Alcohol degrades the critical skills needed to operate a motorcycle safely. With rideshare options, designated drivers, and public transportation readily available throughout Kansas City, there’s never a valid reason to ride impaired—but unfortunately, some riders still take this dangerous risk. Whether you were injured by a drunk driver or motorcyclist, you have the right to hold the intoxicated party accountable through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit in Kansas City.
How Alcohol Affects Motorcycle Operation
When a motorcyclist gets on their bike while impaired, the consequences can be catastrophic. Alcohol impairs balance and coordination, making it difficult to maintain the motorcycle’s stability, especially at lower speeds and during turns. These skills are fundamental in motorcycle riding, and when they are compromised, the risk of an accident increases drastically.
Alcohol also slows reaction time when encountering road hazards, unexpected traffic movements, or sudden stops. This delay can mean the difference between avoiding a collision and experiencing a serious accident. Additionally, alcohol distorts vision and perception. It reduces peripheral awareness, depth perception, and the ability to track moving objects—all critical skills when navigating traffic on a motorcycle.
Judgment and decision-making abilities become compromised, even when a rider has only had a drink or two. This leads to poor speed management, improper following distances, and risky maneuvers that a sober rider would recognize as dangerous.
Kansas City Laws on Drinking and Riding a Motorcycle
Kansas and Missouri have strict laws against operating motorcycles while impaired. A motorcycle falls under both states’ definition of a motor vehicle according to auto accident attorneys in Kansas City. As a result, intoxicated riders can be charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in Kansas or driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Missouri if their blood alcohol content is 0.08% or higher. Riders can face fines, license suspension, or jail time depending on the severity of the incident and the number of previous offenses on their record.
Criminal versus Civil Cases in Drunk Driving Accidents
When a drunk driving motorcycle accident occurs, two separate legal processes may unfold: criminal and civil. Criminal cases are brought by the state against the impaired rider. However, victims do not receive any compensation from these proceedings.
Civil cases allow you to seek a settlement to help pay for your injuries and losses. You can pursue a civil claim at the same time that criminal charges are brought against the at-fault party. However, your legal options will vary depending on whether your accident occurred in Kansas or Missouri.
Missouri operates as a fault state, allowing you to file a claim directly against the at-fault rider’s insurance or pursue a lawsuit. However, Kansas is a no-fault state, requiring you to first file through your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. However, you can step outside this system and pursue a direct claim against the drunk rider if:
- Your medical bills exceed $2,000.
- Your injuries qualify as serious. Serious injuries include permanent disfigurement, fractures of weight-bearing bones, compound fractures, permanent injuries, or permanent loss of bodily function.
Speak with a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Today
When an intoxicated individual shatters your life or takes your loved one, you deserve justice. Experienced Kansas City motorcycle accident lawyers at Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe know how to hold intoxicated drivers and motorcycle riders financially accountable for the devastation they have caused. With over $1 billion recovered for our clients, our firm has the resources and determination to pursue maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. Contact us today at (816) 876-2600 to discuss your case with a Kansas City drunk driving accident lawyer.