Birmingham Cruiser Bike Accident Lawyers

Did you sustain injuries in a cruiser bike accident? Do you need assistance in building a legal case to recover the compensation you deserve? If so, contact Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP today, and we’ll meet with you for a free consultation. Our legal team has the experience, resources, and knowledge to hold people accountable for the consequences of their careless actions.

Cruiser bikes are popular throughout the country. Motorcycle riders will often use this form of transportation for leisure activities, such as taking a summer ride or running errands. They don’t offer the same thrill and speed as other types of motorcycles, but cruisers allow you to sit back comfortably and enjoy the ride.

Whichever kind of bike you’re riding, you, unfortunately, are at risk of physical harm when you’re out on the road. Unlike cars that have airbags and seatbelts, motorcycles don’t protect their riders. You can easily be thrown from your bike, and when you hit the ground or crash into another vehicle, you’ll likely suffer severe injuries.

Our Birmingham cruiser bike accident lawyers will fight hard to seek the justice and compensation you deserve from the at-fault driver. Our Birmingham motorcycle accident lawyers have helped numerous clients in the same situation, and we’ll do everything we can to help you secure the maximum compensation available.

Contact us online or at (205) 324-1212 today.

Common Injuries Associated with Cruiser Bike Collisions

Since motorcycle riders don’t have protection from the outside elements, the injuries they sustain in an accident could be debilitating. The only protection you have is a helmet, but that won’t always prevent a severe head or brain injury.

The most common injuries riders and passengers on cruiser bikes sustain after an accident include:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord damage or paralysis
• Broken or fractured bones
• Permanent disfigurement
• Significant scarring
• Road rash
• Dismemberment or amputation injury
• Psychological trauma, such as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)

Some injuries could result in long-term damage. If you sustain a severe back injury, you might require ongoing physical therapy to manage the pain. In some instances, a traumatic brain injury could lead to mental or physical disability. You might not have the ability to care for yourself and need to hire a nurse to assist you with routine tasks. Cruiser bikes are dangerous, so taking the necessary safety precautions could save your life and protect you from life-threatening harm.

You Might Be Entitled to Compensation From the At-Fault Driver

If you choose to pursue compensation from the driver that caused the crash, you can first file an insurance claim. The party that causes an accident is automatically liable for the victim’s injury, property damage, and other associated costs through Alabama’s fault system. All drivers must have auto insurance with minimum liability limits. Whether you collided with a car, truck, or another motorcycle, the at-fault driver should have liability coverage to compensate you for your losses.

The losses you suffered are called damages. Damages fall under two main categories: economic and non-economic. Economic damages refer to actual expenses, while non-economic damages are intangible losses that are difficult to monetize. Common damages available after a cruise bike accident include:

• Medical bills
• Vehicle repair or replacement costs
• Pain and suffering
• Disability or disfigurement
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Emotional distress
• Lost quality of life
• Out of pocket expenses

Since calculating non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, is a challenge, insurance companies will typically refer to the following factors to come up with a fair value:

• Type of injury and its severity
• Effect of the crash on daily life
• Length of time to make a full recovery or reach maximum medical improvement
• Future medical care required and the estimated cost
• If the injury led to permanent impairment or disability
• Total economic damages
• Availability of relevant evidence proving fault
• Liability insurance limits listed on the other driver’s policy
• Hours and wages missed due to the inability to perform job duties

If the insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement agreement or denies your claim altogether, you could move forward with a lawsuit against the at-fault party.

There’s a statute of limitations you must comply with if you want to sue someone for compensation for your damages in the civil court system. In Alabama, the statute of limitations is two years. That means you’ll have two years from your cruiser bike accident date to file suit against the at-fault motorist and their insurance company.

