1. McPhillips Shinbaum, LLP
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, motor vehicle collisions, wrongful death claims, catastrophic injury cases, traumatic brain injuries from motorcycle crashes, spinal cord injuries, premises liability, employment discrimination, civil rights violations
Case Types Handled: Left-turn motorcycle accidents, failure to yield accidents, distracted driving collisions, rear-end motorcycle crashes, intersection accidents, road hazard incidents, drunk driver motorcycle collisions, uninsured motorist claims, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction with expert consultation, evidence gathering and preservation, demand letter preparation, insurance claim negotiation, medical bill organization, wage statement documentation, lawsuit filing, trial preparation, courtroom advocacy, settlement negotiation
Background: Firm established in 1978 by Julian McPhillips. Julian McPhillips graduated from Columbia Law School in 1971 and was admitted to Alabama Bar in 1972. Admitted to U.S. Supreme Court (1976), U.S. Court of Appeals for 5th and 11th Circuits, U.S. District Court Middle District of Alabama. Former Assistant Attorney General for State of Alabama (1975-1977). Selected to Super Lawyers Business Edition 2014 for Employment and Labor. Firm has over 45 years of experience with multiple attorneys including Aaron J. Luck, David Sawyer, Kenneth Shinbaum, and Joseph C. Guillot.
Location: 432 E Jefferson Street, Montgomery, AL 36104
Contact: (334) 262-1911 | Toll Free: (866) 224-8664 | https://mcphillipsshinbaum.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation available, contingency fee arrangement
2. Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, construction accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck accidents, distracted driving accidents, drunk driving motorcycle crashes, hit-and-run incidents, rear-end collisions with motorcycles, lane change accidents, intersection motorcycle accidents, uninsured motorist claims, underinsured motorist claims
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, evidence collection, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Attorney Dwayne L. Brown graduated from University of Alabama School of Law in 1994. Licensed in Georgia (1994) and Alabama (2008). Admitted to practice before all Alabama state courts, U.S. District Courts for Southern, Northern, and Middle Districts of Alabama, Superior and State Courts of Georgia, U.S. Court of Appeals for Eleventh Circuit. Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating. Member of Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Super Lawyers selection. Member of American Association for Justice and National Trial Lawyers. Over $100 million recovered in settlements and verdicts.
Location: Montgomery office serving Montgomery County, Alabama (Primary office: 3390 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 1100, Atlanta, GA 30326)
Contact: (404) 738-6000 | https://dlblawfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7, contingency fee basis (no fee unless recovery)
3. Singleton Schreiber
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, brain injuries, medical malpractice, slip and fall accidents, train fires and explosions, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, road rage accidents
Case Types Handled: Speeding motorcycle accidents, unsafe lane change collisions, illegal turn accidents, distracted driving crashes, drunk driving incidents, braking error accidents, blind spot collisions, tailgating accidents, lane splitting incidents, road defect motorcycle accidents, auto defect claims, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Accident investigation, expert consultation, evidence evaluation, liability determination, economic damages calculation, non-economic damages valuation, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, disability claims, rehabilitation cost assessment, insurance negotiation, litigation, trial representation
Background: National personal injury law firm with Montgomery office. Firm has helped accident victims across the United States recover more than $3 billion in settlements and jury awards. Local Alabama trial attorneys with access to national resources. Handles cases in state and federal courts.
Location: Montgomery, Alabama office (part of national network with headquarters in San Diego)
Contact: (619) 771-3473 | [email protected] | https://www.singletonschreiber.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis (no cost unless case is won)
4. Serious Injury Law Group
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, medical malpractice, defective products, defective drugs, nursing home neglect, pedestrian accidents, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Left-turn motorcycle accidents, failure to yield crashes, unsafe lane changes, lane sharing collisions, motorcycle visibility accidents, rear-end motorcycle collisions, intersection crashes, drunk driver incidents, distracted driver accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Case investigation, evidence assembly, liability determination, damages assessment, insurance negotiation, litigation preparation, trial representation, medical expense recovery, lost income compensation, future medical expense calculation, pain and suffering claims, loss of consortium claims
Background: Founded by Chuck James and Gerald Brooks, both recognized trial attorneys with extensive experience in Alabama personal injury law. Firm focuses exclusively on personal injury cases. Attorneys include Brandon Price-Crum, Cole Leonberg, Adrian Crittenton, Maya Hoyt, Christopher Burrell, and Amy Gonzalez Jackson. Offices in Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, and Lowndes County.
Location: Montgomery, Alabama (with additional offices in Birmingham, Mobile, and Hayneville)
Contact: (855) 737-4687 | https://www.seriouslawyers.com
Consultation: Free consultation, no upfront fees, contingency fee arrangement
5. Stokes Stemle, LLC
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, Lyft and rideshare accidents, sexual abuse cases, dog bites, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions with passenger vehicles, truck vs. motorcycle accidents, rideshare motorcycle incidents, intersection accidents, rear-end crashes, head-on collisions, single-vehicle motorcycle accidents, wrongful death claims
Legal Services: Case evaluation, accident investigation, evidence documentation, insurance negotiation, demand letter preparation, litigation, trial representation, medical bill management, transportation assistance, settlement negotiation
Background: Boutique personal injury law firm founded by Jonathan H. Stokes and Joshua C. Stemle, both Alabama natives. Firm provides personalized service with focus on maximizing case value. Offices in Montgomery, Dothan, Opelika, and Auburn, Alabama. Attorneys handle cases throughout Central and Southeast Alabama.
