Huntsville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcycle Accident Attorneys In Huntsville
Give our Huntsville motorcycle accident lawyer a call at (256) 804-0853 for a free case review to determine if we are the right motorcycle accident lawyers for your case.
Motorcycle cases are hard. Any lawyer that says otherwise isn’t shooting you straight. The best personal injury lawyers are straight shooters who get to the point quickly.
Motorcycle claims in Alabama are governed by contributory negligence and assumption of the risk. Contributory negligence means that if the injured party is partially at fault, even 1% at-fault, then they cannot recover anything from the other driver. Assumption of risk also prevents an injured person from recovering when they knowingly expose themselves to the possibility of injury. These are harsh laws. Hiring a Huntsville personal injury lawyer for your motorcycle case is important.
There are Alabamians who believe that riding motorcycles is inherently dangerous and anyone who rides a motorcycle is “asking for it.” If your motorcycle accident claim is denied or if the insurance company lowballs you, your case could end up in the courtroom. Preparation is key in motorcycle accident cases. It is important to show that your conduct was completely blameless and to make sure that a fair and unbiased jury is picked for your case.
Insurance companies know that motorcycle cases are hard. It is not uncommon for insurance companies to deny motorcycle accident claims or make lowball offers, even when it is clear the biker did not do anything wrong. After an accident, never give a statement to an insurance adjuster without first speaking to a Huntsville motorcycle accident lawyer.
Huntsville Accident Lawyers Who Answer Questions
Because we care, we have created informational guides to answer all your legal questions after an accident
Motorcycle Accident Statistics in Huntsville, Alabama
In 2019, 5,014 motorcyclists died in motorcycle crashes, down slightly from 5,038 in 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2019, motorcyclists were nearly 29 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle miles traveled.
NHTSA estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,872 motorcyclists in 2017. If all motorcyclists had worn helmets, an additional 749 lives could have been saved. Helmets are estimated to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcycle riders and 41 percent for motorcycle passengers. In other words, for every 100 motorcycle riders killed in crashes while not wearing a helmet, 37 of them could have been saved had all 100 worn helmets.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accidents frequently result in severe injuries. Motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles on the roadway, and they are not equipped with seatbelts or airbags. When a 3000-pound vehicle pulls out in front of a motorcycle, the result can be severe or even fatal injuries.
The most common injuries are road rash, leg injuries, arm injuries, and other broken bones. The most severe injuries are traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries. These injuries can occur despite the biker wearing protective headgear.
Common Motorcycle Accident Causes
Motorcycles are by their nature far less crashworthy than closed vehicles. They are also less visible to other drivers and pedestrians and less stable than four-wheel vehicles. Operating a motorcycle requires a different combination of physical and mental skills than those used in driving four-wheel vehicles.
Motorcycle accidents are frequently caused by other drivers driving while distracted, speeding, failing to yield, or tailgating. Many motorcycle accidents are caused when drivers of passenger vehicles fail to look closely for oncoming traffic.
The most common cause of motorcycle accidents is the failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic. Given a motorcycle’s small size, its visibility may be limited by glare or obstructed by other cars on the roadway. It comes as no surprise then that intersections are among the most common places for collisions to occur when drivers do not see the motorcyclist and fail to yield the right-of-way.