Huntsville Bicycle Accident Attorneys
Bicycle Accident Lawyers In Huntsville
Bikers always bear the brunt of the impact. The size and weight difference between cars and bicycles puts riders at a serious disadvantage.
At Garnett & Patterson, bicycle accidents are personal. Robert Patterson is an experienced injury lawyer and daily biker who rides through downtown Huntsville, Five Points, and Blossomwood — and has had his share of close calls. Hunter Garnett was in a bad bicycle accident at age nine, knocking out his front teeth and requiring four surgeries over 11 years, most uncovered by insurance.
Our lawyers don't just litigate bicycle accidents — we understand what cyclists go through. Let our Huntsville accident lawyers help you. Call (256) 804-0853 for a free consultation.
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Do I have a case if I wasn't riding in a bike lane when I was hit?
Yes. Alabama law gives cyclists the same right to use public roads as motor vehicles under Ala. Code § 32-5A-260. You do not need to be in a designated bike lane to have a valid claim. Many Huntsville roads, including sections of Memorial Parkway and University Drive, do not even have bike lanes. Drivers are obligated to share the road and exercise due care when sharing the road with cyclists, regardless of whether a bike lane exists. If a driver hit you while you were lawfully riding on the road, they can be held liable for your injuries.
The insurance company says I'm partly at fault because I wasn't wearing a helmet. Is that true?
Alabama has no law requiring adult cyclists to wear helmets. However, insurance companies frequently use the absence of a helmet to argue contributory negligence, especially when head injuries are involved. Under Alabama's pure contributory negligence doctrine, even a small finding of shared fault can bar your entire claim. This is one of the most common tactics insurers use against injured cyclists, and it takes an attorney who knows how to counter it with evidence that the driver's negligence, not the lack of a helmet, caused the collision and your injuries.
What if the driver who hit me doesn't have insurance or fled the scene?
You may still have options. If you carry uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on your own auto policy, that coverage can apply even when you are injured while riding a bicycle. Many people do not realize their auto policy protects them outside of a car. In hit-and-run cases where the driver is never identified, UM coverage becomes especially important. A bicycle accident lawyer in Huntsville can review your policies and identify every available source of recovery. For more on hit and run claims, visit our Huntsville hit and run accident page.
I was doored while riding past a parked car. Can I pursue a claim?
Absolutely. "Dooring" accidents, where a driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of an oncoming cyclist, are a recognized cause of serious bicycle injuries. The person who opened the door without checking for approaching traffic can be held liable under Alabama negligence law. These accidents are common in downtown Huntsville, near restaurants and shops along Jefferson Street and Clinton Avenue, and in busy parking areas. Photos of the scene, witness statements, and medical records documenting your injuries are all important evidence in a dooring case.
Claim Your FREE Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident in Huntsville, do not try to handle the insurance company on your own. Contact Garnett Patterson Injury Lawyers for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and learn how our bicycle accident attorneys in Huntsville can help.
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A Personalized Strategy for Your Bicycle Accident Case
No two bicycle accidents are the same. A dooring incident in downtown Huntsville calls for a different approach than a rear-end collision on Governors Drive or a hit and run on the Aldridge Creek Greenway. The type of accident, the evidence available, the severity of your injuries, and the insurance coverage in play all shape how we build your case. Garnett Patterson Injury Lawyers develops a strategy based on your specific facts, not a one-size-fits-all playbook.
Committed Representation for Huntsville Cyclists
Being hit by a car while riding a bicycle is terrifying. The injuries are often severe, the recovery is long, and the insurance process can feel like it is designed to work against you. You deserve a team that treats your case with the same urgency and dedication they would bring to their own family. From our Huntsville office, our bicycle accident attorneys provide hands-on representation to clients throughout Madison County and North Alabama. We handle the investigation, the evidence, and the insurance companies so you can focus on getting better.
Talk to Garnett Patterson About Your Bicycle Accident Case
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident in Huntsville or anywhere in Madison County, the team at Garnett Patterson Injury Lawyers is ready to help. We offer free consultations to evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and outline a clear path forward. You were doing nothing wrong by riding your bike, and you deserve an attorney who will make sure the responsible driver is held accountable.
Part of our Huntsville Personal Injury Attorneys office and our statewide bicycle accident practice.