Following a motorcycle accident, victims in Dothan should learn what to do in order to recover the compensatory damages they need to heal from their injuries.
Dothan is where many popular roadways meet in Alabama. This makes Dothan a particularly dangerous area for motorcycle accidents. If you are hurt while riding your motorcycle in Dothan, it is crucial that you inform law enforcement officials and file a police report right away. Doing so can allow you to more easily recover compensation for your damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Motorcyclists must adhere to the rules of the road and wear a helmet at all times, as failure to do so might bar them from recovery if they share even a small percentage of fault for their injuries in Dothan.
To get a confidential and free discussion of your case, call the Dothan, AL motorcycle accident lawyers at Howe Law today at (844) 876-4357.
Dangerous Locations for Motorcycle Accidents in Dothan, AL
While it might not be the biggest metropolis in the state, Dothan is where several highways in Alabama intersect with one another, making it a popular, and dangerous, area for motorcyclists to ride through, especially on long road trips.
Because of the way that highways intersect in Dothan, it can be a dangerous location for motorcycle accidents. Routes 84, 231, 431, 52, and 53 come together in the center of Dothan to form a roundabout of sorts, meaning several lanes of traffic converge at multiple access points. This makes the heart of Dothan especially dangerous for motorcyclists, as merging drivers might be less likely to see bikers in quick succession along the route. Because of the curved nature of these intersections, speeding drivers might be more likely to lose control of their vehicles, leading to collisions with catastrophic motorcyclists or other vehicles on the road.
While highways are common locations of dangerous motorcycle crashes in Dothan, they are not the only areas where these incidents might occur. On Dothan’s smaller roads, motorcycle accidents might be more common at night when visibility is poor. Unpaved or poorly maintained roads might cause hazards for motorcyclists or other drivers, leading to serious accidents in Dothan.
Calling the Police After a Dothan, AL Motorcycle Accident
After being injured in a motorcycle crash in Dothan, it is imperative that you call local law enforcement officers. Reporting your accident is the first step in building a case for compensation against an at-fault party.
Any time an accident causes injury to an involved party in Dothan, it must be reported to the police. While you will have 30 days to file a police report for an accident, it is best to do so immediately. Police officers cannot collect the same quality of information when reports are delayed.
Our motorcycle accident lawyers may be able to use certain information included in a police report, such as the opinions or conclusions made by the responding police officer, as evidence in your lawsuit, making reporting your accident all the more important.
Damages from Motorcycle Accidents in Dothan, AL
Accidents involving motorcycles are rarely minor, and victims often are left dealing with serious injuries. Such accidents can lead to victims incurring detrimental damages, from physical injuries to emotional challenges.
Injuries from motorcycle accidents can be severe. Common injuries include broken bones, scrapes, burns, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, neck injuries, and disfiguration. Physical injuries typically require medical attention, and the more serious a victim’s injuries are, the more expensive their treatment may be. Victims of motorcycle accidents in Dothan might require costly surgeries, medical prescriptions, and physical therapies in order to heal.
In addition to the financial damages from medical treatment, victims of motorcycle accidents might be unable to earn an income while they recover from their injuries. Being unable to work or engage in previous activities that once brought joy to a victim’s life because of their injuries might lead to emotional struggles, such as depression. Victims might also experience post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety following a motorcycle crash in Dothan.
All of these damages can be compensable in a motorcycle accident lawsuit against an at-fault party in Dothan. Additionally, victims may be able to recover punitive damages if a defendant acted with gross negligence when causing a victim’s injuries.
How Contributory Negligence Laws Impact Motorcycle Accident Claims in Dothan, AL
Alabama is one of the few states with pure contributory negligence laws. While these laws can impact any victim of negligence in Dothan, they might affect certain motorcycle accident victims more than others.
In Dothan, victims are barred from recovery if they share any degree of fault for their injuries. Many states allow victims to file a lawsuit even if they share some fault for their damages and reduce compensation accordingly. Unfortunately, Alabama does not extend that same opportunity to some victims.
Typically, pure contributory negligence laws impact motorcycle accident victims who were not wearing the proper protective gear at the time of their collision. In Dothan, all motorcyclists are required to wear a DOT-approved helmet at all times. If you are not wearing a helmet, are struck by a negligent driver, and sustain head injuries, you might be seen as partially negligent and be prohibited from recovering compensation. If you were not wearing a helmet and sustained other injuries, not head injuries, your failure to wear a helmet would be unrelated to your damages and would not bar you from recovery in Dothan.
Because recovery for victims of motorcycle accidents is so important, and because Alabama’s contributory negligence laws are so strict, it is crucial to understand possible barriers to recovery and how to supersede them in Dothan.
File Your Dothan, AL Motorcycle Accident Claim Today
Call our motorcycle accident lawyers to schedule a free assessment of your case with Howe Law today at (844) 876-4357.
