Opelika Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Hitting the highway on your motorcycle is freeing. However, getting unexpectedly side-swiped by a car can upend your life. No matter how careful you are and how well-maintained your motorcycle is, a driver sharing the road might recklessly endanger you, causing severe injuries and losses.
When you are injured in one of the estimated 1,867 motorcycle crashes that occur in Alabama each year, a trusted injury attorney like David Bence may be able to get you compensated for your physical, emotional, and financial losses. Speak with an Opelika motorcycle accident lawyer at Bence Law Firm, LLC, and tell us your story today.
Motorcycle Accidents Result in Catastrophic Injuries
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 14 percent of all traffic fatalities occur in motorbike wrecks. If an accident is not fatal, it will most likely cause devastating injuries that require time, medical care, and hefty bills to heal. Some common motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Internal organ damage
- Numerous broken bones
- Disfiguring road rash, like a severe burn
- Spinal cord injuries that may lead to paralysis
- Head injuries that result in TBIs, concussions, and other brain damage
An Opelika motorcycle accident attorney understands the substantial time and money involved in recovery. David Bence has handled numerous motorbike wreck cases and has the skills to speak with insurance companies and fight for adequate monetary awards.
Mandatory Helmet Laws
Alabama takes safety seriously. The state requires all motorcycle riders to wear helmets approved by the federal Department of Transportation (DOT). Motorcycle headgear must also be able to absorb shock that might occur in a crash and must be shatter-proof.
A motorcyclist stopped by law enforcement for not wearing a helmet will incur a $100 fine and could be sentenced to up to 180 days in jail or community service.
Filing Claims With Insurance Companies and in Court
Insurance companies are for-profit entities that aim to pay as little as possible to settle claims. Motorcyclists should refrain from making any statements to insurance adjusters who will use admissions of shared responsibility to lowball settlement offers.
Our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys negotiate for fair insurance settlements. If negotiations are unfair, we will not back down and will head to court to get injured motorcyclists the most compensation possible.
Statute of Limitations
Alabama imposes a Statute of Limitations on the time an injured biker can file a personal injury lawsuit. The limit prevents defendants from worrying indefinitely that they may be sued. It also prevents changed stories, as witnesses forget details and evidence disappears over time.
Alabama Code § 6-2-38 gives injured motorcyclists two years to file lawsuits against negligent drivers responsible for harming them. Talk to an Opelika motorbike crash lawyer to discuss the specific circumstances of your case.
Seek Assistance From an Opelika Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Even when you have been vigilant in maintaining your motorcycle, following road rules, and protecting yourself with appropriate headgear and clothing when you ride, you cannot control your surroundings.
When a reckless or careless motorist crashes into you while on your motorcycle, an Opelika motorcycle accident lawyer could help you recover the money required to pay your medical bills and other expenses—especially while you are unable to work during your recovery period. At Bence Law Firm, LLC, we work tirelessly for an advantageous outcome. Let us get to work for you today by calling our office and scheduling a time to talk.