Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in New Bern, NC
There are thousands of motorcycle riders across North Carolina, many of whom see it as more than a method of transportation, it’s a joyful pursuit or even a way of life. Unfortunately, when a collision occurs with another vehicle, the results can be disastrous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, collisions have a disproportionately high rate of severe or fatal injury, with motorcyclists almost 29 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries in a collision than occupants in a passenger vehicle. Even more troubling is that most collisions are not the fault of the motorcycle riders.
If you were injured or have lost a loved one due to a collision caused by another driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost wages, high medical bills, and even the pain and suffering you’ve experienced. Harry H. Albritton, a motorcycle accident lawyer in New Bern, is dedicated to securing favorable outcomes for his clients and will fight back against insurance companies to help you receive the damage you are owed.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
According to the International Institute for Highway Safety, motorcycle riders are at a higher risk of injury during a collision due to the lack of protection of an enclosed frame and safety features that protect passengers in a car or truck. This is not the only factor though. Often, motorcycles are less visible on the road to other drivers, leading to careless actions that cause accidents, such as:
- Failing to yield right of way
- Cutting off a motorcycle while changing lanes
- Opening a vehicle door into the path of a motorcycle rider
- Following too closely
- Driving while intoxicated
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
- Spinal cord and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Skull fractures
- Broken bones
- Severe skin lacerations
Why You Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Fighting for You
After you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be facing staggering medical bills and are unable to work, resulting in lost income. You may also be suffering from chronic pain as you work to recover from your injuries. Insurance companies are counting on your desperation and fear, and they may offer a settlement that is a fraction of what your case is actually worth. Even worse, they may attempt to downplay your injuries or insinuate you were at fault in some way, coaxing an admission that they can use against you if the case goes to trial.
Insurance companies in North Carolina rely on our state’s law of pure contributory negligence. This is a statute that means that if the victim is found to be even minimally responsible in any way for the accident, a jury can not award damages. For example, if a car was speeding and following too closely behind you, resulting in a collision when you slowed down, but you had a brake light out, a jury may find that you were partially at fault for the collision, thus not awarding damages in your favor.
Reaching out to a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible to negotiate with the insurance companies and investigate your case is essential to pursuing a favorable claim.
Statute of Limitations
In North Carolina, an accident victim has three years after the accident to file a claim. Often, insurance companies will slow down negotiations and try and run out the clock, knowing that once the statute of limitations ends, the victim will be barred from pursuing a legal claim.
Motorcycle Collision Injury Compensation
When a motorcycle accident case goes before a jury, they may find in favor of the plaintiff (the accident victim) or the defendant. If they find the defendant was at fault, they will award damages to the plaintiff, sometimes including both economic and non-economic damages:
- Current and future medical bills and costs
- Lost wages and future lost wages if the victim is unable to return to work
- Pain and suffering, including emotional distress
- Punitive damages which add additional damages in order to punish the plaintiff in severe cases of negligence or malicious intent.
Choosing Irons & Irons P.A.
Attorney Harry H. Albritton is a leading motorcycle accident attorney in New Bern who leads a team that is dedicated to fighting on behalf of our clients to negotiate favorable settlements and achieve favorable outcomes in court. From the first case consultation, we are working on how to provide the best representation, including negotiating with insurance companies, investigating the accident, and working with medical experts to determine the extent of your injuries and how your future is impacted. We strive to advocate on your behalf so that you can move forward with confidence knowing your future is secure and those responsible for your injury are held accountable.
A History of Successful Outcomes for Our Clients
We have helped our clients secure millions of dollars in damages for accident cases, including:
- $850,000 to a former airline pilot who suffered a head injury following a low-speed automobile accident.
- $300,000 to a college student who sustained orthopedic injuries when his motorcycle was forced off the road when another driver failed to yield while changing lanes.
- $100,000 to a client who suffered orthopedic injuries as the result of being struck by a driver who ran a stop sign.
Schedule a Consultation with a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Greenville, NC
If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident through no fault of your own, Harry H. Albritton and the team at Irons & Irons P.A. will fight to secure fair compensation. Reach out to us today at 252-320-7399 or fill out the contact form below to get started.