Montgomery’s growing network of bike lanes and trails should make cycling safer. But every day, cyclists face danger from drivers who don’t respect their right to the road. Whether you’re commuting to work downtown, exercising on the Riverfront Trail, or just riding through your neighborhood, you deserve to feel safe.
If a careless driver has hit you while cycling, you’re likely dealing with serious injuries and frustrating insurance battles. Many people don’t realize that cyclists have the same rights as drivers on Alabama roads. When drivers violate those rights and cause crashes, they should be held accountable.
Attorneys Mark Strickland and James Kendall have spent years fighting for injured cyclists in Montgomery. They understand the unique challenges bicycle accident victims face – from biased insurance adjusters to severe injuries that can change your life forever.
The Reality of Cycling in Montgomery
“Most drivers simply don’t see cyclists as equals on the road,” explains Attorney Strickland, who has handled dozens of bicycle accident cases. “They think bikes should stay on sidewalks or that cyclists are just in their way. This attitude leads to dangerous driving and serious crashes.”
The numbers back this up. Common causes of bicycle accidents in Montgomery include drivers turning right without checking the bike lane, “dooring” incidents when parked drivers open doors into cyclists, drivers passing too closely (Alabama law requires 3 feet of space), distracted driving – especially texting while driving, and failure to yield at intersections.
Attorney Kendall adds, “What frustrates me most is how preventable these accidents are. If drivers just followed basic traffic laws and showed cyclists respect, most of our clients would never have been hurt.”
Client Testimonial: “A driver turned right into the bike lane on Dexter Avenue and knocked me off my bike. The insurance company tried to blame me for ‘being where cars belong.’ Mr. Strickland shut that down immediately. He knew the law and made sure they understood cyclists have every right to use bike lanes.” – Jennifer M., Montgomery
Why Bicycle Accident Cases Need Special Legal Expertise
Bicycle accidents aren’t just smaller versions of car crashes. They present unique legal and medical challenges that require experienced attorneys. Here’s what makes these cases different:
Severe injuries with “minor” property damage. When a 3,000-pound car hits a 30-pound bike, the cyclist always loses. You might have life-threatening injuries even though your bike only has a bent wheel. Insurance companies often try to argue that “minor” vehicle damage means minor injuries. Strickland and Kendall know how to prove the real extent of your injuries.
Bias against cyclists. Many insurance adjusters, police officers, and even jurors have negative assumptions about cyclists. They might think you were “asking for trouble” by riding on busy roads or that you must have done something wrong. Attorney Kendall explains, “We know how to present cases that overcome this bias and show our clients as the responsible, law-abiding citizens they are.”
Complex traffic law applications. Alabama bicycle laws can be confusing. Cyclists must follow traffic laws like vehicles but also have specific protections. The attorneys at Strickland and Kendall know these laws inside and out and use them to protect your rights.
Real Montgomery Bicycle Cases: Experience Makes the Difference
Consider what happened to Tom, a Maxwell Air Force Base employee who biked to work every day. While riding in the clearly marked bike lane on Eastern Boulevard, a distracted driver drifted into his lane and sent him to the hospital with a traumatic brain injury. The driver’s insurance company offered only $5,000, claiming Tom “should have been more visible.”
Attorney Strickland took the case and discovered the driver had been adjusting their GPS at the time of impact. Using phone records and accident reconstruction, they proved the driver was 100% at fault. Tom received compensation that covered his extensive medical treatment, lost wages during recovery, and the long-term effects of his brain injury.
Or take Maria’s case. She was following all traffic laws, riding with traffic on Bell Road when a driver passed her with inches to spare. The side mirror clipped her handlebar, sending her into a drainage ditch. She suffered a broken collarbone and severe road rash. The driver claimed they gave her “plenty of room.”
Attorney Kendall measured the road and proved it was impossible for the driver to have maintained the legally required 3-foot distance while staying in their lane. They should have waited to pass safely. Maria received full compensation for her injuries and the driver’s insurance had to pay for her custom racing bike replacement.
