Huntsville Bicycle Accident Attorney
Bicycle Accident Attorney In Huntsville, AL
The bikers always bear the brunt of the impact. The size and weight difference between cars and bicycles put bikers at a major disadvantage.
When Garnett & Patterson was formed, our attorneys sat down to discuss what types of cases we were suited to handle, bicycle accidents were at the top of the list.
Robert Patterson is not only an experienced personal injury lawyer but also an avid biker. Robert rides his bike through downtown Huntsville, Five Points, and Blossomwood every day. Like every biker, Robert has had his share of close calls.
When Hunter Garnett was nine years old, he was involved in a bad bicycle accident where he knocked out his front teeth. Over the next 11 years, Hunter underwent four oral surgeries. The last three surgeries were not covered by health or dental insurance.
Our bicycle accident lawyers not only have experience litigating bicycle accidents we understand what bicyclists go through after a serious accident.
Let our Huntsville accident lawyers help you. To schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys, call (256) 804-0853.
Huntsville Bicycle Accident Attorney Who Answer Questions
Because we care, we have created informational guides to answer all your legal questions after an accident
Recovering From Your Injuries
Unfortunately, most bicycle vs vehicle collisions result in severe injuries for the biker. Over half of drivers in Alabama are either uninsured or only have the minimum amount of automobile insurance required by Alabama law ($25,000 per victim and $50,000 per accident). If you have been struck by a car while riding your bike, the value of your case likely exceeds $25,000.
So how can you be compensated for your injuries if the other driver is underinsured? This is where an experienced insurance lawyer can help. A lawyer who focuses on injury law will be well-versed in insurance law as well. Uninsured/underinsured motorist claims and medical payment claims will be set up with your automobile insurance carrier. These are no-fault claims so don’t worry about your premiums increasing because of these claims.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
- In 2019, there were 846 bicycle fatalities as a result of traffic accidents and 49,000 bicyclists were injured.
- 34% of bicycle vs vehicle fatal crashes involved alcohol.
- 78% of fatal bicycle accidents occur in urban areas.
- Bicycle fatalities have increased from 623 deaths in 2010 to 846 deaths in 2019.
- More than three-quarters of bicyclist fatalities occurred in urban areas (78%) as opposed to rural areas (22%).
- Twenty-seven percent of the bicyclist fatalities occurred at intersections, 64 percent occurred at locations that were not intersections, and the remaining 9 percent occurred at other locations including shoulders/roadsides, parking lanes/zones, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, and driveway accesses.
- Alabama has one of the lowest bicyclist fatality rates in the country with only 6 fatalities in 2019.
Bicycle Safety Tips
1. Wear a Bike Helmet
Never ride a bike without a helmet. Persons 16 and younger are required by the state of Alabama to wear a helmet. It should fit snugly on your head with the chin strap secured. Make sure the helmet is level and does not move in any direction, back to front or side to side. Choose a helmet that meets the safety standards of the American Society for Testing and materials or the Snell Memorial Foundation.
2. Be Visible
Wear bright clothing to be visible and retro-reflective gear when there is little light. Avoid riding at night.
3. Obey Traffic Laws
Ride on the right-hand side of the street, so you travel in the same direction as cars do. Never ride against traffic. Ride single file on the street with friends. Stop at all stop signs and obey traffic (red) lights just as cars do. Before entering the street, exiting driveways, or crossing intersections, look for vehicles to the left, right, in front, and behind. Cross at intersections because drivers can’t see you if you pull out between parked vehicles. Walk your bike across busy intersections using the crosswalk and following traffic signals.
4. Stay Alert
Watch for things in your path like potholes, cracks, and drainage grates. Be extra careful in wet weather. Always check for traffic.
5. Check Your Brakes
The brakes are the most important part of the bicycle. Control your speed by using your brakes; apply the rear brakes slightly before the front hand brakes. In wet weather, ride slowly and apply brakes earlier.
Although most bicycle accidents occur in the Huntsville and Madison areas, our office covers all of North Alabama, including Madison County, Limestone County, Morgan County, Decatur, Jackson County, and Scottsboro, Marshall County, Cullman County, Lawrence County, Lauderdale County, Colbert County, Monte Sano, and Five Points.
Contact us today for a free consultation so you can decide whether we are the right Huntsville bicycle accident attorney for your case. When you hire us, we immediately begin working on your case.