Tag Archive for: motorcycle accidents

Blind Spots: The Overlooked Culprit in Many Alabama Motorcycle Crashes

Blind Spots: The Overlooked Culprit in Many Alabama Motorcycle Crashes

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Motorcycle accidents are a serious concern in Alabama, with numerous factors contributing to these tragic events. Among these factors, one of the most frequently overlooked is the presence of blind spots. Blind spots can severely hinder a driver’s ability to see motorcyclists, leading to dangerous situations on the road.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident, it’s time to meet with attorney Aaron Luck to discuss your options. Call McPhillips Shinbaum at 334-262-1911 to set up a consultation with our personal injury team.

Blind Spots and Their Impact on Safety

Blind spots are areas around a vehicle that the driver can’t see directly while driving. In cars, these spots are usually on both sides and behind the vehicle. For motorcyclists, this is especially dangerous because their smaller size makes them easier to miss. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are significantly more at risk than other motorists. They are significantly overrepresented in fatal collisions, accounting for 15% of all fatal crashes in 2022.

In Alabama, motorcycles are quite popular, which increases the risk associated with blind spots. Many accidents happen when drivers change lanes without checking their blind spots, often resulting in severe injuries or even fatalities. It’s important for everyone on the road to be aware of these dangers to prevent tragic accidents.

Common Scenarios Where Blind Spots Lead to Accidents

Blind spots can lead to motorcycle accidents in several typical scenarios. One common situation is when a driver changes lanes without checking their mirrors or looking over their shoulder. This can result in a collision with a motorcyclist hidden in the blind spot. Even when a driver does check their blind spot before changing lanes, they may not notice that a motorcycle is there, since many drivers are used to looking for much larger vehicles.

Merging onto highways is also risky. A driver may not see a motorcycle already in motion while they try to merge, leading to dangerous collisions. Each of these situations underscores the critical need for vigilant driving to prevent accidents involving blind spots.

Legal Implications of Motorcycle Accidents Involving Blind Spots

Motorcycle accidents involving blind spots can have serious legal consequences. If a driver fails to check their blind spots and causes an accident, they may be considered negligent. This means the injured motorcyclist could seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other damages. 

Unfortunately, it’s not always easy for injured motorcyclists to get fair compensation after a crash; the widespread belief that motorcyclists are inherently careless and negligent often leads injured riders to get far less than they deserve, even when it’s clear that a reckless driver was to blame. That’s why it’s so important for injured riders to seek legal assistance after a crash. It’s one of the easiest ways they can give themselves a shot at full and fair compensation.

The Heightened Dangers Motorcyclists Face

Motorcyclists face unique dangers that are often made worse by the presence of blind spots. Unlike drivers of cars and trucks, motorcyclists do not have the protective barriers that larger vehicles offer. This makes them much more vulnerable in the event of a collision. 

Furthermore, because motorcycles are smaller, they can easily be missed by drivers who fail to check their blind spots carefully. 

Weather conditions can also increase these risks. Rain, fog, and even strong sunlight can reduce visibility and make it harder for both motorcyclists and other drivers to see each other. In Alabama, sudden summer storms can quickly create dangerous driving conditions. Motorcyclists need to be extra cautious during these times, as decreased visibility and slippery roads can lead to accidents. 

These heightened dangers highlight the need for motorcyclists to stay vigilant and for other drivers to be more aware of the presence of motorcycles on the road. Everyone must work together to make the roads safer.

Injured in a Montgomery Motorcycle Accident? Let’s Talk.

When you are ready to take the first step in your motorcycle accident claim, the team at McPhillips Shinbaum is here to support you. Reach out online or give us a call at 334-262-1911 to set up your free case consultation now.

 

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The Role of Expert Witnesses in Motorcycle Injury Cases

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When you’re involved in a motorcycle accident, life changes in an instant. While occupants of larger passenger vehicles often walk away from motorcycle accidents with little more than property damage, motorcyclists are at risk of serious and fatal injuries. To make it worse, motorcyclists often struggle to get full and fair compensation after a collision. The bias against motorcyclists often means that they are blamed for every accident that happens, even if the other driver is at fault.

That’s one reason your attorney may recommend the use of expert witnesses in your motorcycle injury claim. They can make complex topics easier to understand and strengthen your claim. Ready to start your case? Call McPhillips Shinbaum at 334-262-1911.

