Lifestyle

5 Tips for Avoiding Motorcycle Accidents

Published

5 years ago

July 4, 2021

As a motorcyclist, you’re 29-times more likely to be involved in a deadly road accident than individuals in other vehicles. Devastating injuries are even more common. But if you know how to avoid certain risk factors, you can increase your safety.

Lower Your Risk With These 5 Tips

It’s impossible to know just how exhilarating it is to ride if you’ve never done it before. Until someone has actually hopped on a motorcycle and taken it for a drive on the open road, there’s no way to understand the appeal. But as you know, motorcycling can also be quite dangerous.

According to the NHTSA, “Per vehicle miles traveled in 2019, motorcyclists were about 29 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash and were 4 times more likely to be injured.”

The elevated risk factor can be tied to numerous elements, but is mostly due to the fact that motorcycles are much smaller than the average vehicle on the road. This makes them (a) less visible to drivers, and (b) more vulnerable in collisions.

When accidents do occur, the results can be devastating. This Charleston motorcycle accident lawyer has seen it all. This includes spinal cord trauma, disc injuries, paralysis, TBIs, broken bones, nerve damage, internal organ damage, and everything in between.

Want to enjoy motorcycling without so much risk? Here are a few tips to put into practice.

Wear the Right Gear

Motorcycle gear doesn’t just look cool – it serves a purpose! Safety is paramount, and the right gear can quite literally save your life.

It doesn’t matter how much gear you own. If you aren’t wearing it every time you hop on your bike, you’re putting yourself at risk. Always remember the old ATGATT acronym, which states All the Gear, All the Time. Here’s a list of some good gear to consider adding to your motorcycle “wardrobe.”

Avoid Bad Weather

Bad weather does nothing but heighten the risk of being involved in an accident. Anytime there’s rain, snow, or ice, the risk of sliding around a turn increases. As a general rule of thumb, avoid bad weather. If you need to go somewhere, a standard motor vehicle is the safer option.

Be Wary of Left Turning Vehicles

Roughly 4 out of 10 accidents involving a motorcycle and a car are caused by a vehicle making a left-hand turn in front of the motorcycle. Typically, the turning car hits the motorcycle when it’s going straight through an intersection, passing the car, and/or trying to overtake the car.

If you want to reduce your risk of being injured or killed in a motorcycle crash, there are a few things you can do:

Always look for indicators that a vehicle is about to turn
Keep your eyes on a vehicle’s wheels to see if they’re moving and/or turning
Always assume that a driver does not see you (and consider your bailout point in case the vehicle does turn)

Intersections are definitely the most dangerous part of any drive. If possible, avoid major intersections and stick to interstates and backroads.

Keep Your Head on a Swivel

When driving a motorcycle, you don’t have the luxury of being encased in a steel cage that can provide protection in a collision. If a vehicle strikes you, the consequences are serious. And it’s for this reason that you must always keep your head on a swivel.

In addition to looking both ways before going through an intersection, we recommend always taking a glance behind you prior to stopping at a stop sign or red light. (Being struck from behind is fairly common.) If making a sudden stop, move to one side of the lane and rapidly flash your brake lights to draw attention to yourself.

Perform Regular Maintenance

Don’t wait until something breaks to work on your bike. Regular preventative maintenance is a must if you want your motorcycle to run in excellent (and safe) condition. Be particularly mindful of the engine, brakes, tires, headlamps, and turn signals.

Stay Safe on Your Bike

Anytime you hop on your bike and go cruising, there’s always a risk that you could be injured or killed. (However, to be totally transparent, that same risk exists for any driver of a motor vehicle.) The key is to reduce this risk by maintaining smart habits. Once you implement some of the tips mentioned in this article, you’ll instantly feel much higher peace of mind.

Lifestyle

Alabama Car Accident Lawyer: Protecting Your Rights After a Crash

Published

2 days ago

January 13, 2026

Michelle Langton

Car accidents can cause serious injuries, extensive property damage, and long-term financial strain. In the aftermath of a collision, victims often face mounting medical bills, missed time from work, and ongoing physical pain. Navigating insurance claims and legal processes on your own can be overwhelming, especially while trying to recover. Hiring an Alabama car accident lawyer ensures that your rights are protected and that you have the best chance of receiving fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

An experienced Alabama car accident lawyer acts as your advocate, handling complex legal matters while you focus on healing and rebuilding your life after a crash.

