Durham Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Durham, NC
Our motorcycle accident lawyers have been serving the Durham area for decades. When you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Durham, contact the Durham motorcycle accident lawyers at Riddle & Brantley.
For a FREE consultation with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer, call (919) 728-1770 or complete the fast and easy form below.
There is no obligation and you won’t pay a dime in attorney fees unless we win your case and you receive financial compensation.
Call (919) 728-1770 today and let an experienced motorcycle accident attorney review your claim. We will advise you on your legal options and if you decide to hire us, we will fight tirelessly on your behalf for the justice you deserve.
Remember, the longer you wait to contact a motorcycle accident lawyer, the harder it may be to win your case and recover the compensation you deserve.
“Riddle & Brantley got me all the available money from the insurance companies.”
–David Howard, Riddle & Brantley client
How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in North Carolina?
All personal injury claims are subject to the North Carolina statute of limitations — a time limit for filing an injury claim or lawsuit. In North Carolina, in most cases, you have three years from the date of injury to file a motorcycle accident injury claim. In wrongful death lawsuits, you have just two years from the date of death.
Don’t lose your right to justice due to a missed deadline. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can evaluate your claim and make sure that the statute of limitations doesn’t expire before you can file a claim or lawsuit.
Increased Risk for Motorcycle Riders
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), There are more than 8 million registered motorcycles on roads throughout the country. Although this only represents three percent of all vehicles sharing the road, the fatality rate for motorcyclists is 27 times that of other motorists.
One important reason is that motorcycles do not provide as much physical protection as cars and trucks in a collision.
Some motorcycle accidents are caused by driver error, but in many cases, the motorcyclist is not the one at fault. Common factors in motorcycle accidents include:
- Lack of Visibility — If drivers don’t pay close attention to their surroundings, they may not see a motorcycle sharing the road with them. This could lead to danger while changing lanes or accidents caused by running motorcycles off the road or rear-ending a motorcyclist.
- Alcohol and Drugs — Drunk drivers, or those under the influence of drugs, can be dangerous to anyone driving on the road. Motorcycles are no different. An impaired or distracted driver may not be focused on the road well enough to see motorcycles. This can be a deadly mistake for one or all involved.
- Traffic Law Violations — All drivers must follow traffic laws, including driving at the correct speed, lane-changing procedures, yield rules, and much more. Violating these rules may cause crashes into motorcycles.
- Aggressive Driving and Road Rage — Aggressive driving and road rage are also dangerous when it comes to motorcycles. A driver may become frustrated with traffic and take it out on other vehicles. This could mean a serious crash for a person operating a motorcycle.
- Mechanical Trouble — Some motorcycle accidents are not the fault of the driver or the driver of another vehicle. It could be a malfunctioned part of the motorcycle that causes the accident. If the motorcycle has a defective part, it can put the driver at risk of the bike crashing.
- Road Hazards — Road hazards are also particularly hazardous to motorcycles. It is much harder to navigate potholes, large cracks, uneven pavement, and larger vehicles. A motorcycle hitting a sudden hazard can prove very dangerous for the driver.
Riddle & Brantley has successfully represented many Durham motorcycle riders with severe injuries. Let our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers help you determine which parties you can hold responsible for your motorcycle accident and injuries, and how to proceed with a claim or lawsuit.
Call a Durham motorcycle accident attorney at (919) 728-1770 or fill out the short form below for a FREE, no-obligation consultation.
We understand what you’re going through and we are here to help.
No win, no fee. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you won’t pay any attorney fees.
Call (919) 728-1770 to speak with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer today.
How to Prove Fault in Motorcycle Crash Cases
In a personal injury claim, proving liability is extremely important, and it can be difficult in North Carolina due to the law of contributory negligence.
Contributory negligence means that in North Carolina, a plaintiff can be barred from recovering compensation simply because they were found partially at fault for the motorcycle collision.
This is yet another reason why it’s so important to consult with a motorcycle accident lawyer if you’ve been injured, so they can help you prove liability and overcome the contributory negligence defense in a personal injury lawsuit.
What Types of Evidence Can Be Used to Prove Fault in a Motorcycle Accident Case?
- Medical records
- The official accident report from law enforcement
- Eyewitness testimony
- Testimony by expert witnesses like accident reconstructionists
- Photos from the crash scene
- Vehicle damage and debris
- Video surveillance footage or dash cam footage
- Truck “black box” data
- Traffic data from GPS and navigation services
Motorcycle Accident Investigations
At Riddle & Brantley, we have experienced investigators on staff to help investigate motorcycle accidents and prove liability. These investigators are retired law enforcement officers and they have extensive experience handling motor vehicle investigations. In the case of a hit-and-run accident, we can also coordinate with law enforcement to help identify the at-fault driver.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle crashes may cause serious injuries to the driver or passenger. People driving or riding on motorcycles generally have very little protection if they are in any type of accident or crash. Even when wearing a helmet, people on motorcycles can be severely hurt.
Common injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Head injuries
- Skull fractures
- Broken bones
- Amputations (loss of limbs)
- Serious cuts, scrapes and abrasions
- Eye injuries
- Dislocations
- Soft tissue injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Internal organ injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Spinal cord injuries
These injuries may require emergency medical attention. Some people may need immediate surgery and long periods of hospitalization. Other medical treatments may include physical and rehabilitative therapy, medication, home health assistance, and medical equipment.
