In 2019, 194 Alabama bicyclists were injured in road accidents, and six of those had died. While any injury or death is tragic, what makes bicycle accidents even more worrisome is that so many of them are totally preventable. Careless actions too often cause these crashes that upend lives and put families and victims through immense pain.

The state has laws meant to protect cyclists and reduce crashes, and when someone breaks these rules and causes an injury, they might owe the victim compensation. If you need more information on Alabama bicycle laws or help with your case, contact Warren & Simpson.

Alabama Bike Laws You Should Know

Whether a driver hit you on your bike or a cyclist was careless and caused you to crash your car, Alabama bicycle laws let you seek personal injury compensation. More specifically, the state’s liability laws hold that anyone who injures another person through negligence must compensate the victim for damages.

You may also have a claim for uninsured or underinsured motorist benefits through your own automobile insurance policy if the driver of the vehicle does not have automobile insurance, does not have enough automobile insurance to cover your damages, or if the driver fled the scene of the accident. Under Alabama law, contact with another vehicle is not required to make an uninsured motorist claim. Additionally, a vehicle who flees the scene of an accident is presumed to be uninsured. 

For example, if you crash your bicycle to avoid a collision with a vehicle, you can make a claim for uninsured motorist benefits. An uninsured motorist claim can be made even though there was no contact between you and the vehicle. An uninsured motorist claim can also be made, even though the vehicle fled the scene. 

Debris, litter, and even grass clippings in the roadway can cause serious bicycle accidents and motorcycle accidents. 

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim for a Bike Injury?

Even after a horrific bike accident that causes severe injuries, Alabama bicycle laws put you on a deadline to file a claim. This deadline is called the statute of limitations. In Alabama, the statute of limitations for personal injuries is two years from the date of the accident.

This is true whether you are an injured cyclist or a driver who crashed because of a cyclist’s actions. While two years may seem like a long time, you have a lot to do between your accident and the date you file your claim. Here’s what you should get done:

• Recover from your injury.

• Determine who is at fault.

• Gather evidence.

• Calculate your damages.

• Compile the legal paperwork.

These are all while you are trying to maintain a somewhat normal life, and these are why many victims turn to a personal injury lawyer for help.

Responsibilities of Bicyclists in Alabama 

Below, we list a few key Alabama bicycle laws to know:

• Unlike pedestrians, cyclists must ride on the right side of the road. 

• Cyclists must ride as close to the right side of the road as possible.

• No more than two bicycle riders can ride beside each other in the same lane.

• If a bike path is available, riders must use it rather than riding on the road.

• Riders should wear a helmet. Children younger than 16 have to wear a helmet by law. But wearing a helmet can save the life of a cyclist of any age.

Breaking any of these rules could show negligence on the part of the cyclist, which could complicate their injury claim. For the driver, it could mean that they are eligible for personal injury compensation. A trusted lawyer can help you understand your situation and your options.

Hurt in a Bike Accident? Our Expert Legal Team Can Help.

Your bike crash was hard enough. You don’t have to make the situation harder by trying to seek personal injury compensation without help. The injury lawyers at Warren & Simpson have in-depth knowledge of Alabama bicycle laws — and we know how to put that knowledge to work for you.

For help with seeking compensation after a bicycle accident, get in touch with us. Call us at 256-539-7575 or contact us online.