Over 6,080 motorcyclists died in 2021, a trend that continues to rise as more people are on the road. If your ride on a beautiful day turned into a nightmare because someone else’s negligence caused an accident, contact a motorcycle accident lawyer.
You may be able to seek compensation for:
- Medical care
- Lost income
- Lost future earnings
- Rehabilitation
- Assistive medical devices
- Damage to your property
Schedule your consultation with Edwards Injury Law immediately.
Case Illustration
Aidan is a college student who attends UNC Charlotte, and he lives in Concord. He’s planning a day trip from Concord to Wilkesboro, which is an 87-mile route that has stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Small towns alongside Highway 16 await, but as Aidan turns onto an intersection, a car speeds through the stop sign and hits him.
He’s shaken up. It’s evident his motorcycle is damaged beyond repair. Along with road rash, he has also broken his leg. Aidan will be unable to work in his floor supervisor position for a while and will not be able to pursue his internship until his injuries heal.
North Carolina Motorcycle Accident Stats
- 3,712 crashes statewide
- 2,847 injuries
- 210 fatal crashes
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Accidents happen – they’re never planned – but knowing their common causes can help you better understand how to avoid them. Reasons include:
- Distracted driving includes drivers taking their eyes off the road, driving while eating, on their phones, or engaging in other activities.
- Driving while under the influence or intoxicated.
- Fatigue.
- Illegal maneuvering, such as weaving in and out of traffic or the opposing driver not adhering to traffic signs.
- Speeding or reckless driving.
- Riding in the blind spot of other vehicles.
What are the Most Common Injuries Caused by Motorcycle Accidents?
Your accident can cause a wide range of injuries, such as:
- Broken bones
- Disfigurement
- Internal bleeding
- Head injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Scarring
- Road rash
Protective gear can help reduce your injuries, but you can still experience life-changing injuries or even amputation.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
As a motorcycle accident lawyer, we know that the steps you take after an accident are critical. You may not be in a position to do anything, or you may be considering not seeking medical attention. In either case, your health and well-being are most important.
You’ll want to be evaluated, seek treatment, and get a proper diagnosis immediately.
When you’re at the accident scene, and if possible, you should call 911, ask witnesses for contact information, and exchange insurance information. You should also call a lawyer as soon as you can.
Choosing the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for Me
You need a law firm by your side that understands today’s challenges and is willing to fight for the compensation you deserve. Your lawyer should:
- Offer experience
- Protect your rights
- Fight back against insurance companies
- Level the playing field
Local, well-rated lawyers that you can trust will help you receive a favorable settlement.
How Does the Motorcycle Accident Injury Claim Process Work?
Every motorcycle injury claim is different, but most cases will go through the following stages:
- Initial consultation, where you discuss the circumstances of your claim and ask any questions that you may have about your case.
- An investigation to gather all of the facts and evidence may involve visiting the scene to take photos, obtaining accident reports, assessing medical records and bills, and identifying at-fault parties.
- Your attorney will prepare a Demand Package, which will be sent to your insurer once you approve it.
- You’ll be notified of settlement offers, and your attorney will negotiate to secure a fair payout.
- Once a favorable settlement has been reached, your attorney will prepare a Settlement Agreement.
Most motorcycle injury claims are successfully negotiated and settled outside of the courtroom.
How Long Does a Motorcycle Accident Injury Claim Take?
Any motorcycle accident lawyer’s goal is to help clients get the maximum compensation for their past, present, and future damages. That process can take time.
You may wait 20-30 days to receive your first settlement offer. Negotiations for a fair settlement can take several weeks.
Every case and circumstance is unique, but generally, the claims process can take 30 days to six weeks – sometimes more.
Determining Fault in Charlotte, NC Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can be complex. Determining fault isn’t always cut-and-dry. You must be able to prove that the other party was negligent.
Negligence can be established through evidence, such as:
- Police reports
- Eyewitness accounts
- Physical evidence, such as damage to the vehicles, skid marks on the road or debris
- The other driver’s actions, such as speeding, driving erratically, tailgating, disregarding traffic signals
In some cases, multiple parties may be at fault. For example, if you are involved in an accident with a commercial driver, their employer may also be at fault due to negligent hiring practices.
Proving negligence and determining fault requires the help of an experienced attorney who has handled motorcycle accident cases.
Do I Have a Case?
An attorney can help determine whether you have a case. To have a valid claim, you need to prove that:
- The other party had a duty of care to you
- They breached that duty of care
- Your injuries were a direct result of that negligence
During our case evaluation, we’ll examine the details of the accident and if you do have a case, help you find the best course of action to take.
What is My Motorcycle Accident Injury Worth?
Motorcycle injuries can cause economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those that are easily quantifiable and include:
- Medical bills for the treatment of your injuries
- Rehabilitation during the recovery process
- The cost of future care
- Loss of income if your injury forces you to take time off of work
- The loss of future earnings if you cannot return to work
Non-economic damages are not easy to value, but they significantly impact the quality of your life. They can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of activities
It is crucial to ensure that your claim is properly valued, so you can seek the compensation you deserve. As your motorcycle accident lawyer, we will fight to protect your interests.
Contact Edwards Injury Law Today to Schedule a Consultation
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, having an experienced attorney on your side can make all the difference in the outcome of your claim.
We have helped many clients, just like you, pursue compensation for their injuries and hold responsible parties accountable for their negligence.
At Edwards Injury Law, we empower our clients and share in their goals. We are continually client-centric and built on a history of service.
As a veteran- and black-owned firm, we understand the challenges and struggles that you face. We can help you navigate the complex claims process and negotiate with insurance companies to help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Contact us to schedule a consultation.
