Marion Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Marion Motorcycle Accident Attorney

There are so many benefits to riding a motorcycle. Riders often enjoy the freedom, exhilaration, and fuel savings that come from riding a motorcycle. Safety can tend to be in the back of every rider’s mind, however. Motorcycle accidents can be devastating. If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact a Marion motorcycle accident lawyer.

The costs of a motorcycle accident are often significant. Property damage, medical bills, lost wages, and the ensuing emotional and psychological impacts can build up. The expenses associated with these damages are the legal responsibility of those who caused the accident, and a Marion motorcycle accident lawyer, like those at the Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, can help you hold them accountable.

What a Marion Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Do for Your Claim

If you want to give yourself the greatest chance of recovering compensation for all accident-related costs, then you should work with a Marion motorcycle accident law firm. Your lawyer can fight to seek recovery through settlement negotiations or by taking the claim to trial if necessary. The following are a few of the actions that a motorcycle accident attorney can take to work your case on your behalf:

• Investigate. We investigate the accident to figure out who may have been at fault. This could be a driver, the local municipality that manages the road, or even the manufacturer of a part that failed. There are many ways an accident could occur and many different potentially liable parties.Part of our investigation process will also include gathering evidence that can help prove liability should the case go to court. It’s also important that we gather evidence that can help argue against any counterclaims that you were at fault for the accident, as that could threaten your compensation.
• Negotiate. There is almost always an attempt to negotiate a settlement before letting a case go to trial. Having a lawyer representing you in this process can be important for several reasons. Firstly, it prevents you from accidentally saying something that could, in court, be misconstrued as you taking responsibility for the accident. It also tends to push the insurance companies to take the case a little more seriously. They realize that there is a greater likelihood of going to court when there is a lawyer on the other side. This may motivate them to find a resolution more quickly.
• Represent. As much as there may be some benefit to settling a claim, it needs to be on the right terms, and that doesn’t always happen. If that’s the case, it may be necessary to take the claim to court to seek the restitution you need. We represent you through that process and advocate for your position. We make the case for the liability of the defendant while arguing against claims of fault on your part. We do whatever we can in the process to seek fair compensation for your injuries.

What to Do If You’ve Been in a Motorcycle Accident

If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident in Marion, NC, there are a few things that you may want to consider in order to protect your claim and your ability to seek restitution:

• Seek medical attention. It’s important to get prompt medical attention for yourself to ensure your injuries are properly treated. It also provides strong support for receiving compensation for those injuries. Try to get a full medical examination immediately following the accident to ensure no injuries are missed.
• Document what you can. Depending on the severity of your injuries, it may be helpful to collect documentation that could be useful in proving fault. Photos and videos at the scene of the accident, including damage and traffic signs, can all be helpful. It’s also wise to continue documenting everything related to your injuries and associated costs, particularly bills. It is better to collect more information that you may need rather than less, as your lawyer can always filter out the most helpful information later.
• Be careful what you say. It’s important to be careful about what you say with regard to the accident. The defense party’s lawyers will be looking for anything they can use to claim you were accepting fault for the accident. It’s generally better to let your lawyer handle as much as possible.

Compensation You Can Recover in a Marion Motorcycle Accident Claim

The restitution in a motorcycle claim must be for those costs that are a direct result of the injuries that you suffered in the accident. Compensation is paid out through damages, generally coming in two different forms.

• Economic damages. Costs that have a clear, calculable financial element are considered economic damages. Property damage to the motorcycle would be included. Any medical bills related to your injuries, as well as any lost wages from missing work, would also be a part of these damages. If the injuries are serious enough to cause future medical bills and loss of earning capacity, those would also constitute economic damages.
• Non-economic damages. There are other costs of an accident which are less tangible. These are generally more psychological and emotional. They include the loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium in the case of wrongful death. These losses are compensated through non-economic damages. Compensation for non-economic damages can help alleviate the burden incurred by the impacts of the motorcycle accident.

Marion Motorcycle Accident FAQs

Q: What Is the Quickest Way to Receive Compensation?

A: Generally, a settlement is going to get you compensation for your injuries much more quickly than if you were to go to court. It’s not uncommon for it to be months or even years between the time that a claim is filed and when the damages are finally paid. In settlements, however, the date of payment is dictated by the terms of the settlement, which is often about 30 days after it is signed. Settlements will likely represent a lower award amount than if you were to successfully win a court case.

Q: Will Contributory Negligence Take Away My Compensation?

A: It is possible that contributory negligence could take away your compensation. The process allows the defendant to try and convince the court that you were at least partially to blame for the injuries that you suffered. If they are successfully able to persuade the court that you are even just 1% responsible for your own injuries, that could take away your right to collect damages. This is one of the most important things your lawyer will investigate and be prepared to argue against.

Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim?

A: Generally, the statute of limitations in a personal injury claim in North Carolina is three years. This means that a claim will need to be filed within three years of the date that the accident occurred. There are a few exceptions to this rule. For instance, if you are filing a claim against the government, the deadline is usually far sooner, usually six months. It’s important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible following your accident so that you understand the deadlines in your case.

Q: What Should I Look For in a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

A: There are a number of different characteristics that can be important to have in a motorcycle accident lawyer. You will want someone who is knowledgeable regarding the laws and statutes related to your case and has proven experience handling cases similar to yours. Most importantly, though, you should look for a lawyer with whom you’re comfortable. You need to have someone you trust handling your case.

Give Yourself a Strong Chance at Recovery by Working With an Attorney

The costs associated with a motorcycle accident can be extensive. Often, there’s significant damage to the bike, and that’s if you are lucky. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents often result in some of the most significant injuries that any kind of motor vehicle accident can have. This often means you will have significant medical bills and likely have missed work for a period of time. There’s also the psychological impact of dealing with the pain and suffering and any potentially permanent effects of the accident.

Contact Your Marion Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

It’s likely that you will be trying to seek the compensation that you’re owed from the insurance provider of whoever caused the accident. For many, this process can only add to the frustrations that they may already be feeling. Seeking fair and just compensation is important because it allows you to recover from your damages more fully.

However, when you work with a Marion motorcycle accident lawyer and law firm, like those at the Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, you can at least know that you have someone with knowledge and experience representing you and pursuing the compensation you need. If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident, contact us today to discuss your case. Our legal team represents clients all over Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties, as well.