After a motorcycle accident, victims may incur significant medical bills and lose out on income from missing work while they are recovering from injuries. These are all financial losses that can be devastating and put stress on the victim and their loved ones. It is important to know your rights as an accident victim.
For a FREE, no-obligation consultation with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer, please call (919) 728-1770.
There are no upfront costs and absolutely no attorney fees unless we win your case and recover compensation for you.
Call (919) 728-1770 and let’s talk.
Compensation for Motorcycle Accidents in Durham
The compensation you could be entitled to after a motorcycle accident hinges on several factors. In general, more serious injuries will result in higher amounts awarded because these can result in long-term medical costs and other associated expenses, such as lost wages and modifications to the home.
In addition, injuries that cause permanent disability or disfigurement may also warrant a higher amount of compensation.
As always, however, there are never any guarantees and potential settlement or verdict amounts will depend on the unique facts and circumstances of the case.
Motorcycle accidents often result in very serious injuries, including loss of limbs and amputations, traumatic brain injuries, and even death. At Riddle & Brantley, we’ve handled many, many serious motorcycle accident cases and secured millions of dollars for our deserving clients (see disclaimer below).
Damages available to motorcycle accident injury victims can include the following:
- Medical Expenses: If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be eligible for compensation for medical costs that result from your injury. These expenses can include transportation costs to and from appointments, ambulance costs, hospital bills, medication costs, physical therapy costs, and other related medical expenses.
- Expenses for mobility assistance devices and modifications to the living space needed to accommodate the rider’s limitations due to injuries.
- Lost Income: If your injury has caused you to miss work and lose income due to being unable to perform your job duties, you may be eligible for lost wages compensation. It could also include any unpaid bonuses or commissions due to the loss of work. Depending on the circumstances, you may also qualify for compensation to make up for the loss of future earning potential.
- Pain and Suffering: Emotional and physical pain from a motorcycle accident can often lead to additional damages when seeking compensation. These are commonly referred to as “pain and suffering” damages, designed to compensate the victim for physical and mental anguish due to their injury. These can include the impact of the accident on the rider’s lifestyle, including losses resulting from their inability to enjoy riding their bike, psychological trauma, and the effects of permanent scarring or disabilities.
- Property Damage: When a motorcycle is involved in an accident, there is a good chance that the bike will also suffer significant damage. In such cases, crash victims may recover compensation for repairing or replacing their damaged property.
We Believe Justice Counts
Allow our team’s combined legal experience of over 225 years to work for you. At Riddle & Brantley, the case review is always free. Call us today at (919) 728-1464.
In addition to serving clients in Durham, we also handle motorcycle accident claims throughout the Triangle and greater North Carolina, including:
- Raleigh
- Greensboro
- Charlotte
- Fayetteville
- Goldsboro
- Greenville
- Kinston
- Jacksonville
- Wilmington
Our intake team is available to consult with you at no charge by phone, email, text, or video conference, and we can even come directly to you if it’s easier and more convenient. Remember, there are never any upfront costs, and you won’t pay any attorney fees unless we win your motorcycle accident case and you receive compensation. Call (919) 728-1770 and let’s review your claim.
Why Riddle & Brantley for Your Motorcycle Accident Claim?
Our motorcycle injury attorneys have more than 225 years of collective legal experience. Fighting for justice for North Carolinians is all we do. We have been fighting for injured victims in North Carolina and the Durham area since 1985.
Injury cases are complex, and every case is different. The insurance companies have lawyers fighting on their side and we are ready to fight for your rights.
North Carolina has laws specific to our state, such as periods for filing a claim (Statute of Limitations) and contributory negligence which can be a total bar to recovery.
The experienced motorcycle accident injury lawyers at Riddle & Brantley have been serving the Durham area for more than three decades. We know the law in North Carolina and when you hire us, will work to get you the compensation you deserve.
Some of our recent results include:
- $1,000,000 | Motorcycle Accident and Traumatic Brain Injury — Our client was a passenger on a motorcycle when she was thrown from the bike while taking a sharp turn. She suffered traumatic brain injury and memory loss, among other injuries. The driver was held liable and we were able to negotiate a $1 million settlement with the insurance company, representing the limits of the policy in question.
- $1,000,000 | Motorcycle Accident — Our client was thrown 15 feet from his motorcycle when another vehicle pulled out in front of him. The driver of the other vehicle was charged in the accident and we represented our client in civil proceedings, ultimately securing a settlement of $1,000,000 from the insurance company.
- $300,000 | Motorcycle Accident — Our client was seriously injured when his motorcycle was T-boned by another vehicle. We proved liability in the case and were able to negotiate a settlement for $300,000 in total compensation for our deserving client.
*** Disclaimer: The results mentioned are intended to illustrate the type of cases handled by the firm. These results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and they should not be construed to constitute a promise or guarantee of a particular result in any particular case. Every case is different, and the outcome of any case depends upon a variety of factors unique to that case.
Please call us at (919) 728-1770 or fill out the short form below for a FREE, no-obligation consultation with a motorcycle accident attorney.
There is never an obligation, and there are no upfront fees or attorney costs unless we win your case and you receive financial compensation in your motorcycle accident injury claim.
Call (919) 728-1770 today and let’s review your Durham motorcycle injury claim.
Justice Counts for you and your loved ones, and we would love to help however we can.