Why You Need an Alabama Car Accident Lawyer

Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts, even when the accident was clearly not your fault. Adjusters may pressure victims into giving recorded statements, accepting quick settlements, or downplaying injuries. An experienced Alabama car accident lawyer understands the tactics insurers use and can negotiate aggressively on your behalf.

With in-depth knowledge of Alabama traffic laws, liability rules, and personal injury regulations, your lawyer can manage the legal complexities of your case. This includes identifying responsible parties, calculating damages accurately, and ensuring all paperwork is filed correctly and on time. Having an Alabama car accident lawyer on your side helps level the playing field and prevents costly mistakes.

Understanding Alabama’s Fault and Negligence Laws

Alabama follows a strict contributory negligence rule, which can have a major impact on car accident claims. Under this law, if an injured person is found to be even 1% at fault for an accident, they may be barred from recovering compensation entirely. Insurance companies frequently use this rule to deny or dispute claims.

An experienced Alabama car accident lawyer knows how to counter these arguments by gathering strong evidence, challenging unfair fault determinations, and presenting a clear narrative of liability. Understanding how Alabama courts interpret contributory negligence is essential, and your lawyer will build a strategy designed to protect your right to compensation.

Common Injuries in Car Accidents

Car accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, some of which may not be immediately apparent. Common injuries include:

Whiplash and neck injuries
Back and spinal injuries
Traumatic brain injuries
Broken bones and fractures
Soft tissue injuries

An Alabama car accident lawyer ensures that all injuries are properly documented, including emergency treatment, follow-up care, rehabilitation, and long-term medical needs. Accurate documentation is crucial for demonstrating the true impact of the accident and pursuing maximum compensation.

How an Alabama Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

Hiring a skilled Alabama car accident lawyer provides support at every stage of the legal process:

Case Evaluation – Reviewing police reports, witness statements, medical records, and vehicle damage to assess the strength and value of your case.

Evidence Collection – Gathering photographs, accident scene documentation, surveillance footage, and repair estimates to build a compelling claim.

Negotiation With Insurance Companies – Advocating for fair compensation and preventing insurers from undervaluing, delaying, or denying your claim.

Litigation – Representing you in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached, ensuring that your case is presented effectively before a judge or jury.

Having an Alabama car accident lawyer manage these steps allows you to focus on recovery while your attorney handles the legal and procedural challenges.

What Compensation May Be Available After a Car Accident

An Alabama car accident lawyer will evaluate all damages related to your crash to ensure nothing is overlooked. Compensation may include:

Medical expenses, both current and future
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress and mental anguish
Costs of ongoing treatment or rehabilitation

In more serious cases, compensation may also address permanent disability or diminished quality of life. By working with an Alabama car accident lawyer, you gain an advocate who understands how to calculate both economic and non-economic damages accurately, ensuring any settlement or verdict reflects the full impact of the accident.

Benefits of Hiring an Alabama Car Accident Lawyer

Working with an Alabama car accident lawyer provides several key benefits:

Maximized Compensation – Ensuring all damages are properly calculated and pursued
Expert Legal Guidance – Navigating Alabama laws, statutes of limitations, and insurance requirements
Peace of Mind – Reducing stress by allowing your lawyer to handle communications and negotiations
Stronger Case – Strategic legal representation and thorough evidence collection improve outcomes

Many Alabama car accident lawyers also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay legal fees unless compensation is recovered.

When to Contact an Alabama Car Accident Lawyer

It’s important to contact an Alabama car accident lawyer as soon as possible after a crash. Early legal consultation helps preserve critical evidence, accurately document injuries, and ensure compliance with filing deadlines. Prompt action can significantly impact the success of your case and the amount of compensation you receive.

Tips for Working With Your Lawyer

To make the most of your relationship with an Alabama car accident lawyer, consider these tips:

Keep detailed records of medical treatments, bills, and insurance communications
Take photographs of injuries, vehicle damage, and the accident scene
Be honest and thorough when describing how the accident occurred
Follow medical advice and maintain documentation of your recovery

These steps allow your Alabama car accident lawyer to build a strong, well-supported case on your behalf.

Final Thoughts

Car accidents can have serious and lasting consequences, both physically and financially. Consulting an Alabama car accident lawyer is essential to protect your rights, navigate the legal system, and pursue the compensation you deserve. From investigating the crash and negotiating with insurance companies to representing you in court if necessary, an Alabama car accident lawyer provides the experience, advocacy, and support needed to move forward after a serious accident.