Motorcycle accidents often lead to disastrous injuries and other subsequent damages. Even motorcycle riders who take safety precautions and follow traffic laws can still get into catastrophic collisions due to their small size and driver negligence. If you or a loved one was hurt in a traffic incident, be sure to contact a skilled Huntersville motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as you can.
The Law Office of William T. Corbett, Jr., P.L.L.C., has years of practical experience helping clients injured in a motorcycle accident, in and out of court. We understand personal injury law and know what to expect throughout the process, including what insurance companies try to do to avoid offering a fair settlement. In the event your case goes to trial, we can present a strong case on your behalf and protect your rights.
Motorcycle accidents are known to cause particularly severe injuries to motorcyclists compared to the physical harm of those in passenger motor vehicles. The reason motorcyclists tend to suffer more serious injuries is because their body isn’t protected inside a vehicle but instead exposed to the environment. This means the rider sustains the full force of impact in a traffic accident, and nothing prevents them from being propelled from their motorcycle.
In the event the motorcyclist is propelled after a collision, they may incur more harm by colliding with another vehicle, stationary object, or hitting the pavement. Not only do motorcyclists frequently suffer severe injuries since cars and other vehicles weigh much more, but motorcyclists are often hit since many drivers fail to see them or aren’t looking for motorcyclists.
Some common injuries a motorcycle rider may sustain within a traffic collision include:
If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident and weren’t at fault, believing another party is responsible, you can file an injury claim against them in civil court. After identifying the person or party responsible, the insurance provider may accept the individual’s liability, ultimately settling the issue out of court. The wrongdoing against you is settled by offering you a compensation payout. This allows you to recover the damages caused by the injurious incident.
While uncommon, sometimes a personal injury case has to go to trial. This may happen when insurance companies refuse to cooperate, accept responsibility, or offer a fair settlement amount. In court, your injury lawyer must systematically prove the at-fault person’s liability by establishing there was negligence in their conduct and that their carelessness caused your damages. If you are found to be partially liable to any degree, you lose the right to compensation.
The settlement payout for motorcycle accidents varies since each case is different. The extent of your injuries is likely to impact how much you may receive in compensation, the damages including all medical bills and lost wages.
If the accident caused long-term impairment or permanent disability, your settlement will be more than if there were only minor injuries. Other factors that can influence your settlement amount include the nature of the accident itself and how negligent the other party was.
North Carolina allows victims of motorcycle collisions or other injury accidents to recover pain and suffering damages. While there is no cap on how much pain and suffering one may receive compensation for, the amount must be within reason and relatively proportionate to the degree of injury endured. Your personal injury attorney can help you identify a fair amount to ask for, but the amount you may actually get is ultimately at the discretion of the court.
After getting into a motorcycle accident, it’s recommended that you remain at the scene until police and medics arrive. If able, check on the other people involved and exchange insurance information.
Document the accident by taking photos of the vehicles, injuries, etc. Refrain from admitting fault or discussing liability with other motorists until you consult with a qualified injury lawyer, which you should do as soon as you can. Seek additional medical attention if you require further treatment.
For many motorcycle accidents, the other driver is found to be responsible for the incident. Driver negligence can cause accidents to happen in a variety of ways. Drivers who ignore traffic laws or drive recklessly can easily collide with other motorists—especially motorcycle riders, who are sometimes harder to see. Running red lights, not yielding the right-of-way, making an illegal turn, merging unexpectedly, and speeding are some examples of driver negligence.
You’re not legally required to hire a personal injury attorney in Huntersville, North Carolina in order to pursue compensation after an accident. However, it’s strongly recommended since an experienced legal professional can ensure you are adequately compensated and help you throughout the process. An injury lawyer can advise you on what to do and not to do, assist you with paperwork and deadlines, and speak on your behalf in any meetings or proceedings.
While you don’t legally require an attorney’s assistance to pursue compensation after a motorcycle accident, it’s considered beneficial to do so. An educated and trained injury lawyer has years of practical experience representing clients who have been in a similar position as you. Reach out to us at The Law Office of William T. Corbett, Jr., P.L.L.C., today to schedule a meeting with an adept, knowledgeable personal injury attorney.