Athens Motorcycle Accident Injury Lawyers, Alabama

Fighting for injured riders and passengers throughout Alabama

Motorcycle riders must constantly balance their love of the freedom that riding on the open road affords them, with the constant threat of danger from the other motor vehicles with whom they must share the highways. Motorcyclists are prone to serious injuries in the event of an accident due to their lack of protection from the vehicles that surround them and the elements. Unfortunately, they must also deal with insurance adjusters who may have pre-conceived ideas about motorcyclists being reckless outlaws.

At Martin & Helms, our Athens motorcycle accident lawyers understand what it takes to resolve a motorcycle accident injury case successfully. We stand by our clients’ right to ride a motorcycle safely. We protect your right to fair compensation when your motorcycle accident injury was caused by someone else’s negligence. You are welcome to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. You will never pay attorney fees until we have recovered compensation for you.

What causes motorcycle accidents?

Motorcycles are fast, small, and can easily move through traffic, which can help the driver to get where they need to go with more ease than in a car or truck. Drivers of cars and trucks often report that they did not see the motorcycle prior to the crash for some of these reasons. The following are examples of factors that can contribute to causing a motorcycle accident:

Speeding. The faster any vehicle is traveling the greater the chance of getting into an accident, and the more severe the injuries that would result from that accident.
Alcohol and/or drugs. Impaired driving causes an increased risk of causing a traffic crash.
Unsafe lane changes. Drivers need to keep an eye out for motorcycles when they change lanes. Motorcycles can move a lot more nimbly than cars, so drivers must check their blind spot, signal and use their mirrors when it is time to change lanes.
Unanticipated stops. When vehicles follow too closely and the one in front makes a sudden stop, it can cause a rear-end crash.
Driver inexperience. Drivers must learn to make decisions quickly and without mental debate when they are driving a car. Inexperienced drivers can freeze or panic or make rookie mistakes that can cause an accident.
Defective road conditions. Potholes can damage cars and trucks, but they can be a terrible hazard for motorcyclists. A bike can skid out easily if it hits crumbling asphalt or uneven pavement.
Defective equipment. A defective bike part, or faulty piece of safety equipment, can cost a motorcycle rider her or her life. An injured rider might be able to hold the manufacturer liable for his or her injuries.

Examples of different types of motorcycle accident injuries

Whether on a motorcycle or in a car, your safety is never guaranteed whenever you drive. When a motorcyclist gets into a crash, although every accident is different, there are several types of injures that are common. The most serious include:

Traumatic brain injury

The leading cause of death and disability for motorcyclists is traumatic brain injury. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that motorcycle helmets saved an estimated 1,859 lives in a recent year, and they reduce the risk of brain injury by 69%. Brain injury can devastate a person's life causing life-long disabilities and diminished quality of life. Alabama has a universal helmet law, which requires all riders regardless of age to wear a DOT approved helmet.

Spinal cord injuries

Depending on the location of the injury, a spinal cord injury can result in partial or complete paralysis, and have a life-altering impact on the life of the injured person.

Road rash

Road rash is a burn that can occur on a motorcyclist's skin if it has scraped on the pavement after the initial impact. If the rider is not wearing heavier, protective clothing such as leather, the skin is vulnerable to being scraped as it is dragged across the pavement after the impact from the crash, which can lead to infections and nerve damage.

Broken legs and other fractures

When the motorcycle crashes and falls on the rider, it can cause a broken leg. A rider might instinctively reach out their arm to try and break their fall, which can result in a broken arm, but broken wrist, ribs, knees and pelvis are also possible injuries. If the limb is crushed, it could necessitate amputation.

Emotional trauma

After surviving something as shocking as a motorcycle crash, the rider may come away with emotional and psychological trauma in addition to whatever physical injuries they might have endured.

How can an Athens motorcycle accident lawyer help me?

If you have been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, you required surgery or a hospital stay, and you have been unable to work because of your injury, then you would benefit from the services of an experienced injury law team. You don’t want to go up against the insurance company alone. The insurance company’s goal is to make sure that you recover as little as possible or nothing for your injuries. When you work with a skilled injury attorney who is familiar with the tactics that insurance companies use to pay as little as they can get away with, you stand a much better chance than if you tried to pursue a claim on your own.

What damages are available after a motorcycle accident injury?

While it might seem obvious that you survived a motorcycle crash with injuries, you must prove that the at-fault driver’s negligence was the cause of your injuries. If you are successful in proving their liability for your injuries and losses, the following are some examples of the damages you might recover, depending on the facts of your case:

Medical expenses
Lost wages
Disability
Diminished earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of consortium
Other losses

If your loved one dies in a motorcycle wreck, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit. This would entitle you to punitive damages when you win your case.

If you or someone you care about has sustained a serious injury in a motorcycle crash that was caused by someone else's negligence, you are welcome to contact our experienced Athens injury lawyers to schedule a free consultation where you can discuss your case and receive guidance about your legal options.

Schedule a free consultation with our experienced Athens Alabama motorcycle accident injury lawyers

Because motorcycles offer no protection for their rider, when there is a crash, motorcyclists often sustain terrible injuries. At Martin & Helms, our skilled Athens motorcycle accident lawyers understand the stigma that some insurance adjusters have when it comes to motorcyclists. We fight for fair compensation when someone else’s negligence was the cause of the crash. You are welcome to call us at 256-539-1990 or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation today. We also serve seriously injured clients in Decatur, Huntsville, Madison and throughout the state.