Alabama’s status as a Sun Belt state means residents have a greater opportunity to ride their motorcycle the entire year. The interstates near Birmingham are particularly scenic routes, home to some of the most picturesque areas in the South. Unfortunately, these beautiful days and sunny climate lead to a higher fatality count, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Some drivers fail to respect motorcyclists’ rights, going so far as to resent their presence on the road. Hostility towards motorcyclists can lead to serious accidents, resulting in major injuries, long-term of permanent disability, and even death.
At Morgan & Morgan’s Birmingham office, our team of motorcycle accident attorneys understands the realities that motorcyclists face every day, but particularly when they find themselves in an accident. Our attorneys may be able to help you by examining your case. Fill out our free, no-risk case evaluation form today.
Challenges Faced by Alabama Motorcycle Riders
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to die in an accident than occupants of any other type of vehicle.
Motorcycles are also more likely to be involved in accidents to begin with. Motorcycles are smaller and less visible, and can get marginalized when it comes to sharing the road.
It’s far too easy for a careless motorist to miss a motorcycle in their blind spot or to misjudge speed and distance. Common driver behaviors like abrupt left turns or lane changes can impact motorcyclists even if they are not hit. Sudden maneuvers such as these can run motorcyclists off the road or force them into sudden maneuvers of their own, which could cause them to fly over their handlebars, flip, or have to bring their bike dangerously close to the ground.
Common Motorcycle Injuries in Birmingham
Any motor vehicle accident can cause serious injuries. Some of the most common injuries affecting motorcycle drivers in Alabama are related to the spine and head in particular. Traumatic brain injury and spinal injuries can occur in a motorcycle accident, even when a rider is wearing the proper safety equipment like a heavy jacket and a strong helmet.
Sometimes, these injuries take weeks or months to appear and could be minimized by insurance companies in the meantime unless backed up with strong medical evidence. For this reason, you should count on a knowledgeable, Birmingham-based attorney that can help you resolve your case successfully.
Some of Our Biggest Motorcycle Accident Verdicts
We’ve received some enormous verdicts on behalf of motorcycle accident victims:
- $47.5 million verdict awarded to a 27-year-old man whose motorcycle was struck head-on by a pickup truck going the wrong way, resulting in multiple broken bones, a shattered jaw, and a collapsed lung.
- $26 million verdict for an Iraqi war veteran who was in a motorcycle accident and sustained permanent brain damage.
- $1.35 million verdict after an SUV driver changed lanes, colliding with a motorcycle and causing closed head injuries for both riders on the motorcycle.
Contact Our Birmingham Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Today
Riding a motorcycle is a privilege many enjoy, and one that shouldn’t be jeopardized by the behavior of other drivers. Even if drivers ignore and even resent you, you have just as much a right to the road, and shouldn’t be put into danger by another’s negligence.
At Morgan & Morgan, our team of attorneys in Birmingham have had tremendous success representing victims of motorcycle accidents, winning large settlements and verdicts on behalf of their clients. Fill out a free, no-risk case evaluation form to find out if our attorneys might be able to help you in a similar way.