Mobile Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Alabama's Premier Motorcycle Accident Legal Advocates
Riding a motorcycle comes with a level of exposure and risk that drivers of passenger vehicles simply don't face. Without the protection of a metal frame, airbags, or a seatbelt, motorcyclists involved in a crash are far more likely to suffer catastrophic injuries — even in collisions that would leave a car's occupants with minor damage. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a motorcycle accident in Mobile, our experienced attorneys are ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Since 1958, Cunningham Bounds has represented injured Alabamians with a combination of trial skill, investigative depth, and courtroom resources that few firms can match. Our firm has recovered billions of dollars in verdicts and settlements, and we bring that same level of commitment to every motorcycle accident case we handle — from the first call to the final resolution.
We’ll fight for your best interests. Call (251) 299-0101 to schedule a free consultation with our Mobile motorcycle accident lawyers today.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, but the vast majority trace back to driver negligence rather than rider error. Common causes we see in Mobile-area motorcycle accident cases include:
- Failure to yield the right of way: Many motorcycle accidents occur when a driver turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle, misjudging its speed or simply failing to see it.
- Distracted driving: A driver glancing at a phone for even a few seconds can fail to notice a motorcycle in an adjacent lane or approaching intersection.
- Lane changes and blind spots: Motorcycles can be difficult to spot in a vehicle's blind spot, and an unsafe lane change can force a rider off the road or into another vehicle.
- Following too closely: Because motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars in certain situations, tailgating drivers are at high risk of rear-ending a motorcyclist.
- Speeding and aggressive driving: Excessive speed reduces a driver's reaction time and increases the severity of any resulting collision.
- Driving under the influence: Impaired drivers are significantly more likely to cause serious or fatal motorcycle collisions.
- Road hazards: Potholes, uneven pavement, loose gravel, and poor road maintenance pose a much greater danger to motorcyclists than to enclosed vehicles.
- Dooring accidents: A parked car's door opening suddenly into a motorcycle's path can cause a rider to crash while trying to avoid it.
Identifying the true cause of a crash is the first step in determining liability — and in many cases, more than one factor or party may have contributed to the accident.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accidents frequently result in injuries that are far more catastrophic than those seen in typical car accidents, given the complete lack of protective structure surrounding the rider. Injuries commonly associated with motorcycle crashes include:
- Traumatic brain injuries: Even riders wearing helmets can suffer concussions or more severe brain trauma from the force of an impact.
- Road rash: Sliding across pavement can cause severe abrasions, deep tissue damage, and infection risk, sometimes requiring skin grafts.
- Spinal cord injuries: The force of a motorcycle collision can damage the spinal cord, potentially resulting in partial or complete paralysis.
- Fractures: Broken legs, arms, collarbones, and pelvises are extremely common, often requiring surgery and extended rehabilitation.
- Amputations: Severe crush injuries or degloving injuries can sometimes necessitate the amputation of a limb.
- Internal injuries: Blunt-force trauma can cause internal bleeding or organ damage that isn't immediately apparent after the crash.
- Wrongful death: Given the severity of many motorcycle collisions, fatal outcomes are unfortunately common, leaving families to pursue a wrongful death claim.
Because motorcycle accident injuries are often severe and long-lasting, it's critical to work with an attorney who understands how to account for future medical needs, lost earning capacity, and long-term quality-of-life impacts — not just immediate medical bills.
Alabama Motorcycle Laws
Understanding Alabama's motorcycle-specific laws is important both for staying safe on the road and for understanding how liability may be assessed after an accident. Key Alabama motorcycle laws include:
- Helmet requirements: Alabama law requires all motorcycle riders and passengers, regardless of age, to wear a helmet that meets federal safety standards.
- Eye protection: Riders must use an approved windscreen, goggles, or face shield unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield.
- Lane usage: Alabama does not permit lane splitting (riding between lanes of traffic), and motorcycles are entitled to a full lane of travel like any other vehicle.
- Passenger requirements: Motorcycles carrying passengers must be equipped with a proper passenger seat and footrests.
- Handlebar height restrictions: Alabama law restricts handlebars from being raised higher than the rider's shoulder height while seated.
- Insurance requirements: Motorcyclists must carry liability insurance meeting Alabama's minimum coverage requirements, just as drivers of other vehicles must.
Our FAQ
Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 251-299-0101 today!
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How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Alabama?According to Drive Safe Alabama, a state program dedicated to providing information and safety resources for the roadways, there were over 1,800 crashes involving a motorcycle in 2019 alone. Out of those 1,800 crashes, over 1,200 injuries were sustained, resulting in 90 fatalities.
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Do I Need to Contact the Police?
Yes, you should contact your local authorities to file an official police report. Going up against the other party’s insurance can be complex if you do not have an official report for the accident. Even if the other party insists on not calling the authorities, it should be done.
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How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Injury Claim?
According to the state of Alabama’s personal injury statute of limitations, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim. This means you have two years to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for injuries, property damage, or other losses resulting from the accident. If a claim is not filed within this time frame, it is generally barred, and you lose the right to seek damages.
