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:
Whatever the reason, legal representation may be the only way to ensure motorcycle accident victims receive the fair compensation they deserve for their suffering.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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