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Birmingham Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
When Do You Need a Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
When Do You Need A Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
The short answer is that the personal injury attorneys at Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann will always be helpful if you’ve been in a motorcycle accident—and the sooner you contact us, the sooner we can get to work.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 5,579 motorcyclists died in crashes in 2020. That is the highest number recorded and an 11 percent increase from 2019. Motorcycle deaths accounted for 14 percent of all motor vehicle crash deaths in 2020 and were more than double the number of motorcyclist deaths in 1997.
Some accidents are caused through errors on the part of the motorcycle riders, while others result from part failure and manufacturer defects. All too often though, motorcycle accidents are caused by the carelessness of other drivers. According to data analysis at the University of South Florida’s Center for Urban Transportation Research, 60% of motorists are at fault when they collide with motorcycles.
Some of the ways car driver negligence can hurt motorcyclists are:
- Distracted Driving: Drivers may collide with motorcycles because they are distracted, their eyes are off the road or their hands are off the wheel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 3,154 people were killed by distracted drivers. A texting driver is 23 times more likely to get into a crash than someone whose focus is solely on the road.
- Speeding: This continues to be a major contributor to fatal motorcycle accidents. According to the NHTSA, Alabama had 237 speed-related fatalities in 2014. Approximately 11% of these fatalities involved motorcycles.
- T-Bones: A driver not paying attention can make a left turn at a light or into a parking lot at the wrong time. This can have deadly consequences for a motorcycle rider.
Whatever the reason, legal representation may be the only way to ensure motorcycle accident victims receive the fair compensation they deserve for their suffering.
What Are The Most Common Motorcycle Injuries?
No matter how powerful the engine, a motorcycle frame is still relatively small and completely unprotected compared with a car’s. The human body can only withstand forces of around 35 mph without sustaining injury. Think about how fast the average speed limit – it’s often a lot higher than 35 mph. Given these factors, it’s easy to see why motorcycle accidents tend to cause severe injuries, such as:
Nerve and Muscle Damage: Sprains, strains, tears and nerve damage are considered some of the more minor accident injuries. However, surgery is sometimes necessary to repair nerve and muscle damage.
Traumatic Head Injury (TBI): Any violent impact to the skull can result in a traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI may range from a mild concussion accompanied by a momentary loss of vision, to a full loss of consciousness lasting several minutes or days.
Soft Tissue Damage: Even the best protective gear has one point of weakness - never coverage. Soft tissue injuries of the neck, shoulders and upper back are frequently sustained by riders in motorcycle accidents.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Quadriplegia and paraplegia are forms of paralysis caused by spinal cord injuries. These worst-case scenario injuries can upend a person's life and the costs of long-term care are considerable.
Safety Tip #1: Wearing a helmet is the best way to protect your head from a life-altering brain injury. The NHTSA found that helmets saved the lives of some 231 motorcycle riders in Alabama alone over a 5-year period. Road rash - when any skin comes into contact with the pavement, the result is painful. It's also known as road rash, and it comes in varying degrees similar to burns. No matter the degree, all road rash wounds need to be properly cleaned or they could lead to infection.
Safety Tip #2: Soft tissue injuries aren't always evident immediately after a crash. Symptoms can sometimes take days to show. For this reason it is strongly recommended you seek the help of a medical progressional immediately after an accident. Broken bones - shattered femurs, splintered shins and broken bones are some of the most painful accident injuries. Full recover is slow and often requires multiple physical therapy session.
Do you want to speak to a lawyer?
contact us todayHow Can Motorcycle Accidents Be Avoided?
Even the most seasoned and cautious motorcycle riders can experience an accident at least once in their lives. Ultimately the only person’s behavior we can control is our own, so the best way to avoid accidents is to make safety our top priority.
This means wearing proper riding gear every time you ride and always wearing your helmet. Obey the posted speed limit, and never ride after you’ve been drinking. Texting while riding a motorcycle may be practically impossible, but there are other ways a cyclist can get distracted. Increased awareness is key to riding safely on any road in Birmingham or elsewhere.
What Do Our Clients Say?
Beth Huffstutler
The assistance we received from Mike Bradley has been a great experience. Mike communicated directly with us, answering our questions and concerns. He was always upfront and honest about our case. I would trust him completely with any legal matter. Mike's years of experience and extensive knowledge is evident in every interaction. Great attorney and firm!
Lee Huffstutler
Outstanding firm! Extremely pleased with the service, consistency & hard work of the firm as a whole and Michael Bradley as my representative.
