Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Mobile, AL
Dean Waite & Associates puts riders' rights first - handling serious injury and wrongful death claims
Motorcycle accidents in Alabama often result in serious injuries or fatalities. A rider or passenger who survives a crash often suffers catastrophic injury. Victims must deal with permanent disabilities that change their world. The impact of a collision is often severe because motorcycles are no match for cars, trucks and other large vehicles. If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle accident in Mobile or elsewhere in Alabama, a motorcycle lawyer can help you every step of the way. We will provide aggressive representation if your loved one died in a motorcycle crash. Don't hesitate ... Call Dean Waite!
Located in Mobile and serving motorcycle accident victims throughout the state, Dean Waite & Associates, LLC has assembled an experienced legal team that knows how to deal with the most serious motorcycle accidents in Alabama. Tireless representation throughout the Gulf Coast region. Available day or night.
Some of our most notable results representing injured motorcyclists include:
- $1.25M motorcycle accident, Mobile County, Alabama
- $350,000 motorcycle accident
- $125,000 motorcycle accident, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
If you or a loved one was hurt in a rear-end motorcycle accident on I-10, distracted driving motorcycle crash on I-65 or another type of motorcycle accident, contact us immediately. We work tirelessly on motorcycle accident claims. We'll put your best interests first.
Common legal issues involving motorcycle accident claims?
Motorcyclists injured in a crash often face an uphill battle when it comes to seeking compensation for their losses. Insurance companies are often quick to deny legitimate claims or offer small settlements. Why are motorcycle accident claims difficult? Visit the following sections for more information:
When you have an experienced attorney like Dean Waite advocating on your behalf, the insurance companies will know you are serious about getting justice.
How can Mobile motorcycle accident lawyer Dean Waite help me?
A motorcycle accident rarely results in a few scrapes or bruises. They often result in serious injuries such as brain injuries, spinal cord injuries or internal organ damage. A crash can lead to steep medical bills, lost income, costs related to rehabilitation and therapy and the need to use special equipment to accommodate disabilities. In pursuing a claim against a negligent driver, you may be entitled to compensation for these losses in addition to pain and suffering, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life and other "damages."
You may feel overwhelmed after your accident or after losing a loved one. We can handle all the red tape associated with your accident so you can focus on your recovery or your family's needs after a loved one dies. We know how to analyze accident reports. We often conduct our own investigations. We know how to negotiate with insurance companies.
Put your trust in a lawyer who puts your needs first. Contact Dean Waite & Associates, LLC and schedule an appointment today. Call (866) 434-5840. We can meet with you in our Mobile, AL office, your home, your hospital room or wherever's convenient for you. You decide.
FAQs about motorcycle accidents
Learn more about motorcycle accidents and find answers to frequently asked questions about motorcycle accidents by clicking on the following questions listed below:
- What are common motorcycle accidents?
- Why do motorcycle accidents happen?
- What are common motorcycle accident injuries?
- Should I talk to the insurance company for the other driver after my motorcycle accident?
- Should I accept an offer from an insurance company for my motorcycle crash?
- Can I negotiate for more money for my motorcycle accident claim?
- Should I file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Alabama?
What are common motorcycle accidents?
Every motorcycle accident is unique. However, there are many similarities between different types of motorcycle accidents. Some of the most common motorcycle accidents include:
- Rear-end motorcycle accident - Drivers sometimes crash into the back of a motorcycle, causing a serious accident that knocks a rider off the bike or worse. The severity of such accidents often depends on the speed of the driver.
- Left-turn motorcycle accident - Cars turning left sometimes crash into motorcyclists going straight. The driver might not correctly judge the distance of the approaching small motorcycle. Drivers have a responsibility to remain aware on the road and safely negotiate turns when motorcycles or another vehicle is approaching and has the right of way.
- Lane changing motorcycle accident - When drivers change lanes, they may crash into a motorcycle because the drivers claim they didn't see the rider. They may claim the motorcycle was in a "blind spot."
- Head-on motorcycle accident - Intersections and roads without barriers between both sides are some of the places where head-on collisions often occur. A driver might be distracted or impaired by drugs or alcohol and may drift into the opposite lane, striking the motorcycle head-on. A fatality may be grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit.
Why do motorcycle accidents happen?
The most common reason cited by drivers who cause motorcycle accidents is that they failed to see the motorcyclist. Drivers who say they didn't notice the rider might not have intended to cause any harm, but nevertheless may be liable in the crash.
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Distracted drivers
- Texting drivers
- Speeding
- Drunk drivers
- Reckless drivers
What are common motorcycle accident injuries?
Motorcyclists often sustain serious injuries in motorcycle crashes. Some of the most common motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Head injury - Even though motorcyclists are required by law in Alabama to wear helmets, riders and passengers sometimes sustain Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs). These include concussions and brain damage, from mild and temporary, to permanent and severe.
