Have you or a loved one incurred injuries in a motorcycle crash? If so, call the Huntsville motorcycle accident attorneys at Mama Justice today. We can help you.

Riders know the open road is a gift, and they also know how little protects them when a driver makes a mistake. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 6,228 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes across the United States in 2024, about 16 percent of all traffic deaths. NHTSA’s state table lists 127 motorcyclist deaths in Alabama that year. If you or someone you love was hurt on a motorcycle in Huntsville, you deserve a lawyer who treats you like the rider you are, not like the stereotype an insurance company wants to paint.

It’s often easy to feel lost or disheartened when you cannot find a solution to recover compensation, especially because trying to get money from insurance companies is so tuff. Fortunately, you don’t have to fight your legal battle alone.

The dedicated Huntsville motorcycle accident attorneys at Mama Justice offer free consultations and help injured victims obtain financial compensation. Our firm’s motorcycle accident lawyers are well-versed in traffic laws and adept at identifying potentially liable parties. We work tirelessly, diligently, and aggressively to bring the at-fault party to justice and obtain our clients a fair settlement.

With our decades of experience working on motorcycle accident cases, we can help you file your insurance claim or help you with a personal injury lawsuit.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Huntsville

If you were hurt in a motorcycle crash in Huntsville, Alabama, you generally have two years to file a claim under Alabama law. A Huntsville motorcycle accident lawyer at Mama Justice can investigate fault, handle the insurance company, and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call 24/7 for a free consultation.

As is routinely the case with car accidents, there are many common causes of motorcycle accidents in Huntsville. However, we have broken up the primary causes of motorcycle accidents into three primary categories.

  • The rider
  • The road
  • Other vehicles

If you have been injured in one of these scenarios, it might be time to consider looking into filing a motorcycle accident claim to obtain compensation with a Huntsville motorcycle accident attorney from our firm after receiving a free case evaluation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Huntsville, Alabama?

In Alabama, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit (Ala. Code § 6-2-38(l)). If you wait too long, a court can refuse to hear your case, even if the other driver clearly caused the crash.

Two years can sound like plenty of time when you are in the hospital or off work. It goes faster than you think. Skid marks fade, bike parts get repaired or sold, and traffic and business camera video can be recorded over. The sooner you call, the more we can protect.

If a loved one was killed, or if a government body may share responsibility, other deadlines may apply. Deadlines vary by claim type, so confirm yours with a Huntsville motorcycle accident attorney as soon as you can.

Motorcycle Accidents Caused by the Rider

  • Alcohol consumption can impair a rider’s judgment, alertness, coordination, and reaction time, increasing the risk of a motorcycle accident.
  • Speeding is considered another prevalent cause of motorcycle collisions. When a motorcycle operator drives too fast and ignores the road rules, they are often unable to hit the breaks quick enough to avoid a motorcycle accident occurring when a hazard appears.
  • Inexperienced motorcyclists who easily get distracted by various road conditions and items like radios and mobile phones are commonly responsible for causing accidents.

Motorcycle Accidents Caused by Road Conditions

Slippery road conditions are a prevalent cause of motorcycle crashes. In addition to this, poorly lit roads, sudden lane changes that have been unmarked, and the presence of gravel or pebbles on the road are road conditions that cause motorcycle accidents.

Accidents Caused by Other Vehicles

There are times when accidents are not necessarily caused by the motorcycle riders but by other drivers. Other drivers driving different kinds of motor vehicles, such as cars or trucks, may be unaware of the presence of motorcyclists at the corners of intersections, leading to accidents. It’s been proven that T-bone collisions are among the most common motorcycle crashes worldwide.

Head-on collisions may also happen between a motorcycle and other motor vehicles. These, more often than not, cause serious injuries. Injuries from head-on collisions often result in facial injuries, back and spinal cord injuries, internal organ injuries, brain injuries, and, at its worse, death.

There are also accidents that may occur which do not necessarily involve incoming vehicles. Sudden stops, lane changes, and the sudden opening of car doors are also accidents that are not necessarily caused by the motorcyclist but pose a danger to motorcycle operators. It may seem unimaginable, but each of these accidents caused by other vehicles can also lead to severe injuries.

