Alabama Bicycle Accident Attorney

Determining Fault after a Bike Accident in Alabama

Bicycle accidents happen under a number of different circumstances every single day. In most cases, however, one of three parties is to blame: the bicyclist, the motorist or the local government. It is important to understand who was at fault after a collision because this will ultimately determine whether or not the victim will be able to pursue compensation. Most people assume that the motorist is always responsible for causing a bicycle-on-vehicle collision—since the rider will usually be the one to suffer a serious injury while the driver walks away unscathed—but this is not necessarily true.

Accidents can be caused by any of the following parties:

• Motorist – If a bicycle-on-vehicle accident has been caused by the driver's negligent or reckless actions, it is likely the rider has suffered some sort of injury. This means that they may have grounds to pursue compensation from the motorist through a personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim, depending on the severity of their injuries.
• Bicyclist – If a bicycle-on-vehicle or single-bicycle accident has been caused by the rider's own negligence or recklessness, they would not be entitled to any form of compensation. In the event that their actions have caused another person harm, however, they could become the target of a personal injury lawsuit, themselves.
• Government – If a bicycle accident has been caused by hazardous road conditions, the victim may have a legitimate reason to pursue compensation from the local government. This would be the case if the road had been defectively designed, negligently constructed or inadequately maintained—as it is their responsibility to ensure that drivers and pedestrians are kept safe.

Recovering Compensation in Alabama

If you or someone you love has been wrongfully injured in a bicycle accident in Alabama, you may be entitled to compensation. Not only would this help you to manage the cost of your medical treatment, but it may also serve as reimbursement for the pain and suffering that you have been caused.

For this reason, you should not hesitate to take action as soon as possible. With the help of a Alabama personal injury lawyer from Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC (MATD), you can explore your legal options and figure out which course of action is right for you—whether that involves filing an insurance claim or pursuing a personal injury lawsuit.

U.S. Bicycle Accident Statistics & Facts

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, more than 8,000 people have been killed in bicycling accidents over the last decade, while an additional 700,000 victims have suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle-related collisions. Each year, more than 500,000 Americans seek medical attention for bicycle-related injuries.

More than one-third of the victims who sustain fatal injuries are between the ages of 5 and 20, while 41% of those who suffer serious, but nonfatal injuries are under the age of 15. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 30% of the American population owns a bike, so it seems that these accidents will continue to happen at a consistent rate.

Contact the legal team at MATD today!

Being involved in any type of accident can be an overwhelming experience—especially when the insurance company wastes no time in contacting you about accepting a settlement. For this reason, the legal team at MATD encourages you to put a Alabama bicycle accident attorney in your corner as soon as possible. Our only goal is ensure that your rights are protected and that you are able to recover the level of compensation that you deserve, so you should not hesitate to find out how we can help.