Hickory Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Hickory, NC

Motorcycles are popular throughout North Carolina, and it is vital for every rider to know the risks they face on the road and what they should do after an accident happens. Motorcycle accidents may be less common than other vehicle crashes, but they often result in tremendous harm to those involved. A Hickory motorcycle accident lawyer is an important resource if you believe another driver is responsible for your recent motorcycle crash.

Helping Injured Riders Recover in Hickory, NC

The Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, offers compassionate legal counsel to injured motorcyclists in Burke, Catawba, and Caldwell counties. Our firm has years of experience handling a wide range of accident cases, and we know the challenges you are likely to face as you seek compensation for your damages. You have a limited time to pursue your recovery, so it is vital that you connect with legal counsel you can trust as soon as possible after an accident.

Attorney Helton can carefully review the details of your accident and help determine whether another driver is liable for causing the accident. If so, our firm can guide you through the process of holding them accountable and recovering compensation for the damages they inflicted. You are more likely to succeed with your case and more likely to maximize your recovery when you have a seasoned attorney from Hickory, NC representing you.

Potential Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents in Hickory

Although fun to ride in Hickory, NC, area, motorcycles offer little protection from the elements and absolutely no protection in the event of a collision with another vehicle. When a motorcyclist is struck by a car or a large commercial vehicle, the injuries a biker suffers are oftentimes catastrophic compared to those the other motorist may suffer. Collisions with motorcycles can lead to a variety of serious injuries, such as:

• Road rash
• Broken bones
• Spinal cord and back injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Soft tissue injuries
• Head and brain traumas
• Scarring and loss of limbs

These types of injuries can require extensive medical treatments and they may even make it difficult or impossible for the rider to return to work. In some cases, injuries may be fatal.

After you address your immediate medical concerns following a motorcycle accident, you should speak with an experienced Hickory motorcycle accident lawyer. Your recovery is likely to start with an auto insurance claim against the driver who hit you, followed by a personal injury suit if their insurance cannot fully cover your damages. Before seeking compensation in either way, you will need to firmly establish liability for the accident.

Proving Fault for Your Motorcycle Accident

North Carolina enforces a contributory negligence law that applies to every personal injury case filed in the state. Under this rule, a plaintiff cannot seek compensation from any other liable party if they bear any measure of fault for causing their damages. This means that even if you were only slightly at fault for causing your recent accident and another driver is clearly more liable, you cannot seek compensation for your damages from the other driver.

Most of the motorcycle accidents reported in Burke, Catawba, and Caldwell counties happen because of negligence, or failure to use reasonable care behind the wheel. Speeding, distracted driving, and moving violations are common examples of negligence cited in motorcycle accident claims. These accidents may also happen due to illegal misconduct, the most common example of which is intoxicated driving.

Your Hickory motorcycle accident lawyer can assist you with gathering the evidence needed to assert fault for your accident. This may include testimony from witnesses who saw the accident happen in real time, traffic camera video footage, cell phone records, and more. Once you have established liability, you can proceed with your recovery efforts.

Claiming Compensation for a Motorcycle Accident in Hickory

Your first option for recovering from any vehicle accident is filing an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver. Every driver in the state must have insurance that meets basic coverage requirements for bodily injuries and property damage. Your attorney can make filing your claim much easier and can resolve any disputes you encounter from the other driver’s insurance carrier.

Motorcycle accidents can easily cause catastrophic injuries that entail extensive damages, and an insurance claim alone is unlikely to cover a victim’s total losses in these situations. Whenever an at-fault driver does not have insurance or enough coverage to fully compensate the victim, a personal injury suit can enable the victim to recover their remaining damages.

The main objective of any personal injury claim is for the plaintiff to be made as whole as possible again. Once fault is proven, the plaintiff needs to prove the full extent of their damages and prove that those damages directly resulted from the defendant’s negligence or misconduct. The state’s personal injury statutes allow a plaintiff to seek compensation for:

• Medical treatment costs, which are likely to be extensive when a plaintiff has suffered severe injuries. The plaintiff can seek compensation for all immediate and future medical expenses they face due to the defendant’s actions. Your attorney can ensure all your medical treatment costs are properly acknowledged in your claim.
• Lost wages. When you are unable to earn income because of your injuries, the defendant is liable for the wages you cannot earn during this time. You are also able to claim compensation for lost future earning capacity if your injuries caused permanent harm and you are unable to return to work in the future.
• Property damage. You can typically recover property damage with your auto insurance claim, but when insurance cannot fully cover your vehicle repair costs and other property losses, the remainder needs to be recovered with a personal injury suit.
• Pain and suffering. North Carolina’s personal injury laws enable a plaintiff to seek financial compensation for the physical pain and psychological suffering a defendant caused. There is no fixed formula for calculating pain and suffering, nor is there a cap that applies to pain and suffering compensation in these cases. You have the right to claim as much as you believe to be fair to reflect the severity of your experience.

The right attorney can make it easier for you to uncover all the various forms of compensation you can seek from the defendant who caused your accident. You may be surprised to learn your case is more valuable than you initially expected. However, the actual process of proving fault and recovering compensation is more complex than you will be prepared to face alone, and you have a limited time in which to pursue your recovery.

The more time your Hickory motorcycle accident lawyer has to work on your case, the more likely you are to reach a positive outcome. The Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, can provide the compassionate legal guidance you need on your side to approach your case with confidence. We have helped many past clients recover from all types of personal injuries in Burke, Catawba, and Caldwell counties, and we are ready to apply this experience to your case.

Protecting The Rights Of Injured Bikers

For more than 20 years, Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, has made sure that injured bikers get the compensation they need and deserve after a serious accident. We handle all matters related to the crash, including securing benefits from the insurance company and filing a lawsuit if necessary. If litigation is needed, we will prepare all the required documents and will act as an advocate for you in all hearings and court proceedings.

When you retain us, you can rest assured that we will seek fair compensation that will cover your medical expenses, doctor’s appointments and lost wages. If your injuries leave you permanently disabled and unable to work, we can help you with the application process for Social Security Disability. If a loved one is killed in a motorcycle crash, we can help family members file a wrongful death claim.

Contact Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, Today

If you have been injured in a motorcycle wreck and you have an insurance policy for your bike, you can seek benefits directly from the insurer. However, you may be entitled to accident insurance coverage under other vehicle policies you own.

At our law firm, our Hickory motorcycle accident attorneys can explain this to you during your free initial consultation. We can walk you through the steps and help you take action on your injury claim. Call our Hickory, North Carolina, office at 828-328-9966 (toll free at 888-321-0494) to speak with an experienced lawyer. You may also send us an email to schedule an appointment.