Question 1

Do you need a helmet to ride a motorcycle in Alabama?

Accepted Answer

Motorcycle helmet laws can be categorized four ways according to the world population review: required for everyone, required for everyone under 21, required for anyone under 18, and not required. Currently, only 19 states and Washington D.C. have universal helmet laws.

Here in the State of Alabama, the state says Yes. In order to legally ride a motorcycle in the State of Alabama, a D.O.T. (department of transportation) approved motorcycle helmet is required for both the rider and any passengers. Unlike some other states, wearing a motorcycle helmet is required here regardless of your age or license status.

Your helmet should fit snugly, and preferably be certified by a reliable safety organization. Wearing a properly fitted motorcycle helmet has been known to significantly reduce the risk of severe or fatal injuries to the head, so it’s important to find one that fits you.

- Mark Petro Top Alabama Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Question 2

How do you get your motorcycle license in Alabama?

Accepted Answer

A person who has attained the age of 16 and who has been issued a class M driver license may operate either a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle. A person who is at least 14 years of age may apply for a restricted license to operate a motor-driven cycle only. Under Alabama law, a moped is considered a motor-driven cycle.

All drivers will be required to pass a written exam in order to attain their license. The material that will appear on the test can be found online in these practice tests.

To obtain a motorcycle license in Alabama, you must pass a knowledge test and on-cycle skills test. The knowledge test consists of 30 questions from the Motorcycle Operator Manual

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency unveiled new initiatives in July of 2015 that permit online driver license renewal and make digital licenses available for first time in Alabama.

- Mark Petro Top Alabama Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Question 3

How is compensation from an accident determined in Alabama?

Accepted Answer

The primary way that damages are determined after an accident is from medical expenses, lost income, and direct property damage, though it can also extend to pain and suffering in some circumstances, which is usually calculated based on your medical expenses.

Medical expenses are quite straightforward. All medical expenses related directly to the crash, both up to the point of filing the case and going forward, are covered by this aspect. This could include things like your hospital bills, the cost of rehabilitation, medical devices like crutches or a wheelchair, or the costs of prescriptions for medications required because of the accident.

Compensation for lost income arises when the victim of an accident is unable to work for a period of time because of their injuries. This covers the lost income for the time they were unable to work and can also sometimes include additional compensation if the scope of your injuries limits your long-term ability to earn a living.

Property damage is also usually fairly simple. There’s your motorcycle, and any personal possessions damaged or destroyed during the crash. This covers the cost of either repairing or of replacing them, whichever is more practical. This can also cover direct out of pocket expenses from the accident, like towing costs for your bike or rental car expenses.

- Mark Petro : Top Alabama Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Question 4

What should I do if I was partially at fault in an accident in Alabama?

Accepted Answer

The State of Alabama follows a set of rules for determining fault called Pure Contributory Negligence. According to Pure Contributory Negligence, a single party must be completely at fault in order for a case to provide compensation. What this means is that if you are found to be even 1% at fault for an accident, your case can be dismissed outright.

Your insurance company is likely to try and strongarm you into finding a way to reduce or dismiss your claim. Don’t let them. Be sure to avoid claiming even partial responsibility for an accident before speaking with an experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney, which should be done as soon as possible after your accident. We can help protect your rights and fight to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.

- Mark Petro Top Alabama Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Question 5

What are common causes of motorcycle accidents in Alabama?

Accepted Answer

Two-thirds of accidents involving a motorcycle and another vehicle are caused when the other vehicle violates the motorcyclists’ right of way. Some of the most common causes of accidents in Alabama are

Vehicles turning left into the path of a motorcyclist. Drivers often fail to check properly and do not see the motorcyclist.
The other vehicle was speeding and unable to stop in time.
The other vehicle changed lanes into the motorcyclist’s lane, hitting them or running them off the road.
The other driver was impaired, such as through alcohol or fatigue.
The other driver was distracted, such as through texting or using the phone.
The other driver was following too closely (tailgating) and struck the motorcyclist.
The other driver stopped suddenly, and the motorcyclist was unable to stop in time. Motorcycles stop differently than four wheeled vehicles.

