Hartselle Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Under Alabama law, a bicycle is a vehicle and a cyclist has the same right to the road as any driver. Physics, unfortunately, doesn’t honor legal rights: when a car or pickup strikes a rider on Hartselle’s streets or Morgan County’s rural roads, the rider takes the full force of the impact with nothing but a helmet between them and the pavement.
Our Hartselle bicycle accident lawyers at Garnett Patterson Injury Lawyers represent injured cyclists and their families, with a free consultation and no fee unless we win.
The Insurance Company Will Try to Blame You
Here is the hard truth about personal injury claims after a crash in Alabama: the state’s pure contributory negligence rule means that if the insurer can hang even 1% of the fault on the cyclist, it can deny the entire claim. So even a careful injured person can be barred from recovery if the defense proves slight fault under Alabama’s rule.
Expect the playbook from insurance companies: you “came out of nowhere,” you weren’t far enough right, you lacked lights or reflectors, you should have anticipated the turn. We answer the playbook with proof. An experienced attorney and legal team use the evidence below to prove fault in a bicycle accident claim and identify the at fault party.
Helping Good People After Bad Accidents. That’s our promise, and we keep it the way we practice law: Competent, Caring, and Committed. Your consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win.
01
Point of impact
Where the impact happened and the vehicle damage patterns, which often contradict the driver’s story.
02
Witness statements
Secured before memories fade, while the details are still sharp.
03
Phone records
Pulled when distraction is suspected, to show what the driver was doing.
04
Accident scene
Sight lines, signage, lane widths, lighting, and traffic controls, documented before they change.
05
Your equipment and position
Your bike, gear, lights, and lane position, recorded to preempt the standard accusations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the questions Hartselle cyclists ask us most after a crash.
I wasn’t wearing a helmet. Do I still have a case?
Very likely yes. Alabama does not require adult cyclists to wear helmets, and helmet use is relevant, if at all, only to certain injury questions, not to whether the driver was negligent. Bicycle riders still have rights under Alabama law when an accident occurs, even if they were not wearing a helmet. Don’t let an adjuster talk you out of your claim.
The driver got a ticket. Does that win my case?
It helps, but a citation alone doesn’t collect damages in a bicycle accident claim. We still must prove negligence, causation, and the full extent of your losses, and defeat any contributory negligence argument that could affect personal injury claims.
What’s my case worth?
It depends on your injuries, treatment, prognosis, lost income, and available coverage. Compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, and non-economic losses if the facts support them. We’ll give you an honest assessment, free, after reviewing the facts.
Can I afford a lawyer?
Yes. We offer a free initial consultation, handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, and front the case costs.
Are bike crashes really that serious?
They can be. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration counted 1,103 bicyclists killed in traffic crashes in 2024, and in 2018, Alabama recorded nine bicycle fatalities. Even when a crash is not fatal, serious injuries can follow, so it is worth taking the situation seriously and getting clear advice early.
Claim Your FREE Consultation
At Garnett Patterson Injury Lawyers, we know how much a bicycle crash can disrupt your life. Our Hartselle bicycle accident lawyers help injured cyclists across Hartselle, Morgan County, and North Alabama deal with the insurance company, document their injuries, and pursue the full value of their claim. If you’re unsure where to start, we’re here to listen, answer your questions, and give you an honest assessment of your case. Your first consultation is always free with no obligation.
Hartselle Bicycle Accident Lawyers Serving Morgan County
Garnett Patterson Injury Lawyers: Bicycle Accident & Personal Injury Attorneys for Hartselle, AL
Service Area
Hartselle, AL 35640 and all of Morgan County, including Priceville, Falkville, Somerville, and Decatur
Nearest Office
496 Hwy 67 S, Decatur, AL 35603 (about 10 minutes north of Hartselle on US-31)
Phone
(256) 804-0853, available 24/7
What sets Garnett Patterson Injury Lawyers apart from other Alabama personal injury firms?
We prepare every case as if it is going to trial. Managing Partner Hunter Garnett works alongside medical providers, accident reconstruction professionals, and financial experts to fully document the long-term physical, emotional, and financial impact of your injuries. This level of preparation positions clients from a place of strength during settlement negotiations, and insurance companies across Alabama know it. We also keep every client informed through a dedicated case portal so you never have to wonder where things stand.
How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer at Garnett Patterson?
Nothing upfront and nothing at all unless we recover compensation for you. Garnett Patterson works on a contingency fee basis, meaning our fee comes as a percentage of your recovery only if we win. Your initial case evaluation is completely free. This allows injured Alabamians to access experienced legal representation without the financial risk of hourly fees or retainers, regardless of their financial situation.
What credentials and experience does Hunter Garnett bring to Alabama injury cases?
Hunter Garnett earned his Juris Doctor from Samford University's Cumberland School of Law in 2017, where he competed on both the National Trial Team and the National Arbitration Team. He has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star for multiple consecutive years, named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, and honored by the Huntsville Business Journal as one of the region's Top 40 Under 40 professionals. His case experience spans high-speed commercial trucking collisions, catastrophic motorcycle crashes, wrongful death claims, and six-figure settlements involving uninsured and underinsured motorists across Alabama.
Does Garnett Patterson handle serious and complex injury cases throughout Alabama?
Yes. Our firm regularly handles some of the most contested personal injury cases in the state, including catastrophic brain and spinal cord injuries, commercial tractor-trailer accidents, construction site incidents, workplace injuries, and wrongful death claims. Hunter Garnett collaborates with expert witnesses and specialists when necessary to build the strongest possible case, and he does not shy away from litigation when a fair settlement cannot be reached.
What should I expect when I first contact your firm?
Honesty from the very first conversation. We will not tell you what you want to hear just to sign your case. Our team includes attorneys with decades of combined experience handling serious injury cases in both state and federal courts across Alabama, supported by paralegals with more than 24 years of experience and bilingual support in English and Spanish. We evaluate your situation carefully, explain your options clearly, and if we take your case, you get the full weight of that team fighting for you.
The Clock Is Running
Alabama generally allows two years from the collision to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline commonly applies in personal injury cases, and waiting too long can prevent injury victims from pursuing relief.
But the evidence that defeats a contributory negligence defense (camera footage, skid marks, witness recollections) measures its lifespan in days and weeks. The sooner we start, the stronger your case. A personal injury lawyer can protect evidence and help you seek compensation before deadlines expire.
Talk to a Hartselle Bicycle Accident Attorney
If you were hurt while riding, you have the right to seek compensation after a bike crash caused by a negligent or careless driver. Let’s enforce it. Call Garnett Patterson Injury Lawyers at (256) 804-0853 for a free initial consultation with a Hartselle bicycle accident lawyer serving riders across Morgan County. We also represent car accident victims and other injury victims pursuing a bicycle accident claim or related personal injury claims.