Charlotte Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Charlotte Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycles are very popular in the Charlotte area and throughout North Carolina. While most riders are able to enjoy their time on their bikes without issue, motorcycle accidents can happen unexpectedly to even the most experienced and cautious riders.

If you or a family member recently sustained injuries from a motorcycle accident that someone else caused, a Charlotte motorcycle accident lawyer can help you hold them accountable for your damages.

Representing Motorcycle Accident Claims in Charlotte, NC

The Tatum Law Firm, PLLC, has extensive experience representing complex personal injury claims in Charlotte, including many arising from motorcycle accidents. While any vehicle accident has the potential to cause devastating harm to those involved, the risk of catastrophic or fatal injury is much greater from a motorcycle accident. If you have experienced such an accident, you need a Charlotte motorcycle accident lawyer to help you recover.

Our firm focuses on the client’s individual needs in every case we accept. We know that no two cases are alike and that every injured victim faces unique challenges as they seek compensation for their damages. They may also have unique opportunities that they may overlook on their own. Our goal for every motorcycle accident case we accept is maximum client recovery in the shortest possible timeframe.

When you choose the Tatum Law Firm, PLLC, to represent your case, you are investing in more than 20 years of professional legal experience and can have a responsive legal advocate ready to answer your questions and address your concerns as they arise throughout your case proceedings. We can assist you in building a comprehensive strategy that aims for the maximum compensation possible in the most efficient manner.

How to Prove Fault for Your Recent Motorcycle Accident in Charlotte

The state upholds the fault system for resolving vehicle accident cases. This means you will need to firmly establish liability for your recent accident before you can recover any compensation for your damages. Proving fault is more straightforward in some cases than others, and a few of the most commonly cited causes of motorcycle crashes in the Charlotte area include:

• Distracted Driving: This is one of the leading causes of all vehicle accidents in the state, and motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to distracted drivers. Your Charlotte motorcycle accident lawyer can help gather the proof you need to show that another driver was distracted behind the wheel when they caused your accident.
• Speeding: It is illegal for any driver to exceed the speed limit, and motorcycle accidents that happen at higher speeds are likely to result in catastrophic or fatal injuries. Excessive speeding could also lead to reckless driving charges, especially if the speeding driver caused a serious accident.
• Traffic Violations: All drivers have a duty of care to follow the rules of the road and to yield the right-of-way when appropriate to maintain a safe flow of traffic. Any type of moving violation can potentially catch another motorist unaware. For example, running a red light or stop sign or performing an illegal turn can result in a serious motorcycle accident.
• Intoxicated Driving: It is illegal for any driver to operate their vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Driving while intoxicated (DWI) can lead to jail time, heavy fines, driver’s license suspension, and the at-fault driver will face liability for the damages they caused to others.

These are just a few examples of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents throughout the state each year. You will need to firmly establish the other driver’s liability before you can recover any compensation for your damages. If you are concerned that you bear partial fault for your recent accident, it is imperative that you consult a Charlotte motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.

The state follows the contributory negligence rule. Under this rule, if a plaintiff is found partially liable for causing the damages cited in a civil claim, the shared fault will negate their ability to claim compensation from the defendant. Even a slight contributory fault could mean losing your ability to claim damages from the driver who hit you, so it is vital to have an attorney who can help disprove any allegations of shared fault in your motorcycle accident case.

Filing Your Auto Insurance Claim in Charlotte

Every driver in the state is legally required to have auto insurance that meets basic coverage requirements. At a minimum, a driver’s insurance must include $30,000 in bodily injury liability coverage for a single person and $60,000 in bodily injury liability coverage for multiple persons injured in the same accident. Their policy must also provide at least $25,000 in property damage liability coverage to pay for vehicle repair costs.

After a motorcycle accident, you only have a few days in which to file your auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver. It’s vital to seek medical attention immediately and to consult a Charlotte motorcycle accident lawyer who can help you with your insurance claim. They can not only make filing your claim easier, but they can also address any unexpected issues you encounter with the defendant’s insurance carrier.

Once the insurance company completes its investigation of your claim, it will deliver a determination of benefits that explains the compensation they will provide for your damages. When you have an experienced attorney representing you, you are far less likely to encounter any bad faith handling of your claim than you may encounter if you tried handling the claim on your own.

Building Your Personal Injury Case for a Motorcycle Accident in Charlotte

After recovering as much compensation as you can through auto insurance, or if the at-fault driver does not have auto insurance, you will need to file a personal injury claim to recover your remaining damages. The main objective of any personal injury case is to prove liability for your damages and to secure compensation for those damages. An experienced attorney can make this process much easier and more likely to yield positive results.

Success with any personal injury claim in Charlotte requires clear proof of the damages the defendant caused. You must not only prove fault for your motorcycle accident but also that the accident resulted in actual harm. The plaintiff in a personal injury case has the right to claim compensation for any direct financial losses they suffered from the defendant’s actions, as well as compensation for non-economic damages.

