In less than a second, a motorcycle collision accident can cause severe debilitating injuries. Some victims are sidelined for months as their injuries heal. Others, unfortunately never make a full recovery, and are faced with overwhelming debt due to lost wages and medical expenses.
You don’t have to face financial strain just for getting medical treatment, especially if the motorcycle accident wasn’t your fault. By filing a claim, you can recover compensation for the damages you sustained. You won’t have to pay for anything out of pocket.
Motorcycle Accidents Are Devastating
The facts and statistics provided by the Insurance Information Institute on motorcycle accidents show the risks clearly. Just recently, in 2019, motorcycle accident crashes resulted in 5,014 fatalities and countless more injuries. In addition, motorcyclists are estimated to be 29 times more likely to pass away in a crash per vehicle miles traveled than the average passenger vehicle occupant.
In short, motorcycle accidents carry a huge risk of injury or worse, death. After an accident, you most likely sustained heavy damages. You can hold the negligent driver and their insurance company responsible for your damages when you file a claim. In doing so, you could win a settlement that allows you to recover from the damages associated with your accident.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185
Alabama Law Protects You
Fortunately, Alabama laws protect the rights of motorcycle riders who suffer injuries due to negligent drivers. If you get hurt in a crash that another person caused, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
- Wrongful death
- Punitive damages
However, recovering fair compensation from a motorcycle injury claim is a legally complicated endeavor. You or your motorcycle crash lawyer must show evidence to prove negligence, liability, and damages. A small mistake, such as overlooking certain damages or signing a general release, could profoundly impact the amount of compensation you ultimately recover.
As such, you should contact a personal injury attorney to represent your interests. The Alabama motorcycle crash lawyers from Morris Bart, LLC will guide you through the claims process.
What Damages Can I File a Claim for?
As previously mentioned, if you were injured by a negligent driver while riding your motorcycle in Alabama, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical Bills: Surgeries, rehabilitation, and other healthcare expenses can cost a veritable fortune. You may be able to recover compensation for past and future medical bills from the at-fault driver.
- Lost Wages: You may be entitled to compensation for past and future lost income. If you suffered severe injuries, you may also be able to recover compensation for the loss of future earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering: If the injury caused extensive pain, scarring, a permanent disability, or disfigurement, then you may be entitled to pain and suffering damages.
- Loss of Consortium: If your injuries prevent you from engaging in companionship activities, you may be able to recover compensation for loss of consortium. These damages are often significant after accidents that cause paraplegia.
- Punitive Damages: Punitive damages are only recoverable in cases when the defendant acted with particularly egregious behavior. You may be entitled to punitive damages if a drunk driver injured you. There are generally no caps for punitive damages in Alabama.
Don’t worry if you feel like we missed some damages. We can’t put all of them up, or the list would get too long. Remember, if your motorcycle accident caused your damages, you can factor them into your settlement.
So long as you have evidence and can show the relation between whatever damages you have and your accident, you can potentially get them compensated.
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What Evidence do I Need to File a Claim?
The strength of your evidence will determine the success of your injury claim and the amount of compensation you ultimately recover. Your lawyer may use the following evidence to prove negligence, liability, and damages:
- Photographs of the crash scene, injuries, and property damage
- The police report
- Doctors’ records
- Eyewitness testimonies
- Testimonies from medical and financial experts
- Illustrations
- Records of lost income
Since Alabama follows a comparative fault rule, you need to show that you were less than 50% responsible for your accident. If you are 51% or more responsible, the law won’t allow you to file a claim. Thus, evidence is absolutely essential, as the insurance company or the defense may try to pin the blame on you so you can’t file a claim against them.
Don’t Forget About the Statute of Limitations in Alabama
The Official Code of Alabama Annotated (OCAA) §6-2-38 gives motorcycle accident victims two years to file a claim. If you wait too long, you weaken your chances of winning a fair settlement. Get help from one of our lawyers to start the claims process today.
Schedule an Appointment with One of Our Alabama Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
Morris Bart, LLC has motorcycle accident lawyers in Alabama ready to help you win a settlement that covers your damages. To schedule a free consultation at no risk or obligation to you, please give us a call or fill out our online contact form. We are available 24/7.
Don’t hesitate to learn more about your legal options with us. We work on a contingency fee, meaning there are no upfront fees.You are only held responsible for payment once your case has been compensated.
Call 800-537-8185 today to speak with one of our motorcycle accident attorneys about your case.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
