North Carolina Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

We fight for maximum compensation when you’ve been injured

Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable people on the road. It only takes one negligent driver to cause an accident that leaves a motorcyclist with serious and sometimes fatal injuries. If you’ve been hurt due to another’s negligence, you deserve financial compensation. But recovering the compensation you deserve is a complicated process.

The experienced North Carolina motorcycle accident attorneys at Brent Adams & Associates know how to handle insurance companies. Since our founding in 1973, we’ve been fighting to help clients recover the maximum compensation possible from negligent drivers and their insurance carriers. We also pursue compensation from all possible sources of insurance, including the client’s own insurance and their employer’s disability and health and accident insurance policies. We know the law.

Types of motorcycle accidents

On average, more than 3,400 motorcycle accidents happen each year in North Carolina, resulting in more 200 motorcycle accident fatalities and 2,600 injuries, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Such accidents can cover a wide range, including:

• Rear-end motorcycle accidents – Many motorcyclists sustain serious injuries when a car hits a motorcycle from behind.
• Head-on collisions – Whether it’s a city street or rural road, head-on collisions involving motorcycles can be deadly.
• Intersection accidents – Intersections can be particularly dangerous for motorcyclists. Motorists often fail to yield to an oncoming bike.
• Left turn motorcycle accidents – One of the most common types of motorcycle intersection accidents involves motorcyclists being hit by drivers making a left turn who crash into an oncoming motorcyclist.
• Speeding motorcycle accidents – Speeding drivers who don’t have time to slow down and avoid a collision often cause serious or fatal motorcycle accidents.
• Blind spot accidents – A common excuse drivers try to use if they caused a motorcycle accident was that the rider was in their blind spot and they simply didn’t see them.

Is this how your motorcycle crash occurred in North Carolina? Or are you dealing with a different type of motorcycle accident? However your collision occurred, make sure you fully understand your legal rights. Make sure you talk to a North Carolina motorcycle accident attorney at our law firm as soon as possible after your crash.

What causes bad motorcycle accidents?

There are times when an accident is the result of bad driving on the motorcyclist’s part, but often it’s because of the negligent driving of someone else. Many times, a driver is not paying close enough attention to the road and doesn’t see the motorcycle. The driver may have been texting behind the wheel or talking on the phone.

Other examples of driver negligence include speeding and aggressive driving, such as unsafe lane changes or failure to yield. Some drivers were under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In dooring accidents, motorcyclists are hurt because a driver opens the door of a parked car without checking for oncoming motorcycles.

Can I sue the driver who caused my motorcycle accident?

Yes. You can seek financial compensation for all of the damages you suffered as a result of the accident. These damages may include current and future medical expenses and lost wages if you couldn’t work. You may also be able to recover compensation for other types of damages, such as pain and suffering.

In North Carolina, you have three years from the date of your accident to take legal action. That sounds like a long time. But in a matter of months, evidence can be lost or destroyed and the memories of witnesses can fade. That’s why it’s important to get legal advice as soon as possible after you’ve been injured.

Will the insurance company pay for all damages?

Insurance adjusters have a job – and it’s not to pay you everything you are owed after being hurt in a motorcycle crash. Their job is actually to pay you as little as possible to help the insurance company save money and protect their profit margins. And there are many tactics they use to try to do that.

Insurance companies take the position that motorcyclists are often risky drivers, so they’ll try to blame you for what happened. Another tactic is to minimize your injuries or claim that they were pre-existing. Or maybe they’ll offer you a lowball settlement. It’s in your best interests to have a North Carolina motorcycle accident attorney who knows how to respond to insurance company tactics.

How much is my motorcycle accident claim worth?

There’s often a lot of debate when it comes to determining how much money you should receive for your motorcycle accident. The insurance company for the driver who caused your crash will likely try to downplay the seriousness of your injuries or might try to claim they don’t owe you anything since you somehow caused the collision, which you know isn’t true.

This is why you need a lawyer on your side, building a strong legal case in support of your motorcycle injury claim, which can easily be worth thousands of dollars or significantly more. The total value of your claim can depend on many different factors. But in general, you should be compensated for all your accident-related expenses, now and in the future. This can include:

• The total cost of your medical care, include emergency surgery and long-term medical treatments for chronic pain or other serious medical conditions.
• Repairing your motorcycle or buying a new one if your motorcycle was totaled in your crash.
• Replacement income if you cannot work while you’re recovering from your motorcycle accident injury.
• Lost future income if you cannot return to work ever again due to a permanent disability.

Can motorcycle accidents be prevented?

If you are reading this, you or someone you love was most likely injured in a North Carolina motorcycle crash. This is an emotionally traumatic time and we know it is difficult to focus on prevention when you are recovering or helping a loved one get well. We have created a few tips for you to share with friends and family to help prevent future motorcycle accidents:

• Drive defensively. The more you watch out for what other drivers are doing, the better chances you have to avoid a collision.
• Obey the speed limit. Obviously, if you’re involved in a motorcycle accident and it is proven that you were driving above the speed limit, your chances of your case coming out on top may be less.
• Take into account the weather and/or road conditions. Motorcyclists can succumb to bad weather or poor road conditions more easily than those driving automobiles. Drive according to the environment you’re in.
• Wear a helmet. North Carolina requires helmets, so obey the law and protect your head.
• Stay calm. If you are in an accident, try to remain calm. Having a clear head when speaking to law enforcement officers can greatly help your case.

Are motorcycle accident injuries more serious than car accident injuries?

Generally speaking, the injuries received in motorcycle accidents are much more severe than those from car accidents. The frame of a car provides some protection for drivers and passengers in a collision. But motorcyclists have very little protection out on the road. They may be hit directly by a car or the impact may throw them off their bike and onto the ground.

It can take months or years to recover from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. Some victims are left with a permanent disability. Many people need surgery, hospitalization, medication, physical therapy and multiple follow-up appointments with doctors. Medical expenses can become overwhelming.

Experienced attorneys who focus on maximum compensation

Many cases are resolved through a negotiated settlement. Some law firms are settlement firms. Insurance companies know that these firms won’t take them to trial, so they offer lower settlements. We are not a settlement firm. If the insurance company tries to lowball you, we are not afraid to take them to court.

If a motorcycle accident has affected your quality of life, or if a loved one has been severely injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, we can help. Whether you drive a Harley or a Honda, a sport bike or a cruiser, our attorneys will do everything we can to make sure you are protected to the full extent under the law.

There’s no cost and no obligation when you talk to us. We can review the details of your motorcycle crash and go over your legal options for pursuing financial compensation. We can also answer any questions you have. If we do represent you, you still owe us nothing unless we get results. We work on a contingency fee basis.

Our firm is proud to represent safe and responsible motorcyclists who have been in accidents, and fight for them to get the maximum benefits available under North Carolina law. We want them to continue to be able to experience the unique freedom they have on the open road. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation at one of our office locations with a North Carolina motorcycle accident lawyer who puts your best interests first.