Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Madison

As a motorcyclist, you know how important road safety is. Unfortunately, not everyone in Madison, Alabama is as careful as you are. If you’ve been hurt in a crash caused by a negligent driver, Attorney April H. Collins and the team at Collins Law, LLC, can empower you to get the money you need to take back your life.

Don’t face the prospect of expensive medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering alone. Instead, discover out how a Madison motorcycle accident lawyer can make a difference in your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Why You Should Hire a Madison, AL Attorney for Your Motorcycle Accident Claim?

The consequences of a motorcycle accident can be expensive, and you might wonder if it’s worth the added cost of hiring a personal injury attorney to handle your case. The answer is almost certainly yes. No matter how clearly the other driver may be to blame or how extensive the evidence supporting your claim may be, the other side does not want to pay you fairly. You deserve to have Attorney Collins, an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer, in your corner to fight back against attempts to undervalue your claim and to demand the fair compensation you’re owed.

A Madison motorcycle accident attorney with Collins Law can:

  • Investigate the accident to recover crucial evidence showing who’s to blame
  • Calculate your financial and personal losses so we know how much you’re owed
  • File your insurance claims and send demand letters to at-fault parties
  • Negotiate aggressively with insurance adjusters on your behalf
  • Push back against attempts to blame you for the accident
  • Prepare your case for trial and go to court if it’s the best way to get you the full amount you deserve

We can start on your motorcycle accident case at no upfront cost to you, so you don’t need to worry about taking on additional expenses. You will only pay us if we win your case. Further, we never take more money than our clients, which assures you keep more of it in your pocket. In addition, we at Collins Law are known for helping to reduce the cost of accident victims’ medical bills once their case is resolved, which is a rarity in the legal profession.

Don’t wait to get the help you need — contact Collins Law today.

What Should You Do After a Motorcycle Accident?

The steps you take after a motorcycle crash have an important bearing on the strength of your accident claim. Once you’ve gotten medical treatment and your condition is stable, you can do the following to prepare your case:

  • Notify your insurance provider of the accident, but keep your statements to them brief and factual. The terms of your policy likely require you to do so within a few days of the accident, if possible.
  • Attend scheduled medical appointments and follow your doctor’s treatment plan to the letter. Doing so is critical to the healing process. It will also show insurance companies and other interested parties that you’re doing what you can to get better and reduce future medical costs.
  • Be wary of the insurer’s attempts to contact you or offer a quick settlement. Remember, the insurance company wants to save itself money. If they call you with an offer, understand that it is less than your motorcycle accident claim is likely worth.
  • Create an evidence file and start by writing down your recollection of the accident while it’s still fresh in your memory. Add your medical records and vehicle repair or replacement estimates. Include any evidence of your lost wages, such as pay stubs, tax returns, and communication with your employer.
  • Consider keeping a pain journal, in which you record your discomfort and the ways your injuries affect your daily life, as this can support a claim for pain and suffering.

Finally, and most importantly, schedule a free consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer in Madison. Bring your evidence file with you to this initial meeting. At Collins Law, we can explain your rights, review your evidence, and advise you on the strength of your claim.

How Does a Lawyer Investigate Motorcycle Accident Case?

Good motorcycle accident lawyers like Attorney Collins take a multifaced approach to investigating cases, recovering crucial evidence like:

  • Photos and videos of the accident scene
  • Physical evidence, such as debris and skid marks
  • Eyewitness testimony
  • Post-accident vehicle inspections
  • Read-outs from event data recorders/vehicle “black boxes”
  • Medical records
  • Statements from expert witnesses
  • Accident reconstructions
  • Pay stubs, tax returns, and other proof of lost wages

The goal of their investigations is to establish what happened, who is to blame for causing it, and how their client has suffered as a result of it.

What Compensation Could You Recover in a Motorcycle Accident Claim?

If someone else caused the wreck that injured you, they could owe you motorcycle accident compensation for your:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Lost income and diminished earning potential
  • Physical pain and emotional suffering
  • Reduced quality of life
  • Property damage, including repairing or replacing your bike

How Does a Motorcycle Accident Differs from a Car Accident?

Motorcycle accident cases are considerably different from car accident cases. Here’s why:

  • Motorcycle Accidents Tend to Involve More Serious Injuries – According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are four times likelier to be injured in accidents than passenger vehicle operators. This often means more extensive medical bills.
  • Insurance Companies Are More Motivated to Fight Claims – Extensive injuries and their consequences are expensive, which could leave the insurance company with a bigger bill to foot. The more the company has to pay, the harder it will fight to avoid liability.
  • Motorcyclists Face Ugly and Unfair Stereotypes – Popular media has convinced many people that motorcyclists are inherently dangerous thrill-seekers. While this is obviously a tired stereotype, many juries are predisposed to believe a motorcyclist must be at fault for an accident.

To put it simply, the stakes are high after a motorcycle accident, and the deck may be stacked against you. That’s why it’s so important that you seek help from an experienced motorcycle crash lawyer like Attorney Collins.

Who Could Be Held Liable for a Motorcycle Wreck?

Many different parties could potentially be responsible for the motorcycle collision that injured you, including:

  • The other driver
  • That driver’s employer
  • Another road user
  • A vehicle or parts manufacturer
  • A government entity

Determining everyone who contributed to the accident and holding each accountable is one of the benefits of hiring an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer.

Could You Recover Compensation if You’re Partly at Fault for a Motorcycle Accident?

Alabama follows a strict “contributory fault” model for personal injury lawsuits. Under this rule, an accident victim is barred from recovering compensation if a trial court finds that they contributed in any way to their injuries — even if the defendant is primarily to blame.

However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as when the defendant had the “last clear chance” to avoid causing the motorcycle wreck but didn’t. Without the help of an experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Madison, you might not know how to take advantage of these exceptions to secure fair compensation.

How Long Do You Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Alabama?

Alabama’s personal injury statute of limitations generally gives you two years to file your motorcycle accident lawsuit. If you try to file after this deadline, the trial court may dismiss it as untimely, which would likely cost you your right to compensation. Don’t risk becoming time-barred from securing the money you need to get your life back. Instead, get in touch with a motorcycle accident attorney from Collins Law right away.

What Are Common Types and Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

While there are many different types of motorcycle accidents, the most common are:

  • Head-on collisions
  • T-bone accidents
  • Sideswipe/lane merger crashes
  • Rear-end collisions
  • Unsafe left-turn accidents
  • Dooring accidents

These accidents are often caused by carelessness on the part of other road users, such as:

  • Distracted driving, such as texting behind the wheel
  • Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
  • Failing to yield at intersections
  • Ignoring stop signs and other traffic controls
  • Turning left against traffic when not safe to do so
  • Tailgating/following too closely
  • Driving while intoxicated

What Are Typical Injuries Resulting from a Motorcycle Collision?

Because of their exposed position and lack of safety protections, motorcyclists are at heightened risk of suffering severe injuries in a crash. Examples include:

  • Fractures/broken bones
  • Severe lacerations
  • Road rash/friction burns
  • Internal bleeding/organ damage
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Traumatic amputation

Contact a Madison, AL Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

Have you or a loved one been hurt in a motorcycle accident in Madison? If someone else is to blame, they could owe you compensation for your medical bills, vehicle repairs, lost income, and other expenses. Don’t make the mistake of pursuing this compensation yourself and making a mistake that could cost you your rights. Instead, let Attorney Collins and the rest of the team at Collins Law empower you to get the money you need to get your life back.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation and discover what our motorcycle accident law firm can do for you.