If a truck was involved, read about Huntsville truck accident claims. If a drunk driver hit you, see Huntsville drunk driving accident claims.

What If the Driver Says They Never Saw Me?

You will probably hear it. NHTSA says that the majority of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes generally are caused when other drivers simply did not see the motorcyclist (NHTSA motorcycle safety). But “I did not see them” is not a defense. Drivers have a duty to look, to check mirrors and blind spots, and to share the road.

We look at where the driver was looking, whether they were on a phone or distracted, how fast each vehicle was going, the lighting, and anything else that blocked the view. Witnesses and video can make a big difference, so call us as soon as you can.

Does Alabama Require a Helmet, and Does It Affect My Claim?

Helmets have been shown to help prevent debilitating conditions resulting from a head injury or brain injury and even fatalities in seriously injured motorcyclists. According to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, severe head injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, were lessened by 42%, and fatalities were reduced by 60% in places where helmet laws were introduced. It is partly for this very reason that there has been a strong campaign for the use of helmets nationwide.

In Alabama, a helmet law has already been introduced to mandate motorcyclists to make use of quality crash helmets for their protection. This motorcycle crash helmet law strictly requires motorcyclists to use motorcycle crash helmets in Alabama. The penalty for violating this helmet law is a substantial fine and possibly even imprisonment, depending on the number of violations.

It is also essential to take note that there are state-approved helmets that motorcyclists should use since not all helmets have passed tests conducted by the state of Alabama.

Alabama law says no person shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle unless he or she is wearing protective headgear that meets the standards set by state law (Ala. Code § 32-5A-245). Wearing an approved helmet protects you. It also takes away an argument an insurance company might use against you. If you were not wearing a helmet, or if the helmet was not approved, do not assume your claim is over. Whether it affects your case depends on the facts of your injuries and of the crash, and we will tell you plainly where you stand.

What If I Was Partly at Fault for My Huntsville Motorcycle Accident?

This is the question insurance companies love to ask, and in Alabama it matters a great deal. Alabama follows a rule called contributory negligence. If you are found even slightly at fault for a crash, you can be barred from recovering compensation.

That is why adjusters often say a rider was speeding, lane splitting, not wearing a helmet, or hard to see. Some of that may be said to shut down a claim that has real merit. Riders are too often blamed first. Alabama law does recognize some limited exceptions, and drivers always have their own duty of care toward riders.

Do not argue about fault with the insurance company, and do not guess. Call us before you give a statement, and we will review the evidence and tell you plainly where you stand.

What If the Driver Has No Insurance or Not Enough?

It happens, and you may still have options. Alabama requires auto liability policies to include uninsured motorist coverage unless the policyholder rejects it in writing (Ala. Code § 32-7-23). Depending on your own policy and the facts, that coverage may be able to help if the driver who hit you cannot be found or does not have enough insurance.

Motorcycle injuries can be expensive, and a driver’s minimum coverage may not go far. Bring us your policy and the details of the crash, and we will go through it with you. If you can, tell the police as much as you remember about the car and the driver right away.

What Injuries Are Common in Huntsville Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcyclists are exposed to a lot of dangers on the road because they are not encased in a vehicle. Common motorcycle accident injuries range from scrapes and bruises to broken bones and fractures.

This is because motorcycle riders are not nearly as protected from the impact of a motorcycle accident, with no metal frames to surround them. Additionally, there aren’t any airbags or seat belts to protect them.

Should you have sustained any injuries after being involved in a motorcycle accident, you can speak with an experienced Huntsville personal injury attorney at Mama Justice to help you build a motorcycle accident case during a free consultation.

Road Rash

One of the most common injuries motorcycle accident victims suffer is road rash. This term describes abrasions, and lacerations riders experience when flung from their motorcycle during an accident and their body scrapes against gravel and pavement.

Road rash injuries can range in severity depending on the speeds the rider traveled at and the type of accident they were involved in with their motorcycle.

If riders sustain a first-degree road rash, they will likely experience reddened skin that might not require much medical attention. Should a second-degree road rash injury be incurred, a rider could experience broken skin and need more care than a first-degree road rash injury.

