Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Gastonia, NC
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may want to get in touch with a Gastonia, NC motorcycle accident lawyer from Ted A. Greve & Associates. You may be entitled to compensation. An attorney can help you pursue a timely claim against the negligent parties.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Getting into a motorcycle accident is a shocking and scary experience. However, it is important to remain calm and do what’s necessary to ensure your right to compensation. Here are some steps to take after a motorcycle accident.
-
Call The Police
First and foremost, you should contact the police. Motorcyclists often suffer serious injuries in accidents, so you want the police to file a proper report. They will come to the scene of the accident and make important notes about the accident, such as when and where it occurred and the names of everyone involved. Do not forget to obtain a copy of the report for your records.
-
Take Photos
If you are physically able to do so, you should take photos of the accident scene. Make sure to capture shots of your motorcycle, the other vehicles involved in the accident and traffic signs. If you have visible injuries, you should take photos of those as well.
-
Talk To Witnesses
If bystanders were present at the accident scene, do not be afraid to speak with them. If they saw what happened, they may be able to corroborate your story and strengthen your claim. Do not forget to ask for their names and contact information and give that information to your Gastonia motorcycle accident lawyer.
-
Get Medical Attention
Motorcycle accidents often result in serious injuries, like road rash and traumatic brain injuries, so it is necessary to get emergency medical attention promptly. A doctor should evaluate your injuries and recommend the proper treatment. The sooner you get medical treatment, the more likely you are to make a full recovery.
-
Be Careful About What You Say To The Insurance Company
Following a motorcycle accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may give you a call. They might seem like they are trying to be helpful, but they are actually trying to find information to use against you. That is why you should say as little as possible about your case. Definitely do not provide details about your injuries.
-
Write In A Journal
It may be helpful to write down everything you remember about the motorcycle accident in a journal, such as what the other driver was doing before the collision. You may also want to jot down how your injuries have impacted your life so far.
-
Hire An Attorney
If you plan to pursue compensation for your injuries, it is wise to have an experienced motorcycle attorney on your side. He or she can help you gather evidence, file paperwork in a timely manner and negotiate with the insurance company. If you work with an attorney, you have a higher chance of receiving fair compensation.
What Factors Will Impact Your Motorcycle Accident Case?
A Gastonia, NC motorcycle accident lawyer will tell you, it can be incredibly difficult to be the victim of a motorcycle accident. Not only are you trying to rest and recover but you are also trying to prove why you need fair compensation for the accident. Attempting to file a motorcycle accident claim on your own can be complicated and it will take away time that you should be using to focus on recovering. When you are prepared to take that first step in filing your motorcycle accident claim, call Ted A Greve & Associates. We understand that what you are going through right now is difficult and we are here to help with the legal action you need to take.
Understanding the Factors That Affect Your Claim
There are many factors that will affect the outcome of your motorcycle claim. You want to make sure that you are doing your part to be as prepared as possible for your claim.
-
Understand The Timing Of Everything
You can have all the evidence you need to show that someone else was both negligent and liable for your motorcycle accident injuries. This may sound like a huge win. However, a Gastonia motorcycle accident lawyer will tell you that if you do not file your claim on time–you did not pay attention to the statute of limitations–then all of your evidence will be pointless. Filing your claim after the statute of limitations has passed means your claim will be rejected. In the state of North Carolina, you will have 3 years to file your motorcycle accident claim after the accident occurred. The sooner you are able to begin the claim process–and the sooner you loop your lawyer in–the better chance you will have at a successful claim.
-
You Want To Bring In Evidence
Once you know you are within the statute of limitations for filing, it is time to focus on the evidence. Unfortunately, many insurance agents will already have preconceived biases when it comes to motorcycle riders. An insurance agent will use anything you say and anything they can dig up on you to show that you were partially or fully responsible for the accident. This is why it is crucial you bring forward evidence. Evidence can come in the form of traffic cameras, eyewitnesses, dashcam footage, medical records, police records, lost income, and more. You will need to prove that not only was someone else liable for the accident, but also that the injuries you sustained from the motorcycle accident have affected how you live.
-
Speaking With Insurance
A Gastonia motorcycle accident lawyer will advise you that no matter what you do, do not get on the phone with the other party’s insurance and try to explain your side of the story. Insurance agents want to make sure they are giving out the lowest settlement offer possible. They might call you and make it sound like you are legally obligated to answer their questions or they may offer you a settlement amount and make it sound like it’s the only one they’ll give you. Try to avoid speaking with the insurance agent unless your lawyer is present. Your lawyer will understand exactly how to negotiate with them and what you should avoid disclosing to them. Schedule a consultation with a Gastonia motorcycle accident lawyer from Ted A. Greve & Associates today.
Types of Motorcycle Accidents
A Gastonia, NC motorcycle accident lawyer from Ted A. Greve & Associates knows that when a vehicle and a motorcycle are in a crash, it is the motorcyclist that usually suffers the most severe injuries. In the majority of these accidents, the vehicle driver is usually the at-fault party. While every accident has its own set of unique factors, there are certain types of motorcycle accident classifications that occur most often.
The Near Miss
A vehicle driver does not have to actually hit a motorcycle in order to cause riders to suffer serious injury or death. One common type of motorcycle accident is referred to as the near miss because this is exactly what happens. The vehicle driver – often distracted and not paying attention – fails to see the motorcycle until it’s almost too late. The motorcyclist sees the vehicle and attempts to move away in order to not get hit, yet in doing so ends up crashing into a stationary object or sometimes even into another vehicle.
Sideswipe
One of the most dangerous places for a motorcyclist is a vehicle driver’s blind spot. When a driver fails to check their blind spots before they move into another lane and hits the bike, this is referred to as a sideswipe because of the type of impact the vehicle makes with the motorcycle. In these crashes, the person on the motorcycle can be pushed by the impact into another lane, creating a high risk of being hit by another vehicle.
Rear-End
Distracted vehicle drivers, impatient vehicle drivers, and inexperienced vehicle drivers all put motorcyclists at risk of being hurt or killed in a rear-end crash. These drivers are unaware of how close they are to the bike or that the bike has slowed down or stopped due to traffic conditions ahead.
Motorcycle Injuries
Because of the lack of protection around the motorcycle when a vehicle slams into it, many motorcycle accident victims end up with catastrophic injuries. Some of the most serious injuries that each Gastonia motorcycle accident lawyer has seen in the cases our law firm has handled include the following.
Head Injuries
It is critical that all riders were DOT-approved helmets whenever they are riding even if they are riding in a state that does not require helmets. Almost every motorcycle accident ends with the rider being slammed to the ground and without a helmet, the injuries can be fatal. Even with a helmet, many riders still end up with some form of brain trauma.
Fractured or Crushed Bones
There are a number of scenarios that can cause damage to bones in motorcycle accidents. The motorcycle can fall onto the rider or the impact of the vehicle hitting the rider can fracture or crush bones.
Burns
The hot exhaust pipes, engine, or other parts of the bike can cause severe burns if these areas touch the rider during the crash
Road Rash
Road rash is one of the most common motorcycle injuries in motorcycle accident cases. This occurs when the victim’s skin makes contact with the pavement and is literally scraped off. Even minor crashes can leave a victim with road rash. Road rash is very painful and often leaves some degree of scarring.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, call Ted A. Greve & Associates to speak with a dedicated Gastonia motorcycle accident lawyer and see what legal options you may have.
