Alabama Street Legal Requirements Motorcycle – Ask anyone who chooses a motorcycle as their means of transportation, going on a motorcycle tour is one of the most enjoyable ways to travel. Freedom on the road and ease of movement inside the car appeal to many, but this freedom brings with it a burden.
Sometimes a cyclist may choose shortcuts. Splitting means passing a vehicle between two lanes. Another way to split lanes can see a cyclist pass a slower car in the same lane.
Alabama Street Legal Requirements Motorcycle
Although lane-splitting is legal, meaning that motorcycles ride side-by-side on the same road, lane-splitting is illegal in Alabama.
Safety Tips To Lower Your Motorcycle Insurance Cost (2024)
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident in Alabama that involved lane departures, you should speak with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney who can advise you of your rights.
If the lane breaks, the other party blames you for the accident, which places a heavy burden on claims and mediation. You need the help of a motorcycle accident attorney who has experience representing victims of all types of motorcycle accidents.
In Alabama, motorcycles must obey the same laws as cars. According to the 2006 Code of Alabama, all motorcycles have the right of way and no vehicle can encroach on a motorcycle’s right of way.
At the same time, cars have the right to use their own lane alone, and motorists are often very disturbed by a broken lane.
State By State Guide To Motorcycle Laws (w/ Maps)
While it allows the motorcyclist to quickly pass traffic, it puts the motorcyclist in a dangerous position if the car suddenly decides to change lanes or turn left.
Even under the best of circumstances, most motorcycle accidents are caused by motorists not paying attention to motorcycles and, frankly, not looking for them. Adding to the problem is that looking for the cyclist between the cars puts the motorcyclist in the traffic’s blind spot, which is a dangerous spot.
Some argue that lane separation saves lives because in a bumper-to-motorcycle situation, the motorcyclist is less vulnerable to a careless motorist who might come and hit the bike.
Also take into account that the driver does not have to breathe the exhaust gases of the car and endure the heat between the cars when the traffic slows down. There may be situations where a cyclist sees an accident happening. If so, lane separation allows the motorcyclist to quickly move away from the approaching danger.
Motorcycle Helmet Laws
Some traffic safety advocates say Alabama should follow California’s lead. California law allows for lane separation when other vehicles are traveling 15 miles per hour or less. A 2105 study by the University of California at Berkeley found that lane splitting did not increase the risk of injury, but even California limits lane splitting to less than 50 miles per hour.
Alabama traffic laws treat motorcycles the same as cars. If you are found to have shared the road when the accident occurred, it can be assumed that you were not negligent, so share the blame.
At the scene of a motorcycle accident, it is important to first seek medical attention for the injured person. If you’re not injured, you need to get driver’s insurance and contact information, but we don’t recommend talking. Any incriminating statements can be used against you.
And it is recommended that you do not contact the other driver’s insurance adjuster. They might want to give you a check, but that’s never good for you. They just want to get rid of you as cheaply as possible.
Alabama Motorcycle Accident: Laws That Impact Your Injury Claim
If there is lane splitting on the motorcycle or any dangerous behavior that caused the accident, you need to seek the help of an experienced motorcycle attorney. This is especially true in states like Alabama where they use the doctrine of negligence. In the case of contributory negligence, the injured party may be denied compensation if he is found to be 1% at fault for the accident. On the other hand, there is no doubt that the motorcycle accident was caused by your negligence, so contact a professional and experienced lawyer as soon as possible.
Chip Nix understands the rules of personal injury law and represents clients throughout Alabama. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, Mr. Nix offers you a helpful consultant to discuss your case. Meet him at our Montgomery office or call (334) 203-6669 or contact us online.
Chip Nix, Attorney | Posted on October 12, 2020 Tags: multi-car accident, who is at fault? Few modes of transportation are more fun and inspire a free lifestyle than riding a motorcycle. However, it is important that all riders are aware of all rules and regulations to keep themselves and other riders safe.
Whether you’re an experienced rider or a beginner, understanding Alabama motorcycle licensing laws will help you become a safe and responsible driver.
Birmingham Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Learn more about motorcycle licenses in Alabama and how the attorneys at Vance Law Firm Injury Laws can help if you’ve been injured by a reckless driver.
Until recently, Alabama did not require a motorcycle license or driver’s license endorsement to travel, only a driver’s license. However, in 2015, the state passed HB212, which requires motorcycle owners to obtain a Class M driver’s license, also known as an M license, to ride a bike on state roads.
To obtain a Class M driver’s license in Alabama, you must meet a minimum age requirement and obtain a motorcycle license or learner’s permit by completing the appropriate classes. You must also register your motorcycle in the state and obtain insurance that meets Alabama’s minimum liability requirements before riding.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), you must be 16 years old to obtain a Class M motorcycle endorsement, which allows you to ride regular motorcycles and motorized motorcycles such as mopeds or scooters.
State By State Guide To Motorcycle Laws
If you meet the minimum age requirement, you will need to pass two tests to obtain a category M certificate:
Once you have completed these two steps, you will receive a class M driver’s license. Although the state of Alabama does not require you to take a safety course such as the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic Riding Course or the Alabama Motorcycle Safety Program, it can provide you with the skills necessary to pass the test.
Although it was legal with a license, it is now illegal to ride a motorcycle in Alabama without a Class M license. Under Alabama law (ALC 32-6-18), driving without a license is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $100 plus a $50 traffic fee. Repeated violations can result in severe penalties such as impoundment of the vehicle, increased fines or imprisonment.
Alabama motorcyclists must follow the general motorcycle helmet law. Alabama Code (ALC 32-12-41) states that all riders, regardless of age (including those with a restricted “B” license), must wear an approved helmet. The helmet must:
How To Get A Motorcycle License In Every State
Visors are not required by law, but if your helmet has one, it should be flexible, unbreakable and wind-reflective.
At Vance Law Firm Injury Lawyers, our team of dedicated motorcycle accident attorneys understand the risks and biases that motorists face every day better than anyone.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident by a reckless or law-abiding driver, we can help.
Our attorneys will review the facts of your case and help you get compensation for your injuries. We will negotiate to make the best possible arrangements for you to help you recover and return to a normal life.
Alabama Scooter Laws
Riding a motorcycle offers a feeling of freedom that is hard to compare. But this freedom comes with dangers, including the risk of blindness. Blind spots are areas around vehicles that are invisible to the driver and ensure the safety of everyone on the road – especially motorcyclists. Understanding blind spots and patterns […]
Riding a motorcycle is a fun and liberating experience, especially on Alabama’s beautiful roads. However, it is not without risk. In 2020, 72 motorcyclists were killed and 1115 injured in the state. 25-29 year olds suffered the most with 221 accidents, which is about 8% of the county’s motorcycle accidents. Safety must always […]
Summer in Alabama is an exciting time of year. Longer days, clear skies and for motorcycle enthusiasts it’s the perfect time for long rides. However, overheating is a major problem motorcyclists face during extreme heat, and a hot bike simply won’t go. But with precautions, you can easily overcome it […]National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) findings show that wearing the right helmet can save thousands of lives every year.
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident in Alabama,
Are E Bikes Street Legal & Laws By State In 2024
Street legal motorcycle, street legal golf cart requirements, enduro motorcycle street legal, california street legal motorcycle requirements, street legal motorcycle requirements, alabama motorcycle license requirements, arizona motorcycle street legal requirements, off road motorcycle street legal, 150cc motorcycle street legal, 125cc motorcycle street legal, street legal electric motorcycle, street legal automatic motorcycle