Many people here in the Magic City enjoy riding motorcycles, particularly during the mild weather. Yet, motorcycle accidents happen — and when they do, the aftermath can be physically, emotionally, and financially devastating. Medical bills can stack up quickly, especially if you are unable to work due to your injuries. You may be entitled to compensation if a negligent driver caused your accident. If you were injured or lost a loved one due to a motorcycle accident, a Birmingham motorcycle accident attorney from Cory Watson Attorneys is standing by to assist you with your personal injury claims. Exploring your options begins with consulting our team.
Why Choose Us for Your Birmingham Motorcycle Accident Case?
Recent motorcycle crash statistics show just how dangerous these accidents can be. More than 82,000 motorcycle riders were injured in car accidents on U.S. roads in 2020, and 5,579 were killed.
Alabama is the 10th deadliest state when it comes to motorcycle fatalities, with roughly 90 fatal motorcycle accidents caused by negligent drivers in one given year. Motorcycle accident victims often suffer serious injuries.
When you hire an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer from Cory Watson Attorneys to handle your claim, you get the backing of a law firm with nearly four decades of experience and a track record of recovering over $4 Billion in compensation for clients.
The motorcycle accident attorneys at Cory Watson Attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay any upfront legal fees to retain our services.
We work through the entire case without getting paid for our help until the end.
At that point, we receive a previously agreed-upon percentage of the amount you win. If you don't recover anything, you don't pay us a dime for our help.
But we will do everything in our power to help you receive fair compensation in your Birmingham motorcycle accident case.
You Generally Have Two Years To File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Alabama
Motorcycle accident cases are a type of personal injury case. In Alabama, personal injury cases must be filed in civil court within the statute of limitations.
The American Bar Association warns that if you miss the deadline, you lose the right to seek compensation for your losses.
Consider these deadlines:
AL Code § 6-2-38 notes that you generally have two years to file your motorcycle accident lawsuit. Your filing deadline begins from the date of your collision.
AL Code § 6-5-410 says you also have two years to file your wrongful death lawsuit. The deadline begins on the date your loved one passed away.
There are rare exceptions that can shorten or extend this deadline.
You can trust Cory Watson Attorneys' motorcycle accident lawyers in Birmingham, AL, to file your case in civil court before time runs out.
But to do so, you must contact us immediately after your Birmingham motorcycle crash, and bring proof of your medical expenses.
For a free legal consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer serving Birmingham, call 877-562-0000.
Causes of Birmingham Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents are tragically common and often result in severe injuries or fatalities. Understanding the causes of these accidents is crucial for preventing and ensuring all road users' safety. Among the leading causes, negligence by drivers of cars and other vehicles plays a significant role, alongside factors such as intoxication, distracted driving, speeding, and running red lights.
Negligent Drivers
One of the primary causes of motorcycle accidents is the negligence of other drivers. This negligence can manifest in various forms, such as failing to check blind spots before changing lanes, turning without signaling, or not yielding the right of way.
Motorcycles are smaller and less visible than cars and trucks, making them more vulnerable to being overlooked by inattentive drivers. Such oversight can lead to catastrophic collisions, causing extensive property damage and physical harm.
Intoxication
Intoxication, whether caused by alcohol or drugs, significantly impairs a driver's judgment, reaction time, and overall ability to operate a vehicle safely.
Motorcyclists' risks are even higher due to their increased vulnerability on the road. Intoxicated drivers are less likely to notice motorcycles, properly judge distances and speeds, or react appropriately to road hazards, increasing the likelihood of causing accidents.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving, including texting, using a smartphone, eating, or any activity that diverts attention from the road, is a growing concern. For motorcyclists, encountering a distracted driver can be deadly, as these drivers may swerve unexpectedly, fail to stop in time, or drift into adjacent lanes, leading to serious accidents.
Speeding
Speeding reduces a driver's ability to steer safely around curves or objects in the roadway, extends the distance necessary to stop a vehicle, and increases the distance a vehicle travels while the driver reacts to a dangerous situation. For motorcycles, which are less stable than four-wheeled vehicles, the high-speed impact can be devastating, often resulting in fatal injuries.
Running a Red Light
Running red lights is another hazardous behavior that disproportionately affects motorcyclists. Drivers who ignore traffic signals may collide with motorcyclists who are lawfully entering or crossing an intersection. These accidents can be hazardous, as they often occur at high speeds and with little warning, giving the motorcyclist minimal time to react.
Motorcycle accidents are frequently the result of a combination of negligence, intoxication, distracted driving, speeding, and other risky behaviors by drivers. Addressing these issues through stricter traffic law enforcement, public education campaigns, and promoting a culture of safety and respect on the roads is essential for reducing motorcycle accidents and saving lives.
