North Carolina Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
The aftermath of a motorcycle accident is a challenging time. You’re probably dealing with ongoing pain, worrying about the cost of treatment while you’re unable to work, and unsure about how to pursue compensation from the person who hit you. What you may not know is that motorcycle cases are particularly challenging, and insurance companies often play hardball with accident victims to avoid paying out these costly claims.
For these reasons, it’s crucial that you speak with a knowledgeable and experienced North Carolina motorcycle accident lawyer. The team at Stewart Law Offices is dedicated to assisting injured riders in seeking compensation for their injuries. Contact our law office today for a free consultation about your case, and let us put our 25 years of combined experience to work on your behalf.
How Our NC Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Build Your Personal Injury Case
Our motorcycle injury attorneys have a track record of successfully recovering compensation for injured motorcycle riders through negotiated settlements and trial verdicts.* In two recent cases, we secured $1.6 million and $1.5 million for injured riders.* We know that this money cannot undo the pain and difficulty of a serious accident, but we know that it goes a long way to addressing its consequences.
When we take on your injury case, you can rest assured knowing that it is in good hands and focus on recovering from your injuries. We can investigate the accident to identify the at-fault parties and collect the evidence to hold them financially liable. We can calculate the value of your case and file your auto insurance claim against the at-fault party’s insurer. Our attorneys negotiate with the insurance company to seek a fair settlement that covers all of your losses. If the insurance company refuses to offer an acceptable settlement, our lawyers are prepared to take your case to trial to seek the maximum compensation.
We’ve been protecting the rights of the injured for over 25 years, and we know how to handle insurance companies. We are aware of the tactics some insurers use to deny or devalue claims. One moment can change your life. Let us fight to get the money you need to move forward.
Liability in North Carolina Motorcycle Accidents
While many express a bias against motorcyclists, motorcycle accident statistics show that these crashes are often caused by the negligence of motorists, not the bikers.
To recover compensation for your motorcycle accident case, you must prove that someone else is liable for the motorcycle accident.
This may require evidence, such as:
- Accident scene photographs showing skid marks on the road, damaged vehicles, and visible injuries
- Traffic, surveillance, dashboard, and helmet camera footage showing the accident occurring
- Eyewitness statements that corroborate your version of events or provide additional information about the crash
- Expert witness testimony, such as from accident reconstruction specialists and medical professionals
- Medical records detailing the severity and extent of your injuries, as well as the necessary treatments for them
North Carolina is a contributory negligence state. If you are in any way at fault for the accident that injured you, the courts may prevent you from recovering compensation. This is yet another reason it is so vital to work with a skilled attorney who can work to demonstrate that the other party was entirely at fault for the collision.
How North Carolina Motorcycle Laws Can Affect Your Case
Several laws could affect your motorcycle wreck case in NC. First, North Carolina’s motorcycle helmet law requires all riders to wear a helmet when on a motorcycle, regardless of age. If you don’t wear a helmet and suffer a head injury in the crash, the at-fault party’s attorneys will likely claim that you contributed to your injuries and are therefore ineligible for compensation.
North Carolina law also entitles motorcyclists to the full width of their lane, meaning another driver could be at fault for the accident if they attempted to pass you within your lane. On the other hand, lane splitting – the act of riding a motorcycle between lanes of traffic – is a gray area. While the law doesn’t explicitly prohibit it, if you were lane splitting when the accident occurred, the other party’s lawyers may claim that you contributed to the accident.
Compensation Available After A Motorcycle Wreck
If someone else’s negligence caused the motorcycle wreck, they may owe you compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgeries, prescription medications, physical therapy, medical devices, and medical treatments
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity caused by the impact of your injuries on your ability to work long-term
- Physical pain and suffering caused by your injuries
- Emotional distress, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), caused by the accident
- Property damage, such as costs to repair or replace your damaged bike
If your loved one lost their life in a motorcycle collision, you can seek the following compensation through a wrongful death claim:
- Your loved one’s medical expenses
- Your loved one’s pain and suffering
- The loss of your loved one’s income
- The loss of your loved one’s household services
- The loss of your loved one’s compassion, support, and guidance
- Funeral and burial expenses
Top Related Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in NC
According to the North Carolina DMV, motorcycle riders account for ten percent of traffic fatalities despite only making up two percent of registered vehicles in the state. Additionally, in a recent year, there were over 2,800 motorcycle crashes resulting in injury and over 200 resulting in death. Many of these motorcycle accidents have similar causes, including:
- Motorists failing to respect riders’ right to the road, including by tailgating, failing to yield, and attempting dangerous overtakes
- Defective vehicle components, including faulty motorcycle brakes
- Poor road maintenance, including large potholes, uneven lanes, faded road lines, missing traffic signs, and malfunctioning traffic signals
Contact Our North Carolina Motorcycle Accident Attorneys to Start Your Claim
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in North Carolina, contact Stewart Law Offices today for a free consultation with one of our experienced injury attorneys. Our team is available 24/7 to answer your calls and return your messages. We’ll send a qualified attorney, not a staff member, to personally visit you at home or in the hospital to discuss your case, and we won’t charge you a fee unless we win your case.** Don’t delay – reach out today.