Many people will use the legal theory of negligence when preparing their lawsuit. Negligence is the failure to provide a reasonable duty of care to protect another from harm. To prove the other driver was negligent in causing the crash and your resulting injuries, you must show the following elements existed:

• The at-fault driver owed you a duty of reasonable care to prevent you from getting hurt;
• They breached their duty;
• If it wasn’t for the at-fault party’s action or inaction, you wouldn’t have suffered harm;
• Their breach was the direct cause of your injury; and
• You incurred damages due to the accident.

Common examples of negligence include the following behaviors:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Tailgating
• Running a stop sign or red light
• Failure to yield the right of way
• Reckless driving
• Alcohol or drug impairment

How Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP Will Prove Fault in Your Case

There needs to be sufficient evidence of fault after any accident. If you can’t prove to the insurance company that the other driver was to blame, they will most likely deny your claim. Your Birmingham cruiser bike accident lawyer from Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP will open a complete investigation into the cause and begin obtaining relevant evidence, such as:

• Your medical records and associated documents
• Crash scene photos
• Statements from eyewitnesses
• Security video footage
• Vehicle repair estimates and damage reports
• Traffic crash report
• All available insurance policies

There are many resources accident victims don’t know how to locate. Our legal team has the experience to thoroughly review any accident and determine the necessary evidence to strengthen the value of your case. When you hire us, we’ll work hard to ensure our investigation is detailed, so the insurance company doesn’t have the opportunity to deny the claim.

There Are Legal Options If the At-Fault Driver Doesn’t Carry Insurance

If you discover that the other driver doesn’t have liability insurance, you can still file an insurance claim for a settlement. You would file the claim with your insurance company for UM coverage. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage provides compensation to injured victims when the at-fault party doesn’t have liability coverage or high enough limits to cover the total damages.

A UM claim won’t compensate you for all of the damages available in a liability claim, but you could seek the following:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Lost earning capacity
• Out of pocket expenses
• Vehicle repair or replacement costs

Unfortunately, it’s an optional coverage that insurance companies offer their policyholders. Since it’s not a legal requirement, you might not have this type of insurance. Your Birmingham cruiser bike accident lawyer will request a copy of your policy to find out if you have UM or not. If not, filing a lawsuit is always an effective legal option.

It’s crucial that you don’t admit partial fault for the crash. Even if you share only 1% blame, the insurance company will refuse to pay out your claim. Under the state’s pure contributory negligence rule, an accident victim is prohibited from recovering damages if it’s found that they’re partly at fault for their injuries.

What to Do After an Accident on a Cruiser Bike

If you sustain injuries in a motorcycle crash, you should follow the steps below to protect your rights:

Step 1: Call 911 to report the accident. Wait for an officer to arrive at the scene and perform an investigation into the cause. They will write a traffic crash report, and you can request a copy of it when it becomes available.

Step 2: If it’s safe to walk around, take photos of the scene, including damage to all vehicles involved, debris in the road, and other relevant details.

Step 3: Speak to people who saw what happened. Write down their names and phone numbers.

Step 4: Get the at-fault driver’s auto insurance information.

Step 5: Seek medical attention for your injuries. If the doctor refers you to follow up with additional medical providers, follow their orders.

Step 6: Take your motorcycle to a repair shop for a damage estimate.

Step 7: Hire a Birmingham cruiser bike accident lawyer.

Choose Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP

At Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP, we have a dedicated team of  personal injury experts that care about our clients. We’ll always make you a priority and provide guidance and support throughout the legal process. We’ll maintain open and honest communication while your case is ongoing, so you’re always updated on the status of your case.

Our Birmingham motorcycle accident lawyers are available to speak with you 24/7 so you can reach us at a time that’s most convenient for you.

We know the financial burden you’re already facing. That’s why we take all cases on a contingency-fee-basis. You won’t have to pay us upfront to receive quality legal representation. We don’t collect any fees or costs unless we recover financial compensation. If we lose your case, you won’t have to pay us.

If you were the victim of a cruiser bike crash in Birmingham, contact Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP at (205) 324-1212 to discuss your legal options.