A motorcycle crash in Birmingham can change everything in a fraction of a second. Whether it happened at Malfunction Junction, along I-20 near the Red Mountain Expressway, or at one of US-280's congested intersections, the injuries are often catastrophic. Broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, road rash requiring skin grafts — motorcycle riders bear the full force of every impact.
Chris Simmons and the team at Simmons Law represent injured motorcycle riders in Jefferson County. The firm's Birmingham office at 1905 14th Ave S is where cases get built — not handed to a paralegal and filed away.
Why Motorcycle Accidents in Birmingham Are Different
Birmingham's highway infrastructure creates unique hazards for motorcycle riders. The I-20/I-59/I-65 interchange at Malfunction Junction moves more than 200,000 vehicles daily through a series of curves, merges, and overpasses that demand constant attention. Drivers distracted by their phones or changing lanes without checking their blind spots put riders at serious risk.
Beyond the interstates, US-280 through the Cahaba River corridor and Lakeshore Parkway near Vestavia Hills see frequent left-turn collisions — the most common cause of fatal motorcycle crashes nationwide. When a driver turns left in front of a bike at an intersection, the rider has no barrier between them and the pavement.
Alabama Uninsured Motorist Coverage Protects Riders
Under Alabama Code § 32-7-23, every auto insurance policy sold in Alabama must include uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage unless the insured rejects it in writing. This law protects motorcycle riders when the at-fault driver carries no insurance or insufficient coverage to pay for the rider's injuries.
Alabama's made-whole doctrine adds another layer of protection: before any health insurer or subrogation claimant can recover funds from your settlement, you must first be fully compensated for all your losses. Simmons Law enforces this doctrine aggressively — insurance companies regularly ignore it and try to claim reimbursement before a client is made whole.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes Near Birmingham
The most common causes Simmons Law sees in Jefferson County motorcycle cases include: drivers running red lights at University Blvd intersections near UAB; trucks merging without checking mirrors on I-65 south of downtown; distracted drivers on 5th Ave N in the Southside; and road defects on aging Birmingham city streets that cause tire washouts.
Trucking companies and their drivers face additional liability under FMCSA regulations. When a commercial truck is involved, Simmons Law immediately sends a preservation letter to prevent the destruction of electronic logging data, black box records, and driver qualification files — evidence that disappears fast.
What Happens After a Motorcycle Crash in Birmingham
If you can, call 911, document the scene, and get to a hospital. UAB Medical Center at 619 19th St S is the only Level I Trauma Center in Birmingham and handles the most serious injuries. Brookwood Baptist Medical Center and Grandview Medical Center are additional options.
Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Alabama is one of the few states where any fault on your part — even a small percentage — can bar your recovery entirely under the pure contributory fault rule. Insurance adjusters know this and will use your own words against you.
How Simmons Law Handles Birmingham Motorcycle Cases
Simmons Law works on contingency — no fee unless there is a recovery. Chris Simmons personally handles every case file. The firm investigates the crash, obtains all available evidence, documents every injury and medical expense, and negotiates directly with insurance carriers. When insurers refuse to pay fair value, the case goes to trial in Jefferson County Circuit Court at 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N, Birmingham, AL 35203.
Simmons Law also handles car accident cases in Birmingham and throughout Jefferson County.
For riders injured in the Mobile area, Simmons Law's Mobile office at 102 St Michael St serves Mobile County and Baldwin County.
