Tuscaloosa Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Tuscaloosa, Alabama is a beautiful place surrounded by stunning natural scenery and scenic roads. The area is perfect for motorcycle riders who love to explore new places and enjoy the open road. From the rolling hills and forests to the sparkling lakes and rivers, there is no shortage of breathtaking scenery to take in while riding in this area.

Along with the enjoyment of motorcycle riding comes unique dangers and risks. Unlike cars, motorcycles provide very little protection for riders in the event of a crash. Without the safety features that come standard in most cars, riders are much more vulnerable to injury and death in the event of an accident.

If you or someone close to you has been injured or killed in a Tuscaloosa area motorcycle accident, you need strong legal counsel in your corner advocating aggressively to get you the compensation you deserve. Insurance companies are known for not treating motorcyclists fairly, and they will often look for ways to pin the blame for the accident on the injured rider.

At Burge & Burge, we understand what motorcyclists are up against when they are injured in an accident, and we have extensive experience with these types of cases. We work closely with our clients, exploring every potential legal avenue toward recovering maximum compensation. Call us today at 800-633-3733 to speak with one of our attorneys.

Statistics on Motorcycle Accidents

As we touched on earlier, motorcycle crashes can be very dangerous due to the lack of protection afforded to riders. The following are some statistics that bear this out:

• Worldwide, motorcyclists account for more than 380,000 deaths every year, and 91% of all motorcycle crash fatalities are men.

• Approximately 5,000 motorcyclists are killed on US roads every year, accounting for roughly 14% of road accident fatalities.

• A Federal Highway Administration’s Motorcycle Crash Causation Study found that multiple-vehicle crashes account for 75% of motorcycle accidents, while single-vehicle crashes account for 25%.

• Other vehicles violating a motorcycle’s right-of-way is what causes two-thirds of multiple-vehicle accidents.

• About three-quarters of all motorcycle accidents are frontal collisions.

Tuscaloosa, AL Motorcycle Crashes

There have been several accidents involving motorcyclists in the Tuscaloosa area over the years. Here are a couple of recent examples:

• On February 10, 2022, a motorcyclist was killed in a hit-and-run accident near University Boulevard and 17th Avenue.

• On December 26, 2021, a 64-year-old man was killed in a motorcycle accident on Alabama 171 near the 13-mile marker, approximately 12 miles north of Northport.

Motorcyclists should always exercise caution when navigating busier roadways like the ones where these accidents occurred. They should also increase their following distance when they are behind large trucks to allow for better sight distance, and they should avoid staying in a truck’s blind spot.

Be especially aware of vehicle drivers who might be distracted by their cell phones. Some common signs of distracted driving include weaving back and forth between lanes, remaining stopped at a stoplight after it has turned green, and drivers frequently having their heads down as they are looking at their phones.

Common Injuries that Result from Motorcycle Accidents in Tuscaloosa

Some of the most frequent injuries that result from motorcycle collisions include:

• Head injuries such as cuts, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries.
• Foot and leg injuries including bruises, cuts, sprains, muscle injuries, and breaks.
• Bone fractures, including wrist, arm, foot, and leg fractures.
• Chest, shoulder, and back injuries, which can lead to internal injuries such as punctured lungs and bleeding.
• Bruising to the torso and whiplash of the neck.
• Burn injuries due to explosions and fires during an accident.
• Amputations/loss of limbs often resulting from more severe crashes.

Injuries sustained in motorcycle crashes can range from minor to life-threatening, and some may not become apparent until several days after the accident. Therefore, it is essential to seek medical attention immediately after an accident, even if you do not feel like you were injured.

In addition to getting care from first responders on the scene, it may be necessary to go to a local medical center for more extensive treatment. Some of the local centers in the Tuscaloosa area where you can go for care include:

• DCH Regional Medical Center
• Northport Medical Center
• Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center
• Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center

Pursuing a Motorcycle Accident Injury Claim in Alabama

If you have been injured in a motorcycle crash that was someone else’s fault, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Damages that may be available in an accident injury claim include:

• Economic Damages: These are damages that are intended to compensate the injured party for their direct financial losses. Examples include medical bills, lost income, lost earning capacity, property damage, and other out-of-pocket expenses.

• Non-Economic Damages: These are damages that are intended to compensate the injured party for non-financial losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

• Punitive Damages: In some cases, punitive damages may be available to punish the at-fault party for their reckless or intentional conduct that caused the accident.

• Wrongful Death Damages: If the motorcycle accident resulted in the death of the rider, the surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. In Alabama, only the personal representative of the decedent’s estate can bring a wrongful death action. In addition, the damages that may be recovered in a wrongful death lawsuit are limited only to punitive damages.

The types of damages that may be available and the amount of compensation that may be recovered will depend on the specific circumstances of the case. In general, the more severe your injuries and the more extensive your losses, the more compensation you may be eligible for.

It is important to note that Alabama has a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims. This means that a legal claim must be filed within two years of the date of the injury, or it will most likely be thrown out of court. For this reason, it is very important to get started on your legal case as soon as possible.

Contact Burge & Burge to Discuss Your Accident Case

If you or a loved one got hurt in a motorcycle crash in the Tuscaloosa, AL area, the team at Burge & Burge is ready to go to work for you! Call us today at 800-633-3733 or message us online to set up a free, no-obligation consultation and case assessment with one of our attorneys.