Bicycle accidents in Montgomery can cause serious injuries and leave victims with many questions. A Montgomery bicycle accident lawyer can help you understand your rights after being hurt while riding. These crashes often happen when drivers fail to see cyclists or don't share the road properly.
Bicycle riders have less protection than people in cars. This means injuries from these accidents can be severe, leading to high medical bills and time away from work. Recovery might take weeks, months, or even years depending on how badly you were hurt.
At Krebs Personal Injury Lawyers, we help bicycle accident victims in Montgomery get the compensation they deserve. The information below explains what to do after a bicycle accident and how our legal team can guide you through the process.
Alabama has a strict rule called contributory negligence.
A Montgomery bicycle accident lawyer knows how to fight against claims that you caused your own crash. They understand the evidence needed to show the driver was completely at fault.
Our lawyers know Montgomery's streets, intersections, and traffic patterns. We are familiar with dangerous areas for cyclists like Atlanta Highway and Eastern Boulevard. A lawyer with local knowledge can better explain to a judge or jury exactly how your accident happened and why you deserve fair payment for your injuries.
The moments after a bicycle accident are confusing and stressful. Taking the right steps can protect your health and your legal rights.
Call Emergency Services - Contact 911 if anyone is hurt. Police will create an official accident report that documents what happened.
Gather Evidence - Take photos of the accident scene, your bicycle, the vehicle involved, and any road conditions that might have contributed to the crash.
Exchange Contact Information - Get the driver's name, phone number, address, license plate number, and insurance details. Also collect contact information from any witnesses.
Seek Immediate Medical Care - Visit a hospital or doctor even if injuries seem minor. Some injuries like concussions or internal bleeding may not show symptoms right away. Learning about the long-term effects of brain injuries and available treatment options can help ensure you get the right care.
Document Injuries and Damages - Take photos of your injuries as they heal. Keep all medical records and receipts for bicycle repairs or replacement.
Report to Insurance - Contact your insurance company to report the accident. Give only basic facts about what happened.
Avoid Making Statements About Fault - Don't apologize or admit fault when talking to the other party or insurance representatives.
In Alabama, bicycle accident victims have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. This time limit is called the statute of limitations. The clock starts ticking on the day the accident happens. For example, if your bicycle accident happened in the past, you may have a limited amount of time to file your case in court, so it's important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible to understand your legal deadlines. Missing this deadline often means losing your right to seek compensation.
There are some exceptions to this two-year rule. In some cases, minors may have additional time to file a claim after a bicycle accident. It's best to speak with a lawyer to understand how these timelines could apply to your situation. People who were mentally incompetent at the time of the accident may also get more time. Another exception applies if the at-fault driver left Alabama after the accident - the time they are out of state might not count toward the two-year limit. These special cases show why talking with a lawyer early helps you understand your specific timeline. Certain crashes may also involve third-party liability claims if someone other than the driver shares responsibility.
Bicycle accident victims can receive several types of money for their injuries and losses. The amount depends on how badly you were hurt and how the accident has changed your life.
Medical Bills - This covers hospital stays, emergency room visits, doctor appointments, surgeries, physical therapy, and prescription medications. It also includes future medical care you might need for ongoing treatment.
Lost Wages - You can get money for work time you missed while recovering from your injuries. This also covers income you might lose in the future if your injuries prevent you from returning to your job or working as many hours as before.
Property Damage - This pays for fixing or replacing your damaged bicycle, helmet, clothing, cell phone, or other personal items that were broken in the crash.
Pain and Suffering - This money is for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident. It includes anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and other ways the accident has hurt your mental health.
Permanent Disability - If your injuries cause lasting problems like limping, limited movement, or chronic pain, you can receive compensation for these permanent changes to your life.
Disfigurement - Scars, amputations, or other visible changes to your body from the accident may qualify for additional compensation.
Wrongful Death - When a bicycle accident causes someone's death, their family can seek money for funeral costs, lost financial support, and the emotional impact of losing their loved one. Consulting a Montgomery wrongful death lawyer also helps families navigate these difficult claims.
