Madison Motorcycle Laws

There are some specific laws that apply to motorcycle riders in Madison and Alabama as a whole.

If you’re caught breaking any of the following laws, you could face some legal difficulties:

• All motorcycle riders must wear a helmet while riding. This is required by state law.
• Motorcycle riders are also required to have insurance.
• Motorcycle riders are not allowed to ride between lanes of traffic. This is called lane splitting and it’s illegal in Madison.

Keep these laws in mind when you’re riding your motorcycle.

Follow them so you can stay safe, avoid getting into trouble.

Negligence In Motorcycle Accident Cases

Negligence is a huge part in determining fault in a motorcycle accident case.

Negligence refers to careless behavior that causes injury or damages to another person.

There are four (4) elements of negligence. Proving all four of these elements can be difficult.

That’s why it’s important to have a lawyer on your side.

A lawyer will know how to collect the evidence you need to prove your case. The four (4) elements of negligence are:

1. Duty

The first element of negligence is duty.

To prove negligence, the plaintiff must show that the defendant owed them a Duty of Care.

This means that the defendant had a responsibility to act in a certain way to avoid harming the plaintiff.

For example, all drivers have a duty to drive safely and follow the rules of the road.

If a driver breaks this duty and causes an accident, they can be held liable.

2. Breach

The second element of negligence is breach.

Breaching the duty of care means that the defendant didn’t act in the way they were supposed to and this resulted in the plaintiff being harmed.

Breach can also be shown if the defendant acted in a way that a reasonable person wouldn’t.

For example, a driver carelessly side-swipes another car on the highway and causes a severe accident.

Their actions would likely be determined as a breach of their duty of care.

3. Causation

The third element of negligence is causation.

Causation outlines that the defendant’s breach of duty must have caused the plaintiff’s accident and injuries.

Causation can be determined by showing that the plaintiff wouldn’t have been injured if it wasn’t for the defendant’s actions.

4. Damages

The fourth and final element of negligence is damages.

Assessing damages will show that the plaintiff must have suffered some type of harm due to the defendant’s actions.

Damages can be physical, emotional, or financial.

For example, if a driver hits another car and causes them to suffer a broken bone, they may be liable for the other driver’s medical bills.

Common Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents

There are many injuries that are common in motorcycle accidents.

Common injuries in motorcycle accidents include, but are not limited to, these six (6) examples:

1. Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are one of the most common and serious injuries in motorcycle accidents.

TBIs can occur when a person’s head hits an object/surface or is shaken violently.

Symptoms of a TBI can include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue

Symptoms can appear immediately after an accident, but can also present themselves days or weeks later.

If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident and are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor right away.

TBIs can be difficult to recover from.

They often require long-term treatment, physical therapy or occupational therapy.

In some cases, people with TBIs never fully recover and are left with permanent disabilities.

If you’ve suffered a TBI in a motorcycle accident, you may be able to get compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

2. Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are another common type of injury in motorcycle accidents.

SCIs occur when the spinal cord is damaged, fractured, dislocated, or crushed.

SCIs are incredibly dangerous, and often cause partial or complete paralysis.

Minor SCIs can cause chronic pain; chronic pain lasts for long periods (months or years) and may get more severe over time.

3. Broken Bones

Broken bones are also common in motorcycle accidents.

Broken bones can be serious, especially if a bone is broken in multiple places, and can also take a long time to heal.

Broken bones may require surgery and/or physical therapy and can result in significant medical bills.

If you’ve suffered a broken bone in a motorcycle accident, you may be able to get compensation for your medical bills and lost wages.

4. Road Rash

Road rash is a type of injury that occurs when the skin rubs or scrapes against the pavement.

Road rash is very painful and may require serious medical treatment.

Road rash can lead to serious health complications.

In some personal injury cases, road rash has caused infections.

5. Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries are common in Madison motorcycle accidents.

Soft tissue injuries include strains, sprains, and contusions.

These injuries can be extremely painful and may require extensive medical treatment.

Soft tissue injuries are commonly ignored by injured motorcyclists.

It is important to see a doctor after a motorcycle accident, even if you do not think you are injured.

6. Head Injuries

Head injuries are also common in motorcycle accidents.

These injuries can range from mild concussions to more serious brain injuries.

Head injuries are very serious and may require emergency medical treatment.

These injuries can also lead to long-term health complications.

If you suspect that you have a head injury, see a physician as soon as possible.

Much like Spinal Cord Injuries, head injuries can lead to permanent disabilities.

Statute Of Limitations In Motorcycle Injury And Wrongful Death Cases

The statute of limitations is the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit.

In Alabama, the statute of limitations for most personal injury and wrongful death cases is two (2) years.

This means that you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.

If you do not file your lawsuit within this time frame, you will be barred from doing so.

It is important to note that there are some exceptions to this rule.

If the victim is a minor, the statute of limitations may be extended.

Contact an experienced lawyer to learn more about the statute of limitations in your motorcycle accident case.

Contact A Madison Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, don’t wait to get legal help.

The sooner you contact a lawyer, the better.

You need an experienced lawyer on your side who can help you get the compensation you deserve.

If you need a skilled Madison motorcycle accident attorney, our lawyers have years of experience working on motorcycle accident lawsuits.

We know what it takes to win motorcycle accident cases and recover compensation for your injuries.

Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

Let us put our experience to work for you.