Alabama Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Motorcycles are a common hobby, and you may even use one as your regular mode of transportation. Unfortunately, in addition to the freedom and thrill you get with a motorcycle, you also face a high risk of accidents, injuries, and death. Motorcycles offer their riders and passengers no protection from the elements and other vehicles. If you are in a collision, you are likely to suffer significant injuries that may be fatal. The lawyers at Belt, Bruner & Barnett, P.C. are ready to help.

Alabama Motorcycle Safety Laws May Affect Your Case

No matter who was on the motorcycle during the accident, Alabama motorcycle safety laws may impact your case. One or more violated laws could influence liability and the compensation you are entitled to, including:

If you have been accused of breaking a motorcycle law, you need to speak with a motorcycle accident attorney right away. An insurer or the other party may try and claim this violation makes you at fault or bars you from compensation. However, a minor violation may have had nothing to do with the accident and your injuries. Let us protect you and your right to compensation. Also, call the Alabama personal injury lawyers at Belt, Bruner & Barnett, P.C., if you believe the other party was operating a motorcycle in violation of the law. This could be evidence of the rider’s negligence and fault.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, you should know what to do after a motorcycle accident, including:

• Get medical help (either immediately or soon after the accident)
• Call the police to have an accident report made
• Exchange information with the other people involved in the crash
• Document the accident by taking videos and photos with your phone
• Notify the insurance companies of an upcoming claim
• Call a motorcycle personal injury attorney

If you took each of these steps, then you are ahead in the situation. You have set yourself up for a successful claim. However, if you were not able to do all of these things, do not panic. Your claim is not going to be denied simply because you had to go to the hospital and were not able to take photos and get the other driver’s name. Our motorcycle accident attorneys at Belt, Bruner & Barnett, P.C., will take care of the initial investigation for you. We cannot go back in time and document the crash, but we can obtain a great deal of information from the police report, your testimony, and by contacting witnesses. We will do everything we can within the law to fight for you to obtain compensation no matter what happened following the accident.

What May Have Caused Your Motorcycle Crash

One of the first questions you and your lawyer will seek to answer is why the accident occurred. You need to know what happened, why, who was responsible, and who is liable for paying you for your physical, psychological, and financial injuries. Some of the most common answers to the question of why a motorcycle accident occurred include:

You may be well-aware of why you were in a motorcycle accident. Or, you could be in the dark regarding what went wrong. In either case, a motorcycle attorney from Belt, Bruner & Barnett, P.C., is ready to gather evidence regarding your situation, determine who was at fault, and help you pursue compensation from the liable party.

Motorcycle Accidents Caused by Negligent Road Construction

The hazards that motorcycles face every day are compounded when roadway maintenance is neglected or when a road construction project is not managed correctly. Poor road conditions that are minor annoyances to motorists can pose major hazards to motorcyclists.

Freeway and roadway construction that leaves excessive amounts of debris and other unexpected hazards make driving and maneuvering difficult and dangerous for motorcycles, as well.

Conditions that cause hazards for motorcycles that can lead to accidents include:

Because motorcycles are smaller and lighter, it is more difficult for other motorists to see them. They also stop more quickly than cars. A poorly controlled, crowded construction area increases the danger of a motorist not seeing a motorcyclist.

Negligent Road Construction Motorcycle Accident Cases

Construction companies, independent contractors, and others involved in highway construction have an obligation to complete construction projects in a timely manner without endangering the public, including motorcycle riders.

If someone is injured or killed in a motorcycle accident caused by road conditions that have been neglected, or because of hazards in an improperly prepared or managed work zone, the government entities or the contractors involved may be liable for the losses the accident victims suffer.

Legal claims for negligent road construction motorcycle accidents require aggressive advocacy in negotiations with insurance companies or at trial if that becomes the only recourse for getting appropriate relief. Experts in motorcycle accident reconstruction, mechanical design and road construction and engineering may be contacted to help develop evidence that supports the accident victim’s case.

When You Are Partially at Fault for the Accident

Even if you were practicing motorcycle defensive driving, accidents happen, and who is to blame is a common question. Alabama follows a theory of pure contributory negligence, which means you are not entitled to any compensation if you are in also at fault for the accident. This is true even if you are a found to be 1 percent responsible while the other party was 99 percent at fault.

It can be difficult to go up against allegations of contributory negligence. If you are being blamed for the accident or you expect it to come, then you need to have a motorcycle lawyer on your side. Our team at Belt, Bruner & Barnett, P.C. know when to anticipate contributory negligence issues and how to combat them with insurance companies and in court. We will fight hard for your right to compensation.

Motorcycle Accident Compensation

Once you know why your motorcycle crash occurred and who is liable, then it is time to talk with your attorney about the compensation you may be entitled to, such as:

When there is evidence that another party was negligent and caused your injuries, then you have the right to ask for payment for your physical, emotional, and financial injuries. However, the final value of your damages varies depending on the circumstances. Not every motorcycle accident leads to the same amount of compensation. For instance, the type of your injuries and how serious they are influences the value of your claim. Our motorcycle accident lawyers at Belt, Bruner & Barnett, P.C., can go over the many other factors that may raise or lower your compensation and how to handle them.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Crashes often lead to motorcycle accident injuries, such as:

Your injuries will significantly impact the value of your claim. If you suffered a low degree of road rash and a concussion, then you can expect your compensation to be lower than a rider who experienced a crushed limb and will have trouble walking the rest of their life. However, there are many factors that matter, including the visibility of your injury, the short- and long-term ramifications of the injury, your physical pain level, your emotional trauma connected to the injuries, and more. To discuss your motorcycle injuries and the potential value of your claim, call a motorcycle accident lawyer at Belt, Bruner & Barnett, P.C., today.

Fatal Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents are often deadly because riders simply do not have as much protection as vehicle occupants. If you are dealing with the loss of a loved one who was killed in a fatal motorcycle crash, call us at Belt, Bruner & Barnett, P.C., right away. There are some common elements between personal injury and wrongful death cases, particularly when dealing with the insurance claims process. However, in Alabama, there are many important differences between these two legal claims.

We are here to explain Alabama’s wrongful death law, which you will find at Alabama Code §6-5-410. If there is evidence of another person’s negligence or intentional wrongdoing, then the personal representative of your loved one’s estate can pursue the claim and seek punitive damages.

Call Our Alabama Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today

You do not have to fight with insurance companies yourself. There is a better way. Contact us at Belt, Bruner & Barnett, P.C., today to discuss how we can shoulder the burden of fighting for compensation for you. We can take lead on your case, communicating with the insurer and handling the court processes when it is necessary to file a personal injury or wrongful death suit. While we are working for you, you can concentrate on healing and moving forward in life.

If you or a loved one were injured in a devastating auto accident involving a motorcycle, call the motorcycle accident lawyers from Belt, Bruner & Barnett, P.C. at (205) 933-1500 or use our online form. We offer a case evaluation free of charge and are ready to help you obtain full compensation for your losses. With offices in Birmingham, Huntsville, and Montgomery, our attorneys will quickly travel to investigate your case.