Oak Island Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Oak Island Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycles may be fun to ride, but they are inherently some of the most dangerous vehicles on the road in North Carolina for several reasons. Not only are they more vulnerable to most of the safety issues facing all other vehicles, but they also lack the safety features found in enclosed passenger vehicles. If you are struggling with injuries from a recent accident, an Oak Island motorcycle accident lawyer can help determine your most viable recovery options.

Legal Counsel for Motorcycle Accident Victims in Oak Island, NC

Christina Rivenbark & Associates can provide compassionate legal counsel when you need it most in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident. Our firm has years of experience resolving complex personal injury claims in Oak Island and surrounding areas, and we can put this experience to work for you as you seek compensation for the damages you recently suffered.

You have a limited time in which to pursue your recovery, and it’s natural for any motorcycle accident victim in Oak Island, NC to have lots of legal questions they cannot answer on their own. Our team can help prove liability for your recent accident and hold the at-fault driver accountable with an auto insurance claim and/or personal injury suit. We know how to establish fault and maximize your recovery as fully as the law allows.

If you tried to handle your case on your own, you would risk missing court filing deadlines or overlooking crucial details that can significantly impact your recovery. When you have an Oak Island motorcycle accident attorney representing you, you can focus on your recovery with peace of mind, knowing that your legal affairs are in trustworthy hands.

How to Prove Fault for Your Motorcycle Accident in Oak Island, NC

North Carolina upholds the fault rule for vehicle accidents, meaning the driver at fault for causing an accident is liable for all resulting damages. This means that if you intend to pursue compensation for your losses from any other driver you believe caused your recent accident, you must prove their fault before you can claim any compensation. Proving fault will be essential for both an auto insurance claim and a personal injury claim filed in response to your accident.

Most of the motorcycle accidents reported in the state each year are the results of negligence, or failure to use reasonable care while driving. Distracted driving, speeding, and moving violations, such as failure to yield the right-of-way, are a few common examples of negligence that can cause serious accidents. It is also possible for a motorcycle accident to happen due to illegal misconduct on the road, such as driving under the influence (DUI).

If you suspect another motorist is directly responsible for causing your recent motorcycle accident, you will need an experienced attorney’s help to gather the evidence you will need to firmly establish liability for your damages. Once you have proven fault, you can proceed with filing your auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver, and if this does not yield full repayment of your damages, you can then file a personal injury claim.

Dealing With Insurance Companies

Every driver in the state must have auto insurance that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements for bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage. When an accident happens, the driver at fault is responsible for the resulting damages, and their auto insurance can cover some or all of these damages, depending on the severity of the accident.

However, dealing with insurance companies can be very difficult as these companies tend to look for all the reasons they can find to deny claims or justify the lowest possible settlement offers. An experienced Oak Island motorcycle accident attorney can assist you with filing your claim, resolving any disputes raised by the insurance carrier, and helping maximize your insurance settlement as much as possible.

Claiming Compensation With a Personal Injury Suit

If your damages exceed the extent of the at-fault driver’s auto insurance coverage, or if they do not have insurance at all, you will need to file a personal injury claim against them to recover the remainder of your losses. Once you have proven fault for the accident, you must then prove the full extent of the damages you intend to claim from the defendant and prove they directly inflicted those damages.

A personal injury claim can potentially yield compensation for various types of economic damages, which may include:

• Property losses, such as your vehicle repair or replacement costs. Insurance may cover some such losses, but any remainder can be included in your personal injury suit.
• Medical expenses. Motorcycle accidents have a high chance of causing catastrophic injuries. The defendant who injured you is liable for all immediate and future medical care you will require to reach maximum medical improvement from your injuries.
• Lost wages. When you are unable to work after an accident, the defendant is liable for the income you are unable to earn during this time.
• Lost earning capacity. If you suffered any permanently disabling injury that limits your earning capacity, the defendant is liable for the future income you are no longer able to earn. Your Oak Island motorcycle accident attorney can help accurately calculate these projected losses.

Aside from the direct financial losses you suffered from the accident, you will also have the right to claim pain and suffering compensation from the defendant. North Carolina does not enforce a limit on pain and suffering compensation in vehicle accident claims, nor is there a strict formula you must use to determine how much you can recover. Essentially, you have the right to seek as much as you believe to be reasonable to reflect the severity of your pain and suffering.

You may be entitled to more compensation than you initially expected, but actually securing this compensation will be difficult without an attorney helping you. An experienced Oak Island motorcycle accident attorney is your most valuable resource when it comes to maximizing your recovery in the shortest possible timeframe. The team at Christina Rivenbark & Associates can help prove fault for your accident and maximize your total case award.

FAQs About Oak Island, NC Motorcycle Accident Laws

How Much Compensation Do You Get for a Motorcycle Accident in Oak Island, NC?

You have the right to seek full repayment of any economic losses another driver caused in your recent motorcycle accident, including the cost of repairing or replacing your motorcycle, your medical expenses, long-term medical treatment costs for severe injuries, and your lost income. You can also seek as much pain and suffering compensation as you believe appropriate. The total value of your motorcycle accident case depends on the severity of your damages.

How Do You Prove Fault for a Motorcycle Accident?

Various forms of evidence can come into play in a motorcycle accident case. Your attorney may seek to obtain physical evidence from the scene of the crash, testimony from witnesses who saw the accident happen firsthand, digital evidence like cell phone records and traffic camera footage, and they may also consult expert witnesses for their professional insights. You must prove fault for your accident before you can recover any compensation.

What Happens if I’m Partially at Fault for My Motorcycle Accident?

The state enforces a contributory negligence rule. This means that if the facts of a case show that a plaintiff is partially responsible for causing their own damages, even slightly, this will negate their ability to claim compensation from the defendant. If you have any reason to worry that you partially caused your recent motorcycle accident in Oak Island, it is crucial to discuss your concerns with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.

What Happens if an Insurance Carrier Denies My Claim?

Insurance companies tend to look for reasons to deny claims or justify the lowest possible settlement offers. However, when you have an Oak Island motorcycle accident attorney helping with your claim, they will be less inclined to attempt any bad-faith handling of the claim. If your claim is denied or if the insurance company offers a lowball settlement, your legal team can help determine your most viable options for addressing these issues.

Why Should I Hire an Oak IslandMotorcycle Accident Attorney?

Even if you think that the fault for your recent motorcycle accident is perfectly clear, you should not assume that you can handle your legal affairs without representation. The right attorney can not only improve your chances of success with your recovery efforts but also reduce the time it takes for you to receive compensation for your damages. They will also be available to address any unexpected complications that arise with an insurance claim and/or personal injury suit.

The team at Christina Rivenbark & Associates has built a strong reputation as a leading choice for personal injury representation in the Oak Island area. We know that you are likely to have many pressing legal questions about your recovery options following a motorcycle accident, and we want to help make sense of this situation. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with an Oak Island motorcycle accident attorney to learn how we can help.