Fayetteville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Fayetteville Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Advocating For Injured Motorcycle Riders

“I just didn’t see him. The motorcycle came out of nowhere.”

There is a tendency to blame motorcyclists for crashes: They must have been speeding, or reckless, or drunk. At the Law Offices of Wade E. Byrd P.A., we know that automobile drivers cause most motorcycle accidents — people who were inattentive, breaking traffic laws or otherwise negligent. A skilled Fayetteville motorcycle accident lawyer can help ensure the motorist who caused your accident is held responsible.

Winning damages for victims of motorcycle accidents requires the extra effort to put all doubts to rest. Our experienced lawyers put that energy into crash reconstruction and trial preparation to advocate zealously for you. With the devastating injuries often suffered in cycle crashes, we know our clients need every legal advantage to recover full compensation for their medical bills and future losses.

Operator Or Passenger In A Motorcycle Accident?

Based in Fayetteville, we represent clients throughout North Carolina and surrounding states. Trial lawyer Wade Byrd brings 25 years of experience and a strong record of verdicts and settlements for personal injury victims. Call us at 910-323-2555 for a free initial consultation.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycles can be difficult to see on the road in certain circumstances. They are smaller and faster than other vehicles on the road, making them easy to miss if a passenger vehicle driver is not paying attention. Some common causes of motorcycle accidents that can easily result in a catastrophic accident include:

• Lane Changes: Many accidents happen when a vehicle changes lanes without signaling or without ensuring the other lane is clear. They could side-swipe a motorcycle in the adjacent lane or pull in front of a motorcycle traveling faster than they are.
• Head-On Collisions: These accidents can happen when a vehicle moves into the oncoming lane to pass traffic and collides with a motorcycle coming in the opposite direction.
• Left-Turns: When a driver turns left in front of an approaching motorcycle, the motorcyclist can easily crash right into the other vehicle if they are not given enough warning to safely brake.

Like any vehicular accident, the main causes remain the same. Distracted driving, DUIs, fatigued driving, and tailgating all contribute greatly to motorcycle accidents across the country. It really all comes down to a distinct lack of focus while driving. The simplest way to prevent accidents involving any vehicle is to prioritize focus and limit distractions.

What To Do if You Are in a Motorcycle Accident

Being involved in a motorcycle accident can be a traumatizing experience. Injuries are often severe and/or life-threatening. There are specific steps that should be taken to preserve your chances of successfully seeking a motorcycle accident claim and subsequent compensation. Here is a quick rundown of what you can do in the immediate aftermath to ensure you have a valid case:

• Health and Safety: After the accident, your first priority should be making sure no one is injured as a result of the accident. Seeking immediate medical attention should be a priority, though, even if there are no serious injuries. You may have internal injuries that have not yet revealed themselves, and it is also very important to secure a copy of your medical records for the case to come.
• Call 911: Notify the proper authorities as soon as you can. Having police and other emergency personnel at the scene will be beneficial to your insurance claim. An official police report will be made that can help in any future legal claims. Always ask to get a copy of a police report for your own records.
• Photograph the Scene: The accident scene tells its own story, and it is important that you get as much photographic evidence as possible to support your version of events. Documenting the scene as thoroughly as you can will only be beneficial to your case and is crucial for understanding how the accident happened in the first place. Try to get photos before the scene has been moved or cleared up.
• Obtain Contact Info: It is useful to get the contact information, insurance information, and license plate numbers of everyone who was involved in the accident. You and your lawyer will need their help in the near future to verify your story and back up your claim once you start dealing with the insurance companies.
• Contact Witnesses: You and your lawyer will need the help of everyone who may have witnessed the accident. Their input can be beneficial once you start dealing with the insurance companies or if the case goes to trial. Witness accounts help craft a full and objective version of events that is difficult to argue against, especially if multiple people share the same story.
• Get a Lawyer: Contact a motorcycle accident attorney and start developing your claim. Be sure never to admit fault for the accident, and do not speak to anybody’s insurance company without your lawyer. You will need someone on your side to navigate the case as it moves closer to settlement or trial. Your lawyer will take care of things while you focus on your recovery.

Proving Liability in Motorcycle Accidents

Your insurance company may either try to deny a claim by blaming you for the accident or offer a quick settlement that falls short of your long-term needs. If fault is disputed, the Law Offices of Wade E. Byrd P.A. uses investigators and accident reconstruction specialists to get to the scene and preserve important evidence — photos of skid marks and debris, inspection of the vehicles, and identifying witnesses.

We pursue all theories of liability and all sources of insurance coverage:

• Did the driver turn left, pull out, switch lanes or otherwise fail to yield the right of way? Was the driver distracted by a passenger or cellphone? Did the actions of a third driver force the motorcycle into the path of a car?
• Was there a defect in the motorcycle that contributed to the crash?
• Was the city or state negligent in design or maintenance of the road (uneven pavement or potholes, blind curves, obstructing foliage)?

If the other driver is not insured or had a minimum liability policy, we will pursue coverage under your uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance. In the case of a passenger injured in a motorcycle accident, we may even look to a homeowners policy to ensure that our clients are not saddled with the enormous medical bills.

Motorcycle crashes commonly result in head injury and brain damage, severe back or neck injury, mangled limbs and other permanent disability. We are committed to maximizing damages for the ongoing medical care, lost future earnings, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. If that means taking your case to a jury, we are prepared to demonstrate where the true fault lies.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Average Settlement for a Motorcycle Accident in North Carolina?

A: There technically is no average settlement for a motorcycle accident. Every case is different and is affected by different circumstances. The severity of the victim’s injuries, the amount of property damage, and the resulting emotional trauma all factor into the total settlement amount or amount ordered by the court. The range of motorcycle accident settlements can be anywhere from several thousand to over a million, depending on the case.

Q: What Do I Do if There Is a Motorcycle Accident?

A: First and foremost, try not to panic. Make sure you and others around are not injured. If you are, seek immediate medical attention and save your medical records for later. Contact the proper authorities, photograph the scene of the accident, get the insurance info of everyone involved in the accident, and collect witness statements when applicable. Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer and start building an insurance claim using all the information you have collected thus far.

Q: What Percent of Motorcycle Accidents Result in Injury or Death?

A: According to statistics gathered by the National Highway Traffic Administration, greater than 80% of all reported vehicle accidents involving a motorcycle result in injury or death. Driving a motorcycle can be a very dangerous activity. Other drivers make frequent mistakes that can result in a terrible accident for the motorcyclist.

Q: What Is a Common Motorcycle Accident?

A: One of the most common motorcycle accidents is a left-turn incident. This occurs when an oncoming motorcycle is struck by a vehicle in the process of turning left. They happen at intersections, stop signs, and corners. They can result in serious injury, depending on the speed of both vehicles. The only way to avoid this type of accident is to learn to anticipate other drivers’ behavior, which is easier said than done.

Contact Us Immediately Before Talking To The Insurance Agent

Dealing with the consequences of a motorcycle accident can be stressful and traumatizing, not to mention physically painful. Hiring an experienced attorney can give you the opportunity to focus on recovery while your attorney handles the ins and outs of your case.

At our Fayetteville office, we offer a free case evaluation with an attorney. This includes hospital visits and house calls for severe injuries. We serve all of North Carolina, as well as motorcycle accident victims in South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia.