The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported an average of 181 motorcyclist fatalities per year in North Carolina between 2015 and 2019.
According to the NHTSA, motorcycle use seems to be trending upward. However, despite more motorcycle drivers being on the road, motorcyclists face several risks when sharing the road with larger motor vehicles. Both motorcyclists and vehicle drivers can suffer severe injuries or even death if they collide with each other, especially if alcohol consumption is involved.
If you or a loved one was a victim of a motorcycle accident, you might be able to get compensation for your damages from the party responsible for your accident. A Marion motorcycle accident lawyer can review your accident report, among other forms of evidence and information about your accident, to determine who might be liable for your injuries and then help you pursue compensation from them.
Both the claims and lawsuit process can be long and arduous. You might appreciate the support that comes from a law firm like Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC. We try to keep our clients comfortable throughout their litigation journey and handle most tasks on their behalf so that they can continue to focus on their recovery. We serve various cities throughout North Carolina, including Marion, and we hope to serve you, too. Call our motorcycle accident team today at (828) 286-3866 to get started on your case.
Knowing How Your Accident Was Caused Can Help Determine Liability
One of the first questions you might be asked by one of our law firm representatives is: Do you know what caused the accident? It is okay if you need help determining this answer, but knowing this factor can help build your argument against the at-fault party, especially if you find out their negligence played a role.
Motorcycle accidents are commonly caused by:
- Drivers who do not check for other traffic before merging, changing lanes, or making turns
- Drivers who choose to drink and drive
- Inclement weather and uneven roads (e.g., potholes)
- Speeding and other aggressive driving behaviors (e.g., tailgating)
- Drivers who underestimate how fast the other vehicle is going before making a left turn
The Kind of Evidence You Need to Present
When building your motorcycle accident case, you will need to collect evidence that demonstrates a few points in your argument. These points generally include:
- The opposing party’s negligence led to the accident.
- You suffered injuries in the accident as well as other losses after the accident.
- Your injuries and losses are extensive.
- The accident could have been prevented if the opposing party had upheld their duty of care on the road.
Your lawyer may request certain pieces of evidence to first establish basic details about the accident, such as when it took place and what actually occurred during the event. To prove this, they might present:
- The crash report
- Photographs and videos of the property damage and your injuries
- Traffic camera footage or surveillance video that caught the accident
- Eyewitness testimony
Next, your lawyer might gather evidence that supports your claims about how substantial your damages are, such as:
- Medical invoices
- Repair bill documents
- Medical records
- Proof of salary
- Journal entries you made during your recovery
- Anecdotal testimonies from people in your life who knew you before the accident
If you need help collecting evidence, a Marion motorcycle accident lawyer may be able to obtain certain information on your behalf. Whether this means reaching out to expert witnesses for analysis on your accident or issuing legal requests for information from a liable party, your lawyer can build your case with comprehensive evidence.
For more information on what you might be able to use as evidence in your motorcycle accident case, call our staff at (828) 286-3866 for a free consultation. At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, we commit to being thorough in our work and hope to use our resources to support your case.
For a legal consultation with a motorcycle accidents lawyer serving Marion, call 828.286.3866
You Might Be Able to Recover Compensation for Multiple Damages
Once you have gathered enough evidence to substantiate your case, you may use this evidence to estimate the value of your losses. Certain damages might already have a financial value and can be easily totaled together with receipts or invoices. However, other damages might be more subjective and require a formula to calculate. Your lawyer can explain this in more detail.
Some damages you might claim include but are not limited to:
- Medical expenses
- Repair costs or the total cash value of your vehicle/motorcycle if it was totaled
- Pain and suffering and inconvenience
- Loss of income
- Permanent disability
- Lifestyle expenses if you require assistance to do daily tasks
Marion Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 828.286.3866
Do Not Forget to File Your Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit on Time
One of the crucial things to remember throughout the claims process is the statute of limitations. Even if you are negotiating with the liable party’s insurance representative or legal team, you want to keep track of how long it has been since your motorcycle accident. Should negotiations come to a standstill, you might want to keep a personal injury lawsuit available as an option for pursuing compensation.
However, if you miss the deadline to sue, you might lose the opportunity to compel the liable party to compensate you for your damages.
Keep the following general deadlines in mind:
- North Carolina General Statutes (GS) §1-52: three years to file a personal injury lawsuit
- North Carolina General Statutes (GS) §1-53: two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit
Click to contact our Marion Personal Injury Lawyers today
Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, Wants to Help Motorcycle Accident Victims
Motorcycle accident victims who would like to get some legal assistance with their personal injury claims or lawsuits are invited to call Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, at (828) 286-3866 for a free consultation. During this case review, a member of our legal team can explain more about what tasks we are willing to take on and what steps we can start taking now to develop your case.
Not sure if you can afford a lawyer? The good news is that our lawyers work on a contingency-fee-basis, meaning you are not obligated to pay any attorney’s fees upfront. In fact, if we do not win your case, you are not obligated to pay any attorney’s fees at all. Let a Marion motorcycle accident lawyer from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, support you by reaching out to our law firm today.
Call or text 828.286.3866 or complete a Case Evaluation form