Motorcycle crashes can be devastating for the cyclist, as motorcycles do not have the safety and protective gear that is found with passenger vehicles, such as airbags. This can lead to multiple injuries for the motorcyclist, some of which could be life changing.
If you suffered a crash while on your motorcycle, and you ended up with injuries, you have the right to seek damages from the responsible party. With a Huntsville motorcycle accident lawyer on your side, you can work together toward attempting to receive the fairest possible settlement.
Even if the insurance company promises to work on your behalf, the insurer does not always have your best interest in mind. By hiring a lawyer, you will truly have an advocate on your side. Contact the Morris Bart law office today for a free consultation at (800) 537-8185. We work on a contingency fee basis.
Frequency of Motorcycle Crashes
In Alabama in 2018, 1,859 motorcyclists were involved in accidents, according to the Alabama Department of Transportation. The motorcycle riders suffered 1,262 injuries and 83 fatalities in these accidents.
Although motorcycle crashes only accounted for about 1.2% of all accidents on Alabama roads in 2018, cyclists suffered about 2.7% of all injuries and 8.7% of all fatalities in Alabama crashes.
These numbers show the dangers motorcycle riders face on the roads. Any time there is an accident involving a motorcycle, the chances for suffering an injury or fatality are significantly higher than for people driving a passenger car or a truck who are involved in an accident.
Protecting Themselves
Because of the added danger for motorcyclists versus someone riding in a car, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that cyclists take all safety precautions and drive defensively on the roads. Some of the ways they can do this include:
- Obeying helmet laws: The state of Alabama requires all riders of all ages to wear motorcycle helmets, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
- Be wary at intersections: Motorcyclists must keep a close eye on vehicle drivers, especially at intersections, where the driver may turn left without seeing an oncoming motorcycle.
- Inspect the bike: Riders should inspect the motorcycle each time before riding, looking for malfunctioning tires, headlights, taillights, or brakes.
Unfortunately, even if the motorcyclist takes every possible precaution, it is possible that a negligent driver will make a mistake behind the wheel, creating an accident with injuries that the motorcycle rider had no chance to avoid or prevent.
Count on a Huntsville motorcycle accident lawyer to help you in this type of situation. We will work tirelessly to ensure the other driver is held responsible for his or her actions. Call us at (800) 537-8185 for a free case review. At the Morris Bart law office, we will begin working on your case as soon as you hire us.
For a free legal consultation with a Motorcycle Accident lawyer serving Huntsville, call 800-537-8185
How Is a Driver Found Negligent?
When you suffer an injury in a motorcycle accident and you choose to bring a lawsuit, you and your attorney will need to be able to show that the other driver’s actions were negligent or reckless. You have to show that if the driver had chosen different actions, the accident and your injuries would not have happened.
Some of the ways another driver could be found negligent include:
- Speeding
- Disregarding traffic signals
- Disregarding traffic signs
- Changing lanes without checking for approaching motorcycles
- Drifting out of a lane, causing a motorcycle to swerve and lose control
- Turning in front of a motorcycle
- Pulling out in front of a motorcycle
- Backing out of a parking spot without checking for motorcycles
- Following too closely
- Having malfunctioning brake lights, causing a crash
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
There are additional ways a vehicle driver could be found negligent after a crash with a motorcycle beyond what we listed.
Proving Negligence in a Lawsuit
You and your attorney will use a variety of means to attempt to prove negligence on the part of the other driver in the crash.
By studying police reports, interviewing witnesses, reviewing video and photographs from the scene, and possibly hiring an accident recreation expert, we will have the facts in hand to show what happened in the crash.
Huntsville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-537-8185
Items Eligible for Recovery
Quite a few different items are eligible to be part of your claim, including:
- Medical bills: Your costs for care currently and your estimated medical costs to deal with ongoing issues in the future can be covered.
- Therapy costs: If your injuries require you to go to a rehabilitation facility or to undergo physical therapy, you can recover these costs through a settlement.
- Lost wages: You can receive reimbursement for work you missed while recovering.
- Pain and suffering: You can receive a settlement amount for mental trauma and other emotional issues.
It is possible that your attorney will be able to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company for the driver who hit your motorcycle before the case goes to trial. However, if the insurer refuses to agree to a satisfactory settlement, your attorney can try the lawsuit in court.
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Let Us Defend Your Right to Receive Damages
After an accident that was not your fault, you should not have to bear the burden of the costs of recovery on your own. The driver that behaved in a negligent manner and hit your motorcycle should be held responsible for his or her actions.
As a trusted Huntsville motorcycle accident lawyer, we know how to defend the rights of our clients to receive the settlements they deserve. We will study the facts in your case, using all of the information available to us to figure out whether the insurance company is offering you a fair amount for your settlement.
The team at the Morris Bart law firm works on a contingency fee basis. This means we do not accept payment up front for our services. Instead, our fees come from the final settlement in the case. We will stand by your side throughout negotiations with the insurer. Should the company refuse to come to a fair settlement, we will represent you in a court trial. Call us at (800) 537-8185 for a free consultation today.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
