Alabama Bicycle Accident Attorney

• Free consultation

• No legal fee unless I recover money for you

Protect your rights.
I have been practicing law in the Birmingham, Alabama area since 1989. I have tried dozens of personal injury cases representing both plaintiffs and defendants.

Prior experience as a defense attorney allows me to know exactly what insurance company adjusters and defense lawyers are trying to accomplish in lowering or eliminating a plaintiff's recovery and allows me to help thwart their objective.

Over the years, I have handled several bicycle accident cases most recently one involving very serious injuries resulting in a confidential settlement right before trial of $2.85 million dollars.

Hire an attorney who is a cyclist.
I have been an avid cyclist for at least the last 20 years.

I've ridden in several dozen century rides and have completed a few double centuries. I routinely ride 5,000 or more miles a year and thus know what it feels like getting "buzzed" or otherwise harassed by motorists.

Although I never have been hit while on a bicycle I have seen cyclists who were run off the road and injured and have represented many cyclists including very close personal friends over the years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How soon after my bicycle accident should I call you?

A: Call me immediately. Do not talk to the other person’s insurance companies until after you have consulted a lawyer. I make a point of returning all calls and e-mails promptly. If you have been injured in a bicycle accident you need to know right away what insurance coverage is in place to cover your medical expenses and lost wages.

Q: How do I pay your legal fees?

A: I handle bike accidents and all other personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means YOU DO NOT OWE ME A LEGAL FEE UNLESS I RECOVER MONEY FOR YOU. I do not ask for any attorney fees upfront. If there is no recovery there is no fee.

Q: Can I recover even if the motorist never hit me?

A: Yes. Many people are under the misconception that there has to be physical contact between a cyclist and a motor vehicle for the motorist to be liable. This is not true. There are many situations where cyclists are injured when they take evasive action to avoid being hit, and crash as a result. The motorist can still be held liable if their negligence required the cyclist to take the evasive action.

Q: Can I recover if the other driver had no insurance?

A: Yes. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, you can recover money for your medical bills and pain and suffering even if the other driver had no insurance.

Q: Does my auto insurance cover accidents when I am on my bike?

A: Most auto policies in Alabama will cover you if you are injured in a bicycle accident or while on foot.

Q: How do I know if I have a good bicycle accident injury claim?

A: You need to contact me and we can discuss your case. My initial consultation on a personal injury case is always free.

Q: What about if I'm attacked or harassed by a dog while riding?

A: Many Alabama municipalities have "leash laws" which require dogs to remain on leashes or within their own yards. If a dog enters the roadway, you may well be able to argue that a violation of the leash law has occurred and that you are entitled to be compensated. This is true even if a dog does not make contact with your bicycle. Further, if the dog owner knew or should have known that his dog routinely or previously left its yard and ran into the roadway then you also may be able to make a recovery. Call me to discuss the specific facts and circumstances of your case.

Q: Should I accept the offer that the car insurance company has given me?

A: Oftentimes I can get insurance companies to substantially increase the amount of their settlement offer. If you have already received an offer for your injuries, contact me and I will let you know if I think it is a fair offer. I will not charge you for this consultation.

Q: How long does it take to settle most bicycle accident and personal injury cases?

A: It depends. I have handled some cases which settled in a matter of days for the full amount my client wanted. These cases typically involved property damage only. Most cases settle anywhere from 3 - 9 months after the incident. However, a resolution may take longer, particularly when a lawsuit must be filed.

Q: Will pursuing my case take up a lot of my time?

A: No. While each case is different, I will often only meet with clients for the initial interview and then we may communicate over the phone, by email or by mail correspondence. If we do have to go to court, it will take more time. I realize your time is important, so I don’t waste it. However, you will always be kept fully advised (by phone, letter or e-mail) of any significant development in your case. Of course, if you want to discuss any aspect of your case in detail, we can always schedule a meeting.

Q: Will I have to go to trial?

