As every motorcyclist knows, there’s nothing like the allure of the open road. But as our Birmingham motorcycle accident lawyer knows from handling hundreds of crash cases, roadways are often dangerous places for riders.
Because motorcycles offer less protection than automobiles, injuries to motorcycle drivers and passengers are more likely to be severe or even life-threatening. As National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA) data shows, motorcyclists are overrepresented in highway deaths. They are 27 times more likely than car occupants to die in accidents.
Serious motorcycle accidents can result in traumatic head and neck injuries, bone fractures and internal organ damage. These and other injuries are not only physically and emotionally debilitating, they are also very expensive to treat. Depending on how seriously a person is hurt, lifelong medical care may be needed.
If you’ve suffered debilitating injuries in a motorcycle crash, or if your beloved family member was killed, a Birmingham motorcycle accident lawyer from The Wininger Law Firm is here for you. We will advise you about your right to compensation if the accident was due to another party’s negligence. You can count on us to stand up for you through every step of the claims process. Call our motorcycle accident lawyers at (205) 322-3663 to schedule a free consultation. We work strictly on contingency. You don’t pay anything unless we win your case.
Our attorneys are well-versed in successfully litigating complex accident claims and wrongful death lawsuits. Our family-owned law firm has won several record settlements for clients since its founding in1964.
As experienced motorcycle accident lawyers, we understand and respect the legal rights of motorcyclists. We are well aware that there is often negative bias shown to motorcyclists from law enforcement officers, insurance companies and even from jurors in courtrooms.
There is a common misconception that riders usually bring accidents upon themselves. This is clearly false. Most Alabama motorcycle crashes are caused by other drivers who fail to see the motorcyclist or who carelessly violate the motorcyclist’s right of way. Often these accidents happen in heavy traffic or at intersections. Wherever they happen, you can rely on us to skillfully and aggressively represent you, whether in insurance company negotiations or at trial.
It’s also important to understand that other parties could be liable in addition to or instead of another driver. In some cases, defective motorcycle parts can cause crashes, which could result in a product manufacturer’s being held liable. Roads that are poorly maintained by state and local agencies can sometimes be to blame, as can hazardous roadwork by construction companies.
Whatever the cause, our goal is to hold the negligent driver or other party accountable so we can get you fair compensation for your injuries. Call our motorcycle accident lawyers in Birmingham, AL, for a free consultation at (205) 322-3663. We will review the evidence in your case and counsel you about the damages you may be able to ask for in a legal claim.
How much money is asked for in a motorcycle accident claim is based upon damages. Damages are paid to compensate people for what an accident has cost them, both in out-of-pocket expenses and for the physical and emotional suffering the accident and injuries have caused. Dollar amounts in accident settlements and awards can range from the thousands to the millions. Generally, the more severe the injuries and the worse the negligence, the higher the damage settlement or award.
Typical damages in accident injury cases include compensation for …
When someone dies in a negligent motorcycle accident, the personal representative of their estate may bring a wrongful death claim. Any damages that are received are paid to the victim’s heirs. Alabama is different than many other states in that only punitive damages can be sought in wrongful death claims. Punitive damages focus on punishing negligent parties and discouraging them from future wrongdoing, rather than compensating survivors.
To protect your rights, it’s important to get legal help right away after a motorcycle accident. There are many confusing intricacies in accident cases that insurers or the lawyer for the party you are suing could bring up that could potentially invalidate your claim. They may use these things to try and turn the tables and say that you were responsible for the accident, or partly responsible. If you are found to share responsibility, you could be left without any compensation.
Let a motorcycle accident attorney from The Wininger Law Firm examine your case and guide you through the claims process. You can schedule a free, no-obligation consultation about your motorcycle injuries by calling (205) 322-3663.
Alabama follows a “fault” motor vehicle insurance system. This means that people found to have caused motorcycle accidents must pay compensation to the parties they injured. However, Alabama is also a pure contributory negligence state. If someone is found to have been at all at fault for their own injury accident, even if they are only 1% responsible and the other driver is 99% responsible, they cannot get compensation. This may not seem fair, but it is the law in the state.
As experienced motorcycle accident attorneys, we know how to foresee contributory negligence issues that might arise and how to forestall them. Whether we are standing up to the other driver’s insurance company or arguing for you in court, we will fight for your right to compensation every step of the way.
If you violate any of Alabama’s motorcycle safety laws and get into an accident, it can hurt your case. Even if the violation had nothing to do with causing the accident, you were driving safely, and the other driver was clearly at fault, the other side will almost surely try to use the violation against you. Violations that could hurt your case include:
Don’t wait to call a motorcycle accident attorney if you’ve been in a crash while violating a motorcycle safety law. Call (205) 322-3663 for experienced legal help.
Besides calling a motorcycle accident attorney, there are other steps to take after an accident to enhance your claim.
There is a time limit called a “statute of limitations” for filing motorcycle injury and wrongful death lawsuits. In Alabama, you must file a claim within two years from the date the injuries or death occurred. There are exceptions to this rule. Always consult directly with a motorcycle accident attorney about the time limit, based on the circumstances of your unique case.
Motorcycle accidents are frightening and cause severe and debilitating injuries. And, sadly, they also sometimes result in death. When your health and well-being has been upended by an accident, the last thing you need is to have to pay the financial cost as well. If another party’s careless actions caused the accident that injured you, we won’t back down in pursuing compensation for your injuries, whether through an insurance settlement or a lawsuit. Contact our compassionate and skillful motorcycle accident lawyers in Birmingham, AL, today to schedule a free consultation about your personal injury case. You pay us only if we win your case, so you have nothing to lose. Our law firm can be reached at (205) 322-3663.
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