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Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Making sure you and your motorcycle are in the right

What motorcycles offer in terms of freedom and enjoyment, they lack in safety.

Accidents can come out of nowhere, caused by the negligence of another driver and giving the motorcyclist little to no time to react. And coupled with the vehicle’s small size and little protection, motorcycle accidents are far more serious and
deadlier than car accidents.

In the event of a motorcycle accident, it is crucial to ensure you have a skilled team of medical and legal experts supporting you. Having the assistance of the best motorcycle accident lawyer can make a significant difference in your case.

If you have been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in North or South Carolina, you need a DeMayo Law Offices personal injury lawyer on your side to get the compensation you deserve.

Contact DeMayo Law Offices today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case!

Common Causes of
Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents don’t always happen in the same way that car crashes do.

While rear-end accidents, T-bone crashes, and head-on collisions can all occur with any kind of vehicle, a few dangerous scenarios become much more likely when a motorcycle’s involved. They include:

The left-turning car

You plan to drive straight through the intersection while the car facing you turns left. You both have a green light. The car misjudges your distance or maybe doesn’t see you and makes its left turn so suddenly that neither of you realizes the impending impact until it’s too late.

This is the single most common scenario for motorcycle accidents in North Carolina. To avoid them, we urge bikers to assume that any left-turning car might make that turn at the last minute. Slow down and be prepared to take evasive action.

Hugging curves too hard

Motorcycles are known for their ability to lean into a curve, but some bikers push the limits too far. It can be challenging to maintain balance if you find yourself hugging a curve too closely (or at too high a speed).

Cruising in blind spots

Motorcycles are almost exactly “blind-spot size,” meaning they can cruise beside a car without ever entering the driver’s field of vision.

The wipeout

A motorcycle is driving along safely enough when a patch of gravel or sand (or some other roadway obstruction) suddenly makes contact with the front tire and causes the bike to wipe out. The biker might be lucky enough to survive with only a few bruises and a scraped knee at low speeds and light traffic. More often, though, wipeouts result in catastrophic injury or death, especially where high speeds or safety violations are involved.

Injuries From
Motorcycle Accidents

Since motorcycles don’t offer very much protection, severe
injuries are common, often with the threat of massive bodily damage and even death.

If you were in a motorcycle accident and sustained any kind of injury, you may be able to recover damages for your time away from work, medical bills, and emotional trauma.

Some of the most common injuries we see from motorcycle accidents are:

Broken bones
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Bruising
Road rash
Muscle tears
Neck and back injuries
Cuts/scrapes
Partial or complete paralysis
Internal bleeding
Organ damage
Spinal cord injuries

Even minor motorcycle injuries can result in hefty medical bills, time away from work, and prolonged pain and suffering. More severe injuries might also result in permanent disfigurement, disability, and the loss of future income, not to mention ongoing emotional distress.

In certain instances, settling through negotiations with an insurance company may not be feasible for motorcycle accident claims. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can pursue your case in court to secure the highest possible compensation for your injuries and other associated losses.

The motorcycle accident attorneys at DeMayo Law Offices can fight for comprehensive compensation in these areas and more, holding motorcycle manufacturers, negligent drivers, and their insurance companies accountable to the letter of the law.

If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, our attorneys can help.

Our legal professionals are standing by to discuss your case, so you can focus on your recovery. Contact us 24/7 by calling (866) 338-7477

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After a Motorcycle Accident

The most important thing you can do if you are in a motorcycle accident is to not panic.

As adrenaline runs through your body, it can be difficult to determine your level of injury. If you’ve sustained a neck or back injury, you may not realize it and could make it worse by moving around.

Give yourself a few moments and assess the damage before you get up. If you’re able to stand or walk, chances are you will be in shock. In this state, it can be hard to make rational decisions.

What to do after a motorcycle accident:

Call for help

Call 9-1-1 if you are seriously injured. You should at least call your local non-emergency number to let them know about the accident.

Find a safe place

If you are mobile and your bike can be moved safely, do so. If you are on a highway or interstate, getting as far away from the traffic flow as possible is a good idea.

Look for witnesses

You may find someone who saw the whole accident or someone who only saw part of it. Either way, witnesses can be critical factors in a court case.

Take pictures and make notes

Take pictures of every angle of the scene, your bike, your injuries, and any other vehicles involved. Note the time of day, weather conditions, your location, and the events leading up to the accident as you remember them unfolding.

See a doctor

It’s common for you to sustain injuries without realizing it. It can’t hurt to see a doctor who can check for injuries.

Call your insurance company

File a claim so they have a record of the incident. File a claim with the other driver’s insurer as well.

Contact a DeMayo Law Offices motorcycle accident attorney

Experienced injury attorneys can help take the burden of an accident off your shoulders and help you get life back on track.

