After getting into a motorcycle accident, you need a skilled Belmont motorcycle accident lawyer to help protect your legal rights. If you decide to pursue a legal case, they’ll be able to help you understand what options are available to you, gather evidence, and represent your case at the Gaston County Courthouse.
At Roberts Law Firm, P.A., we take client advocacy incredibly seriously. We understand what losses survivors incur after an accident and are here to fight for what you deserve.
At Roberts Law Firm, P.A., our personal injury attorneys and legal team are dedicated to providing clients with the legal representation and support they need.
Contact Us Today704.865.1271
Attorneys Roberts and Collins have dedicated their professional lives to protecting the legal rights of their North Carolina neighbors. The team at Roberts Law Firm, P.A., has over 40 years of professional experience helping residents get through their most difficult times in life. We offer free consultations to those living in Belmont and surrounding cities.
From your very first appointment, you’ll be treated with the empathy you need. Our team of skilled personal injury attorneys are committed to helping clients see a brighter future.
Motorcycles are an increasingly common method of transit for Americans, with 250,075 registered motorcycles in North Carolina in 2021. However, because of the lack of physical protection bikers have, accidents tend to be more severe than regular car crashes. In 2023, there were 3,917 motorcycles involved in crashes in North Carolina.
Knowing what steps to take after a crash can help you in the future, if it ever happens to you.
First, call 911 and get medical treatment right away. Even if you feel okay physically, motorcycle accidents often result in concussions and internal bleeding. These types of injuries take a long time to start showing symptoms, and can become fatal if not treated immediately.
Then, collect the contact information and insurance information from all parties involved in the crash. If the other parties are refusing to cooperate, don’t argue with them. It’ll only escalate the situation and make it worse. Instead, explain their non-cooperation to the police and law enforcement, and they should be able to get their information on your behalf.
During this time, don’t admit any fault in the accident or apologize to anyone. Doing so will only hurt your legal case, as it can be used against you.
Take photos and videos before you leave the crash site. These should include:
You’ll then need to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer to help you navigate the next steps.
Belmont residents use Interstate 85, Interstate 40, and Interstate 485 for daily commuting. These highways see thousands of drivers every day. In 2023, the average daily commute for Belmont residents was 25.5 minutes, making the likelihood of a crash high.
In North Carolina, survivors of accidents are able to request compensation from the other parties involved in the crash. In other states, the law uses a system called comparative negligence. This means that if both people share some blame, the filing party’s final compensation may be reduced based on their percentage of fault. For example, if the motorcyclist was 20% responsible, their compensation could be reduced by 20%.
However, in North Carolina, stricter rules apply. Courts use a contributory negligence system. Under this rule, if the motorcyclist was even a little at fault for the crash, they might not be able to recover any money at all.
Working with a Belmont, NC lawyer is crucial to your case not being dismissed. They’ll be able to evaluate your claim and see what options are available to you.
In North Carolina, a person can recover two primary types of damages in a personal injury case. Economic damages are easy to calculate, as they’re based on monetary losses. It can include medical bills and lost wages due to missing work. Non-economic damages are more subjective but equally important. It includes pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. Your lawyer will be able to request fair compensation during your case, based on your personal losses.
To have a successful motorcycle accident case, you need to prove negligence. First, you have to show that the other driver had a duty to be careful. All drivers are expected to use reasonable care on the road. Second, the other driver was not as careful as they should have been. Third, the other driver’s actions must have directly caused the injuries. Finally, you must show that you’ve been hurt or lost money because of the accident.
Extensive evidence is required in a motorcycle accident case. Courts base their final decisions on the evidence provided to them. Evidence can include photos and videos taken at the time of the crash, as well as dashcam and traffic camera footage. Copies of the incident report and medical records are helpful. Your lawyer can get eyewitness testimony and professional opinions from professionals on the cause of the crash.
You can speak to insurance companies without a lawyer there with you, but you have to be careful with what you say. Insurance companies are looking for you to make any mistakes so they can avoid paying. It can be helpful to write notes on what you plan to say. Only tell them basic facts about the crash, and don’t speculate about what caused it. If they ask you for a recorded statement, wait for your lawyer to be there.
Here at Roberts Law Firm, P.A., new clients have the opportunity to work with collaborative lawyers who focus on their unique needs. We operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that we don’t ask for payment until we secure compensation for your case. Contact our office today to learn how we can help you. We offer free consultations to those living in Belmont and the surrounding areas.