Types of Recoverable Damages in Motorcycle Accidents
Every motorcycle accident is different, so it is impossible to say how much compensation you might recover.
One motorcycle rider might escape a collision with only scrapes and bruises, while another individual might have catastrophic injuries, such as spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries.
Compensation for motorcycle accident claims will vary depending on the severity of your injuries and other losses.
Damages a motorcycle accident victim may be able to recover include:
Lost wages
We will review your employment records and consult with experts in your field to calculate this loss. You can recover more than lost wages; you can also recover lost tips, bonuses, benefits, and commissions.
Future lost wages
Your motorcycle accident might harm your future earning ability. You might have to change jobs or take a lower-paying position. Compensation can account for both of these hardships.
Medical bills
Typically, you can pursue recovery for the reasonable cost of the medical treatment you need for your injuries. These expenses can include the ambulance, emergency room, doctors, hospital, surgery, physical therapy, and pain management, among other things.
Future medical bills
If you will need medical treatment in the future because of your injuries, we can usually include this estimated expense in your injury claim.
Your settlement or court award can account for any anticipated operation.
Long-term care services
You might need to stay in a specialized treatment facility or need a nurse to come by your home routinely. Long-term care could be needed after spinal cord damage, head trauma, or other significant injuries.
Pain and suffering
This category addresses the physical discomfort, inconvenience, and emotional distress from the accident and your injuries. We will calculate your pain and suffering based on various aspects of your situation, including your mental health.
Other non-economic damages
In addition to pain and suffering, you can seek other intangible losses, such as disability, scarring, disfigurement, and loss of consortium.
You Can Pursue Compensation If You Lost a Loved One
We're sincerely sorry if you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident. While compensation can't fully heal your trauma, it can make the financial matters related to your loss easier.
Our Birmingham motorcycle accident attorneys have helped many grieving families recover damages for:
Funeral costs, including the burial plot and cremation
End-of-life healthcare expenses, such as hospice or palliative care
Loss of parental guidance and household benefits
Our wrongful death lawyers want to support your family during this challenging time in your life. During your free case review, we're eager to learn how to best serve you.
You Have the Right to an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer to Help With Your Personal Injury Claim
Alabama law does not force you to hire a Birmingham motorcycle accident lawyer to handle your Birmingham personal injury claim, but doing so can be a wise decision. Motorcycle accidents are often life-altering.
When we take care of your legal matters, you get to focus on your recovery.
In the meantime, we will:
File your claim and/or lawsuit
Investigate your case and gather evidenceItemize your lossesNegotiate a settlement
Protect you from bad faith insurance practices
Manage all communications with those involved
Explain your next steps Advocate for your legal rights
You do not have to go through this traumatizing experience alone. Our compassionate personal injury attorneys are ready to stand by your side.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accidents, notorious for their severity, often result in a unique set of injuries, marking both the rider's body and psyche.
Among the most common injuries is "road rash," a painful abrasion caused by sliding across the pavement, which can range from mild to severe, potentially requiring surgical intervention for skin grafts.
Beyond the abrasions, riders frequently sustain fractures, especially to the lower extremities, and traumatic brain injuries, even with helmet use, due to the high-impact forces involved. Spinal injuries are also prevalent, with the potential for long-term paralysis.
The physical aftermath is only part of the ordeal, as survivors often face significant "physical and emotional pain." The trauma of the crash can lead to psychological issues such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety, deeply affecting their quality of life.
Recovery is not just about healing the physical wounds but also the emotional scars left by the accident, highlighting the importance of comprehensive rehabilitation and support.
We Can Hold the At-Fault Party Financially Accountable for Their Actions
We may pursue compensation from:
The driver of a motorcycle you were riding as a passenger A person riding on the back of your motorcycle that you were driving, whose carelessness caused the accident
The motorist who struck your city, county, or state entity that failed to maintain a safe roadwayA third party that spilled or dumped debris or liquids on a road's surface, causing your accident
- These are a few examples of the parties that could be responsible for your injuries and losses.
- The facts of your case will determine who should pay for your financial compensation.
Contact a Birmingham Motorcycle Accident Lawyer from Cory Watson Attorneys Today
Motorcycle crashes are traumatic At Cory Watson Attorneys, we devote our law practice to helping people who get hurt due to the negligence of others. We are happy to offer a free consultation with no obligation to discuss your motorcycle accident claim.
During our conversation, we can discuss your case's possible outcome, explain your legal rights, and address your concerns.
We're ready to hear your story now. Consult an experienced attorney by calling (205) 328-2200 today.