Charlotte Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, you should consult a motorcycle accident lawyer in Charlotte. Serious injuries and wrongful death resulting from motorcycle accidents can forever change the lives of families. The experienced attorneys from Stewart Law Offices are dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured motorcyclists and demanding full compensation for all losses.
Steps to Take Immediately After a Motorcycle Accident
There are several steps individuals should take immediately after a motorcycle wreck, including:
- Call 911 to report the accident.
- Move your vehicle. Once law enforcement arrives, they will instruct you to move your motorcycle off the road, or you may receive help if injuries prevent you from moving your bike.
- Take pictures of your injuries, your bike, the other vehicle, and anything else relevant to your case. If you cannot do so, ask a friend or family member to do so for you.
- Get information from all parties present, including the driver and any witnesses. Name, phone number, email address, and address are all good to have.
- Seek medical attention. Some injuries involve delayed symptoms, and a delay in treatment can cause harm to you and your case.
- Report the accident to your insurer. But avoid going on record with statements or signing anything. Wait for an attorney’s guidance here.
- Call Stewart Law Offices. Our team of North Carolina motorcycle accident lawyers is ready to fight for every penny you deserve.
Some steps may be impossible to complete if you are badly injured in a crash, but our attorneys are available to launch an investigation into your case and take over all the legwork in your claim.
Why Should I Hire a Charlotte Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
It may be more difficult for injured parties to try and recover compensation without the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney. Even minor injuries can be serious. Major injuries can include spinal cord damage, broken bones, and brain trauma. An experienced Charlotte motorcycle accident attorney will fight to maximize your recovery. Insurance adjusters are focused on profit and will do their best to avoid paying out the full value of the claim, so they will likely lowball the settlement. Our attorneys can help you file a personal injury claim or take the case to court to seek maximum compensation.
It is essential to hire a lawyer experienced in these types of accidents. If you are unable to work or live a normal life due to the damage a motorcycle accident caused, your Charlotte personal injury lawyer can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Compensation for Motorcycle Accidents
North Carolina’s fault-based system provides remedies for motorcyclists who are injured by negligent drivers. Under this system, drivers are financially responsible for injuries caused due to any form of negligent driving. Pursuing compensation for victims, however, will require skilled motorcycle accident attorneys who understand North Carolina laws.
At Stewart Law Offices, our dedicated attorneys may seek compensation for:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses related to your motorcycle accident injuries
- Damage to your bike
- Lost income and reduced earning potential for the future
- Pain and suffering
To build a strong case for full compensation after a crash, our law firm will work to collect all the evidence needed to support your motorcycle accident claim.
Evidence to build a strong personal injury case may include:
- An accident reconstruction professional’s report on the crash
- Accurate eyewitness testimony
- Law enforcement accident reports
- Medical records, including notes about your treatment regimen
- Testimony from you, should you wish to offer it
- Repair estimates or the fair market value of your motorcycle
- Additional investigative work
North Carolina has a three-year statute of limitations on filing personal injury claims, so it is important
that you speak with a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible after your crash to learn about your legal options.
Can I File a Motorcycle Claim Without Insurance?
Causes of Motorcycle Crashes in Charlotte
Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Charlotte have handled a wide variety of cases over the years. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes we see include:
- Left turns. Passenger cars making left-hand turns cause roughly 42% of all motorcycle-versus-car accidents. Being smaller and less visible means motorcyclists may be particularly in danger when cars run red lights or make sudden turns.
- Drivers who operate motor vehicles while under the influence. Drunk driving takes more motorcyclist lives than other forms of driver recklessness.
- Distracted drivers. Texting, fiddling with radios, fumbling around the front passenger seat, trying to apply makeup while driving, or trying to reprimand children riding in the back may cause drivers to crash into motorcycles.
- Aggressive driving. This form of reckless driving happens all too often on North Carolina highways. Changing lanes abruptly, tailgating, drifting into the motorcycle’s lane, and abrupt stops are common causes of motorcycle collisions – especially in inclement weather.
- Truckers who improperly negotiate turns. Motorcycles are hard for truckers to spot, but it’s the responsibility of truck drivers to obey the rules of the road. That means properly negotiating turns.