There are urban instances of motorcyclists having accidents caused by a car door opening into a narrow roadway where the motorcycle wasn’t seen as the driver exited their vehicle.

Remember that your vehicle is smaller, and can be harder to see on both busy or quiet roadways, never take your safety in any situation for granted. Over confidence easily leads to distractions, and distraction are a growing cause of attribution for fault to both parties in a multitude of accidents now.

Mark Petro : Top Alabama Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Question 6

What should I do after a motorcycle accident in Alabama?

Accepted Answer

The first and most important thing after an accident is to ensure the safety of everyone involved. If possible, check yourself and everyone involved for injuries and call 911 in case anyone’s been hurt. Some injuries may not be immediately obvious, so it’s always a good idea to get yourself checked out by a doctor as soon as possible after a motorcycle accident.

Once you’re sure that everyone who needs it will receive medical attention, if you’re capable of doing so, you’ll want to gather some basic information and evidence from the scene, including:

The name, address, phone number, insurance information, and driver’s license numbers of the other driver.
The name and phone number of any witnesses.
Photographs of the scene, including both vehicles and the surroundings like skid marks or other damage, preferably from multiple angles
The plate # and make/model and description of the other vehicles.

You’ll also want to file a police report if anyone’s been hurt or there was substantial damage (common in motorcycle accidents) and report the accident to your insurance. However, you won’t want to admit fault to the accident in the heat of the moment, and it’s usually best to contact a professional Motorcycle Accident Attorney to help you navigate the process of dealing with your insurance and the rest of your case.

- J. Christopher Klotz : Top Alabama Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Question 7

How long do I have to file a claim for a motorcycle accident in Alabama?

Accepted Answer

The Statute of Limitations - the time you have to file a claim after an accident - is two years in the State of Alabama. Failure to file a claim before this two-year deadline means that your chance to file a claim for that accident is lost forever.

Sometimes insurance, whether yours or that of the other party, may try to delay negotiations to push you closer to this deadline and get you to agree to a lesser claim, allow evidence to be lost or decay, or for you to miss your chance entirely.

This is why it’s best to contact an experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney who knows about these tricks and can help you with the investigation and negotiation processes while you focus on your recovery.

- J. Christopher Klotz : Top Alabama Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Question 8

What insurance do I need to ride my motorcycle in Alabama?

Accepted Answer

Much like with any other vehicle, there are certain minimums for insurance in order to legally ride your Bike in Alabama. These include:

$25,000 bodily injury liability per person - For every person injured in an accident other than you, this will cover up to $25,000 for personal injuries.
$50,000 bodily injury liability per accident - Like the above, but capped at $50,000 for the entire accident, covering all the injuries if more than one person has been injured.
$50,000 property damage liability coverage - Covers property damage to things other than your car, like other vehicles or general property damage.

There are also a few kinds of optional insurance that help to protect you, like PIP (Personal Injury Protection) and Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist protections. These will cover expenses for your own injuries and damages in the case that the other party’s insurance is not enough to cover them, or if they don’t have insurance at all, helping to make sure that you don’t have to pay out of pocket for your injuries.

- J. Christopher Klotz : Top Alabama Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Question 9

What do I need for my motorcycle to be street legal in Alabama?

Accepted Answer

In order for your bike to be legal to ride on the street in Alabama, there are a few basic requirements.

Two rearview mirrors
Handlebars no higher than 15 inches above the seat
Working headlight on while riding (modulating headlights OK)
Front and rear brakes
A functioning horn
Working headlight, taillight, and brake light (modulating headlights OK)

Once you have this list in place, your bike should be street legal anywhere in Alabama.

- J. Christopher Klotz : Top Alabama Motorcycle Accident Attorney

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