Alabama Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

When you’ve been seriously injured in a crash while riding, our Alabama motorcycle accident lawyer will fight to get the compensation you deserve. You may be facing a pile of expensive medical bills, missed time at work and other losses that can significantly derail your financial well-being. If another careless driver’s actions caused your injuries, you shouldn’t have to pay the financial cost in addition to the physical and emotional price you have already paid.

When comparing the same miles traveled, the number of deaths on motorcycles is 29 times higher than the number of deaths in cars, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).  That’s because motorcycles are less stable and less visible than cars and are often high-performance bikes.  In a crash, motorcycles offer far less protection than do enclosed vehicles, so when riders are thrown into the air or pinned under a car, they are much more likely to be seriously injured or killed.

Whether you were injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, massive pothole, or defective bike, our motorcycle accident lawyers can assess your situation and explain your legal options. We can also estimate what your case may be worth. You don’t have to bear these difficulties alone. Let our Alabama motorcycle accident lawyers handle the legal heavy lifting.  Your focus should be on recovering from the trauma you’ve suffered.

CALL CALDWELL WENZEL & ASTHANA TO SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION ABOUT YOUR ACCIDENT. OUR EXPERIENCED MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS IN ALABAMA CAN BE REACHED AT (251) 444-7000.

Why Choose Us?

The motorcycle accident lawyers at Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana stand head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to aggressively negotiating and litigating personal injury claims.  Attorneys Dee Asthana, C. Randall Caldwell, Jr., and Drew Wenzel have decades of experience successfully representing clients to get the largest payouts possible.  We have outstanding client victories and proven case results.  We handle car accident, truck accident, estate litigation, nursing home abuse, and many other types of claims.  When you hire us, you receive our full attention, compassion, and commitment to see the case through to a successful conclusion.  We come highly recommended by many satisfied clients.  We also offer an attractive attorney referral program.

Compensation You May Be Able to Get for Your Motorcycle Crash

Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Can Estimate What Your Case May Be Worth

A total of 5,579 motorcyclists died in crashes in 2020, representing an 11% increase over 2019 motorcycle crash deaths, according to IIHS.  This is the highest number of motorcycle deaths recorded in U.S. history.  Motorcycle deaths accounted for 14% of all vehicle accident deaths in 2020. Roughly 36% of motorcyclists killed were over the age of 50, and 92% of deaths were males.  About 61% of females killed in motorcycle accidents were passengers.

When you’ve been injured in a crash caused by another driver’s negligence, you can ask for payment through a motorcycle accident injury claim to cover your losses. In legal terms, these losses are called “damages.” The damages you may be able to get include economic as well as non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

• Current and future medical expenses including doctor bills, hospital costs, rehabilitation and therapy and costs of medical equipment and devices
• Lost time at work while you recuperate from your injuries
• Lost future earning capacity if you can no longer work at all or if you are limited in your work
• Property damage to your motorcycle.

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering for your physical pain and mental and emotional trauma
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of consortium.

In some cases, but not all, plaintiffs can also receive punitive damages, which are meant to punish the negligent party in cases where disregard for the safety of others was particularly egregious.

You can potentially receive payment for these damages by making a legal claim against the negligent driver who injured you. However, bringing a claim is a complicated process. To increase your chances of success, you need the help of a knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyer who knows how to take on big insurance companies and who understands Alabama’s legal system. Call our motorcycle accident lawyers in Alabama today at (251) 444-7000 to set up a free consultation. Our law firm will work hard toward getting you the compensation you deserve.

How Our Alabama Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Will Handle Your Claim

Most people in Alabama have never filed a motorcycle accident injury claim. It is a very complicated process. To have a realistic chance of success, it is best pursued with the help of an experienced lawyer. When we take on your motorcycle accident injury case, you can be assured that we won’t overlook anything in establishing the strength of your claim.

Representing Your Interests in the Motorcycle Accident Claims Process

To give you an overview of how the claims process works, here are some of the steps we will take to represent your interests:

• We’ll carefully examine all the information and evidence, including interviewing eyewitnesses, to show that the other party was at fault for your crash.
• We’ll identify expert witnesses for your case, which is especially important should your case go to trial.
• We’ll help you accurately determine all of your losses caused by the accident to arrive at a dollar amount for your damages.
• We’ll communicate with insurance companies and their attorneys on your behalf.
• We’ll draft a “demand letter” notifying the other party of your claim and asking for compensation.
• If the other party and their insurance company want to settle, we’ll handle settlement negotiations for you.
• If they won’t settle for a fair amount, or if they deny your claim altogether, we’ll go to trial.

Most motorcycle accident claims are settled through negotiations and don’t ever go to trial. But we always thoroughly prepare every case we handle as if it will go in front of a judge or jury. Cases can be settled anytime during the claims process and even after a trial has started.

Answers to Your Questions from Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Alabama

It is normal for people who are involved in serious accidents to have a lot of questions about the claims process. Here are some of the more common ones:

Q. How long will my insurance claim or lawsuit take?

A. How long your claim might take depends on how complicated your crash was, how serious your injuries are and how many people were involved. Generally, though, insurance settlements may take a few weeks to a few months. If the case goes to trial, it can take a year or longer.  It all depends on the complexity of your case.

Q. Is it better to settle or to go to trial in a motorcycle accident case?

A. Which is better depends upon the exact specifics of each case. When insurance companies provide a reasonable settlement offer, it can sometimes be better to settle because you are guaranteed compensation. When cases go to trial, in spite of an attorney’s best efforts, there is no absolute guarantee that a jury will rule in your favor. If they don’t, you won’t receive anything. But cases that are won at trial usually result in larger awards than in a settlement offer. Your motorcycle accident attorney can help you determine your best option based on the facts of your individual case.