Alabama follows a legal rule called contributory negligence in bicycle accident cases. This rule is much stricter than what exists in most other states. Under contributory negligence, if you are found even 1% at fault for your bicycle accident, you may not receive any money at all for your injuries. For example, if a car hit you while you were riding, but you were not using hand signals to indicate a turn, the driver's insurance company might claim you helped cause the accident. Even this small mistake could prevent you from getting compensation.
This is why a thorough investigation of your bicycle accident is so important. Your lawyer will gather evidence like traffic camera footage, witness statements, and expert opinions to show the driver was completely at fault. They may look at things like whether the driver was speeding, texting, or failed to yield right-of-way. Police reports and photographs from the scene also help establish what really happened. The more evidence that shows the other party was fully responsible, the better chance you have of overcoming Alabama's strict liability rules.
Insurance companies handle many bicycle accident claims every day. Their main goal is to pay as little as possible for each claim. Talking with insurance adjusters can be tricky because they know more about the process than most people do.
Keeping good records helps show the true cost of your bicycle accident. Medical bills and repair estimates are especially important because they show exactly how much money you have spent.
These early offers are usually much lower than what your case is actually worth. The adjuster might say this is the "standard amount" for your type of injury, but there is no standard amount - each case is different.
Many injuries take weeks or months to fully develop, and some problems may not appear right away. If you accept a quick settlement and then discover your injuries are worse than you thought, you cannot ask for more money later. The insurance company knows this, which is why they try to settle quickly before you understand the full extent of your injuries.
A lawyer knows the tactics insurance companies use to reduce payments for bicycle accident claims. They understand how to respond to questions without saying things that might hurt your case. Your lawyer can also spot unfair practices that you might miss.
Having a professional handle these talks protects you from common mistakes. Insurance adjusters often record phone calls and may try to get you to say things that make it sound like the accident was partly your fault. In Alabama, even a small admission of fault could mean getting no compensation at all. Your lawyer will make sure all communications support your case rather than damage it.
Bicycle accidents often cause more serious injuries than car accidents because cyclists have little protection. When a bike and car collide, the cyclist's body takes the direct impact, leading to several common types of injuries.
Head and Brain Injuries - These range from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Even with a helmet, the brain can get bruised or bleed when the head hits the ground or a vehicle. Recognizing the early signs and symptoms of a brain injury is crucial because these injuries can change how a person thinks, feels, and acts.
Spinal Cord Issues - Damage to the spine can cause pain, weakness, or even paralysis. Some cyclists suffer herniated discs or vertebrae fractures that require surgery and long recovery times.
Fractures and Broken Bones - Arms and legs often break during falls from bicycles. Wrists and collarbones frequently break when cyclists try to catch themselves. These injuries may need casts, surgery, or metal plates and screws to heal properly.
Lacerations and Road Rash - When skin scrapes against pavement, it causes painful road rash that can get infected. Deep cuts may need stitches and can leave permanent scars.
Knee or Elbow Damage - These joints often hit the ground first in a fall. Damage can include torn ligaments, dislocations, or fractures that affect movement and strength.
Facial Injuries - Without full-face helmets, cyclists may suffer broken noses, jaw fractures, eye injuries, or dental damage. These injuries can require plastic surgery and dental work.
Psychological Trauma - Many cyclists develop fear, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress after a serious accident. Some people find it hard to get back on a bike or even ride in traffic as a passenger.
Internal Injuries - The force of impact can damage organs like the liver, spleen, or kidneys. These injuries may not show obvious symptoms right away but can be life-threatening.
Nerve Damage - When nerves get stretched, crushed, or cut during an accident, it can cause numbness, weakness, or chronic pain that lasts for months or years.
