Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Alabama
Hurt in a motorcycle crash in Alabama? Don’t face the aftermath of painful injuries, expensive medical bills, and debilitating loss of income alone. Instead, let the committed team at Collins Law, LLC, fight for the fair compensation you deserve from those to blame for the accident.
Led by Attorney April H. Collins, we are committed to the belief that injured motorcyclists are entitled to compassionate, empathetic legal help — and that they shouldn’t have to pay an arm and a leg to get it. That’s why we only charge a fee if we win an accident victim’s case, and we never take home more money than they would. In addition, we at Collins Law work hard to reduce our clients’ medical bills after their cases are resolved, something that’s all too rare in the legal industry.
Don’t wait to get the help you need. Contact Collins Law today for a free consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer in Alabama, and let us empower you to get the compensation you need to take back your life.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring an Alabama Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
When you’re dealing with painful, life-disrupting injuries, you shouldn’t have to take on a legal fight, too. That’s where Attorney Collins and the rest of the Collins Law team come in. While you focus on getting back to normal, we’ll handle your motorcycle accident case by:
- Investigating the crash to determine everyone who might owe you money
- Working with experts as necessary to determine the financial and personal cost of the accident
- Filing insurance claims and negotiating with adjusters for a fair settlement on your behalf
- Pushing back against attempts to blame you for the crash, a common defense tactic in motorcycle accident cases
- Preparing for trial and heading to court if it’s the best way to pursue every cent you deserve
- Treating you with kindness, empathy, and compassion from the moment you walk through our door to long after your case concludes
We know you’re probably facing a daunting stack of medical bills right now. That’s why we’ll work hard to reduce your accident-related medical expenses when your case resolves — an extra step that’s all but unheard of in the legal industry. Furthermore, we’ll work on your case at no upfront cost to you and only recoup our fees and costs if we recover compensation on your behalf. That way, you can access the high-quality representation you deserve without having to worry about how you’ll pay for it.
Don’t wait to get the help you need. Contact our motorcycle accident law firm for a free consultation today.
What Should You Do After a Motorcycle Accident?
Ready to start laying the groundwork for a strong motorcycle accident claim? Here’s what you can do in the days and weeks to come:
- Notify Your Insurance Provider – Let your insurer know about the crash if you have not done so already. Your policy likely requires you to do so within a few days of the accident or risk waiving certain coverages. Do not volunteer information the adjuster doesn’t ask for or say anything to suggest the crash was your fault.
- Stick to Your Treatment Plan – Follow your doctor’s instructions and attend all follow-up appointments. This step isn’t just important for your health. It also makes it harder for insurance companies to argue that you worsened your injuries after the fact.
- Create an Evidence Folder – Strong motorcycle accident claims require strong evidence. Gather everything you can about the accident. Start with any accident scene photos you may have had, as well as any photos you took of your injuries. Add your medical records and bills, as well as anything that could establish the income you’ve lost because of the crash. Examples include pay stubs, tax returns, and communication with your employer or clients. Write down your account of the accident while it’s still fresh in your mind.
- Contact an Alabama Motorcycle Accident Lawyer – Schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney and bring your evidence file with you. Your prospective lawyer can review your folder and ask you questions to get a firmer idea about your situation. Next, they can advise you on the strength of your case, explain your options to you, and start working on your claim on your behalf.
How Does a Lawyer Investigate Motorcycle Accident Cases?
Personal injury lawyers start investigating motorcycle accident cases by recovering as much evidence from the scene as possible. This might include physical debris, tire marks, photos of the aftermath, and video footage of the accident unfolding.
Next, they’ll seek to recover forensic data, such as post-accident vehicle inspections and electronic data from vehicle “black boxes.” They might work with accident reconstruction experts to interpret this data and better understand what happened — and why.
At the same time, the lawyer will look at medical records, repair estimates, and income statements to calculate what fair compensation entails. The goal is not just to prove that someone else caused the accident, but to establish the financial and personal costs the accident has had on the motorcyclist’s life.
What Compensation Could You Recover in a Motorcycle Accident Claim?
If someone else caused the accident and your injuries, your motorcycle accident compensation could include money for your:
- Past and future medical care
- Lost income and reduced earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Repair or replacement of your damaged bike
How Does a Motorcycle Accident Differs from a Car Accident?
Cases involving motorcycle accidents are different than those involving other vehicles. Here’s why:
- They’re More Likely to Involve Serious Injuries – According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are four times likelier to be injured in a collision than passenger vehicle occupants. What’s more, they’re at heightened risk of severe injuries due to their exposed position and lack of safety protections.
- They’re Often More Expensive – As a result of their higher likelihood of serious injuries, motorcycle accidents are also more also involve more substantial costs might not be sufficient to cover an injured biker’s expenses, in which case the victim might have to explore alternatives.
- Defendants Often Resort to Biases Against Motorcyclists – At-fault drivers and their insurers often rely on stereotypes of motorcyclists as inherently reckless risk-takers as a way to avoid liability. As a result, injured motorcyclists may need more evidence than other accident victims do to get fair compensation.
Who Could Be Held Liable for a Motorcycle Wreck?
Many different parties can potentially be liable for a motorcycle collision, including the following:
- Another driver, if they negligently ignored the rules of the road, leading to a collision
- An employer, if the at-fault motorist was driving for their job at the time of the accident
- Other road users who may have contributed to the crash, such as a pedestrian darting into the roadway without warning
- A vehicle manufacturer that produced and sold defective parts or components leading to the crash
- Government entities that failed in their responsibility to design and maintain the roadway safely
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can investigate the accident to determine everyone who may have contributed to your injuries.
Could You Recover Compensation if You’re Partly at Fault for a Motorcycle Accident?
Alabama’s harsh contributory fault law holds that accident victims cannot recover compensation if they are any way responsible for their injuries – even by just one percent. However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as in the case of the “last clear chance” doctrine. Under this rule, a defendant who has the sole ability to avoid causing an accident can still be liable in spite of the victim’s own negligence.
Don’t let the defense team try to get out of paying you fairly by claiming you were in some way responsible for your injuries. Instead, get help from an experienced Alabama motorcycle accident attorney who knows how to build an airtight case showing the other party’s fault.
How Long Do You Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Alabama?
Alabama’s statute of limitations on personal injury claims gives you two years from the date of a collision to file your motorcycle accident lawsuit, with limited exceptions. If you attempt to file your suit after the deadline has expired, the court hearing your case will likely dismiss it as untimely filed, costing you your chance at compensation. Don’t put your recovery at risk. Instead, contact a lawyer for help right away.
What Are Common Types and Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Among the most common motorcycle collision types are:
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end accidents
- Sideswipe/side-to-side crashes
- T-bone/side-impact collisions
- Dooring collisions
- Single-vehicle accidents
- Rollovers
These accidents are caused by negligent driving behaviors like:
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
- Unsafe left-hand turns
- Failure to yield the right of way or obey traffic signals
- Failure to check blind spots before changing lanes
- Misjudging the speed or distance of an oncoming motorcycle
- Opening car doors into a motorcyclist’s path
What Are Typical Injuries Resulting from a Motorcycle Collision?
Among the most common motorcycle wreck injuries are as follows:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Friction burns/road rash
- Severe lacerations
- Fractures/broken bones
- Traumatic amputations
- Internal bleeding and damaged organs
- Crushing injuries
Contact an Alabama Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
Hurt in a motorcycle accident in Alabama? Don’t wait another moment to get the compassionate, determined legal representation you need during this challenging time. Contact Collins Law today for a free consultation with an Alabama motorcycle accident attorney, and find out how Attorney Collins and her team can empower you to rebuild your life.