner you get legal help, the better your chances of building a strong accident case.

How can Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys help with my claim?

At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, we’ve been fighting for crash victims for over 25 years. We know how complex motorcycle and truck accident cases can be—and we know how to hold big trucking companies accountable. Our team will:

• Investigate the crash thoroughly.
• Deal with all insurance companies.
• Help you get the medical care you need.
• Fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.

We serve clients across Kansas and Missouri, and we’re proud to stand up for the motorcycle community.

Truck-against-motorcycle accidents are devastating, but you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Whether you’re struggling with serious injuries or grieving the loss of a loved one, we’re here to help you get answers, get justice, and get your life back. If you or a loved one was injured in a truck-against-motorcycle crash, contact Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys by calling our offices today or filling out our contact form.