A: The majority of bicycle collision and personal injury cases don’t go to trial. However, I treat each case from the very start as if it is going to be a trial, because you have to be willing to go to trial (and so does your attorney) to maximize your settlement.

Q: Why is it so important to hire an experienced Alabama trial attorney?

A: Most bicycle injury accidents and personal injury cases settle before trial, but you want to maximize your settlement. If you hire a Alabama attorney with little trial experience, they are often afraid to go to trial. Insurance companies know who these lawyers are, and they oftentimes offer them less than the case is worth. I am a successful trial attorney with courtroom experience and I will not advise you to settle for less than your case is worth.

Q: Do I need an Alabama lawyer?

A: In order to settle your bike accident case you will have to deal with insurance companies. Their goal is to pay you as little as you will take. It is tough for someone who is not familiar with bicycle accident cases to know what a fair settlement amount is. An experienced Alabama bicycle accident attorney can help you to determine that amount and reach a fair settlement.

Q: What types of Alabama accident cases do you handle?

A: I handle all types of Alabama personal injury, wrongful death and products liability cases. I have experience with mis-filled prescription cases, dog bite cases, slip and fall and trip and fall cases and "bad food" cases.

Q: What parts of Alabama do you handle cases in?

A: Primarily in Jefferson and Shelby County and the entire Birmingham metropolitan area. However, I have handled and tried cases as far north as Huntsville and as far south as Mobile and numerous counties in-between, including but not limited to: Calhoun, Etowah, Colbert, Randolph, Montgomery, Perry, and Baldwin. I am willing to handle a case anywhere in Alabama.

Serving Alabama Counties: Autauga, Baldwin, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Butler, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Choctaw, Clarke, Clay, Cleburne, Coffee, Colbert, Conecuh, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Cullman, Dale, Dallas, De Kalb, Elmore, Escambia, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Geneva, Greene, Hale, Henry, Houston, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lee, Limestone, Lowndes, Macon, Madison, Marengo, Marion, Marshall, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Randolph, Russell, St. Clair, Shelby, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker, Washington, Wilcox, Winston.

Serving Alabama Cities: Birmingham, Sylacauga, Peachtree City, Anniston, Bessemer, Tuscaloosa, Centreville, Greensboro, Marion, Linden, Thomasville, Selma, Prattville, Meridian, Livingston, Guntersville, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Anniston, Oneonta, Tupelo, Roanoke, Jasper, Warrior, Bessemer.

Alabama Bike Law

Alabama Code Section 32-5A-263 provides that persons riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as "practical." Further, this code section allows bicyclists to ride upon the roadway "two abreast." However, the code section states that wherever a "useable path" for bicycles has been provided adjacent to the roadway that the bicycle rider "shall use such path and shall not use the roadway."

Alabama Code Section 32-5A-23 requires the use of bicycle helmets for any person under the age of 16 and Alabama Code Section 32-5A-266 makes it a misdemeanor for a parent or guardian to authorize or knowingly permit a child to violate the bike helmet law or any other law that may be applicable.

National Bicycle Accident Statistics

•750 bicycling fatalities annually;

• 51,000 bicycling injuries annually;

• Most likely time to be injured - summer months on Friday or Saturday afternoon between 3:00 - 9:00 p.m.;

• 98% of deaths are to persons not wearing a helmet or other protective gear;

• Almost 1/2 of persons killed in bicycle accidents are children under the age of 16;

• While collisions with cars account for only 1/3 of all bicycle accidents, they account for a majority of the serious injuries and deaths; and

• 75% of all serious injuries and fatalities in bicycle accidents are due to head injuries.

Biographical Information

Danny Feldman
DOB: 1/27/61, Miami, Florida

Graduated:
•Birmingham Southern College, Summa Cum Laude 1983
•Vanderbilt Law School, 1987

Memberships:
•Alabama Trial Lawyers Association
•Alabama Bar
•Birmingham Bar