Thousands of individuals living in and around Huntsville, Alabama, own and ride motorcycles. Whether you like to cruise around the Monte Sano District or speed down I-565, your motorcycles may be a well-loved hobby and way of life. Unfortunately, this love of the open road also increases your risk of being in a serious accident. Unlike vehicles with numerous safety features, motorcycles can do little to protect you during a collision.
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Motorcycle AccidentsIf you own a motorcycle in Alabama, you need to be aware of the state laws that dictate how and when you can ride. Alabama motorcycle safety laws require that you obtain a Class M driver’s license to operate any type of motorcycle on public roads. Your normal driver’s license is not enough. There are also a number of other laws that may become relevant after an accident, such as:
As a motorcycle rider, you need to be aware of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents. This may enable you to avoid an accident. However, if you were part of an accident already, it can also guide the investigation in determining what went wrong and who is responsible.
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
Whether you were on a motorcycle and hit by a vehicle, or in a car or truck when a motorcycle caused a crash, our experienced and trusted Huntsville motorcycle accident lawyers can help you seek compensation for your injuries here in Huntsville.
Being involved in a motorcycle accident almost always leads to injuries. You may escape an incident mostly intact, suffering from road rash and other minor bumps and bruises. However, if you were on a motorcycle colliding with another moving vehicle, you will likely experience significant injuries resulting in long-term or permanent consequences.
Common motorcycle accident injuries include:
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 are to work with an experienced personal injury attorney during this time. Our Huntsville motorcycle accident lawyers who are experienced in motorcycle accident claims can assist you in:
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 treats you unfairly or the at-fault driver was underinsured or uninsured, going to court may be your best chance of obtaining compensation for your injuries.
Whether you are working with an insurer or going through a personal injury lawsuit, you can pursue a variety of damages, commonly referred to as special or general damages. Special, or economic, damages are calculated based on your records. They are a specific sum derived from your expenses and financial losses caused by the accident. Your general, or non-economic damages, are physical or psychological injuries that must be valued in some way. There are multiple possible methods for valuing general damages that are not derived from your bills or pay stubs.
Our Huntsville motorcycle accident lawyers can fight for you to receive compensation for your:
Alabama follows a strict, pure 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.
One of the ways a family can recover from losing someone in a motorcycle accident is by bringing a wrongful death suit against the person who caused the crash. Under Alabama law, the personal representative of the estate must be the one to file the wrongful death claim in court. They have up to 2 years to do so. Unless a personal representative is designated in a will, the person’s surviving spouse or other heirs may be designated.
If you can prove that your loved one’s death was caused by negligence or reckless behavior, then the estate may be able to recover punitive damages. This damage award is meant to punish the guilty party and discourage others from similar behavior. While this recovery is not intended to compensate the estate or family for the expenses, the settlement or jury award can be used to financially recover from the accident.
We’ve successfully represented clients who have suffered many types of injuries, and we’ll do our best to pursue maximum compensation for your losses. We will deliver the attention you deserve and take care of all the details of your case so you can focus on recovery.
Read More ReviewsIt’s been three years, and during that time they have been in touch with me every step of the way. I can’t thank this firm enough.
I would certainly recommend Belt, Bruner & Barnett, P.C., because of their knowledge and expertise. They’re wonderful to work with.
He [Keith Belt] worked relentlessly and went above and beyond the call of duty. He’s just an incredible man and an incredible attorney.
If you were injured in a motorcycle crash in Huntsville, Alabama, or a surrounding area, do not hesitate to reach out to our experienced attorneys at Belt, Bruner & Barnett, P.C. Whether or not you think a lawsuit is going to be necessary after a collision, we can explain and protect your rights, help you through the insurance claim process, and fight for you to receive fair compensation
Contact our Huntsville motorcycle accident lawyers today for more information on how we can help you after a motorcycle accident. Contact us at (205) 933-1500 for a free case consultation.
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