Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Fairfield, Alabama
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another person’s recklessness or negligence, you have legal options. Motorcycle accidents can be incredibly expensive, thanks to the likelihood of severe injuries, medical bills, time away from work, and damage to your motorcycle. Why should you be left shouldering these expenses when someone else is at fault?
With a personal injury claim, you can hold the liable party accountable for the damage they have caused. It’s important to have the right motorcycle accident lawyer by your side. Call Mann & Potter at 205-879-9661 to set up a consultation now.
Motorcycle Laws in Alabama
As a motorcyclist, you have certain rights and responsibilities on the road. Knowing and abiding by motorcycle laws can help you should you ever need to file a personal injury claim. You must have a Class M endorsement on your driver’s license to operate a motorcycle, and you must follow the state’s universal motorcycle helmet law.
Per Alabama law, everyone on a motorcycle must have a helmet with a chinstrap and solid outer layer. Not only does this protect you from misdemeanor charges, but it can also significantly improve your prognosis if you are involved in a crash.
Motorcyclists must also adhere to lane-sharing laws, which vary from state to state. In Alabama, lane sharing is permitted and two bikers can ride side-by-side. However, lane splitting is illegal.
While personal injury laws aren’t exclusively relevant in motorcycle accident cases, they have a major impact on how your case is handled and its potential outcomes. Alabama is a contributory negligence state. This means that, should a jury find that you are partially to blame for an accident, you may not be able to recover any compensation.
This is incredibly harsh, especially when compared to how most states handle shared liability claims. It will also affect how insurance companies negotiate and what is at risk if your case goes to court.
Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Crash
What you do in the hours after a motorcycle accident can have a significant impact on your claim and your safety. It’s recommended that you:
- Get to a safe place. Too many bikers stay near their motorcycle after the crash, attempting to save the shattered pieces and prevent those pieces from being run over by other drivers. This puts you at risk of additional crashes and fatal injuries. Get to safety—your bike can be dealt with later.
- Keep your gear on. You’re likely breathing hard and disoriented after a crash, which makes you want to take off your helmet and your other protective gear so you can breathe better. Avoid this urge and keep it on. You have no idea if you are injured and if your gear is keeping anything in place. Wait until you talk to emergency personnel.
- Report the accident. Call the police to report the crash. You can call 911 if you notice any obvious injuries, but if the accident is minor, you may wish to call the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
- Gather evidence if possible. If you’re seriously injured, obviously taking photos of the crash scene won’t be your top priority. However, if you feel stable and able to move around, take photos and video footage of the crash. Ideally, you’ll be able to take photos from multiple angles and distances. Remember, by the time you’re done getting checked out by a doctor, the entire scene will likely be cleaned up. This is your only shot at it.
- Talk to eyewitnesses. If anyone stopped to provide assistance or came out from nearby homes and businesses, get their contact information. An eyewitness’s perspective can be very valuable in a personal injury claim.
- Talk to the police. Cooperate with the police by providing your side of the story, sticking to the facts and what you observed directly. Avoid saying anything that makes it sound like you are accepting blame for the accident.
- Seek medical care. It is crucial to seek medical care as soon as possible after an accident. Head to a local facility like Cahaba Medical Care, Princeton Baptist Medical Center, or AFC Urgent Care. Keep copies of any bills or reports you receive.
- Reach out to a Fairfield motorcycle accident lawyer. Your next call should be to a personal injury attorney. Your Fairfield motorcycle accident attorney can investigate the crash, figure out who is liable, and help you fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Alabama
Part of assigning liability is figuring out what caused your collision. Common causes of collisions in Alabama include:
- Speeding or failing to consider road and weather conditions
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Unseen obstacles in the road
- Aggressive driving
- Failing to abide by road signs and traffic lights
- Tailgating
- Misjudging stopping distance
- Unsafe lane changes and turns
- Driving under the influence
How We Can Help You Fight for the Compensation You Deserve
At Mann & Potter, we are focused on helping accident victims fight for full and fair compensation. We know how insurance adjusters twist situations to save money for their companies, and we’ve seen how that negatively affects victims.
This is especially true for motorcyclists. There’s already societal bias against motorcyclists, and insurance adjusters capitalize on that at every turn. Some people already believe that bikers are reckless, dangerous drivers—all insurance adjusters have to do is continue pushing that narrative.
We know you deserve better. You don’t deserve what happened to you, and you shouldn’t be left with the financial consequences of someone else’s mistake. From investigating the crash to fighting for a fair settlement, we will represent you every step of the way.
Reach Out to Mann & Potter Now
Our team of motorcycle accident lawyers in Fairfield is ready to help you navigate this process. While you focus on recuperating and getting back to normal, we’ll handle the legal side of your claim. Schedule your consultation right now by calling us at 205-879-9661 or filling out our online contact form.
