Montgomery Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
When motorcyclists collide with passenger cars, trucks, and other vehicles, they often suffer far worse injuries and property damage than people in the other vehicle. Despite this, bikers often struggle to get the compensation they deserve after a motorcycle accident. Insurance companies’ unwillingness to pay out fair compensation and society’s view of bikers has made it easy for insurance adjusters to get away with paying out low amounts for motorcycle accidents.
That’s why you need a strong Montgomery motorcycle accident attorney for your claim. The team at Mann & Potter is here to support you through this process. Call us at 205-879-9661 to set up a meeting now.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Montgomery
Although some accidents are caused by unclear signs, malfunctioning vehicle components, and poor repairs, the majority of motorcycle accidents are caused by human error. Some are caused by the motorcyclist when they follow a vehicle too closely, swerve in and out of lanes to get through traffic, or drive too fast for weather conditions. In many cases, though, the fault lies with the driver of the other vehicle.
Common causes of these motorcycle crashes include:
- Texting and driving, or otherwise driving while distracted
- Speeding
- Following bikers too closely
- Ignoring traffic signs or lights
- Failing to yield right of way
- Changing lanes without checking
- Turning in front of an oncoming motorcyclist
- Intentionally driving aggressively to intimidate a biker
The Dangers of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents are often far more deadly and more difficult to settle than collisions involving standard passenger vehicles. To start, motorcycles offer almost none of the built-in protection that standard passenger cars do. This puts bikers at inherently more risk than drivers and passengers in cars. Bikers can offset some of this risk by wearing proper riding gear, using a helmet during every ride, and maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles.
Another danger associated with motorcycle accidents is the fact that many motorists believe that they are more entitled to the road than motorcyclists are. As a result, some drive a little less cautiously around bikers. Some even intentionally drive aggressively to intimidate bikers or send a message. While this line of thinking obviously doesn’t make sense, a surprising number of drivers don’t think motorcycles belong on the road.
Finally, not only does that type of biased thinking make people drive less safely around motorcyclists, it can actually impact the settlement that bikers get after an accident. The same misconceptions about bikers that make drivers think they don’t belong on the road are the same misconceptions that lead insurance companies to blame bikers. They often do this even if it is clear that their own client is at fault. To combat these societal beliefs and get the settlement you deserve after a motorcycle accident, it’s important to work with a Montgomery motorcycle accident lawyer.
Seeking Compensation
The amount of compensation you’re entitled to after a crash is dependent on the circumstances of your accident, the severity of your injuries, and the prognosis of your injuries. Types of compensation often awarded after a motorcycle crash include:
- Medical expenses, including future medical costs if your injuries are severe enough to require ongoing care.
- Lost wages, including future lost income if your injuries are serious enough to keep you out of the workforce long-term.
- Property damage.
- Pain and suffering.
- Mental anguish.
- Disability and disfigurement.
The amount of compensation you get is also limited by the policy limits of the other driver’s insurance. Asking for more than the policy provides is likely to result in disappointment.
Another factor to consider in Alabama is contributory negligence. While most states allow a victim to receive compensation even if they are partially at fault, Alabama does not follow the same guidelines.
In most states, if you have a claim worth $100,000 and you are found to be 10% at fault, you would still receive $90,000 in damages. In Alabama, if the victim is at all at fault for the accident, they can be barred from recovering any damages at all.
There is no doubt that the insurance company will try to use Alabama’s contributory negligence laws against you, and this is why it is very important to work with an experienced personal injury attorney.
How Mann & Potter Can Help
At Mann & Potter, our goal is to help every single client get the compensation they deserve after an accident. We know that simply riding a motorcycle is not enough to warrant an insultingly low settlement offer, and we’re determined to fight back against stereotypes that keep bikers from being treated fairly after an accident.
Because of our extensive background in personal injury law, we have worked with many insurance companies over the years to negotiate fair settlements. We know the tricks they use to get victims to accept a lower settlement or weaken their own case. We know what types of evidence will make them take your claim more seriously and negotiate fairly.
Our process involves investigating the accident, learning more about your injuries and their effect on your life, compiling evidence for a strong claim, and heading to the negotiating table. While negotiating with the insurance company, we strive to present compelling evidence proving that their client is at fault. We aim to highlight how the accident has negatively impacted your life and the long road of healing you have ahead of you.
In most situations, these claims end in a fair settlement. This prevents everyone from the time and stress of going to court. However, if yours is one of the rare claims where an insurance company isn’t willing to negotiate in good faith, don’t worry. We are more than ready to go to court and fight on your behalf. Whether we fight the compensation you’re owed at the negotiating table or in the courtroom, we are with you every step of the way.
Contact Our Team Now to Get Started
If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident, turn to Mann & Potter now to find out how we can help. Schedule a consultation by filling out our online contact form or calling us at 205-879-9661.
