Victims of motorcycle accidents can recover the compensation they deserve by quickly filing a claim against a negligent party in Auburn.
Motorcycle accidents are not uncommon in Auburn or the state of Alabama as a whole. In fact, most motorcycle accidents happen in non-rural areas like Auburn. These types of accidents also often occur at intersections and at night. Victims in Auburn might sustain any number of injuries in a motorcycle crash, such as broken bones, head injuries, neck injuries, and spinal cord injuries. If you were injured while operating a motorcycle in Auburn, you will have two years to sue for compensation. In order to recover sufficient damages, you must meet the burden of proof against a defendant.
Victims can contact Howe Law for a free case analysis from our Auburn, AL motorcycle accident lawyers by calling us at (844) 876-4357 now.
Frequency of Motorcycle Accidents in Auburn, AL
Auburn is a college town in Alabama and is home to thousands of full-time and part-time residents. Home to several popular highways, like I-85 and Route 147, Auburn sees many motorcycle accidents each year.
According to the most recent information from the Alabama Department of Transportation, there were 72 fatalities involving motorcycles throughout the state in 2020. In that same year, over 1,600 motorcyclists were involved in accidents in Alabama, resulting in 1,115 victims sustaining injuries of some kind. According to a 2020 report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 13% of motorcyclists killed in accidents in Alabama were not wearing a helmet at the time of their death.
Common Locations of Motorcycle Accidents in Auburn, AL
While motorcycle accidents can happen on any road and at any time of day, certain factors can increase the risk of an incident occurring in Auburn.
According to a 2019 report from the NHTSA, 61% of motorcycle accident fatalities occur in non-rural areas, similar to Auburn. Despite the NHTSA report finding that only 34% of motorcycle accidents happen at intersections, the highway intersections in Auburn present an increased danger for motorcyclists.
Local roads can still be dangerous for motorcycle riders, especially at night. Drivers could have difficulty seeing smaller vehicles like motorcycles, especially if they are driving without headlights or while intoxicated in Auburn.
Common Injuries Caused by Motorcycle Accidents in Auburn, AL
Motorcycle accident injuries can vary drastically. In the best circumstances, a collision might only result in scrapes and bruising. In the worst cases, victims might sustain permanent and life-altering injuries.
Considering there were 72 motorcyclist fatalities throughout all of Alabama in 2020, death is certainly possible in the event of a collision. Motorcyclists are in no way held to their bikes, meaning they can be flung from their vehicles if struck at high speeds.
Other common injuries caused by motorcycle accidents in Auburn include concussions, brain damage, spinal cord damage, scarring, broken bones, disfiguration, neck injuries, loss of limb, and internal bleeding.
All motorcyclists in Auburn must wear helmets and should, as some of the most devastating injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents are head injuries. Furthermore, failure to wear a helmet might be considered negligent on your behalf, resulting in a possible barrier to compensation. In addition to wearing a helmet, motorcyclists should also wear protective clothing while operating their vehicles.
Deadline to File a Motorcycle Accident Case in Auburn, AL
After being hurt in a motorcycle accident in Auburn, you will only have a short time to file a claim for compensation.
Motorcyclists have just two years to bring a case against a negligent party in Auburn. The clock starts counting down from the moment you sustain your injuries in a motorcycle accident. You will be barred from recovery if you do not file by the deadline.
Rarely do exceptions to the statute of limitations apply to motorcycle accident cases. However, suppose you had internal organ damage due to an accident but were unaware of such injuries for several weeks following the incident. In that case, the exception for delayed discovery might apply to your claim in Auburn.
Meeting the Burden of Proof in an Auburn, AL Motorcycle Accident Claim
To recover compensation of any kind, a motorcycle accident victim must prove that it is more likely than not that a defendant caused their injuries in Auburn.
The first element that is necessary in order to meet the burden of proof is establishing a duty of care. If the defendant was operating their vehicle at the time of the accident, they owed the plaintiff a duty of care to act responsibly and adhere to the rules of the road in Auburn.
The second element in a claim for a motorcycle accident is proving that there was a breach in the defendant’s duty of care. Our motorcycle accident lawyers can prove that the defendant breached their duty of care by providing evidence of their negligent actions, such as eyewitness statements that say that they were speeding or security camera footage of them running a stoplight.
The third element that must be proven is causation. You must prove that the defendant’s breach in their duty of care directly caused your injuries. Again, this can be achieved through witness statements, surveillance footage, photographs, and medical records.
The final element is damages. You must show that you suffered actual damages as a result of the defendant’s negligence. You can do this by gathering proof of all of your financial and emotional losses following a motorcycle accident in Auburn.
Once you meet the burden of proof, you can recover compensation. Compensatory damages are not capped in Auburn, meaning victims can claim damages equitable to their losses. Depending on the circumstances of an accident, punitive damages might also be available to victims in Auburn.
Bring Your Auburn, AL Motorcycle Accident Claim Today
To discuss your case with the motorcycle accident lawyers at Howe Law, call us today at (844) 876-4357.
