Mobile Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Alabama might at first appear like the ideal state in which to ride a motorcycle, especially in Mobile, along N Water Street, and S Water Street. To be sure, the state hosts mild weather even during the wintertime, which means that motorcyclists can be on the road year-round. What’s more, the state maintains dozens of roads that are perfect for motorcycling, including routes like Huntland to Painted Rock and Little River Canyon.
But while riding a motorcycle may be fun, it is far from a risk-free activity. In fact, there are numerous motorcycle accidents in the state every year, some of which have devastating outcomes.
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident in Alabama, our experienced Mobile injury attorneys at the law firm of Burns, Cunningham & Mackey, P.C. have for reputation of working closely with motorcycle accident victims and winning settlements and verdicts across the state. You can reach us by phone or online today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about our motorcycle accident legal services.
Motorcycle Accidents Are More Common–and More Devastating–than You May Think
Motorcycle accidents happen more often in the state of Alabama than one may initially assume. In Alabama in a single year, there were more than six dozen fatal motorcycle accidents reported, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). This number does not account for the number of motorcycle accidents that occurred that were not fatal in nature, but that did leave motorcyclists with serious, and perhaps life-changing, injuries.
Examples of injuries that are common in motorcycle crashes include:
- Road rash/road burn injuries;
- Lacerations and bruises;
- Bone fracture injuries;
- Head and traumatic brain injuries;
- Crush injuries;
- Amputation injuries;
- Soft tissue injuries;
- Spinal cord injuries; and
- Internal injuries.
In addition to physical injuries suffered by a motorcyclist, a motorcyclist involved in a crash may also develop psychological harm (as a direct result of the crash). A crash may leave a motorcyclist with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the extent of injuries may also cause a motorcyclist to develop depression surrounding their disability, disfigurement, or inability to do the things they once did.
The Advantages of Working with a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
When you have a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer on your side, you can take comfort in knowing that your lawyer will explore all legal options in order to get you the maximum settlement or jury verdict possible, and they will do so with the intention of ensuring you are compensated for the full extent of your economic and noneconomic damages.
This includes repayment for things like your medical expenses, property damage costs, lost wages and loss of earning capacity, rehabilitation expenses, emotional anguish, pain and suffering, and any other losses directly related to your accident. An attorney works hard for you to not only ensure that you get the compensation award that you deserve, but also to identify any parties that are liable for your injuries, prove liability, and present a strong and well-built claim to an insurance company.
While you do not legally have to retain legal counsel when pursuing a motorcycle accident injury claim, doing so can significantly improve the outcome of your case. As you search for a lawyer, consider a firm with a reputation of excellence and a history of large settlements. At Burns, Cunningham & Mackey, P.C., we have the legal team you can count on, and our lawyers bring to the table more than 100 years’ worth of combined legal experience.
Your Right to Compensation
Because Alabama is a traditional tort liability state, you have the right to seek compensation from another party after a motorcycle accident when:
- That party owed you a duty of care;
- The party breached the duty of care owed to you;
- The breach of the duty of care was the direct cause of your motorcycle accident; and
- The motorcycle accident left you with actual damages.
Unfortunately, Alabama does not have very plaintiff-friendly laws regarding shared fault, and in our state, if a plaintiff is found to be partially responsible for their injuries, then they can be barred entirely from recovery. This means that your right to compensation only exists if you can prove that the other party was 100 percent to blame for your accident and injuries. This is a high bar to clear, and one that requires the help of an experienced lawyer.
Steps to Take after a Motorcycle Accident in Alabama
A motorcycle accident is not only traumatizing and downright scary, but it can also leave you with acute injuries that prevent you from doing much else besides heading straight to the hospital, likely in an ambulance, and spending weeks or months recuperating. While you should focus on your recovery to the fullest extent possible, it is also important that you take certain steps to preserve your right to recovery.
Critical steps include:
- Thoroughly documenting your injuries. Seeking medical care will probably not be something you are undecided about; medical care will likely be necessary. It is important that you keep thorough documentation of all medical care you receive, keep copies of your medical bills, and follow your various doctors’ orders.
- Reporting your accident immediately. You must report your accident to the police and to your insurance company as soon as possible. If you fail to report the accident, you may face a significant hurdle in recovering compensation in the future, as an accident report substantiates when the accident occurred, who was involved, and any initial harm.
- Gathering evidence. Remember, you must prove that the other party involved was completely to blame for your accident in order to recoup your full settlement award. In order to do this, myriad types of evidence will be necessary, and it is best to collect this evidence while it is fresh and before it is lost. Types of evidence that should be collected include witness statements, police reports, photographs of the accident scene, vehicle control module data, and more. If you call our law firm, we will gladly collect this evidence on your behalf.
Speak to a Mobile Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
The clock is ticking on the statute of limitations and the amount of time you have to take action. In Alabama, you only have two years to file a lawsuit for most personal injury claims. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced Alabama motorcycle accident attorney to discuss your case, please call our firm at 800-574-4332 now or visit us online and send us a message directly.
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