If you or a family member was hurt in a motorcycle collision, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries and related costs. Our firm could help you start a motorcycle accident case to hold the responsible party liable in Shelby.
A motorcycle accident lawyer from our team at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, can explain your rights to you, offer legal advice, and work to build a strong case for your financial recovery. Consultations are free, and there is no upfront cost for legal representation from our firm.
In This Article
Types of Motorcycle Accident Injury Claims in Shelby
There are two main types of claims you may file after a motorcycle accident. Which type you pursue will depend on whether you are seeking compensation for your own injuries or on behalf of a loved one who passed away from the collision.
Personal Injury Claims
If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident because of another driver, you can file a personal injury claim to pursue compensation for your injuries or other damages, such as:
- Medical costs for your current and future treatment
- Time spent in recovery and away from work, leading to lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Other damages you suffered from the accident
Our team can help you value these damages and ensure we account for damages you face now and in the future.
Wrongful Death Claims
If you lost a spouse, parent, or another close family member in a motorcycle accident and want to pursue damages for this loss, you could file a wrongful death claim. These claims can provide compensation for the unexpected loss of emotional and financial support your family will suffer after losing your loved one.
Wrongful death settlements can also help cover burial and funeral expenses and financially atone for the pain and suffering or mental anguish your family endures as a result.
For a legal consultation with a motorcycle accidents lawyer serving Shelby, call 828.286.3866
What a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Do for You
When you are ready to start your motorcycle accident case, a lawyer from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, can help in a number of ways. We offer compassionate legal guidance, fair experience in personal injury law, and prompt communication.
Filing your claim in Shelby can begin with consulting our team. A team member will first examine all the details surrounding your case to help you understand your legal options. If you decide to work with us, we will begin collecting evidence to help build the case. Our goal is to give you the best possible chance of reaching a suitable outcome, whether through a settlement or court award.
Working with a lawyer from our firm after a motorcycle accident helps ensure your case is complete when you file it and not rejected for missing or incomplete information. We will also keep you informed every step of the way, communicate with the other party on your behalf, and fight for compensation that fairly addresses your damages.
Shelby Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 828.286.3866
What Factors Will Affect Your Case?
Any number of factors may impact your case. However, all personal injury cases take into consideration both negligence and liability.
Consideration of Negligence
Negligence, in legal terms, refers to a person’s failure to act in a way that someone else reasonably would have acted under the same circumstances. In the case of a motorcycle accident, this may involve a driver’s failure to follow safe driving practices and road rules, such as:
- Merging or changing lanes without signaling or checking for motorcycles
- Speeding or driving recklessly
- Not yielding the right of way to a motorcyclist when appropriate
If a person struck your motorcycle with their vehicle while committing these or similar actions, that driver could be considered negligent. The presence of negligence is crucial to your case because it allows us to identify who to hold accountable for your damages.
Proof of Liability
A motorcycle accident lawyer from our firm can help you hold another party liable for your damages if we can show that they were negligent. Moreover, we must show that their negligence resulted in your injuries and other damages.
If you are unsure whether another party is liable for your financial recovery in Shelby, we can let you know during a complimentary case assessment with our team.
Laws that Apply to Motorcycle Accident Cases
There are several personal injury laws that may apply to your case. Two of the most prominent of these laws are as follows.
Statute of Limitations
It is vital to understand that you do not have an indefinite amount of time to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
The statute of limitations, or time limit, for filing personal injury lawsuits in North Carolina is generally three years, according to GS §1-52. As soon as our team is aware of your case and begins representing you, we will determine how long you have left to file a lawsuit. This information will guide our next steps.
Helmet Safety Law
North Carolina law requires that all bikers riding a motorcycle wear a safety helmet, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).
Not wearing a helmet does not necessarily bar you from filing a personal injury claim. However, the defense may suggest that you are liable for your own injuries if you were not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
As your representatives, our team will work hard to show that you deserve compensation for the damages from the accident.
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Calculating Damages for Your Case
Damages in a motorcycle accident claim are generally grouped into two main categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Our team will help you determine which damages you may be able to cite on your claim and what they are worth.
Economic Damages
These damages are meant to compensate you for a specific loss, which can include tangible things, like:
- Loss of wages
- Medical costs
- Funeral costs in a wrongful death case
It may also include projected future expenses if you have permanent scars, disabilities, or are unable to work due to your injuries.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages cover the ways the accident affected you that cannot be easily calculated. Examples include the pain and suffering or mental anguish you suffered after the accident.
Case value will generally be decided based on what you had to endure and how it will impact your life long-term.
Call on Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, After a Motorcycle Accident
Reach out to our firm for help if you or your loved one suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident in Shelby. A motorcycle accident lawyer from our law firm is ready and willing to fight for you.
Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more.
Call or text 828.286.3866 or complete a Case Evaluation form