Motorcycle accidents are, overall, deadlier than regular automobile accidents. You rely on helmets and protective gear to protect you from severe injuries, but you’re still exposed. Fighting insurance companies requires a motorcycle accident lawyer who has:
- Experience with similar claims
- Legal skills to push back against insurers
- Negotiation experience
We’ll come to your aid, explain your rights, and protect them after your accident. You have a challenging road ahead of you. We’re here to help.
Schedule a consultation with us, and we’ll pursue a favorable outcome for your claim.
Case illustration in Gastonia, NC
Riding to Rankin Lake Park on a Saturday afternoon is something Carrie has done for years. She loves to walk in the open spaces and enjoy nature, but on this day, everything changed. US-321 was backed up, and a small passenger vehicle hit her motorcycle from behind.
Due to the slow speed, Carrie sustains minor injuries, will likely miss a week or two of work, and will need to have her motorcycle repaired.
Although she will be okay, she’s still facing:
- Significant medical bills
- Lost work
- Repairs or replacement of her motorcycle
North Carolina Motorcycle Accident Stats
- 3,315 car and motorcycle accidents in Gastonia
- 110 motorcycle crashes in Gaston County
- 5 fatal motorcycle accidents in Gaston County
- 3,712 motorcycle accident reports
- 2,847 injuries
- May had the most crashes at 436, followed by September with 431
Reasons That Accidents Occur
Accidents can occur for any reason that an automobile crash can occur, including fatigue, drunk driving, reckless driving, speeding, failure to yield, distracted driving, illegal turns, lane splitting, opening car doors without looking, poor weather, or blind spots.
If the other driver’s negligence caused your accident, you have a right to be made whole again.
As your motorcycle accident lawyer, we’ll determine the cause of your crash and hold those responsible accountable for their negligence.
What Types of Injuries are Caused by Motorcycle Accidents?
One study outlined the most common injuries in motorcycle-related accidents, including:
- 24% – 31% head injuries
- 17% – 28% face or neck injuries
- 23% – 30% thorax injuries
- 15% – 19% abdomen injuries
Road rash, broken bones, loss of limbs or amputations, disfigurement, or scarring are also common.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Safety is your top priority. Move yourself and, if possible, your motorcycle out of harm’s way. Call 911 and be sure to seek medical attention. If you can do so without further injury or risk to yourself, collect as much evidence as you can, such as photos and videos, the opposing driver’s information, and witness contact data.
Calling a lawyer is your next priority when you’re safely able to do so.
Choosing the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for Me
The right lawyer for you should be:
- Client-centric
- Willing to make your claim a priority
- Experienced in motorcycle accident claims
- Well-rated and reviewed
- A good personality fit for you
Consult with one or more lawyers until you find one you trust and who has a history of winning favorable claims for their clients. You need to be confident that your attorney will do everything they can to protect your rights and interests.
The Motorcycle Accident Injury Claim Process
The first step in the claims process is to schedule a consultation with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. During this meeting, you’ll discuss the details of your injury and the accident.
Next, your attorney will conduct an investigation and obtain evidence, which may involve obtaining police reports, identifying liable parties, and gathering photos or videos of the damage and accident scene.
Your attorney can guide you through the process of filing a claim and will handle negotiations with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement.
How Long Does a Motorcycle Accident Injury Claim Take?
No two injury claims are alike. Some may settle in just a few weeks, while others may take several weeks or months to negotiate a favorable settlement.
At Edwards Injury Law, we seek justice and the maximum compensation for each of our clients. Insurance companies are often more concerned about protecting their interests than paying what’s fair. We’ll negotiate on your behalf to protect your interests and fight for what you deserve.
Who is at Fault in Gastonia, NC Motorcycle Accidents?
In a motorcycle accident, the at-fault party can be held liable for damages. However, to determine fault, you must have evidence of negligence. That evidence can come from:
- Eyewitness accounts of the accident
- Accident reports
- Medical records associated with your injuries
- Physical evidence at the accident scene
- The other party’s actions, such as speeding or driving erratically
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, multiple parties may be held responsible for the accident. For example, the manufacturer of a defective part or vehicle may be held liable if the defect was a cause of the accident.
Do I Have an Injury Case?
To have a valid personal injury case, you must be able to prove that the other party was negligent, they owed you a duty of care and their negligence was the direct cause of your injury. Every motorist owes a duty of care to other drivers, passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists.
Proving negligence is a more complicated matter. There are many forms of evidence that can be used to establish negligence, including:
- Witness testimony
- Video or photo evidence
- Medical records
- Failure to obey traffic laws
There are many factors that determine whether or not you have a case. An attorney can review the circumstances of the accident and your injuries to decide whether or not you have a claim.
What is My Motorcycle Accident Injury Worth?
Motorcycle accidents often involve serious and catastrophic injuries, but even minor injuries can lead to costly medical bills and rehabilitation.
These costs will all be taken into account when valuing your claim. Along with the cost of medical care, you may also seek compensation for:
- Lost wages if you are forced to take time off to recover
- The loss of future earnings if you can no longer work in the same position
- The cost of future medical care
The financial toll of an injury can be devastating, but these aren’t the only costs associated with an injury. When valuing your claim, your attorney will also take into account non-economic damages, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of activities
Understanding how much your injury is worth is crucial and will allow you to seek fair compensation.
How Edwards Injury Law Can Help Your Case
At Edwards Injury Law, we understand that a motorcycle injury can change your life. You may be feeling lost and unsure of how to pursue your claim. We’re here to help.
We are proud to be a black- and veteran-owned firm that takes a client-centric approach to every case. Our clients’ goals are our goals, and our firm was built on a history of service.
Contact us today to speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer and schedule a consultation.