Important Callout: Many cyclists don’t realize they may have insurance coverage even if the at-fault driver flees the scene or has no insurance. Your auto insurance’s uninsured motorist coverage often applies to bicycle accidents too. Strickland and Kendall can review all your insurance policies to find every source of compensation.
Common Questions from Montgomery Cyclists After Accidents
“What if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?” While helmets are smart safety gear, Alabama doesn’t require adult cyclists to wear them. Attorney Strickland emphasizes, “Not wearing a helmet doesn’t make you at fault for the accident. If your injuries are to parts of your body a helmet wouldn’t protect – like broken bones or internal injuries – it’s completely irrelevant.”
“The police report says I was partially at fault. Now what?” Don’t give up. Police officers sometimes misunderstand bicycle laws or make assumptions. Kendall notes, “We’ve successfully challenged many police reports by gathering additional evidence. Surveillance footage, witness statements, and expert analysis often tell a different story than the initial report.”
“I was riding for exercise, not commuting. Does that matter?” Not at all. You have the same rights whether you’re training for a race, commuting to work, or just enjoying a ride. The purpose of your ride doesn’t affect the driver’s duty to operate safely around you.
“What if I was riding at night?” Alabama law requires lights and reflectors for night riding. But Attorney Kendall explains, “Even if your equipment wasn’t perfect, that doesn’t give drivers permission to hit you. We focus on whether the driver was paying attention and driving safely for conditions.”
How Strickland and Kendall Fight for Montgomery’s Cyclists
When you hire Strickland and Kendall after a bicycle accident, you get attorneys who truly understand cycling and cyclists’ rights. Here’s their approach:
Immediate action. They know evidence disappears quickly in bike accidents. Skid marks fade, witnesses forget details, and video footage gets erased. Their team acts fast to preserve crucial evidence.
Medical advocacy. They work with doctors who understand cycling injuries, including specialists in orthopedics, traumatic brain injury, and road rash treatment. They ensure your medical records fully document how the accident has impacted your life.
Insurance company pushback. Insurance adjusters often try to lowball cyclists, assuming they won’t fight back. Strickland and Kendall have a reputation for taking bike cases to trial if necessary. This reputation often leads to better settlement offers.
Community connections. Both attorneys maintain relationships with Montgomery’s cycling community. They understand the local riding culture and can find witnesses who understand why you were riding where and how you were.
Client Testimonial: “After my accident, I felt like everyone was against me just because I was on a bike. Mr. Kendall changed everything. He made the insurance company see me as a person with a family, not just ‘some cyclist.’ He understood why biking was important to me and fought to make sure I could ride again safely.” – Robert K., Prattville
Standing Up for Montgomery’s Cycling Community
Strickland and Kendall believe every bicycle accident case is about more than just one injured cyclist. “When we hold dangerous drivers accountable, we make Montgomery roads safer for all cyclists,” Attorney Strickland explains. “Every case we win sends a message that cyclists matter.”
The firm also advocates for better cycling infrastructure and clearer bike lanes throughout Montgomery. They understand that legal victories and community improvements go hand in hand in protecting cyclists.
Don’t Let Insurance Companies Run You Off the Road – Call Today
If you’ve been hit while cycling in Montgomery, you need attorneys who understand both your legal rights and your love of cycling. Insurance companies hope you’ll accept their lowball offers or believe their victim-blaming tactics. Don’t let them win.
Strickland and Kendall offer free consultations for all bicycle accident cases. They’ll review your accident, explain your rights in plain language, and show you how they can help. With no upfront fees – they only get paid if they win your case – you have nothing to lose by getting experienced legal help.
Remember, Alabama’s two-year statute of limitations starts running immediately, and evidence begins disappearing even faster. The sooner you call, the stronger your case will be. Don’t let drivers and their insurance companies get away with endangering cyclists. Call Strickland and Kendall today and get attorneys who will fight for your rights on and off the road.
Your recovery and your right to ride safely matter. Let Strickland and Kendall show you how they can help.