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When Do You Need a Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
When Do You Need a Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
The short answer is that the personal injury attorneys at Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann, P.C. will always be helpful if you’ve been in a motorcycle accident—and the sooner you contact us, the sooner we can get to work.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), over 5,000 motorcyclists die in crashes every year (a trend that has remained steady since 2015). That’s roughly double the number of motorcyclists killed each year in the 1990s.
All too often, motorcycle accidents are caused by the carelessness of other drivers, and the results can be catastrophic and even fatal. According to data analysis at the University of South Florida’s Center for Urban Transportation Research, 60% of motorists are at fault when they collide with motorcycles.
At Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann, P.C., we understand what individuals and families go through in the wake of a motorcycle crash. Our attorneys have decades of experience securing the resources our clients need to heal and move forward. Reach out to our Birmingham, AL offices at (205) 322-8880
How Much Can You Get for a Motorcycle Accident?
The settlement or damages award in a motorcycle accident case depends entirely on three key factors:
- Losses: Your physical injuries, psychological harm, and losses of time, money, or resources (like employment)
- Causes: Who or what is at fault for the accident, such as an individual driver, their vehicle, or a dangerously unsafe municipal road
- Skill: The skill and knowledge of your attorney, and their ability to build a thorough case on your behalf
By thoroughly investigating your accident, we identify all the responsible parties, which may open up new areas of compensation for you and your family. We build a case knowing the facts may need to be proven and argued before a judge or jury. These preparations mean we enter the first negotiation with all the receipts necessary to resolve your case as quickly as possible, to the full amount that you deserve.
At Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann, P.C., we prepare for your case as if it will go all the way to a jury trial. Thanks to that upfront work, we’re often able to satisfactorily resolve cases far sooner — the other side agrees to settle for a proper amount, and you are able to move on with your life.
What Are My Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?
Due to the frequency of severe injuries in these cases, motorcycle accident lawsuits often cover damages for:
- Medical bills and the long-term follow-up care needed in cases of brain injury, spinal cord injury, or disfigurement.
- Job-related losses such as lost wages, lost employment, lost advancement opportunities, lost benefits (insurance or retirement), and used paid time off and sick leave spent while dealing with the accident.
- Pain and suffering damages to account for the physical pain caused by injuries, and the psychological trauma suffered by you and your family.
- Punitive damages, also known as “punishment” fees, may be ordered if the person or entity responsible for your crash was particularly malicious or careless.
- Wrongful death damages if you are the surviving family member now grieving the loss of someone irreplaceable (coverage for funeral expenses, loss of income support, and loss of their unique companionship).
The work of a lawsuit is your attorney’s job — not yours. Contact Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann, P.C. at (205) 322-8880, and let us handle your case so that you can prioritize your health, spend time with your loved ones, and get back to your life.
When Can I Sue After a Motorcycle Accident?
In every state in the U.S., there is a deadline for filing personal injury cases (known as a “statute of limitations”). The offices of Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann, P.C. are located in Alabama, where the deadline for filing motorcycle injury lawsuits is 2 years from the date of the accident.
If you do not begin legal action before that window of time closes, you will not be able to access the compensation you deserve, no matter how strong the evidence is in your case. Time is truly of the essence after a motorcycle accident.
When you agree to representation with an attorney, we take on the responsibility of meeting all the deadlines associated with your case. That includes investigating the accident, acquiring statements from witnesses, requesting police reports, and securing relevant medical information with your permission. We prepare these documents, file them on time, negotiate with opposing counsel on your behalf, and argue before a judge or jury if necessary. We show up in every instance as your representatives, which minimizes the time you have to spend away from your life and loved ones.
Your lawyer meets vital deadlines and shows up when you don’t have to. By relying on professionals to handle your cases, you gain ease of mind and valuable time.
Contact Experienced Motorcycle Accident Injury Lawyers
Motorcyclists should be safe to enjoy the freedom of the open road. Accidents caused by driver negligence, unsafe roads, or manufacturing/mechanical errors on the bike are 100% preventable. If you are injured or have lost a loved one due to someone else’s actions, it’s important to hold them accountable and secure what you need to be made whole again.