Expert witnesses play a key role in bicycle accident cases. Accident reconstruction experts can show exactly how a crash happened by examining skid marks, damage patterns, and the crash scene. They create diagrams or computer models that explain the accident to a judge and jury in simple terms. Medical experts also help by explaining your injuries, treatments, and how these injuries will affect your life in the future. These experts have special training that gives their opinions more weight in court than regular witness statements.
Thorough evidence gathering is especially important in Alabama because of the contributory negligence rule. Photos of the accident scene, traffic camera footage, and witness statements can prove the driver was completely at fault. Police reports often contain valuable information about road conditions, weather, and the officer's opinion about who caused the crash. Medical records document your injuries and connect them directly to the accident. Keeping a daily journal about your pain and recovery also creates a record of how the injuries affect your daily life. The more evidence you have, the harder it is for insurance companies to claim you were partly at fault for the accident.
Bicycle accident lawsuits follow a clear path from start to finish. Understanding these steps helps you know what to expect as your case moves forward.
Starting your case means filing paperwork with the court before the two-year time limit runs out. Your lawyer will prepare a complaint that explains what happened, who was at fault, and what compensation you are asking for. This document gets delivered to the person who caused your accident, and they will have time to respond with their side of the story.
Winning your case means showing the driver did something wrong that caused your accident. Your lawyer will gather evidence that the driver broke traffic laws, wasn't paying attention, or made unsafe choices while driving. In Alabama, you also need to show you did everything right, since any mistake on your part could hurt your case.
The court needs proof of every dollar you're asking for in your lawsuit. Your lawyer will collect your medical bills, bike repair estimates, pay stubs showing missed work, and other papers that show your losses. Photos of your injuries, doctor's notes about your recovery, and statements about how the accident has changed your daily life all help paint a complete picture of your damages.
A Montgomery lawyer knows the local courts, judges, and how bicycle cases typically play out in Alabama. They understand which evidence works best with local juries and how to explain complicated legal rules in simple terms. Your attorney will handle the paperwork, deadlines, and legal arguments while you focus on healing from your injuries.
Many bicycle accident victims have similar questions about their legal rights and options. Here are answers to common questions we hear from cyclists in Montgomery.
Each bicycle accident case is different, with compensation amounts varying based on the injuries and their impact on your life. A cyclist with serious injuries like broken bones or brain trauma may receive more money than someone with minor cuts and bruises. The final amount also depends on factors like medical costs, lost wages, and how the injuries affect your daily activities.
Alabama uses a rule called pure contributory negligence that can make bicycle accident cases challenging. If you are found even 1% at fault for your accident, you might not receive any compensation at all. This makes it very important to have strong evidence showing the driver was completely responsible for what happened.
Even seemingly minor bicycle accidents can lead to injuries that appear days or weeks later. Insurance companies often try to settle quickly before you realize the full extent of your injuries or damages. A lawyer helps make sure all your injuries are properly documented and that you don't accept a settlement that's too small to cover your current and future expenses.
Alabama does not have a statewide law requiring bicycle helmets for all riders, though some local areas have their own rules for younger riders. Not wearing a helmet could be used by insurance companies to claim you contributed to your injuries. However, the lack of a helmet only affects head injury claims - it has no bearing on other injuries like broken bones or road rash.
Bicycle accident cases involve many moving parts - from gathering evidence to dealing with insurance companies. Alabama's strict contributory negligence rule makes these cases even harder to win without legal help. Our Montgomery bicycle accident attorneys understand these challenges and work to build strong cases that show the other party was completely at fault for your injuries.
Time matters in bicycle accident cases. With only two years to file a claim, talking to a lawyer soon after your accident gives you the best chance for success. A Montgomery personal injury lawyer can also guide you through the complexities of contributory negligence. At Krebs Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle all aspects of your case while you focus on healing. We collect evidence, talk to witnesses, work with experts, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
You can talk to our team at no cost to learn about your legal options. During this meeting, we'll listen to what happened, answer your questions, and explain how we might be able to help. There's no obligation to hire us after this conversation. Schedule a free consultation with our Montgomery bicycle accident lawyer today to discuss your case and potential next steps.
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