The size and lack of protection of a bicycle make a cyclist extra susceptible to serious injuries in a motor vehicle crash. Drivers must exercise the highest form of care when sharing the road with them. Sadly, they may overlook this responsibility, and the bicyclist suffers for it. If you or a loved one was injured in a bicycle crash, our Alabama bicycle accident attorney can help you seek fair compensation from the liable party.
Our legal team has recovered over $100,000,000 in settlements and verdicts. We will do what is in your best interest throughout your case. Reach out to the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown today for a free consultation. Here, we’ll further discuss what our Alabama personal injury lawyer will do to serve you.
What It’s Like Having Our Alabama Bicycle Accident Attorney on Your Side
In Attorney Dwayne Brown’s more than 30 years of experience, he has empowered clients with the knowledge necessary to make good decisions in their cases. He provides focused attention to only a small number of clients, putting their needs first. After all, the case is about them, not the lawyer.
His approach has awarded him various memberships in the legal world, including the following:
- Super Lawyers
- National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocate Form
- Million Dollar Advocate Forum
At our law firm, the client and lawyer are a team. Attorney Brown will work toward your needs and concerns, even if they change as the case goes on. As your Alabama bicycle accident lawyer, he will educate you on the legal process, such as the importance of evidence, settlement offers, and whether the case will go to trial.
In addition to providing you with everything you need to know, they will be managing all aspects of your case, such as:
- Compiling documentation of the Alabama bicycle accident and your injuries
- Identifying the party responsible
- Handling communication with the insurance company
- Requesting a settlement from the insurance company and negotiating with them until we come to an agreement
- Going to trial, if necessary
Our goal is to develop a personal relationship with you. We want to know how the bicycle accident has impacted each area of your life. You can expect us to frequently check in with you to see how you’re doing mentally and physically, make sure you see the right doctors, and advise you to get secondary medical opinions. We can even recommend physicians and psychologists. Our team will ensure you’re in good hands.
Going After Fair Compensation After a Bicycle Accident in Alabama
Personal injury deserves personal attention. Since every case is so unique, the damages you suffer should be reflected in your settlement or lawsuit. Still, we’ve seen some overlap among the different losses victims of bicycle accidents can recoup. They tend to include the following:
- Medical expenses for past and future care: If you require surgery, pain medication, X-rays or MRIs, medical devices, and physical therapy, as well as follow-up appointments and transportation
- Loss of income: If you were unable to earn your hourly pay, salary, tips, bonuses, commissions, and/or benefits while you were recovering from your injuries, including any missed employment opportunities
- Future loss of earning power: If it is not possible to return to work or at least work a full day
- Pain and suffering: If your injuries inflict pain, discomfort, and inconvenience
- Disfigurement and scarring: If your injuries have limited your mobility or changed your appearance
- Mental anguish and emotional distress: If your mental and emotional health has suffered because of the trauma of the Alabama bicycle accident and your injuries
Other damages we haven’t listed here may also be available to you. Our Alabama bicycle accident attorney can review the details of your case and help ensure you receive what you need and deserve to move forward. Reach out to the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown today to learn more.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
AL Code § 32-5A-260 affirms that all traffic laws and rights also apply to bicyclists, so to avoid taking the blame in a crash, the at-fault party may point the finger at you for causing the accident. Under the contributory negligence doctrine in Alabama, even if the injured party is one percent responsible for the crash, they will not qualify for damages. Our team will protect your rights and show how the other party was negligent.
According to AL Code § 32-5A-82, drivers must create a safe distance—no less than three feet—between themselves and the bicyclists when passing or following them. This is all roads where the speed limit is 45 miles per hour or less, and there are no double lines. Still, the driver might fail to yield or get too close to the bicyclist and strike them. Other ways a bicycle crash may occur include:
- Failing to check a blind spot
- Distracted driving
- Opening the door without checking for bicyclists
- Drowsy driving
- Speeding
- Road defects
- Driving too fast for the conditions
- Drunk driving
- Poor left turns
- Unsafe merging or lane change
- Failing to follow traffic signals
Sometimes, a different party could be to blame for the bicycle accident, like another road user or a government entity. Multiple parties could even bear fault. In any case, our Alabama bicycle accident lawyer can figure out who contributed to the crash and hold them accountable based on their percentage of responsibility.
Our Alabama Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You Adhere to the Deadline
It’s important to not let the time get away from you after you’re hurt in an Alabama bicycle accident. The statute of limitations, AL Code § 6-2-38, allows up to two years from the day of the incident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Failing to comply with this time limit will give the judge license to refuse to hear your case. As a result, you won’t have any leverage to compel the liable party to pay your damages.
That’s why involving our Alabama bicycle accident lawyer soon after the crash can help ensure you won’t have any issues missing the deadline.
Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident in Alabama
What you do in the moments, days, and weeks following your Alabama bicycle accident will affect your case. The sooner you complete these steps, the more robust your claim against the other party will be.
- Pull over to safety.
- Get prompt medical attention.
- Call the police.
- Document the scene of the bicycle accident by taking pictures of the damage and your injuries.
- Exchange personal, insurance, and contact information with the other party.
- Get witnesses’ names and contact information.
Once you’ve gotten help and your injuries are stable, you may want to consider consulting our team. Doing so will enable you to focus solely on getting treatment. That way, you won’t set yourself back or get caught up in the stress of building a legal case.
Call Our Law Firm Today to Work With Our Alabama Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Attorney Dwayne Brown and the rest of the team are committed to securing the compensation you need to help you navigate this next stage of your life. We have a history of getting our clients what they deserve—you can check out our case results to learn more.
Our Alabama bicycle accident lawyer is ready to represent you throughout all legal proceedings. Call the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown today for a free initial consultation.
