Summer Motorcycle Season: Safety Tips and Alabama Riders’ Legal Rights

For many motorcyclists, summer is a mixed bag. Sunny travel days are quickly disrupted by heavy vacation traffic, tractor-trailer congestion, stressed drivers, and construction zones. All these factors make motorcycle safety in Alabama even more important.

If you are hurt in a motorcycle crash, one principle to keep in mind is Alabama’s contributory negligence rule. If insurers believe you’re even a little bit at fault in the accident, you might not be eligible to receive compensation for your pain and suffering, lost income, or other damages. Sometimes, all it takes is a little lawyerly pushback to get insurers to cooperate. Other times, serious negotiation or litigation is necessary.

What are good tips for summer motorcycle safety in Alabama?

The top recommendation is to wear your helmet. Always.

With May being National Bicycle and Motorcycle Safety Month, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reiterated that motorcycle operators and passengers must wear DOT-approved helmets. Not doing so is a misdemeanor, but sometimes motorcyclists still go without. If you yourself are in doubt about whether to wear one, take a look at these statistics:

• Helmets reduce the risk of head injuries by 69%.
• Alabama had the highest number of motorcycle fatalities in 10 years in 2024, with 125 deaths.
• People aged 20 to 24 years old had the highest numbers of crashes and injuries.

Remember that under Alabama law, you might not be able to recover damages if you’re found even 1% at fault for your injuries. Not wearing a helmet can give insurers fuel to fight your claim, especially if you suffered head or facial injuries, but it does not automatically bar a claim.

More motorcycle safety tips include:

• Wear eye protection, gloves, long sleeves and pants, and quality riding boots in addition to a helmet. This gear reduces the likelihood of serious injuries in a crash.
• Wear reflective or high-visibility clothing to help ensure you’re seen. Also, stay out of others’ blind spots, and never think that other drivers see you. They probably don’t.
• Be extra careful at intersections. Cars turning left are a hazard to motorcyclists, as their drivers often don’t see motorcycles at all or misjudge their speed.
• Avoid riding when you’ve been drinking or taking drugs. It can be dangerous enough to ride completely sober as is.
• Stay vigilant and plan escape routes. For instance, watch for distracted drivers (“How can I escape if the car drifts into my lane?”), aggressive drivers (“How will I escape if this car starts tailgating me?”), and drunk drivers. Follow similar principles for construction zones and common road hazards.
• Know your limits. Summers get hot quickly in Alabama. Stop often to hydrate. Try to ride early in the day and stop before times of peak heat.

What are Alabama riders’ legal rights after an accident?

One important right is the right to seek compensation for your losses. These losses can be significant, but keep in mind the contributory negligence rule. Insurers or defendants will be motivated to place as much blame on you as they can. You have these rights:

To seek compensation from liable parties

There are several parties who can be sued in a motorcycle accident. One is the driver of the car or truck causing the accident. Additional parties may include other involved drivers, a driver’s employer (if applicable), the manufacturer of a defective part, or even a restaurant or bar that illegally sold or served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated driver involved in your crash. If you weren’t the motorcyclist but rather the passenger, you may be able to seek compensation from the motorcycle operator, as well. This list is not exhaustive; there can be other liable parties in addition to these.

To be cautious with others’ insurers

Another right to keep in mind is this: you don’t have to speak with the insurers of the people involved in your accident. Doing so can hurt your case: for example, if adjusters confuse you into contradicting yourself on record.

Speak with your lawyer before cooperating in any way with these third-party insurers. Often, your motorcycle accident attorney can handle any third-party insurance discussions for you.

As for your own insurer, you typically must cooperate, but it’s still a good idea to speak with your lawyer beforehand.

Alabama motorcycle insurance requirements call for a minimum of $25,000 bodily injury insurance per person, $50,000 bodily injury insurance per accident, and $25,000 property damage insurance. These are just minimums, meaning you can increase your coverage (if you haven’t already) to give yourself more protection. Summer could be a good time of the year to revisit the coverage that works for you.

Some things to keep in mind:

• Your own insurance can help in a crash someone else caused (for instance, coverages such as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if you have not rejected it, medical payments, or collision).
• If you’re found to have caused a crash, having only the minimum coverages may not be enough to compensate others.
• It’s common for serious injuries to exceed minimum liability limits.

To gather and preserve evidence

To prove fault and damages (and your own lack of liability), you may need police reports, photos, medical records, vehicle inspection records, witness statements, and other items.

To reject insurance settlement offers

Insurers often lowball their early settlement offers, especially before they know the extent of your damages and how much medical care you may need. They may also say they won’t pay anything because you’re partially liable. You have the right to reject these overtures. Your lawyer may recommend continuing to negotiate (relatively common) or, if necessary, to prepare for trial.

To have legal representation

You can work with an attorney at any point, and insurance companies usually must communicate through this person. Involving a lawyer saves you a lot of stress and helps prevent mistakes that lower your compensation.

To file a lawsuit

You may have to go to court if your damages are substantial, insurance is not cooperative, and/or insurance disputes liability.

Talk with our motorcycle accident lawyers today

Motorcycle safety in Alabama is important. Unfortunately, many motorists don’t take motorcyclists seriously, leading to catastrophic injuries. Even a seemingly minor injury can have major repercussions. Protect your rights and get in touch with us today if you’ve been hurt. The team at Prince Glover Hayes is here to help.