Location: Montgomery, Alabama (with offices in Dothan, Opelika, and Auburn)
Contact: Contact through website | https://stokesstemle.com
Consultation: Free case review, no fees until recovery
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in Alabama
Statute of Limitations: Alabama Code Section 6-2-38 provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including motorcycle accidents. Victims must file their lawsuit within two years from the date of the accident or lose the right to seek compensation. The limitations period may be tolled (paused) if the injured party is disabled or otherwise unable to bring a lawsuit.
Property Damage Claims: Property damage claims in Alabama also have a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident.
Fault System: Alabama is an at-fault state, meaning the negligent driver responsible for causing the accident is liable for paying damages associated with the crash.
Contributory Negligence: Alabama follows the pure contributory negligence rule, one of the strictest in the nation. Under this doctrine, if an injured motorcyclist is found to be even 1% at fault for the accident, they are completely barred from recovering any compensation. This makes thorough accident investigation and evidence preservation critical.
Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements: Alabama requires motorcyclists to carry mandatory liability insurance with the following minimum limits: $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident (combined), $25,000 for property damage per accident. Alternatively, a combined single limit of $75,000 per accident is acceptable.
Helmet Law: Alabama has a universal helmet law (Alabama Code Section 32-5A-245). All motorcycle operators and passengers must wear DOT-approved protective headgear regardless of age. Helmets must have a hard outer shell, shock-absorbing liner, and retention system (chin strap). Shoes are also required for all riders. Violation of helmet law can result in fines up to $100. Failure to wear a helmet may affect damages recovery if head injuries are worsened by lack of helmet.
Eye Protection: Eye protection is required unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen.
Lane Splitting: Lane splitting is illegal in Alabama under Statute 32-5A-242. Motorcyclists must follow the same rules as other motor vehicles and stay within designated lanes. Lane splitting while traffic is backed up is prohibited.
Lane Sharing: Only two motorcycles may ride side-by-side in a single lane.
Motorcycle Licensing: Alabama requires a Class M license to operate a motorcycle. Riders ages 14-15 may obtain a restricted license for motor-driven cycles with 5 horsepower or less.
Equipment Requirements: Motorcycles must have at least one mirror, working headlights (on at all times), tail lights, brakes, and turn signals. Handlebar height must be 15 inches or less above the operator’s seat position. Passenger seat and footrests are required if carrying a passenger.
Accident Reporting: Alabama Statute 32-7-5 requires accidents resulting in more than $250 in damages, injuries, or fatalities to be reported using the SR-13 Form.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage: Not mandatory but recommended. Approximately 19.5% of Alabama drivers are uninsured.
Dram Shop Liability: Alabama has dram shop laws that may allow third-party liability claims against establishments that serve alcohol to intoxicated individuals who then cause accidents.
Wrongful Death Claims: In Alabama, only the personal representative of the deceased’s estate can file wrongful death claims. Alabama wrongful death claims seek punitive damages rather than compensatory damages for specific losses.
Damage Caps: Alabama does not have statutory caps on compensatory damages in personal injury cases. Punitive damages may be awarded in cases involving gross negligence or wanton conduct.
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 follows the pure contributory negligence doctrine. Under this rule, if you are found to have contributed to the accident in any way, even by 1%, you are completely barred from recovering damages from the other party. This makes it essential to gather strong evidence proving the other driver was 100% at fault. Insurance companies often try to attribute some fault to motorcyclists to avoid paying claims entirely. An experienced attorney can help counter these tactics by conducting thorough investigations and presenting evidence that establishes the other party’s sole liability.
Q: What is the deadline for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Montgomery, Alabama?
A: Under Alabama Code Section 6-2-38, you have two years from the date of your motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you fail to file within this period, you will permanently lose your right to seek compensation. The statute may be tolled (paused) under certain circumstances, such as if you were in a coma or mentally incapacitated following the accident. However, government claims may have shorter notice requirements. It is advisable to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident to ensure all deadlines are met and evidence is preserved.
Q: Can I recover compensation if I was not wearing a helmet at the time of my motorcycle accident?
A: While failing to wear a helmet violates Alabama law (Section 32-5A-245), it does not automatically bar you from recovering compensation because helmet use typically does not cause the accident itself. However, under Alabama’s contributory negligence doctrine, the at-fault party may argue that your failure to wear a helmet contributed to the severity of your head injuries. If successful, this argument could reduce or eliminate your recovery for head-related injuries. Your damages may be reduced to the extent that injuries were worsened by the absence of a helmet, but you may still recover for other injuries and losses.
Q: Is lane splitting legal in Alabama, and how does it affect accident liability?
A: No, lane splitting is illegal in Alabama under Statute 32-5A-242. Motorcyclists must follow the same rules as other motor vehicles, which means staying within designated lanes and not riding between rows of vehicles, even in stopped or slow-moving traffic. If a motorcyclist is involved in an accident while lane splitting, they could be found partially or fully liable for the crash under Alabama’s contributory negligence rule, which would bar them from recovering any compensation. Only lane sharing (two motorcycles riding side-by-side in the same lane) is permitted.
Q: What compensation can I recover in a Montgomery motorcycle accident case?
A: In Alabama motorcycle accident cases, you may recover economic damages including medical expenses (emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, future medical treatment), lost wages and reduced earning capacity, property damage (motorcycle repair or replacement, gear, personal items), and disability-related expenses. Non-economic damages may include compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent scarring or disfigurement, and loss of consortium. If gross negligence is proven, punitive damages may be available. Alabama does not cap compensatory damages in personal injury cases, but the contributory negligence rule makes proving the other party’s complete fault essential to any recovery.