Q:  When is a motorcyclist most likely to be killed?

A:  On weekdays, a fatal motorcycle crash is most likely to happen between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).  On weekends, a fatal motorcycle crash is most likely to happen between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Q:  What percent of motorcycle accident deaths involve alcohol?

A:  About 34% of motorcycle crash deaths involve a vehicle driver or motorcycle operator whose blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was 0.08 or higher, according to data from III.

Q. How much is my motorcycle accident claim worth?

A. How much you might get will be determined by the extent of your injuries and other factors.  Motorcycle accident claim awards can range from the thousands of dollars into the millions. Your motorcycle accident attorney can review your case to figure out what it might be worth.

Q. How much do motorcycle accident lawyers cost?

A. Our motorcycle accident lawyers at Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana work on a contingency fee basis. This means that we don’t get paid unless we win your case. When we do win your case, we are paid a standard attorney fee from your settlement or award. When you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, the last thing you should be worried about is how you will pay your healthcare bills and keep a roof over your head. You also shouldn’t be wondering about the complicated process of filing a legal claim yourself.

Our attorneys will help ease your stress by taking on the work of filing a claim. We will keep you apprised through every step of the legal process and advise you about your options based on your goals and best interests. We offer free consultations, so you have nothing to lose by speaking with us. Contact our law firm today at (251) 444-7000.

Do’s and Don’ts after an Accident

Any Alabama motorcycle accident lawyer will tell you that what you do or don’t do immediately after a crash can greatly affect your case and the amount of compensation you might receive. Here are some specific tips to follow that can benefit you in a legal claim if you are injured in a motorcycle crash due to another’s negligence.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

• Do call the police and get a copy of the police report.
• If you are not taken to the hospital after the crash, do see a doctor right away and keep medical records of your injuries.
• Do get witness contact information and take photos if you are able. Look around the accident site to see if there may be traffic cameras that could have captured photos or video.
• Do notify your own insurance company about the accident.
• Do contact an experienced Alabama motorcycle accident lawyer for help with your case.

What Not to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

• Don’t speak to anyone except police about how the accident happened. Anything you say could be used against you later.
• Don’t admit any fault for the crash.
• Don’t refuse medical help if it’s offered at the scene.
• Don’t speak to the other driver’s insurance company or sign anything—let your attorney deal with the insurance company.
• Don’t accept the first insurance offer you receive. Insurance companies are in business to make money, so the less they pay out, the more their profits. The first offer you receive will typically be a low-ball offer.

Types of Injuries in Motorcycle Crashes

Our Alabama Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Have Seen Severe Injuries.

Serious head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, are quite common in motorcycle crashes. Other common injuries in motorcycle accidents include:

• Back and spinal cord injuries
• Neck injuries
• Broken bones
• Cuts, lacerations, and puncture wounds
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage
• Thermal burns
• Soft-tissue damage
• Road rash
• Paralysis
• Wrongful death.

If you’ve been injured, call our skilled motorcycle accident lawyers today at (251) 444-7000 for help. We serve Mobile, Foley, Daphne, and all of south Alabama.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Alabama

Many factors can contribute to a motorcycle accident, from weather to careless drivers to poor road conditions.  Here are some of the more common causes of motorcycle accidents:

• Drivers turning left who fail to see approaching motorcyclists or who misjudge distances
• Drivers who don’t check blind spots or signal when they are changing lanes
• Cars that follow motorcyclists too closely
• People who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Dangerous conditions on roadways, such as potholes, debris and crumbling pavement
• Dangers from the motorcycle itself due to defectively manufactured parts.

Other drivers commonly are to blame for motorcycle accidents. But motorcycle product manufacturers, public agencies tasked with maintaining roads and others might also be held liable in motorcycle accident claims. In some cases, more than one party may be liable, depending on specific circumstances.

The seasoned motorcycle accident lawyers at Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana in Alabama can advise you about potential liability in your injury crash. Schedule your free consultation with our Mobile or Foley office by calling (251) 444-7000 today. We are here to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Why It’s Important to Wear a Helmet When Riding a Motorcycle

Alabama requires motorcycle drivers and passengers to wear helmets. While it’s the law, it’s also the smart thing to do. Statistics show that the single greatest indicator as to whether a motorcycle rider survives a collision is the presence of a protective helmet. In fact, helmets are estimated to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcycle riders. Also, according to one National Highway Transportation Safety Association study, 21 percent of riders without helmets suffered traumatic brain injuries versus 15 percent of helmeted motorcyclists.

In any case, though, when a negligent car, truck or SUV driver causes injury or death to a motorcycle rider, they should be held responsible. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will fight for your right to compensation for your injuries. And if your family member was killed by a negligent driver, our compassionate motorcycle accident lawyers can explain the process of potentially bringing a wrongful death lawsuit.

MOTORCYCLES ARE BOTH FUN TO RIDE AND PRACTICAL IN REDUCING FUEL COSTS. BUT WHEN OTHER DRIVERS DON’T SAFELY SHARE THE ROAD, IT MAKES RIDING A DANGEROUS ACTIVITY. CARELESS DRIVERS WHO CAUSE CRASHES THAT HARM MOTORCYCLE RIDERS CAN AND SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE.

Call Our Skilled Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Alabama

If you or your loved one is a victim of a motorcycle accident, call our personal injury lawyers in Alabama at Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana, P.C. to discuss your legal options. We also help motorcycle accident victims from our office in Foley, AL. Your right to the road is no less than that of any other driver, and you or your family may be compensated when other drivers are negligent.

Schedule your free consultation with our motorcycle accident lawyers today by calling (251) 444-7000.  We are ready to help you where you are. Our offices are located in Mobile, Foley and Daphne, AL.