Accident Reconstruction Experts

Your attorney may turn to accident reconstruction experts if your crash is complex or involves multiple vehicles. Some collisions are cut and dry—it’s easy to see what happened, what went wrong, and who’s to blame. Outside of those crashes, it gets a little murkier. Figuring out who is to blame is critical if you want to recoup your losses, and an accident reconstruction expert can analyze the evidence to figure out precisely what happened, when, and how fast both parties were going.

If your case goes to court, the accident reconstruction expert may strive to make your accident more understandable to a jury of laypeople. This may involve making diagrams or videos showing how the crash happened in slow motion.

Motorcycle-Specific Expert Witnesses

Motorcycles are complex vehicles that are different from cars in many crucial ways. For this reason, insurance adjusters and others who work in this sphere often misunderstand how they work and how they behave in a collision. These types of errors can lead to huge misunderstandings about how the accident occurred and who was negligent.

A motorcycle expert can provide in-depth insight into how the motorcycle functions, its maneuverability and handling, and how it may act in a crash. This can also be used to explain how you suffered certain injuries.

To go one step further, your attorney may also seek out an expert in protective gear. When a rider isn’t wearing protective gear at the time of a crash, it’s common for the other side to claim that their injuries are entirely due to the lack of safety gear. An expert in this area can look at the facts of the crash and determine whether or not that’s true.

Economic and Vocational Experts

You may suffer profound economic losses as a result of your motorcycle accident. Those who suffer catastrophic or disfiguring injuries may find themselves permanently unable to work. Others aren’t able to continue in their current line of work and are forced to take a pay cut to work in a different position. It’s difficult for the average person to calculate exactly how those losses will affect you. 

An economic expert may be able to provide additional information. They can fully explore the economic consequences of your accident, such as lost wages, lost future career growth opportunities, the loss of health insurance and retirement contributions, and more. When you consider everything you truly lose when you have to give up your career, it is far more than just your annual salary.

Vocational experts are well-versed in how complex injuries can affect an individual’s ability to work. Your attorney may hire them to show how your specific line of work is impacted by your injuries.

Medical Experts

If you suffered complex or multifaceted injuries in the crash, figuring out the care you’ll need moving forward can be a challenge. Doctors and other medical specialists can be a great source of information and commentary on this topic. They may also be able to comment on the injuries you sustained, what likely caused them, and how they line up with other motorcycle injuries they’ve seen in the past.

Injured in a Motorcycle Crash? Call McPhillips Shinbaum Today

The team at McPhillips Shinbaum is committed to helping you fight for the compensation you’re owed after a motorcycle accident. Take the first step in your claim now—just call us at 334-262-1911 or contact us online.

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Not So Easy Rider: Reducing the Risk of Injury for Alabama Motorcyclists

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Motorcyclists know that the question is not if you will have an accident while riding a motorcycle but when? Automobile drivers often fail to see motorcyclists in traffic. The Alabama Department of Public Safety reports that nearly 40 percent of motorcycle accidents involve situations where a motor vehicle turns left into the path of a motorcycle.

A recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that the most common non-fatal motorcycle injuries involve leg and foot injuries (30%) and head and neck injuries (22%), followed by damage to the upper body (20%) and arms and hands (18%).  Studies also show that when a motorcyclist takes appropriate safety precautions, such as wearing a helmet and bright protective clothing, the likelihood of injury and death is significantly reduced.

These laws and guidelines are important to motorcyclists in Alabama:

  • License required.  Riders must be at least 14 years old. The licensing requirement includes mopeds.
  • Protective gear. Alabama requires riders to wear a helmet, and studies have shown that helmets reduce the risk of death in a crash by more than 40 percent, and the risk of head injuries by nearly 70 percent.  Other protective gear is recommended, such as gloves and brightly colored jackets, to protect your skin from abrasions and to make you more visible to other drivers.
  • Take a safety course.  About one-third of those killed in motorcycle accidents each year have not received formal training.  Taking a refresher course from time to time can be beneficial for veteran riders as well.
  • Know your vehicle.  Choosing the right sized motorcycle and maintaining it in good working condition can prevent injuries.
  • Follow traffic laws.  A motorcycle’s easy maneuverability encourages some motorcyclists to speed, swerve and perform other risky behaviors on the road.  Resist the temptation and drive safely.
  • Don’t drink and drive. In 2010, nearly 30 percent of fatally injured motorcyclists got on their vehicles with blood alcohol content above the legal limit.

Our firm fights for the rights of motorcyclists and their loved ones to obtain the compensation they deserve following an accident.  If you require legal assistance, call our office today.