Have you been involved in a motorcycle accident in Durham, North Carolina? If you’re dealing with painful injuries and wondering how you’re going to cover your medical bills and income losses, don’t lose hope. You have the right to seek compensation for what you’ve suffered, and a knowledgeable attorney can help.
Kornbluth Ginsberg Law Group, P.A., can provide the support you need during this tough time. We have a strong background in handling cases like yours and can help you pursue your legal options. Our lawyers are prepared to work diligently to represent your interests and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Don’t wait to get the help you need. Contact Kornbluth Ginsberg today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Discover what a Durham, NC, motorcycle accident lawyer from our firm can do for you.
Benefits of Hiring a Durham, NC, Attorney for Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, a Durham motorcycle accident lawyer can play a crucial role in securing the compensation you need.
Your attorney can bring strong expertise and benefit your injury claim by:
- Conducting a thorough investigation into the accident
- Gathering evidence to support your injury claim
- Consulting medical experts to understand the full extent of your injuries
- Advising you on the legal options available to you
- Calculating the total value of your claim
- Filing all necessary claim documents correctly and on time
- Communicating with all parties involved in your case
- Negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf
- Representing you in court if a trial is necessary
- Never charging anything unless they secure compensation for your accident
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
In the aftermath of a motorcycle accident in Durham, North Carolina, you should take the following specific steps to protect your health and legal rights:
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention – Even if you don’t think you are seriously injured, you should see a doctor promptly since some injuries might not immediately show symptoms.
- Document the Accident – Take photographs of the accident scene, your motorcycle, and any injuries you sustained. If any witnesses are present, get their names and contact information.
- Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney – An experienced lawyer from Kornbluth Ginsberg can protect your rights, guide you through the legal process, and work to secure the compensation you need.
- Notify Your Insurance Company – Inform your insurance provider about the accident, but avoid giving detailed statements or accepting settlement offers without consulting your attorney.
- Avoid Discussing the Accident on Social Media – If you share any details about the accident or your injuries online, the other side and the insurance companies could use your words against you.
How We Investigate North Carolina Motorcycle Accident Cases
At Kornbluth Ginsberg, we take a thorough approach to investigating motorcycle accident cases in Durham, North Carolina. Our process begins with collecting all available evidence from the accident scene. We take photographs, gather police reports, and interview witnesses to build a strong foundation for your case. Sometimes, we also consult accident reconstruction experts to understand what happened and who is at fault.
Next, we review your medical records to assess the full extent of your injuries and their impact on your life. This helps us determine the total compensation you need for your recovery. By combining our detailed investigations with our extensive legal experience, we can advocate effectively for your rights and secure the outstanding results you deserve.
Compensation You Could Recover in a Durham, NC, Motorcycle Accident Claim
The financial burden of a biking accident can be significant, but you can file a motorcycle accident injury claim to recover money for your losses. This could include compensation for:
- Medical Expenses – All medical costs stemming from the accident, such as expenses for emergency treatments, hospital stays, medications, and surgeries, plus the projected costs of any care you will likely need in the future
- Lost Wages – Any income you lose during your recovery if your injuries prevent you from working and losses in your future earning capacity if you’re unable to return to your previous job
- Pain and Suffering – Physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality or enjoyment of life resulting from the accident, your injuries, and any long-term disabilities you suffer
Motorcycle accidents differ significantly from car accidents in several major ways. First, motorcyclists face greater risks on the road. Without the protective frame of a car, riders are more vulnerable to serious injuries when accidents occur. This can lead to more severe trauma and longer recovery times.
Second, the dynamics of a motorcycle accident are different. Motorcycles are less stable than cars, so issues like road hazards or bad weather can affect a rider more drastically than a car driver. This instability often leads to unique accident scenarios that require specialized understanding to evaluate.
Additionally, motorcyclists deal with widespread cultural biases, with many people assuming they are reckless or at fault in most accidents. This predisposition can affect everything from police reports to insurance claims, making it harder for injured motorcyclists to get the compensation they deserve.
