Car and motorcycle collisions devastate personal, professional & physical lives every day that’s why it’s important to hire an experienced lawyer. If you were injured in a car collision, you should recover your medical costs, lost income, and be compensated if you suffered from pain and anxiety.
A motorcycle is an amazing tool for commuting, getting a breath of fresh air, and pursuing a fun leisurely activity. Whether done solo or in a group, a motorcycle ride is a very enjoyable way to get outdoors and get from one place to the next. But as fun as motorcycling in Alabama may be, motorcyclists know that riding can be dangerous, and there are hundreds of motorcycling accidents every year throughout the country.
When a motorcycle accident does occur, the outcome can be tragic. Those who are involved in a crash may suffer serious, if not fatal injuries. These injuries can change the course of an individual’s life, and have a significant effect on their family as well. At the law offices of Taylor Martino Rowan, our motorcycle accident attorneys are passionate about helping those who have suffered significant losses recover compensation. When you call us, we will get to work immediately on building your claim.
A motorcyclist has few protections to help prevent serious injury in the event of a crash. At best, a motorcyclist may be wearing a approved helmet and motorcycle riding gear, such as proper boots, long pants, gloves, etc. At worst, a motorcyclist may have nothing but basic clothes and no helmet, when a crash occurs. Seatbelts, airbags, and car crumple zones to absorb force don’t exist for motorcyclists.
This means that when a crash occurs, there is almost nothing to protect a motorcyclist and their body suffers the brunt of the force of the crash. The motorcyclist may be thrown from their bike, crushed between the motorcycle and another object, or may skid along the ground for a significant distance before coming to a stop. Puncture injuries, blunt trauma injuries, amputation and crush injuries, and road rash/friction injuries are all very possible.
As a result of a motorcycle accident, the injured motorcycle operator, or any motorcycle passengers, may incur life-changing injuries. Permanent impairment, paralysis, or other disability type may become a reality. These injuries are not only very physically painful, economically costly, and emotional to deal with, but they may also have a huge effect on things such as personal relationships, quality of life, the ability to work and earn an income, and more. A person’s life after a crash may truly never be the same.
Our experienced Alabama motorcycle accident attorneys understand the gravity of losses suffered by motorcycle accident victims. Our lawyers are here to help you recover the full value of compensation that you deserve, including damages for:
If appropriate, we will also advocate for your right to recover punitive damages for the harm you have suffered. Our goal is to make sure you are 100 percent compensated for your losses.
Most personal injury claims are based on negligence, which is the failure to act with the same level of care that a reasonable person, in the same circumstance, would display. For example, texting while driving is distracting and risky, and a reasonable person would refrain from doing so while behind the wheel. As such, if your motorcycle accident was caused as a result of a driver using a cellphone, you can bring a claim against their insurance company or file a lawsuit directly against them to hold them liable for your damages.
However, while negligence and the state’s at-fault laws allow you to seek damages from an at-fault party, there are many situations in which fault is shared, as multiple parties involved in a crash may have acted negligently. Indeed, a driver may have been distracted, but if a motorcyclist was lane-splitting at the time of the crash, there is a strong argument to be made that the motorcyclist was also partially to blame.
Unfortunately, Alabama law is not flexible or lenient when it comes to situations of shared fault. While other states will allow injured parties to seek damages so long as they are not more at fault for their injuries than is the other party, this is not the case in Alabama. In fact, if a motorcyclist (or other injury victim) contributes to their injuries in the slightest, they are barred from seeking damages via a personal injury lawsuit.
This law, called the law of contributory negligence, makes working with an attorney an absolute necessity. If you do not work with an attorney, an insurance adjuster or lawyer for the defense will most likely suggest that you contributed to the crash, and therefore the defendant is not liable for your harm. This can be a devastating blow to an injured motorcyclist who has already suffered significant loss. Remember, insurance companies, their adjusters and lawyers are not your friend and will work diligently to protect their interests.
If you are injured in a motorcycle accident in Alabama, you need to move quickly to protect your rights and your ability to collect compensation. We know how hard this can be to do, which is why our lawyers will be by your side to support you throughout the process.
The first thing that you should do is seek medical treatment for your injuries. It is important that you document all care received, and follow your doctor’s orders.
You also need to make sure that your motorcycle accident has been reported to the police, and that you have received a copy of the accident report.
As soon as possible, you should inform the insurance company of your motorcycle accident.
Finally, you should hire an experienced Alabama personal injury attorney as soon as you are able to, so that your attorney can begin the process of investigating your claim and building your case. Further, you only have two years from the date of your accident to file a suit, so getting started as early as you can is advised.
When you are injured in a crash, you do not have to go through the process of recovering damages on your own. The experienced and aggressive motorcycle accident lawyers at Taylor Martino are here to provide you with the legal support and guidance that you need. You can reach us today at 251-433-3131. Consultations with our attorneys are free, and we never charge you unless we recover damages.
