Motorcycle Accidents Lawyer in Gadsen

The freedom and joy of a carefree motorcycle ride is all too often cut short by the careless actions of a negligent driver. When you’re involved in a motorcycle accident, you’re at risk of severe and fatal injuries that could forever change your life. Even in motorcycle crashes that don’t cause severe injuries, you’re likely facing massive medical bills and significant property damage.

That’s why it’s important to discuss your options with an attorney before you make any settlement decisions. The team at Weaver Tidmore is here to help you fight for full and fair compensation. Call us at 205-980-6065 to schedule a consultation.

Common Injuries in Gadsen, AL Motorcycle Accidents

When a motorcycle collides with a standard passenger vehicle, the motorcyclist is at much greater risk of serious injuries. The driver and passengers in the other vehicle have substantial protection from their vehicle, but as a motorcyclist, the only protection you have is from your helmet and motorcycle gear. Because of this, motorcyclists tend to report much more severe injuries, including:

• Broken bones
• Spinal cord damage
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Internal bleeding and other internal injuries
• Paralysis
• Road rash, which may lead to serious or systemic infections

The diagnosis and treatment of these injuries can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars. Without a Gadsen, AL motorcycle accident attorney to help you hold the liable party accountable, you could end up paying for those bills on your own.

What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?

Identifying the cause or causes of a motorcycle accident is an important step in figuring out who the liable party is. It’s important to note that some motorcycle accidents may be caused by defective parts or malfunctioning vehicles, but these accidents are in the minority. The majority of collisions are directly linked to the actions of either the driver or the motorcyclist. Common causes of accidents include:

• Drivers turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle, either in an attempt to beat the motorcycle through the intersection or due to misjudging the motorcycle’s distance and speed
• Lane splitting, which is legal in some states but not in others
• Drivers or motorcyclists impaired by drugs or alcohol
• Speeding above the speed limit or too fast for conditions
• Failing to yield right of way

Steps to Take After a Crash

The steps you take after a motorcycle crash in Gadsen can significantly influence the outcome of your personal injury claim, which is why it’s important to keep your cool after a collision. We recommend following these steps:

• Call 911 and report the accident. If the other driver was clearly at fault, they may try to talk you out of this. They might say that they’ll pay cash, so you don’t have to go through insurance. Don’t fall for this—all too often, a person who’s compliant at the scene of the accident will then dodge calls and pretend the accident never occurred, leaving you without recourse.
• Exchange insurance and contact information with the other party. After the police arrive, make sure you tell them your side of the story and ensure that it is added to the accident report. Before you leave the scene of the crash, exchange insurance and contact details with the other party. If they are belligerent or aggressive toward you, you may want to make this exchange through the responding police officer.
• Gather any evidence you can. Evidence is critical in any personal injury case, and it’s even more important when the insurance company will likely already be biased against you. Take photos of the accident from multiple angles and distances to ensure you don’t miss any important details. If possible, take video footage as well. This is harder to manipulate and can prove the severity of the crash. You may also want to take photos of the area around the crash to prove any other property damage, get marks on the road, and show the extent of the accident.
• Seek medical attention. This is one of the most important steps on this list. A motorcycle accident can leave you with serious or even fatal injuries, and some of those injuries may not become apparent for hours or days. If you wait that long to seek medical care, it could be too late. Getting a full checkup immediately after a crash ensures that you get the treatment you need and that you have evidence linking your injuries to the accident.
• Hire an attorney. You’ll need a strong motorcycle accident lawyer to help you figure this out. You can expect the other party’s insurance company to give you the runaround, and you can avoid their underhanded tactics by hiring an attorney you trust.

How Our Team Can Help You

The team at Weaver Tidmore is here to support you every step of the way through your claim. We know that you’re worried about getting full and fair compensation after a motorcycle crash, and we understand why. Insurance companies and society in general are biased against motorcyclists, so even if it’s clear you didn’t cause the accident, you may be fighting an uphill battle.

Our team is well-versed in all the tricks insurance companies use to drive down the value of your motorcycle accident claim. The insurance company might imply that the accident was your fault, underestimate the value of your vehicle, suggest that your injuries aren’t that serious, or try to convince you that you don’t need an attorney. All of these tricks help them do one thing: get you to settle for less, allowing their company to protect their profit margins.

We know you deserve better when you’re recovering from the trauma of a motorcycle accident. Our focus is getting you the money you deserve, not protecting the interests of a multimillion-dollar company. Between your medical bills, lost wages, damaged motorcycle, and pain and suffering, you have likely lost a lot because of the crash. You deserve to be fairly compensated, and whether it’s through settlement or through court, we will advocate for you every step of the way.

Reach Out to Weaver Tidmore Today to Get Started

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, it’s important to talk to an attorney before getting in touch with the other party’s insurance company. We can help protect your rights and advocate for a full and fair settlement. Set up a consultation now by calling us at 205-980-6065 or filling out our contact form online.