Monthly Archives: February 2016
What Is the Main Cause of Motorcycle Accidents?
Accidents on the road are all too commonplace. It’s safe to say that most drivers are aware of the risks and take extra precautions to ensure their safety and the safety of others when they are on the road. However, even the safest drivers may be surprised to learn they have a psychological blind spot when it comes to the motorcycle.
Urban areas are home to large motorcyclist populations. The excellent gas mileage, easy maneuverability, and initial cost of the vehicle make motorcycles an attractive option for city-dwellers who want to save money and time in getting from place to place. Unfortunately, this seemingly cheaper option comes with a high price – a fatality rate in accidents that is 35% higher than the fatality rate for drivers of automobiles.
Many attribute this high fatality rate to the lack of vehicle protection that a motorcycle provides or the negligence of the driver to wear protective gear and operate the vehicle responsibly. Our Alabama motorcycle accident attorney knows that statistics show a different story. Findings from multiple studies show that the majority of motorcycle accidents are actually caused by the negligence of automobile drivers.
#1 Cause: The Psychological Blind Spot
An interesting phenomenon occurs in some drivers who, though they may have cleared the road, did not see a motorcycle simply because they were looking for an automobile. Some have dubbed this a driver’s psychological blind spot. Other times, drivers do not see motorcycles simply because of negligence. The driver may not be checking their physical blind spots or be distracted by their phone and radio. Whether it’s a psychological blind spot, physical blind spot, or unsafe driving, the greatest danger to motorcyclists is the negligence of other vehicles.
At Alabama Wreck Lawyer and The Self Law Firm, we understand the dangers motorcyclists face every day. We want to do our part in spreading awareness of the leading causes of motorcycle injuries and minimize the tragedies that occur on the road, especially ones caused by a lack of motorcycle visibility.
Tips for Motorcyclists
- Wear bright protective gear
- Stay out of blind spots
- Invest in a light modulator
Tips for Drivers
- Check your blind spot
- Wait to turn in front of oncoming motorcycles
- Put down your phone
Other Causes: Dangerous Roads and Defective Parts
Other variables to take into consideration when assessing your motorcycle accident are dangerous roadways and defective equipment. An un-maintained roadway can be detrimental to motorcyclists, with every bump and crack in the pavement posing a safety hazard. It is possible for government organizations to be held accountable for accidents caused by these unsafe environments.
If it’s not your surroundings, it is also possible that your motorcycle has a defective part. Whether it was poor testing or manufacturing, occasionally a faulty product makes it into a motorcycle with drastic consequences. In this case, it may be possible to pursue compensation from the parts manufacturer.
Have you recently gotten into a motorcycle accident in Alabama? If a driver didn’t signal a lane change, check their blind spot, or was distracted by other events which caused a collision, you deserve compensation.
The Self Law Firm can help you get every penny you deserve.
Call 205-647-1000
5 things to expect from an insurance claims adjuster after a car crash
Read about these common insurance company tactics
Most people think they will be treated fairly by their auto insurance company. But this doesn’t happen as much as we might want, despite the insurance industry spending hundreds of millions of dollars on television commercials. In fact, thanks to an array of insurance company tactics designed to keep money in the insurance industry’s pocket at the expense of your own, people need to be cautious and not automatically accept what a claims adjuster says after an automobile accident. In states without strong bad faith laws or consumer protection laws, an insurance adjuster can even lie to an insured person about what benefits they are entitled to – and get away with it.
Below are five common insurance company tactics to keep in mind after a car accident:
- Delay: Time is NOT on your side. Many states have very strict statute of limitations periods for car accidents. For example, Alabama has a two-year deadline from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you are a consumer, the best advice I can ever give is to verify what the adjuster is saying to you with an experienced lawyer to make sure you are getting everything you to which you are entitled and do not risk allowing the statute of limitations to lapse.
- The adjuster shuffle: It’s not a dance, it’s when your claims file gets “re-assigned” very close to the one year deadline to file for your No Fault insurance benefits. Sometimes the “new” adjuster says she needs more time, or she is waiting for the file to be transferred, or that documents have been “misplaced.” Again, this is often nothing more than a stall tactic. The adjusters are counting the days until you lose all right to reimbursement or compensation. Don’t fall victim to the adjuster shuffle!
- Attempting to settle your injury case: Many insurance claims adjusters, especially on the pain and suffering side, will try to talk to you shortly after an auto accident and offer you very small amounts of money to settle your case. Many people are still in shock and unable to think clearly about their legal rights, or have yet to fully understand how bad the injuries will turn out to be. These adjusters will call you and ring your door bell and visit you in hospital rooms, trying to get you to settle your case for what can often be pennies on the dollar. When you have suffered any injury, you almost always will be entitled to far more for your pain and suffering and your medical benefits than what the insurance company is trying to get you to sign away in the days or weeks after a car accident. Am I biased because I am an injury lawyer? According to the insurance industry’s own study, a claimant (insurance industry speak for a person) injured in an auto accident receives on average four times more money than a claimant who is not represented by a lawyer.
- Asking questions and recording you: Often, “examinations under oath (EUOs)” are used by defense attorneys to take advantage of someone who does not have a lawyer. In this situation, questions are asked that have no relevance to the claim at hand. The real reason for these interviews is to tank the potential third-party tort lawsuit by asking lots of liability questions about how the accident happened while someone is still unrepresented and without a lawyer to defend and protect them. Because EUOs are recorded, they can be used against you in any case, even a completely different case by another insurance company. Please, never give a recorded statement to anyone, including your own insurance company, without contacting an experienced accident attorney first.
- Sign here: Many auto accident victims rush into signing insurance adjusters’ documents without having the release language reviewed by an experienced car accident lawyer. In doing so, they may lose their rights to sue a negligent driver for accident-related injuries, or to receive critical No-Fault insurance benefits from their own insurance company. If a claims adjuster wants you to sign a release or contract or other important document right away, tell the adjuster that you need to review the paperwork with a lawyer first. Remember, most injury lawyers will not charge for an initial consultation. Many lawyers will also offer free legal advice, or can give you valuable books that explain what compensation you’re entitled. It can’t hurt to have your questions answered by an attorney and learn about how to protect yourself against these dangerous auto insurance company tactics.
The Self Law Firm can help you get every penny you deserve.
Call 205-647-1000
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