However, emergency care is often needed if a rider experiences a third-degree road rash injury. If care is not sought, the injury could become infected, which could be life-threatening.

Spinal Cord Injuries

A spinal cord injury is undoubtedly one of the worst injuries a motorcyclist can suffer in an accident. This type of injury is often severe and requires immediate medical attention, with many victims needing to undergo surgery.

Unfortunately, those who suffer spinal cord injuries are often left paralyzed or with multiple vertebrae fractures. This type of injury causes significant time off work for rehabilitation, with many people unable to return to work or the position they once held.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Motorcycle riders who were wearing or not wearing a helmet at the time of their accident frequently suffer traumatic brain injuries that can range from minor to severe. However, those wearing helmets have a decreased chance of sustaining a severe traumatic brain injury.

A mild TBI can be relatively easy to recover from in many instances. Still, moderate and severe TBIs usually leave riders facing long-term consequences because their mental and physical capabilities are often affected.

Broken Bones and Fractures

Other common injuries that many motorcyclists suffer from include broken and fractured bones. When a rider is thrown from their bike or is involved in a collision and becomes trapped, many broken bones and fractures to the hands, legs, ribs, and arms can occur.

Usually, these broken bones and fractures require physical therapy and time off work, with many requiring surgery. Speaking with a Huntsville motorcycle accident lawyer can help you recoup some of the losses incurred due to your accident.

What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Huntsville?

A motorcycle crash is frightening, and you may be hurt worse than you know. Here is what to do, step by step:

  1. Call 911 and get medical help. Do not try to ride home. Some injuries, like concussions and internal bleeding, do not show right away.
  2. Stay at the scene if you can do so safely, and wait for the police. Ask for the report number.
  3. Get the driver’s information. Write down the name, license plate, and insurance details.
  4. Take photos and video. Capture the vehicles, your bike, the road, the lighting, and your injuries.
  5. Find witnesses. Ask for names and phone numbers before they leave.
  6. Keep your gear. Do not repair, sell, or throw away your helmet, jacket, or bike. They are important evidence.
  7. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company before you talk with a lawyer.
  8. Call Mama Justice. We are here 24/7, and the first call is free.

What Damages Can I Seek After a Huntsville Motorcycle Accident?

Being involved in a motorcycle accident can be traumatic. It can cause not only a great degree of inconvenience but can also be financially disruptive to any individual’s life.

Minor injuries can be bad enough since these can already interfere in your daily life, and these can limit your ability to work and earn money. Significant injuries can cause permanent damage and leave you jobless, stripping you and your loved ones of much-needed income.

If you do sustain injuries in a motorcycle accident, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries by working with a motorcycle accident attorney. Some of the damages motorcycle accident victims can seek compensation for after a motorcycle crash include:

  • Payment for medical bills to include medication and further medical treatment such as physical therapy and testing.
  • Any lost wages resulting from sustained injuries.
  • Reduced capacity to earn.
  • Damage to property.
  • Physical pain.
  • Psychological trauma.
  • Loss of consortium.

If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle crash, our Huntsville wrongful death lawyers can explain your family’s options.

How Much Is My Huntsville Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?

No one can promise you a number on day one. Motorcycle injuries are often serious, and what a case is worth depends on the facts. The biggest factors are how serious your injuries are, your medical bills now and in the future, your lost income and earning power, how fault is decided, and the insurance available. Because Alabama follows contributory negligence, fault is a big deal here.

Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and the case results shown on this page are not a promise of what we can do for you. What we can do is look at your facts, build your case, and fight for the full compensation the law allows.

Where Do Motorcycle Accidents Happen Around Huntsville?

They can happen anywhere riders go, from busy roads like I-565, I-65, and Memorial Parkway (US-231/431) to city streets, intersections, and rural roads in Madison County. Left-turning cars, sudden lane changes, and drivers who pull out in front of riders are common causes.

That is why early evidence matters. We look for traffic and business cameras, police reports, the condition of the road, and witnesses. If your case goes to court, it may be filed in Madison County Circuit Court. If you were treated at Huntsville Hospital or another local facility, we can help you get the records your claim needs.

How Long Does a Huntsville Motorcycle Accident Case Take?

There is no set timeline. Some claims settle in a matter of months. Others