Birmingham Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Compensation You Can Recover after a Motorcycle Accident

With the help of a skilled personal injury lawyer, you may be able to recover compensation for your past and future:

• Medical costs
• Physical pain
• Mental anguish
• Physical impairment
• Disfigurement
• Home modifications made necessary by injury
• Lost income
• Loss of quality of life
• Punitive damages

Our lawyers can explain more about what your case might be worth based on the specific circumstances of your motorcycle injury. Contact us today to schedule your free appointment.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

Accidents can happen to even the most vigilant and attentive drivers. Being involved in a motorcycle accident can leave you overwhelmed and confused about what to do in the immediate aftermath. If you are involved in a motorcycle crash, here are some of the most critical steps to take to protect yourself and your rights.

Get Medical Treatment

Immediately following an accident, health and safety should be your priority. If you or others are hurt, contact 911 for emergency medical assistance. Even if you do not feel injured, it is best to see a doctor after being involved in an accident because some medical conditions may not appear immediately.

Document the Accident

If you are able, record photos and videos of the accident scene, damage to your motorcycle, damage to any other vehicles involved, other drivers and passengers, and any visible injuries.

Call the Police

Alabama law requires that an accident resulting in injury or death be reported to law enforcement immediately. Failing to report an accident can result in penalties. The police will come to the scene of the accident to take statements and make a report.

Exchange Information

It is important to exchange names, driver’s license numbers, contact and insurance information with the other driver(s). Be professional and courteous, but avoid discussing the details of the accident or who was at fault. You should also obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident.

Keep All Related Documents

Make sure to keep the accident report, medical bills, accident photos, and other documents relevant to the accident for your records.

Filing a Birmingham Motorcycle Accident Claim

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, the next step should be filing an insurance claim. When another rider or motorist is at fault, you will file a third-party claim against their auto insurance policy. If the other driver was an employee and on the clock at the time of the crash, you will probably file a claim against their employer’s insurance policy.

The insurance claim process should be relatively straightforward. However, a number of issues can arise. The best way to protect your rights and interests is to work with an experienced personal injury attorney during this time. Our motorcycle accident lawyers can assist you in:

• Determining who is responsible for the crash
• Gathering evidence of that driver’s liability
• Filing a formal claim with the relevant insurance company
• Preparing to make an appropriate statement to the insurer
• Responding to any of the insurance adjuster’s questions or concerns
• Protecting your privacy and limiting the medical records the insurer receives
• Calculating your damages
• Appealing if the insurer denies your claim
• Negotiating a higher settlement amount when your claim is approved.

You may need to file a personal injury lawsuit depending on the situation. This is important under two circumstances. First, filing a lawsuit allows your attorney to gather additional evidence that may not be available without legal intervention. This may be necessary to prove the other party’s liability. It may also pressure the insurer to settle for a higher amount.

Second, you may need to file a lawsuit if it looks like an insurance settlement is not possible. If the insurer is unfair or the at-fault driver was underinsured or uninsured, going to court may be your best chance of obtaining compensation for your injuries.

A Frequent Problem in Motorcycle Accidents: Contributory Negligence

Alabama follows a strict contributory negligence law. For a variety of reasons, other drivers are quick to blame motorcycle riders for accidents, even when the rider was entirely in the right regarding the rules of the road.

Under a pure contributory negligence rule, if you are in any way responsible for the accident and your injuries, you cannot recover any compensation. Even if the other party was mostly at fault, any evidence that shows you contributed to the accident would bar you from receiving any damages for your injuries.

Contact a Birmingham Motorcycle Accident Attorney for Help

Speak with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer immediately after your accident. A qualified attorney can explain your legal options, preserve valuable evidence, and ensure that your rights are protected throughout the legal process.

The Birmingham motorcycle accident lawyers at Belt, Bruner & Barnett P.C. have more than 65 years of collective experience helping accident victims obtain the compensation they deserve for their injuries. We have secured more than $200 million in settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients, including some recoveries of $1 million or more in motorcycle accident cases.

Our team of compassionate and skilled Birmingham personal injury attorneys will fight to obtain the maximum available compensation for your case so that you can focus on rebuilding your life.

Call us at (205) 933-1500 to schedule your free consultation.