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Should I Accept a Settlement?
Although a settlement may seem tempting, the compensation the other driver’s insurance company offers you will most likely not cover the full costs of your accident-related expenses. This is another reason why we suggest hiring an experienced attorney—we can fight for you to receive the maximum compensation you deserve.
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What Damages Can I Recover?
Depending on the severity of the accident, motorcyclists and their passengers can recover compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses, past and future
- Loss of income, past and future
- Physical and emotional pain, past and future
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Do I Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Yes, you may need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Alabama.
While it's not strictly required to have a lawyer to file a motorcycle accident claim, it's strongly recommended. Our team at Cunningham Bounds has a proven track record of advocating for the injured throughout Alabama. A skilled motorcycle attorney can provide invaluable assistance by:
- Analyzing your case: They can break down the details of your accident, identify potential legal issues, and assess the strength of your claim.
- Offering multiple options: Your attorney can present various courses of action, including negotiating with insurance companies, filing a lawsuit, or exploring alternative dispute resolution methods.
- Filing a lawsuit: If necessary, your attorney can file a motorcycle accident lawsuit on your behalf, ensuring that your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve.
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How Can I Prove My Injuries Were Caused by the Accident?
Proving that injuries were caused by a motorcycle accident is a pivotal aspect of filing a successful claim. It involves compiling comprehensive documentation, including medical reports, which explicitly connect the injuries to the accident, and evidence from the scene, such as photos or videos capturing the incident's circumstances. Moreover, obtaining and keeping detailed medical records that outline the timeline of treatments and diagnosis following the accident is vital.
Witness statements can serve as firsthand accounts, supporting your narrative and demonstrating the accident's impact. Engaging professionals or experts who can provide their insights on the evidence and connect your injuries to the accident also strengthens claims. Legal representatives play a crucial role in gathering and presenting this evidence coherently to establish a strong link between the accident and your injuries.
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Is Lane Splitting Legal in Alabama and How Does It Affect My Claim?
In Alabama, lane splitting, which involves riding a motorcycle between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic, is illegal. Violation of this law can complicate a motorcycle accident claim as it may establish contributory negligence. Under Alabama's strict contributory negligence laws, if a motorcyclist is found to be at fault in any capacity, it may bar them from recovering damages from the other party involved in the accident.
Therefore, adhering to local traffic laws, including those regarding lane usage, is essential not only for safety but also for preserving the integrity of a potential accident claim. Legal guidance is crucial in these scenarios to navigate these complex circumstances and determine the best course of action in advocating for fair compensation.
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How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Alabama?
In Alabama, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including those related to motorcycle accidents, is typically two years from the date of the incident. This means victims have a two-year window to initiate legal proceedings against the parties deemed responsible for the accident. Failing to file within this timeframe generally results in the forfeiture of the right to seek compensation for damages incurred.
Exceptions to this rule are rare and typically involve scenarios where the victim was unaware of their injury at the time of the accident. Given these stringent timelines, it is highly recommended to consult with a legal professional promptly following an accident to ensure all claims are filed correctly and within the legal timeframe, hence safeguarding the victim's rights to potential compensation.
The Cunningham Bounds Experience
A HISTORY OF LEGAL EXCELLENCE
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With Us, It's PersonalThroughout your case, our team will always be accessible, responsive, respectful, honest, and compassionate. Our clients can attest to our high level of service and the longstanding relationships we have forged with them.
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Committed to Our CommunityWe believe in giving back to our community. We provide pro bono (no cost) legal services to those in our community who can’t afford legal representation. We also support local charitable organizations by donating our time, money, and expertise.
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With You to the EndUnlike most plaintiff law firms, we have our own appellate practice, which means we can stay involved in your case throughout the appeals process. We keep fighting until the case is over.
Millions Paid to our Co-Counsel Attorneys Across the Nation
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$10 Million Verdict for Woman in Collision Case
Cunningham Bounds’ attorneys achieved a $10 million jury verdict for the family of a commercial pilot in a head-on collision with a cocaine-impaired serviceman for an automobile dealer.
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$6.5 Million Verdict for Woman Severely Injured in Crash
Cunningham Bounds, LLC obtained a $6.5 million verdict against State Farm Insurance Company and in favor of its insured, Meghan Grove. Mrs. Grove was severely injured during an automobile collision.
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$975,000 Settlement in Motor Vehicle Crash
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$900,000 Settlement for Man Who Suffered a Herniated Disc
Our client, and the driver behind him, were both appropriately stopped at a red light, when a third vehicle, owned by Southeastern Exterminating, Inc. slammed into the rear of the vehicles.
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$870,000 Jury Verdict Against Driver Failing to Yield Right-of-Way
An $870,000 verdict was obtained by the attorneys of Cunningham Bounds for a man who was severely injured when a Mobile County Gradall Excavator failed to yield the right-of-way.
"These guys are just that good."There are not many plaintiff’s firms that impress the way these guys do.
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