The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in 2013 that 4,668 people died in motorcycle crashes across the nation, a number which was actually a decrease of 6.4 percent from the prior year. Despite this, thousands of motorcyclists continue to suffer severe injury and death each year after being involved in a motorcycle accident. Motorcyclists are 26 times more likely to die in an accident involving a passenger vehicle or truck than are drivers involved in a two-car passenger vehicle accident.
This is largely due to the lack of protection motorcyclists have when compared to that of a driver in a vehicle. Vehicles provide a steel and glass cage around the driver and passengers, along with seat belts and airbags. The motorcyclists’ only safety feature is a helmet and leather chaps, however many states do not require motorcyclists to wear helmets. (Alabama does have helmet laws). Fewer motorcyclists, by a very wide margin, die in states with motorcycle helmet laws.
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your motorcycle accident, you may have been left with significant injuries, unable to return to work. Unless the person responsible for your injuries is made to pay, you may have no idea where to turn for help, and may be stuck, watching your medical bills mount alarmingly, with no way to work and pay your normal living expenses. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident and have been left with serious injuries, contacting an experienced Huntsville motorcycle accident attorney can be crucial to your future.
When choosing a Huntsville, Alabama motorcycle accident attorney, it is important to choose a firm with a high level of client commitment and a professional, team approach to your case. While you may not understand how a firm’s legal accolades and awards benefits your specific case, in fact, these honors show the attorneys in the firm have worked hard to be the best. Being the best attorneys translates into achieving the very best results possible for each client. Since 1937, the Huntsville, Alabama law firm of Martinson & Beason, P.C., have maintained a tradition of excellence, building a solid reputation. Some of our honors and awards include the following:
Avvo Rating
Each partner at Martinson & Beason has received a top rating on Avvo, a third-party company that compiles ratings and information for attorneys. Attorney Douglas C. Martinson II has been licensed to practice law in the state for 26 years. Doug has a client rating of five stars (the best rating possible), and an Avvo rating of 10 out 10. Attorney A. Mac Martinson has been licensed for 24 years, and has a client rating of 5.0 stars, with an Avvo rating of 9.2 out of 10. Attorney Morris Lilienthal, has been licensed in the state for 12 years. Mr. Lilienthal has a client rating of 5.0 stars, and an Avvo rating of 10 out of 10. Our firm was awarded the 2015 client’s choice award for personal injury.
Better Business Bureau Accredited
The Martinson & Beason law firm has met all of the Better Business Bureau standards, including exercising a commitment to resolving all customer concerns. The firm received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Super Lawyers – Rising Star
Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding attorneys who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Attorney Morris Lilienthal has been selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star, in 2013, 2014 and 2015 as a result of peer evaluation, peer nominations and independent research.
Client Reviews
Martinson & Beason’s former clients have spoken, and, without exception, have given the firm top marks. With more than fifty, five-star Google reviews to their credit, the firm’s reputation and experience level are top-notch.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rated
The Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory features peer review ratings. Three of the Martinson & Beason attorneys are featured in the Directory. Attorney Douglas C. Martinson II received a 4.8 out of 5.0 in peer reviews and a 5.0 out of 5.0 in client reviews. Attorney A. Mac Martinson received a 4.6 out of 5.0 in peer reviews and a 5.0 out of 5.0 in client reviews in the Directory, and attorney Morris Lilienthal received a 4.9 out of 5.0 in peer reviews.
Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Our firm is a notable member of, and has been featured on, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which showcases the most distinguished collection of trial lawyers in the United States who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements.
Changes in the “Typical” Motorcyclist
In the past, the “typical” motorcyclist was young, single and earned less than $20,000 per year. This demographic has shifted significantly over the past decade. Older motorcyclists have grown as a group significantly. Many attribute this phenomenon to the aging baby boomers, but whatever the reason, today’s “typical” motorcyclist is over the age of forty, married, and likely in a profession, managerial or technical career. Researchers believe this trend lies in the fact that older people are returning to riding a motorcycle after decades away from it. These people may have paid off their mortgage and sent their children off to college, therefore have a bit of disposable cash to spend on something akin to the last hurrah of youth.
Although the fact that there are more mature motorcyclists on the roads would seem to equate with fewer fatal crashes, this does not appear to be true. Older riders are not immune from the dangers associated with riding a motorcycle, and, many times these older riders even forego protective gear. Nearly a third of older motorcyclists involved in a crash were speeding at the time of the accident, which crushes the stereotype of the older, safer motorcyclist.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Nearly 75 percent of all motorcycle accidents involve another vehicle, and in a large percentage of these accidents, the driver of the automobile violated the right-of-way of the motorcyclist. Some of the primary causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Often, the driver of the automobile never even sees the motorcyclist, whether because of a blind spot, or because of distracted driving;
- Riding a motorcycle requires a different skill set than driving a car, yet few motorcyclists take the time to get the necessary training;
- Motorcyclists tend to be much more vulnerable to weather conditions as well as to road hazards such as potholes, uneven pavements, or animals in the road;
- Many drivers underestimate the speed at which a biker is traveling, turning in front of the motorcyclist with tragic consequences.
- Automobile drivers may be driving at unsafe speeds;
- Automobile drivers may change lanes without looking for a motorcyclist;
- Drivers may back out of a driveway or parking space without looking for a motorcyclist, or open the door of a parked car into the path of a motorcyclist, and
- Many automobile drivers fail to leave a reasonable, safe distance between the motorcyclist and their vehicle.
Motorcycle accident claims can be extremely difficult to present to a jury, as there tends to be certain stigmas attached to motorcyclists. Many jurors may believe the stereotype of the reckless, hard-living fast-driving motorcyclist who takes unnecessary risks, therefore may not afford the motorcyclist the same level of attention as an automobile driver. An attorney from Martinson & Beason not only understands the mechanics of motorcycle operation and the dynamics of a motorcycle accident, but will also know how to overcome any biases or stereotypes. Our attorneys are well-versed in the laws which govern your Huntsville motorcycle accident, therefore you are likely to have a more positive outcome in your case with one of our attorneys by your side. Don’t wait—call an experienced Martinson & Beason attorney today for a free consultation.
http://www.iii.org/issue-update/motorcycle-crashes
http://www.veritecheng.com/white-paper-motorcycle-accident-reconstruction/