If you’re facing the aftermath of a motorcycle accident, it’s important to seek legal help from an experienced attorney as soon as possible in order to protect your rights. A lawsuit following a motorcycle accident is a beast that you shouldn’t face alone. Luckily, with Norris Injury Lawyers, you don’t need to. Our team of Alabama motorcycle accident attorneys is by your side.
Eligibility to Recover Damages After a Motorcycle Accident in Alabama
In most states, a successful motorcycle accident injury case hinges on proving that another party was negligent. Here in the state of Alabama, however, we have another hoop to jump through in order to be eligible to recover damages. Under the state’s legal theory of “contributory negligence,” a biker who has been injured in an accident will be barred from recovering damages if it can be proven that any fault can be attributed to the biker for his or her accident. The severity of the biker’s injuries is irrelevant in the eyes of the state; if the biker was even one percent at fault in the accident, recovery is prohibited. It’s the job of your attorney to prove that you were innocent in your accident.
After your attorney establishes that you were without fault in your accident, he or she must prove that the other driver acted negligently or recklessly and that their actions caused your accident. Only then will you be able to recover compensation for the injuries you sustained as a result of your wreck.
Available Compensation Following a Motorcycle Accident
- Medical treatment and hospital stays: When it comes to motorcycle accidents, injuries are often severe. Bikers face an unfair fight when involved in an accident–a person exposed to the elements on his motorcycle is no match for a vehicle that weighs several tons. Treatment for injuries can involve emergency room visits, extensive surgeries, and overnight hospital stays which can leave bikers facing tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills.
- Rehabilitative therapy and long-term care: following a motorcycle accident, you may be forced to undergo extensive physical rehabilitation to get back on your feet. If your accident left you permanently disabled, you may require around-the-clock care from medical professionals. A personal injury lawsuit can provide compensation for these expenses.
- Lost wages: if you have been forced to take time off of work to recover from your injuries, your financial situation may feel bleak. A successful personal injury case can compensate you for the income that you were unable to earn following your accident.
- Physical pain and suffering: if you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, then this category may seem moot, as you likely already realize that money can’t take away the physical pain that you have had to endure as a result of your injuries. A personal injury lawsuit does take pain and suffering into account, however, and attempts to compensate you for the pain that you experienced both during and after your accident.
- Property damage: while taking care of your physical and mental health should be your primary focus following a motorcycle accident, you still deserve to be compensated for the damage that the accident caused to your motorcycle. A personal injury lawsuit can compensate you for the cost to repair or replace your motorcycle.
What to Do–and Not to Do–After a Motorcycle Accident in Alabama
After you have been injured in a bike accident, it’s important to know what steps to take in order to protect your interests and ensure that you are not being taken advantage of. Just as important, though, is knowing what pitfalls to avoid in order to protect your interests.
- DO obtain medical treatment immediately: No matter how slight, a motorcycle accident is never something that should be brushed off. Even if you think you’re okay after an accident, it’s critical to seek immediate medical attention. Oftentimes, a person can suffer injuries from a motorcycle accident which aren’t immediately apparent; back injuries, headaches, and other injuries can have a delayed onset that can take days or even weeks to surface. It’s immensely important to be checked out by a medical professional following your accident, both for your physical well-being and for the best interests of any potential personal injury claim.
- DON’T talk to an insurance company: Whether it is the at-fault driver’s company or your own, an insurance carrier is almost guaranteed to contact you soon after your Alabama bike accident. Don’t be fooled into thinking that these people have your best interests in mind; employees of insurance agencies are trained to lure you into thinking that they are on your side, but in reality, they are waiting for you to say something that can be used against you when it comes time to offer a settlement for your injuries. Hearing you say that you should have yielded to the other driver or that your injuries aren’t so bad, is the insurance adjuster’s equivalent of striking gold.
- DON’T accept the first settlement offer: Insurance companies are notorious for trying to settle motorcycle accidents almost immediately after they occur. No matter how appealing the offer sounds, never accept an insurance settlement without speaking with an attorney first. What may initially sound like a fair deal can quickly turn sour once you see the medical bills that you incurred as a result of your treatment. Once you sign that settlement document, there is no going back to ask for more money to compensate you for any unexpected expenses.
- DO seek legal assistance immediately: when it comes to a motorcycle accident, there is a lot at stake. While you may think that you can handle it, you should never take on a personal injury lawsuit on your own. These cases can quickly become complicated, and even a slight misstep can leave you in the lurch. Think of it this way–the insurance company is most certainly armed with attorneys, so why wouldn’t you do the same?
What our clients say:
“I was awarded more than I imagined…Thanks so much.” – Kim B.
Were You Hurt in a Motorcycle Accident? We Can Help
If you’re suffering the aftermath of a motorcycle accident, the time to seek representation from an attorney who knows the ins and outs of motorcycle accident law is now. Don’t try to take on a personal injury accident on your own; your well-being, both financial and physical, depends on the outcome of your case.
At Norris Injury Lawyers, you can rest assured knowing that your case is being handled by a team of attorneys who know personal injury law backward and forward and are dedicated to fighting your case with your best interest in mind.
To take the next step toward obtaining representation from a team of personal injury attorneys with your best interests in mind, fill out an online contact form or call (800) 477-7510 today.