Finally, legal proceedings for motorcycle accidents are often more complex. They commonly require detailed investigations to overcome biases and accurately present the motorcyclist’s side of the story. This is why having a knowledgeable attorney is essential if you get hurt in a motorcycle accident.
Determining who is liable for a motorbike accident in Durham, North Carolina, is essential for building a successful compensation claim. The following are parties who could be liable for a motorcycle wreck:
- Other Drivers – Another driver could be liable for a motorcycle accident if they were speeding, driving while distracted, or failing to obey traffic laws.
- Vehicle Owners – If a person or company negligently entrusted their vehicle to the driver who caused the accident, the vehicle owner could be responsible.
- Local Governments – A local government entity could be liable if the accident resulted from poor road conditions or inadequate traffic control devices that they failed to maintain.
- Manufacturers – If a defect in your motorcycle or the other vehicle contributed to the accident, the manufacturer could be liable for selling a faulty product.
No. If you are partly to blame for a Durham motorcycle accident, you cannot recover compensation from other liable parties. This is due to North Carolina’s strict “contributory negligence” rule. This doctrine bars you from receiving any compensation from the other parties involved if you are even 1 percent at fault for the accident.
This is why it’s so important to consult a Durham motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible after a crash. They know how to identify at-fault parties, establish you were not to blame in any way, and represent your interests effectively, both at the negotiating table and in court as necessary.
In North Carolina, you have a limited time to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit. Specifically, you must take legal action within three years of the accident date if you wish to sue. If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your chance to seek compensation.
It’s important to start the legal process early, as gathering evidence and building a strong case take time. Consulting a motorcycle accident lawyer in Durham immediately after your collision is the best way to ensure you meet all necessary filing deadlines and improve your chances of a successful outcome.
Motorcycle accidents come in various forms, each presenting unique dangers to riders. Here are some common types of motorcycle accidents that occur in Durham, North Carolina:
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end collisions
- Left-turn accidents
- Right-hook accidents
- Sideswipe collisions
- Single-vehicle accidents
- Multi-vehicle pile-ups
- Highway accidents
- Intersection crashes
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Dooring accidents
Understanding the common causes of motorcycle accidents can help you pinpoint who is at fault and strengthen your injury claim. Common contributing factors in a Durham motorcycle accident case include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Sudden stops
- Inexperienced drivers
- Poor road conditions
- Defective motorcycle parts
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Improper lane changes
- Aggressive driving
- Following too closely
- Road rage
Motorcycle accidents can result in severe injuries due to the lack of physical protection that motorcycles offer compared to cars. Typical injuries that result from a motorcycle collision include:
- Road Rash – When riders fall from their motorcycles and slide across the pavement, it can scrape away layers of skin, resulting in road rash.
- Broken Bones – The impact of a motorcycle crash often causes fractures. Commonly broken bones include wrists, arms, legs, and ribs.
- Head Injuries – Even with a helmet, riders can suffer from head injuries such as concussions or more severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
- Spinal Cord Injuries – Damage to the spinal cord from a motorcycle accident can lead to partial or complete paralysis, impacting a person’s mobility and independence.
- Internal Injuries – The force of a collision can cause bruising or damage to internal organs. These injuries require immediate medical attention to prevent life-threatening complications.
- Traumatic or Surgical Amputations – In severe cases, motorcycle wrecks can damage limbs or digits so badly that they separate from the body or require surgical removal.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Durham, NC, Today
Are you struggling with the aftermath of a motorcycle accident in Durham, NC? Know that you don’t have to face this challenging time alone. Kornbluth Ginsberg is here to listen to your story and pursue the motorcycle accident compensation you need.
If you or a loved one have been hurt in an accident, we invite you to contact our award-winning motorcycle accident law firm in Durham! Free consultations! Call 919-401-4100 as soon as possible.