Without a doubt, I would recommend anyone who is in need of a personal injury attorney to give Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann a call - good people that strive to look after your interests. Thanks for all you have done!
Larry Smith
I have nothing but great things to say about this firm. Initially I mostly spoke to Rebecca & she made me feel very comfortable in a stressful situation. Later many of my calls were with Jon Mann & he also spoke to me with respect & thoughtfulness. Kind of strange but a close bond between lawyers & a client but not only did we discuss the matter at hand but we would discuss our personal lives & the good & bad going on in my life & their concern for my health was comforting. I would definitely recommend this firm! Keep up the great work guys.
Doris M.
I feel very fortunate to have met this firm. During the first conference, my attorney made me feel totally at ease when sharing my situation with him. He has a way about him that makes you feel his sincerity and honesty. Thank you for taking my burden and for the wonderful job that you did to complete my case successfully. I am VERY PLEASED!
Cathye H.
My case was one that was a part of a nationwide claim. I researched and prayed for the appropriate attorney and I found that in Mike Bradley. While my case lasted, Mike and his assistant Karen stayed current and knowledgeable on the status and updates. I never once called or emailed that one of them didn't respond to me immediately. Mike would call to answer an email because he felt it would be more personal and efficient than typing. I highly recommend this firm.
Tyna B.
I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Jon Mann of Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann. I am so grateful for your knowledge, passion, dedication, and professionalism you have exhibited through this entire ordeal. Mr. Jon Mann took in all the relevant information, analyzed it and created a plan to settle my case. Again, I value the help you've given me. Thank you!!
Emily W.
I was very pleased with the work that Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann did for us. I had been injured in a car accident and was in quite a bit of pain for sometime. They always treated me like a person and not a case—never failed to return a call and kept us apprised of what was going on. I had a time when I had to be totally focused on recovery, they were able to take care of the situation and I didn’t have to worry about it. I owe this firm a lot of thanks.
Luxi Choi
Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann prides themselves on hard work and proven results.They earnestly work to provide the best outcomes for their clients. It's truly been an honor to work with them.
Landon Harlan
Great lawyers and great people. They work hard for their clients, and are fearless when you need a lawyer most. 100% recommendation!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can Motorcycle Accidents Be Avoided?
Even the most experienced and cautious motorcycle riders can experience an accident at least once in their lives. Ultimately the only person’s behavior we can control is our own, so the best way to avoid accidents is to make safety our top priority.
This means wearing proper riding gear every time you ride and always wearing your helmet. Obey the posted speed limit, and never ride after you’ve been drinking. Texting while riding a motorcycle may be practically impossible, but there are other ways a cyclist can get distracted. Increased awareness is key to riding safely on any road in Birmingham or elsewhere.
What Should You Do After A Motorcycle Accident?
We can’t stress enough that anytime you or a loved one is injured in a motorcycle accident, you should seek medical attention right away. Keep any records you receive from your doctor, as well as an injury log. Take photos of the scene, your bike, the other vehicle involved and your injury if possible.
Bonus Tip: Your injury log is the perfect place to record any and all information regarding your accident, including the time, date and location of the accident. Tracking how you feel from day to day will strengthen your injury claim.
While you should contact your insurance company as soon as you can, in many instances a motorcycle accident attorney can best guide you through the injury claims process. This is especially true if your injuries are extreme.
How Can You Access A Free Case Evaluation?
The Birmingham motorcycle attorneys of Pittman, Dutton and Hellums, P.C. can help you recover damages from the proper parties. We have successfully represented clients in every county in Alabama.
If you or a loved one were involved in a motorcycle accident in Birmingham, please contact us today. We offer free case evaluations and contingency-based services, which means we don’t receive any fees unless we win you money.
FREE CONSULTATION
Are you ready to tell your story?
Using the web form below will begin the process of your free consultation, which is confidential and carries no obligation to hire our firm. Considering your safety, our consultations may be done via telephone or a video call format. During business hours expect to receive a return phone call within an hour. You will speak with one of our top-rated attorneys during your consultation who will attempt to provide you with reliable answers to your legal questions. We look forward to assisting you!
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Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann is a team of personal injury lawyers in Birmingham, Alabama. We serve clients throughout the United States for all types of personal injury cases.
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The recoveries and testimonials on this website are not an indication of future results. Every case is different, and regardless of what friends, family, or other individuals may say about what a case is worth, each case must be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances as they apply to the law. The valuation of a case depends on the facts, the injuries, the jurisdiction, the venue, the witnesses, the parties, and the testimony, among other factors. Furthermore, no representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.