The Birmingham motorcycle attorneys of Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann, P.C. can help you recover damages from the proper parties. We have successfully represented clients in every county in Alabama, and have nationwide reach when it comes to large motor vehicle companies and manufacturers. We offer free case evaluations and contingency-based services, which means we don’t receive any fees unless we secure a win for you and your family.
Contact our attorneys at (205) 322-8880 to explore your legal options. Your decision to pursue justice for yourself can help incentive better behavior and safety standards that could help save future lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the ways car driver negligence can hurt motorcyclists include:
- Distracted driving: Drivers may collide with motorcycles because they are distracted, their eyes are off the road or their hands are off the wheel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that thousands of people are killed each year by distracted drivers. A texting driver is 23 times more likely to get into a crash than someone whose focus is solely on the road.
- Speeding: This continues to be a major contributor to fatal motorcycle accidents. According to the NHTSA, Alabama had hundreds of speed-related fatalities in one year. Approximately 11% of these fatalities involved motorcycles.
- T-Bone collisions: A driver who isn’t paying appropriate attention can make a left turn at a light or into a parking lot at the wrong time, causing a “T-bone” or side collision. This can have deadly consequences for a motorcycle rider.
Whatever the reason, legal representation may be the only way to ensure motorcycle accident survivors receive the fair compensation they need to recover.
Motorcycle accidents tend to cause severe injuries, such as:
- Brain and spinal cord injuries that can cause lifetime cognitive difficulties or long-term and permanent paralysis
- Organ and soft tissue damage due to rupture, impalement, or impact injuries like internal tears when you come to a sudden stop after high speeds
- Nerve and muscle damage including tears, sprains, and strains that can go from mild (whiplash) to severe (severed ligaments)
- Broken bones that may require extensive surgery to repair (as with hand injuries) or result in amputation
- Disfigurement due to road rash injuries or lacerations—facial disfigurement injuries are particularly psychologically traumatic for survivers who are reminded of their accident every time they look in the mirror
Wearing a helmet and full-coverage attire when riding is the best way to protect yourself from life-altering injuries. That being said, even if you take all the best safety precautions, another driver’s negligence could cause a catastrophic interruption to your life and good health.
Regardless of who or what caused your motorcycle accident, the four elements of proof are the same:
- Duty: Your attorney establishes that a duty of care was owed to you by the other party. Drivers have a duty of care towards others on the road and must follow traffic safety laws, for example.
- Dereliction: Your lawyer then provides proof that the duty of care was breached, either by accident, negligence, or malice, depending on what the evidence shows.
- Direct cause: Next, a direct cause is shown between the breach of care and the losses you suffered. Example: a person texts while driving, causes an accident, which then causes your injuries.
- Damages: Your lawyer then provides proof of the cost of your losses in financial terms.
If the other side is willing to negotiate, financial compensation may be settled before or during a trial. If they do not offer an adequate settlement or refuse to offer any settlement at all, a judge or jury can order them to pay at the conclusion of a trial.
The most important steps to take after a motorcycle accident are to:
- Seek medical care for severe injuries or to get medical clearance even if you think your injuries are mild (if not caught in time, internal bleeding can cause permanent or fatal conditions)
- Call a motorcycle accident lawyer who can advise you on your rights, preserve evidence while it’s fresh, and speak on your behalf if you are unsure or unable to speak for yourself due to your injuries
- Obtain documentation of possible witnesses, the other driver’s information, the police report, your medical needs due to the accident, and your own recollections of what happened—your lawyer can assist you with all of these activities, which allows you to heal in peace
Once you are physically safe or medically stable, an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can help you with every subsequent step in legally resolving this accident and putting it behind you. Contact our attorneys online or call our offices directly at (205) 322-8880 to make sure that someone committed to your best interests is by your side.