- Road rash - An injury caused by skin scraped against the pavement during a motorcycle accident. Road rash can cause permanent damage to the skin. Road rash injuries can also lead to infection and other complications.
- Muscle damage -Muscles in the arms, legs and other parts of the body can be damaged in a motorcycle accident. Physical therapy and other forms of medical treatment are often needed to repair muscle damage.
- Broken bones - Bones in the face, hands, arms and other body parts are often broken or fractured in a motorcycle accident. Healing broken bones can often take weeks or months.
- Biker's Arm - Term used to describe injuries that occur when a motorcyclist is thrown forward and attempts to use his or her arms to reduce the impact. Biker's arm often results in permanent nerve damage to the arms or upper body.
- Leg injury - Cuts, scrapes, road rash, broken bones and sprains are just some of the injuries motorcyclists sustain on their legs during a motorcycle accident. In some cases, motorcyclists have to have their leg amputated due to their crash.
- Spinal cord injury - Paralysis and other life-changing permanent injuries can occur as a result of spinal cord injuries caused by motorcycle accidents. Depending on where the injury occurs on the spine, injury victims could permanently lose the ability to use their legs (paraplegia) or their arms and legs (quadriplegia).
Injuries sustained in a motorcycle wreck can have a major impact on your life, which is why wearing protective gear is an important step to take to keep yourself safe on the road.
Should I talk to the insurance company for the other driver after my motorcycle accident?
No. Anything you say to an insurance company adjuster could be used by the company to deny your claim. Even the most seemingly simple, straightforward questions could jeopardize your claim. That's why we strongly urge motorcycle accident victims to politely decline to answer any questions. Call Dean Waite before you talk with the insurance company.
Should I accept an offer from an insurance company for my motorcycle crash?
Always discuss any offer you receive from an insurance company before you agree to accept any offer. What might seem like a reasonable offer often fails to cover the true, long-term costs of most motorcycle accidents. It's not just the short-term medical costs you need to worry about after an accident. It's the expenses that add up years after an accident, expenses like lost future income, physical therapy, home modifications, pain and suffering and more.
Can I negotiate for more money for my motorcycle accident claim?
Yes. Just because an insurance company tells you they can't offer you more money doesn't mean you have to accept their offer. Insurance companies routinely make low-ball offers soon after an accident. They do this because they know some people will simply accept such offers. Don't fall for their tricks. Motorcycle accident expenses can add up fast. You shouldn't have to pay for another driver's reckless behavior. Demand the compensation you rightfully deserve. Contact our law firm today.
Should I file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Alabama?
While most cases are resolved with settlements, sometimes filing a lawsuit is the best way to obtain the compensation you deserve for your Alabama motorcycle accident. But many other legal options also exist. That's why it's important to contact us and schedule a free case evaluation. We can discuss all the alternatives available to you, including whether to file an Alabama motorcycle accident lawsuit. If we think that's the best way to get your money, we'll tell you. If not, we'll recommend another strategy and work closely with you to help you achieve your goal.
Myths about motorcycle accidents
Motorcyclists often get blamed for causing motorcycle accidents involving other vehicles. Some drivers hold on to outdated stereotypes of bikers as law-breaking speed demons who put everyone on the road at risk.
Reality is often quite different. Most motorcyclists obey the rules of the road, wear a helmet (as required by law for all riders in Alabama) and do everything they can to avoid an accident. Instead, other drivers often cause accidents involving motorcyclists. But insurance companies know that juries may harbor a bias against motorcycle riders. The insurance company might be willing to take your case to trial, hoping the jury will be sympathetic toward the driver. Dean Waite is prepared to present strong evidence to the jury to show exactly what happened in the accident - and hold the negligent driver accountable.
Another myth about motorcycle accidents is that drivers are not responsible for causing motorcycle accidents if riders are in their so-called "blind spot." Simply saying you didn't see a motorcyclist is not an excuse for causing a motorcycle accident. Drivers must be held accountable.
Motorcycle accidents and insurance companies
Like some drivers, many insurance companies will blame motorcyclists for causing motorcycle accidents involving other vehicles even when the facts point to the driver of the car being at fault. That's why many motorcyclists often have a hard time getting the money they rightfully deserve after their crash.
That's not right. That's why we proudly represent injured motorcyclists and their families throughout Alabama. We strongly believe accident victims deserve to be compensated for crashes caused by other drivers.
Negotiating with insurance companies can be challenging. They often pressure victims into accepting an offer that doesn't even come close to covering the true cost of their motorcycle accident. They don't intimidate us - and we have the track record to prove it. In case after case, we consistently help motorcycle accident victims get the money they rightfully deserve after their crash. That's why we're eager to meet with you.