In Charlotte, North Carolina, your motorcycle accident lawyer can help identify all the damages you may cite in your claim, which may include:

• Vehicle repair costs and other property damage. The defendant’s auto insurance may only cover a portion of these losses, and you can add any remainder to your personal injury suit as economic damages.
• Medical treatment costs. Motorcycle accidents have a high chance of causing severe injuries, many of which require extensive ongoing care. The defendant who injured you is liable for the full extent of medical treatment you need to reach maximum medical improvement from any injuries you suffered in the accident.
• Lost wages. You may not be able to work while you recover from your injuries. If so, the defendant is liable for any income you are unable to earn during this time.
• Lost earning power. Many motorcycle accident victims are left permanently disabled, unable to work and earn income following their accidents. If this applies to your situation, the defendant is liable for the income you otherwise would have been able to earn in the future. An experienced Charlotte motorcycle accident lawyer will know how to accurately calculate these projected losses.
• Pain and suffering. Your accident may have caused painful injuries and psychological distress, and you have the right to seek financial compensation for the physical pain and emotional suffering the defendant inflicted. There is no limit to this aspect of your claim, and a good attorney can help maximize this portion of your final case award.

If the defendant caused your accident through egregious negligence or illegal misconduct, they may owe punitive damages as well. These are awarded at a judge’s discretion, and the amount a defendant pays depends on their financial status and the severity of their actions. Your attorney can advise you if and how punitive damages could factor into your recovery.

When you choose Brian Steed Tatum to represent your motorcycle accident case in Charlotte, you will have immediate access to a responsive legal advocate ready to provide the guidance you need to approach your case with confidence. You have a limited window in which to file your personal injury suit and an even shorter time limit for filing an auto insurance claim. We can help with both of these recovery efforts, so it’s important to contact us as soon as possible.

Charlotte Motorcycle Accidents FAQs

Q: How Do You Prove Liability for a Motorcycle Accident?

A: North Carolina’s fault system requires proving fault for your motorcycle accident before you will be able to recover any compensation for your damages. You must identify the driver who hit you and prove exactly how they caused your accident before you can hold them accountable for your losses. Vehicle computer data, cell phone records, eyewitness statements, traffic camera footage, and physical evidence from the scene of the accident may all prove vital to your case.

Q: What Happens if the At-Fault Driver Does Not Have Auto Insurance?

A: Filing an insurance claim against the driver who caused your recent accident is typically the first step in the recovery process, but only if they have auto insurance as required by state law. If you were hurt by an uninsured driver, you could file a claim against your own insurance policy if you have purchased uninsured motorist coverage. If not, you will need to file a personal injury suit against the at-fault driver as soon as possible to recover your losses.

Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Motorcycle Accident?

A: You have the right to hold an at-fault driver accountable for the full scope of damages they caused in your recent accident. The total value of your impending motorcycle accident case could include vehicle repair costs, immediate and future medical bills, lost wages, and lost future earning capacity if you have been permanently disabled. You may also claim as much pain and suffering compensation as you deem suitable to reflect the severity of your injuries.

Q: Will I Win More Compensation if I Hire a Charlotte Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

A: Legal counsel you can trust is the most important asset you can have for a motorcycle accident claim when it comes to maximizing your recovery in Charlotte. A seasoned legal team can streamline your case proceedings and potentially uncover avenues of recovery you did not know you could claim. You are more likely to succeed with your case and more likely to maximize your total compensation with an attorney you can trust to represent you.

Q: What Does It Cost to Hire a Charlotte Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

A: Do not assume that hiring an attorney would be too expensive. The Tatum Law Firm, PLLC, offers a contingency fee policy for personal injury clients. With a contingency fee agreement, you pay nothing until your attorney wins your case, and once they do, you only part with a percentage of the total case award they recover on your behalf. There is no fee at all if they are unable to secure compensation for your damages.

Additional Links Regarding Motorcycle Accidents

If you have specific questions concerning your recent motorcycle accident, it’s important to consult an experienced Charlotte motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. The following links include detailed information for various types of motorcycle accidents that may shed additional light on your current legal situation:

• Left-turn collisions with motorcycles
• Motorcycle helmet laws
• Limited visibility motorcycle accidents
• Laws regarding motorcycles
• Motorcycle accidents caused by losing control
• Motorcycle maneuverability accidents
• Serious injuries caused by motorcycle accidents
• Motorcycle on-road experience
• Motorcycle rear-end collisions
• Motorcycle right-of-way violations
• Single-bike motorcycle accidents
• Motorcycle broadside collisions
• Motorcycle head-on collisions
• Motorcycle accidents caused by impaired driving
• Motorcycle types and engine capacity
• Motorcycle accidents caused by unsafe lane changing

Hopefully, these links can provide further insights regarding your recent motorcycle accident in Charlotte. Every case is unique, and every victim will face different challenges as they seek compensation for the losses they’ve suffered. If you are ready to learn how an experienced Charlotte motorcycle accident lawyer can help you recover, contact the Tatum Law Firm, PLLC today to schedule a free consultation with our team.