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Raleigh Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Raleigh, NC
Why Choose Our Raleigh Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
- We dedicate our practice to representing clients who have been injured in motor vehicle accidents and obtaining the maximum amount of compensation on their behalf.
- We have recovered over $500 million for injured clients in North Carolina.
- Our success is based on knowledge gained from previously working for insurance companies.
How Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help My Case?
Insurance companies tend to be biased against motorcyclists and will often look for ways to blame them for a collision. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer will gather all the evidence necessary to prove the other driver’s fault. This includes:
- Police and accident reports
- Video surveillance from businesses and traffic cams
- Photographic evidence from the scene
- Road conditions
- Medical records
- Eyewitness accounts of the crash
An attorney knows how and will handle all negotiations with the insurance companies to obtain maximum compensation and will prepare your case for trial if necessary.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Many different situations can lead to motorcycle accidents, such as:
- Speeding
- Failure to use safety equipment, such as reflective materials, a helmet, and a face shield
- Motorists that drift into the motorcyclist’s lane or cut them off
- Failing to inspect motorcycles and maintain them regularly
- A car braking suddenly in front of a motorcycle
- Driving without proper training or licenses
- Tailgating or failing to leave enough room between vehicles
- Lane splitting
- Dangerous road or weather conditions
- Failing to use headlights
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Manufacturing defects in automotive parts
- Distracted drivers
These collisions often result in severe and potentially life-threatening injuries.
Who is Liable in a Motorcycle Accident?
The reason why a motorcycle accident occurs will determine who is liable. If another driver strikes your motorcycle or causes you to crash, they were likely careless or made a mistake. Any form of careless driving, even when it is unintentional, is considered negligence. If the accident was avoidable, aside from the driver’s negligent behavior, they are liable for your losses. However, North Carolina follows the rule of contributory negligence. If you are found even partially at fault, you are barred from recovering any compensation. Proving the negligent driver was one-hundred percent responsible and should pay for damages can be challenging, particularly without an attorney.
Types of Available Compensation
Compensation or “damages” is meant to restore the victim or make the person “whole” again after a motorcycle accident. There are many types of compensation available to help with this, including:
Medical Expenses
Current and future medical costs, including hospitalizations, surgeries, doctor visits, rehabilitation, and any other necessary medical care.
Lost Wages
Current and future lost income while you recover. If you are unable to return to work or are forced into a different line of work, you may be able to claim diminished earning capacity.
Pain and Suffering
Compensation for physical and mental pain, including emotional distress.
Disability
Compensation to accommodate any disability (such as paralysis) that a victim may suffer as a result of a motorcycle crash.
Property Damage
Repairs to your motorcycle or replacement in the event of a total loss.
Loss of Consortium
Compensation for a spouse’s loss of companionship and affection
Wrongful Death
Tragically, many motorcycle accident victims do not survive an accident. Surviving family members can pursue a claim for compensation when another driver is at fault with a wrongful death claim.
Motorcycle Laws in North Carolina
Motorcycle and moped riders are required to wear a helmet at all times in North Carolina, regardless of age. All helmets must:
- Comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218
- Have a thick inner liner that is approximately one inch thick
- Have a “DOT” sticker permanently affixed to the back of the helmet
- Include manufacturer information, including the name, model, size, date, type of shell, and liner construction inside the helmet
For you to ride a bike that is considered street legal, other laws provide guidelines on the necessary safety equipment required:
- A license plate that is visible from 50 feet away at night
- At least one headlight that runs at all times and provides visibility up to at least 200 feet in front of the bike
- At least one tail light that is visible from approximately 500 feet away
- At least one brake light that is visible from at least 100 feet away
- A horn that can be heard from about 200 feet away
- A rear-view mirror
- An exhaust system
- A speedometer
- Footpegs or footrests for passengers
To operate a motorcycle in Raleigh, an individual must also either have a motorcycle learner’s permit or a motorcycle endorsement on their regular driver’s license.
Insurance Requirements for Motorcyclists in Raleigh
Motorcyclists are required by law to carry the same minimum amount of liability insurance coverage as other motorists in Raleigh. Those requirements are as follows:
- $30,000 in bodily injury per person
- $60,000 in bodily injury per incident
- $25,000 in property damage per incident
Motorcycles carry special risks that should be appropriately insured against. If you carry only the minimum liability limits, you may not have enough coverage if you are involved in a serious accident and are found partially to blame. Even if you are not at fault, the other driver may be uninsured or underinsured; then, the minimum coverages may still be insufficient.
Speak to an Experienced Raleigh Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you or someone you love has suffered considerable harm in a motorcycle accident, contact Nagle & Associates, P.A. We will help you prove another party’s liability and demand the total and fair compensation that you deserve. Call (919) 433-0035 to schedule your free consultation with one of our Raleigh personal injury attorneys today.