1. Cunningham Bounds
Practice Focus: Personal injury law, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, wrongful death, catastrophic injury litigation
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck accidents, hit-and-run motorcycle crashes, drunk driver accidents, distracted driver collisions, wrongful death from motorcycle accidents, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, catastrophic injuries
Legal Services: Free case evaluation, accident investigation, evidence gathering, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering compensation, wrongful death representation
Background: Cunningham Bounds was founded in 1958 and has become one of Alabama’s recognized personal injury firms. The firm has obtained billions of dollars on behalf of clients throughout its history. One of the firm’s attorneys is a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, a group limited to 100 plaintiff attorneys in the United States. The firm handles complex litigation throughout Alabama.
Location: Mobile, AL (P.O. Box 66705, Mobile, AL 36660)
Contact: (251) 299-0101 | https://www.cunninghambounds.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee arrangement
2. Taylor Martino Rowan
Practice Focus: Personal injury law, motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, maritime law, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, hit-and-run accidents, drunk driver motorcycle crashes, distracted driver accidents, lane change accidents, intersection accidents, wrongful death claims, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, road rash injuries, broken bones
Legal Services: Free case evaluation, negligence investigation, evidence gathering, witness interviews, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering compensation, punitive damage claims
Background: Taylor Martino has served Alabama clients for decades. The firm handles personal injury cases throughout the state and has experience with both settlement negotiations and courtroom litigation. The firm operates on a contingency fee basis and provides consultations at no cost.
Location: Mobile, AL
Contact: (251) 433-3131 | https://taylormartino.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, no fee unless compensation is recovered
3. Burns, Cunningham and Mackey, P.C.
Practice Focus: Personal injury law, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, nursing home abuse, product liability
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, hit-and-run accidents, drunk driver crashes, distracted driver accidents, wrongful death from motorcycle crashes, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, road rash injuries, internal organ damage
Legal Services: Free case consultation, accident investigation, evidence gathering, liability determination, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, rehabilitation expense recovery
Background: Burns, Cunningham and Mackey, P.C. has more than 100 years of combined legal experience among its attorneys. The firm has achieved significant jury verdicts in Alabama courts, including multi-million dollar verdicts in medical malpractice and wrongful death cases. The firm handles motorcycle accident cases throughout Alabama.
Location: P.O. Box 1583, Mobile, AL 36633
Contact: Toll Free: (800) 574-4332 | Local: (251) 432-0612 | https://www.bcmlawyers.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
4. Caldwell Wenzel and Asthana, P.C.
Practice Focus: Personal injury law, motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, drunk driver accidents, pothole accidents, defective motorcycle accidents, rear-end collisions, intersection crashes, wrongful death claims, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal organ damage
Legal Services: Free case evaluation, accident investigation, evidence gathering, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering compensation, property damage claims
Background: The firm is led by attorneys Dee Asthana, C. Randall Caldwell Jr., and Drew Wenzel, who have decades of experience representing personal injury clients. The firm has achieved significant case results, including an $8,000,000 medical malpractice verdict. The firm has offices in Mobile, Foley, and Daphne, Alabama.
Location: Mobile, Foley, and Daphne, AL
Contact: (251) 444-7000 | https://cwalawfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee arrangement
5. Long and Long Injury Attorneys
Practice Focus: Personal injury law, motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, premises liability
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, hit-and-run accidents, drunk driver crashes, distracted driver accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions, wrongful death claims, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, road rash injuries
Legal Services: Free case consultation, accident investigation, evidence gathering, insurance claim assistance, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering compensation, loss of consortium claims, punitive damage claims
Background: Long and Long is a family-owned law firm serving Mobile, Alabama and surrounding areas. The firm handles motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis and provides support throughout the legal process. The attorneys have experience with Alabama’s contributory negligence laws and understand the complexities of motorcycle accident litigation.
Location: Mobile, AL
Contact: https://longandlong.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, no fee unless compensation is recovered
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in Alabama
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Two years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is strictly enforced, and failure to file within this period typically bars recovery.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage: Six years from the date of the accident for property damage claims.
Fault System: Alabama is a traditional tort liability state. The party at fault for causing the accident is liable for damages. Injured motorcyclists must prove the other party’s negligence to recover compensation.
Contributory Negligence: Alabama follows a pure contributory negligence rule, which is one of the strictest in the nation. If an injured motorcyclist is found to be even 1% at fault for the accident, they may be completely barred from recovering any compensation. This makes gathering strong evidence and working with an experienced attorney critical in Alabama motorcycle accident cases.
Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements:
Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
Alternatively, a combined single limit of $75,000 is acceptable.
Helmet Laws: Alabama has a universal helmet law (Alabama Code Section 32-5A-245). All motorcycle operators and passengers must wear DOT-approved helmets at all times, regardless of age or experience. There are no exemptions.
Eye Protection Requirements: Eye protection is required unless the motorcycle has a windscreen.
Lane Splitting Laws: Lane splitting is illegal in Alabama under Statute 32-5A-242. Motorcyclists must follow the same rules as other motor vehicles and cannot ride between lanes of traffic.
Motorcycle Licensing Requirements: Riders must obtain a Class M motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license. Riders 16 and older can obtain the full endorsement. Riders ages 14-15 can obtain a restricted license for motor-driven cycles with 5 horsepower or less.
Motorcycle Equipment Requirements: Motorcycles must have functioning brakes, lights, mufflers, turn signals, and mirrors. Handlebars cannot be more than 15 inches above the seat. Footrests are required for passengers.
Passenger Laws: Motorcyclists cannot carry passengers unless the motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person. Passengers must ride on a permanent seat or a seat firmly attached at the rear or side of the operator.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Not mandatory but available. Given Alabama’s contributory negligence rule and the high rate of uninsured drivers in the state, UM/UIM coverage is strongly recommended.
Damage Caps: Alabama does not cap economic or non-economic damages in personal injury cases. Punitive damages are available in cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
Helmet Use as Evidence: Failure to wear a helmet in Alabama may be used to argue contributory negligence, which could completely bar recovery if successful.
Wrongful Death Claims: Surviving family members have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. Alabama wrongful death claims are punitive in nature, designed to punish the wrongdoer rather than compensate survivors.
Reporting Requirements: Accidents involving injury, death, or property damage over $250 must be reported using the SR-13 Form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does Alabama’s contributory negligence rule affect my motorcycle accident claim?
A: Alabama is one of only four states that follow pure contributory negligence, which is the strictest fault rule in the country. Under this rule, if you are found to be even 1% at fault for your motorcycle accident, you may be completely barred from recovering any compensation from the other party. For example, if a jury determines you were 5% at fault for speeding and the other driver was 95% at fault for running a red light, you could be denied all compensation. This makes it critical to gather strong evidence immediately after an accident and work with an experienced attorney who can build a case that minimizes any argument of your fault.
Q: What is the statute of limitations for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Alabama?
A: In Alabama, you have two years from the date of your motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline applies to claims for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other injury-related damages. For property damage claims, the statute of limitations is six years. Missing the two-year deadline for personal injury claims will almost certainly result in the court dismissing your case, regardless of how strong your evidence is. Given the complexity of motorcycle accident cases and Alabama’s contributory negligence rule, consulting with an attorney soon after your accident is advisable to protect your rights.
Q: Is Alabama a helmet law state, and can I recover compensation if I was not wearing a helmet?
A: Yes, Alabama has a universal helmet law requiring all motorcycle operators and passengers to wear DOT-approved helmets at all times with no exceptions based on age, experience, or insurance. Riding without a helmet is a traffic violation and can result in fines. Regarding compensation, if you were not wearing a helmet when injured, the defense may argue that your failure to comply with the helmet law constitutes contributory negligence. Under Alabama’s strict contributory negligence rule, if successful, this argument could completely bar your recovery. However, if the lack of a helmet did not contribute to your specific injuries (for example, if you suffered leg injuries rather than head injuries), an attorney may be able to argue that the helmet violation is irrelevant to your damages.
Q: Can I file a claim if the driver who hit me was uninsured?
A: If you are hit by an uninsured driver in Alabama, you may still have options for compensation. First, you could file a claim under your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage if you have it. While UM coverage is not mandatory in Alabama, it is available and provides protection when the at-fault driver lacks insurance. Second, you could file a lawsuit directly against the uninsured driver personally, though collecting a judgment from an uninsured individual can be difficult. Given that Alabama has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the country, purchasing UM/UIM coverage is strongly recommended for motorcyclists.
Q: What damages can I recover in an Alabama motorcycle accident case?
A: If you can prove the other party was entirely at fault (avoiding contributory negligence), Alabama law allows you to recover various types of damages. Economic damages include medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, motorcycle repair or replacement costs, and rehabilitation expenses. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement. In cases involving particularly reckless or egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish the wrongdoer. If a family member died in a motorcycle accident, a wrongful death claim can be filed, which in Alabama is designed to punish the defendant rather than compensate survivors, with damages determined by the degree of the defendant’s culpability.