Were you injured in a motorcycle accident in Charlotte, NC? You may be entitled to compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Call Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers at (704) 486-5824 for a free consultation with a Charlotte motorcycle accident lawyer.
Our team of Charlotte motorcycle accident attorneys has over 171 years of combined legal experience fighting for injured North Carolinians. We understand the unique risks motorcyclists face and the challenges they encounter when seeking justice. Our lawyers have recovered $900 million+ (see disclaimer below) for accident victims across the state, and we’re ready to put our experience to work for you.
Why Choose Riddle & Riddle After a Motorcycle Collision in Charlotte, NC?
After a motorcycle crash in Charlotte, North Carolina, insurance companies frequently stereotype riders as reckless or careless. Our Charlotte motorcycle accident attorneys know that’s unfair, and we will fight to make sure your side of the story is heard.
Here is why Riddle & Riddle is the team you want on your side:
- Almost two centuries of combined experience handling personal injury and wrongful death cases in Charlotte, North Carolina
- A history of securing substantial settlements and verdicts for injured riders and their families
- Recognition from leading legal organizations, such as Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and Martindale-Hubbell, for legal skill and client advocacy
- A client-centered approach with a strategy tailored to your case
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our Charlotte personal injury law firm. We’re standing by to help you.
How Much Is My Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?
No two motorcycle accidents are alike, and there’s no automatic value for a claim. The value of your case depends on the circumstances of the crash and how it has impacted your life.
Some of the factors that may influence your award include:
- The severity of your injuries
- Past and future medical costs
- Whether you can return to work, and if so, in what capacity
- Lost earning potential if your injuries affect your career
- The physical and emotional pain you’ve endured
- The effect of your injuries on your quality of life
- Available insurance coverage
At Riddle & Riddle, we will work with medical specialists and other experts to fully assess your losses. Our goal is to ensure you receive maximum compensation for everything you’ve lost and will lose — not just the expenses you see now.
What Types of Compensation Can Motorcycle Accident Victims Recover in North Carolina?
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash caused by another’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover both economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages cover tangible financial losses, including:
- Emergency room and hospitalization costs
- Surgeries, rehabilitation, and physical therapy
- Prescription medications and medical devices
- Lost wages and diminished future earning capacity
- Repair or replacement of your motorcycle
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to your recovery
Non-economic damages compensate for more personal, hard-to-measure losses, such as:
- Physical pain and chronic discomfort
- Emotional suffering, anxiety, or PTSD
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement or permanent disability
- Loss of companionship or intimacy with a spouse
In cases where the at-fault driver acted with extreme recklessness (e.g., drunk driving), you may also be eligible for punitive damages. These damages are intended to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
Most motorcycle accident lawyers in North Carolina work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t have to pay anything upfront to hire an attorney. Instead, the attorney fee will be taken as a percentage of the compensation they recover for you through a settlement or court verdict.
If your case is unsuccessful, you typically won’t owe attorney’s fees. The percentage can vary depending on the complexity of the case and whether it goes to trial, but it is usually agreed upon in advance and ranges from 33% to 40%.
This arrangement ensures injured riders can access quality legal representation without worrying about the financial risk of paying out-of-pocket while recovering from an accident. Riddle & Riddle offers contingency fees in all personal injury cases.
What if I’m Partially at Fault for My Motorcycle Accident in North Carolina?
North Carolina has one of the toughest rules in the nation when it comes to shared fault. Under the state’s contributory negligence doctrine, if you are found to be even 1% at fault for your motorcycle accident, you could be barred from recovering any compensation.
This strict standard makes it crucial to have an experienced lawyer on your side. Insurance companies know about this rule and will often try to blame the motorcyclist to avoid paying claims.
At Riddle & Riddle, we know how to oppose these tactics. Our goal is to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve.
What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycles are smaller and less visible than other vehicles, which puts riders at greater risk. Many of the crashes in Charlotte are caused by negligence that could have been avoided if the driver had acted reasonably.
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in North Carolina include:
- Distracted driving, such as texting, using GPS, or adjusting in-car systems
- Failure to yield at intersections
- Unsafe lane changes due to failures to check blind spots
- Speeding and aggressive driving, which reduce reaction time and increase the severity of crashes
- Left-turn accidents caused by cars turning left in front of oncoming motorcycles
- Driving under the influence due to alcohol or drug impairment
- Tailgating or following too closely
- Road hazards, such as potholes, debris, and uneven pavement
- Mechanical failures, including defective brakes, tires, or parts
We conduct detailed investigations into every crash to determine who is responsible and why. Our attorneys will examine police reports, interview witnesses, review traffic camera footage, and, when necessary, consult with accident reconstruction experts to determine exactly what factors caused your accident.
What Are Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
Because riders lack the protection of a vehicle frame, motorcycle crashes often result in life-changing injuries. Even at relatively low speeds, riders can be thrown from their bikes or struck directly by larger vehicles.
Some of the most serious injuries we see include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Fractures and broken bones
- Road rash and abrasions
- Amputations
- Burns and disfigurement
- Psychological injuries
You may have a valid personal injury claim if you have suffered these or other injuries. We know these injuries affect every aspect of your life, from your work and your family to your hobbies and future. We fight to ensure that your damages fully reflect not just your immediate medical costs, but also your long-term needs and the personal toll the crash has taken.
Proving Negligence in a Motorcycle Accident Case
In most cases, personal injury victims must prove that another party’s negligence caused their accident to recover compensation. In North Carolina, this means demonstrating four essential elements:
- Duty of Care: The driver had a legal responsibility to operate their vehicle safely.
- Breach of Duty: They violated that duty by acting carelessly, recklessly, or unlawfully.
- Causation: Their breach directly caused your accident and injuries.
- Damages: You suffered actual harm, such as medical bills, lost income, or pain and suffering.
Proving negligence requires strong evidence, enough to show that your version of events is “more likely than not.” Our attorneys build cases using:
- Police accident reports
- Eyewitness statements
- Photos and video of the crash scene
- Medical records and expert testimony
- Data from cell phones, black boxes, or traffic cameras
- Testimony from accident reconstruction specialists
It’s vital to have an experienced trial team that knows how to gather evidence of liability and keep the focus where it belongs: on the negligent driver.
How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, the statute of limitations generally gives you three years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you are pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit for a loved one, the deadline is two years from the date of their death.
Missing these deadlines could mean losing your right to compensation in court, no matter how strong your case may be. That’s why contacting an attorney as soon as possible is important. Taking legal action early on not only ensures your claim is timely but also allows your lawyer to preserve crucial evidence and interview witnesses while memories are still fresh.
Contact a Charlotte Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Motorcycle accidents can leave lasting injuries and scars. But you don’t have to go through this ordeal alone. At Riddle & Riddle, we bring more than 190 years of combined attorney experience to every case, and we have the resources, skill, and determination to take on powerful insurance companies and win.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a motorcycle crash in Charlotte or anywhere in North Carolina, we’re ready to fight for you.
Call us today to schedule your free consultation with a Charlotte motorcycle accident attorney. Let us help you take the first step toward justice and recovery.