If you were injured in a recent motorcycle accident in North Carolina, we encourage you to retain legal help as soon as possible.
Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents
The unfortunate truth is that many motorcyclists lose their lives in crashes. The ones who survive are often left with serious injuries such as:
- Broken leg, hip, and arm bones
- Massive traumatic brain injuries
- Contusions on the face and body
- Spinal cord injuries, some of which are paralyzing
- Road rash
- Internal bleeding, which often has delayed symptoms
- Bruising
- Busted teeth, broken jawbones, and fractured orbital sockets
If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle crash, call our Charlotte wrongful death lawyers to start a claim today.
Why Motorcycle Accidents Are More Dangerous Than Car Accidents
While North Carolina authorities don’t provide motorcycle crash data at the city level, the statistics for Mecklenburg County illustrate why these accidents are much more dangerous than car accidents. The North Carolina Department of Transportation reports that of the 115 fatal traffic collisions in Mecklenburg County that occur on average every year, 14 involve motorcycles. In other words, about 12 percent of all crash deaths in the county were motorcyclists – even though motorcycles make up a little over 2 percent of all registered vehicles statewide.
What’s more, of the 262 crashes that happen in an average year, 43 involve property damage only, while 219 result in injuries. That means roughly 84 percent of reported motorcycle accidents county-wide result in injuries.
National data reflect these trends as well. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that during one recent year, motorcycle accidents accounted for almost 10 percent of fatal collisions while only making up 1 percent of overall crashes. Similarly, a report from the Federal Highway Administration states that motorcycle fatalities nationwide nearly doubled over a 20-year period, while non-motorcycle deaths dropped by about 34 percent in that same period.
Why are motorcycle crashes more likely to cause severe or fatal injuries? There are a few factors at work here, such as:
Motorcycles Provide Less Protection Than Cars
Unlike cars, motorcycles lack safety features such as airbags, seat belts, and enclosed cabins. In a crash, motorcyclists are directly exposed to impact forces, making injuries more likely and often more severe. Without a protective structure, riders absorb much of the energy from a collision.
Motorcyclists Are More Exposed When Riding
The open design of motorcycles leaves riders vulnerable to being ejected during a collision. Without the confines of a vehicle to keep them in place, motorcyclists often suffer severe injuries when thrown onto the road, into other vehicles, or against stationary objects. Ejection also increases the risk of life-threatening injuries such as head trauma or internal bleeding.
Motorcycles Are Less Stable Than Cars
Motorcycles balance on two wheels, making them inherently less stable than cars, especially during sharp turns, sudden stops, or on slippery surfaces. This lack of stability increases the likelihood of riders losing control and crashing, particularly in poor weather or challenging road conditions.
Motorcyclists Have Reduced Visibility
Motorcycles are smaller and harder to see than cars, especially in a driver’s blind spots or during low-light conditions. These factors mean many car drivers fail to notice motorcyclists, leading to accidents that could have been avoided with greater awareness. In particular, intersections are notorious motorcycle accident hotspots, as drivers often misjudge a motorcycle’s speed or distance.
Motorcyclists Have a Harder Time Avoiding Collisions
While motorcycles are agile, their small size and rapid acceleration can make sudden maneuvers unpredictable for surrounding drivers. This agility can sometimes work against riders, making it harder for other vehicles to avoid collisions with motorcyclists.
Motorcyclists Are at Risk of More Severe Injuries
In a crash, motorcyclists often hit the ground or other vehicles directly, absorbing the full force of the impact. Without a protective barrier, injuries such as fractures, head trauma, or spinal damage are far more common than in car accidents. Recovery from these injuries can be long and costly, with many victims facing permanent disabilities and impairments.
How Our Law Firm Can Help After a Charlotte Motorcycle Accident
After an accident, victims want answers. They’re confused, angry, and often experiencing physical pain. Working may not be an option for the foreseeable future, so medical bills and daily expenses can pile up. Despite the stress and tragedies victims face, insurers may add insult to injury by offering victims the smallest check possible to cover any “inconveniences.”
The dedicated attorneys at Stewart Law Offices fight for motorcyclists and their families. We understand that nothing can reverse what happened to your bike, your body, and now your livelihood. However, we will pursue the maximum compensation possible, with the goal of getting you on the path to recovery and closure.