What NOT to do after
a motorcycle accident:

Never leave the scene
Only do so if you’re being taken away in an ambulance to receive emergency medical treatment.
Don’t speak to the other driver
You may say something that could compromise your case.
Keep away from insurance adjusters
They are not out to help you. If they contact you, refer them to your attorney.
Keep your opinions to yourself
Share them only with your lawyer. Expressing your theories or speculations about who caused the motorcycle accident while still at the scene only has the potential to hurt you more.
Never accept settlements
Talk to your lawyer first. Many insurance companies will offer a low-ball settlement that is far less than what you are entitled to by law.
Don’t give a recorded statement
Don’t let anyone bully you into giving a recorded statement without the help of your legal counsel.
Don’t worry
The motorcycle accident lawyers at DeMayo Law Offices, Your North Carolina Law Firm™, are here to help as best we can.

FAQs:

About Motorcycle Accidents
At DeMayo Law Offices, we get a lot of questions about motorcycle accidents, especially when bikers or their families are trying to figure out their next steps. Here are some of the frequently asked questions our motorcycle accident attorneys answer:

What does North Carolina require for a motorcycle to be considered legal?

According to North Carolina state laws, a motorcycle must have the following to be considered legal:

  • A horn that can be heard within a 200-foot radius
  • A speedometer, exhaust system, and a passenger footrest
  • A headlight that is operational at all times and illuminates 200 feet of road
  • Brake lights that are easily visible from 100 feet and a rear light visible from 500 feet
  • A visible license plate

Requirements are always subject to change, so make sure you check the state laws regularly.

Can I still recoup damages if I was not wearing a helmet during the crash?

Maybe, but it may be difficult. In North Carolina, we operate under a strict contributory negligence doctrine that will not let you recover damages if you have any liability whatsoever for the accident. As you know, not wearing a helmet is a violation of state laws, which could affect your claim. Your experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can advise you on the specifics of your case, so contact an experienced law firm if you have doubts about your case.

In South Carolina, even if you weren’t wearing your helmet at the time of the accident, you could still file a lawsuit for injuries against the person responsible. No South Carolina law would prevent an injured motorcyclist from attempting to recover damages from the person who caused their injuries.

What can I do if the other driver was underinsured or uninsured?

When the at-fault driver only carries minimum coverage or is uninsured, we can help you file a personal injury lawsuit. Your attorney will work to prove the other driver’s negligence in court. Their argument will rely on documentation like the police report, your medical bills, photos of the accident scene, and any witness accounts.

What should I say to the other party involved in the accident or their insurance adjuster?

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, it is a good idea not to say anything too specific about the accident. Often, in the moments following an accident, people say things that may not necessarily be true. A potentially incorrect admission of guilt can severely impact your motorcycle accident claim.

Whenever you are making a statement to the other parties involved in your motorcycle accident, it is a good idea to have a witness, preferably a lawyer, present.

How long can I wait to file a personal injury lawsuit after my motorcycle accident?

North Carolina has a three-year statute of limitations on a personal injury lawsuit. We recommend you contact our law office as soon as possible after the motorcycle crash occurs. A competent lawyer will try to move your claim through the system as quickly as possible so that you maintain all your legal options.

If you’re unable to resolve your claim by negotiating with the insurance company, you may be able to sue for lost wages, potential future earnings, property damage, medical bills, future medical bills, and pain and suffering claims as long as you meet the three-year deadline. A specialized motorcycle accident law firm is well-equipped to handle such situations and possesses the necessary resources to persist in the fight, even if the insurance company attempts to prolong the process.

It pays to be proactive by contacting a motorcycle accident law professional from DeMayo Law Offices. Dedicated to advocating for injured riders like yourself, our local motorcycle accident lawyers tirelessly strive to secure the compensation you and your family rightfully deserve.

Taking the Next Steps

Some motorcycle accidents cause serious injuries.

Many more result in wrongful deaths. If your family member has been killed, you have a right to seek damages on their behalf.

Money will never fill the hole caused by a loss of life, but it can help to cover funeral expenses and medical bills. You may also receive compensation for:

  • Lost wages
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Future medical expenses
  • Loss of benefits
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Emotional trauma

We know this process is stressful, hurtful, and disheartening. We’re here to give a helping hand, lend our compassion, and listen. Our NC attorneys are experienced in handling motorcycle accident cases that result in injury or wrongful death. Consultations are free, and we only accept payment if we win your case. We’ll fight tooth and nail to make that happen. Call us today at (866) 338-7477 to schedule your appointment.

Contact DeMayo Law Offices

At DeMayo Law Offices, we have built an excellent reputation within our community.

We serve motorcycle accident victims throughout North Carolina. Our legal team is available 24/7, so you never have to wait long for a callback.

We have three conveniently located offices in Charlotte, Hickory, and Monroe.

Contact DeMayo Law Offices, Your North Carolina Law Firm™, at (866) 338-7477 if you or a loved one has suffered losses due to a motorcycle accident. We will provide you with a free initial consultation.

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