Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Raleigh

If you or a loved one suffered severe injuries in a motorcycle accident, Whitley Law Firm will fight for full compensation on your behalf. Our Raleigh motorcycle accident lawyers will use their more than 120 years of combined experience to build a robust case—with no upfront costs. But there’s more to our services than exceptional personal injury litigation.

We understand the difficult journey to recovery following a motorcycle accident—the toll it takes on your livelihood, quality of life, and family. You deserve a team that advocates for you with compassion, tenacity, and genuine care.

For decades, injured motorcyclists in Raleigh have come to us for The Whitley Advantage, a commitment to doing right by our clients and producing results that make them whole. Our Raleigh personal injury lawyers are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Why Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Raleigh, NC?

After a motorcycle accident, we want you to focus on getting better without worrying about the legal challenges of pursuing personal injury compensation. Hiring an attorney improves your chances of making a full financial recovery and means you’ll always have someone on your side.

The Whitley Law Firm team understands the complex challenges of building a serious injury case against a negligent driver.

Our investigative, pre-litigation, and litigation teams work together to establish:

• The defendant owed you a duty of care. Motorcycles are smaller and more challenging to see than other vehicles. Drivers should be extra cautious and check twice for motorcycles near them, especially when changing lanes or turning at intersections.
• They breached this duty by driving negligently. Examples of negligence could include driving too fast for conditions, failing to check blind spots, driving while distracted, or failing to look for oncoming traffic before making a left turn.
• The defendant‘s negligence caused your accident.
• You suffered damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

While we handle the legal aspects of your case, we want to ensure you are confident and comfortable working with us. We are always available to take your calls, emails, or texts. You’ll even receive your attorney’s phone number and email, and we’ll always return your calls within 24 hours.

We Fight for Every Dollar You Deserve

If you’re suffering from severe injuries, you’re not only contending with physical pain and a costly recovery. You’re also struggling with the financial worries of everyday bills and your personal suffering, which can make these burdens feel even heavier.

The average payout for motorcycle accidents depends on the nature and extent of your injuries and the losses you suffered. Our Raleigh motorcycle accident lawyer can assess the evidence and investigate the extent of your losses, how much medical care you’ll require, how your injuries might affect your ability to work, and other ways your injuries will affect your life. 

You could recover compensation for the following if you sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident:

• Current and future medical expenses, including medical bills
• Lost wages
• The loss of earning capacity, if the motorcycle accident leaves you unable to work
• Damage to your motorcycle and any other property
• Any costs you pay out of pocket for medications, assistive devices, home and vehicle modifications, medical-related travel, etc.
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of mobility and independence
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Our team can determine a fair value for all your losses when you contact us.

Raleigh Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near Me (800) 785-5000

How Do You Get Compensation After a Motorcycle Crash?

In many cases, our law firm can help you get the compensation you need after a crash by negotiating with the insurance company representing the liable party. We know how to assess settlement offers to determine whether they cover your losses, and we’ll reject subpar offers.

If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement for your losses, we can help you file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. We have the training and legal experience to represent you confidently in court.

We Will Fight for Justice if You Lost a Loved One in a Fatal Motorcycle Wreck

If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, we want to convey how sorry we are for your loss. We hope you’ll allow us to support you during this difficult time. We strive to provide the kindness and quality of care you need as you grieve.

While no amount of money could ever make up for your loss, you do have the right to bring a claim or lawsuit for:

• Medical expenses incurred before your loved one’s passing
• The cost of a funeral, burial, or cremation
• Loss of income and support, services, and companionship

We want you to focus on nothing else but spending time with your family. Our Raleigh wrongful death lawyers will handle every detail from the beginning to the end of your case.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries 

What are the most common motorcycle accident injuries? In our experience, motorcyclists often need immediate medical treatment for: 

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and concussions
• Brain damage
• Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
• Paralysis
• Broken bones 

A legal representative with experience handling complex motorcycle injury cases can help you overcome challenges that arise when pursuing fair compensation. Common challenges you may face include insurer bias against motorcycle riders and disputes regarding fault. We are here to overcome these hurdles so you can concentrate on your recovery.

What Should You Do After a Motorcycle Accident?

There are two primary priorities for motorcycle accident victims. First, you need to protect your physical safety and well-being. Second, you need to preserve your legal rights.

Knowing what to do after a motorcycle accident in Raleigh can help you stay safe and protect your claim against the driver of the other vehicle:

Call 911

Motorists in North Carolina must report any accident resulting in serious bodily injury or death (see North Carolina General Statutes § 20-166.1). If you cannot make the call, the other driver or a bystander should.

Get Out of Harm’s Way

Unless it is unsafe or a police officer told you to move your motorcycle, leave it where it lies and get yourself out of harm’s way.

Let the Professionals Check Your Injuries

Before you do anything else, you need to have your injuries assessed by paramedics. You may need to be taken directly to the hospital if you are seriously injured.

Exchange Information With the Driver

If you don’t need urgent medical attention and can stay at the scene, get the driver’s name, contact information, and insurance.

Talk to Witnesses

If anyone witnessed the motorcycle accident, get their information and ask them what they saw.

Photograph the Scene

Take pictures of anything that helps establish who and what may have caused the accident. Consider taking photos of any skid marks, the lack thereof, or malfunctioning traffic signals. Gather images of any property damage or visible injuries, such as road rash.

Give a Statement to the Police

If a police officer arrives on the scene, provide them with your account of the motorcycle accident. Doing so will satisfy your reporting obligations and aid law enforcement in completing a North Carolina Crash Report.

See a Doctor as Soon as Possible

Just because you didn’t need to head to the hospital from the scene doesn’t mean you weren’t seriously hurt in the motorcycle accident. Getting checked out right after the accident is wise to ensure you have no hidden injuries.

Document Everything

Keep any bills, communications from insurance companies, and other paperwork related to the motorcycle accident organized. You should also note what you remember from the accident, your recovery, etc.

Speak to a Motorcycle Accident Attorney

A motorcycle accident lawyer in Raleigh, NC, will ensure you get maximum compensation for your injuries.

Motorcycle accident claims can be complicated. We don’t want you to worry about complex legal issues when trying to heal from serious injuries or grieving the loss of a family member.

The Whitley Law Firm provides clients with wholehearted care. When you hire a motorcycle accident lawyer from our firm, we are committed to obtaining the best outcome in your case and providing you with guidance, support, and compassion.

What Is the Motorcycle Helmet Law in Raleigh?

In North Carolina, motorcyclists and their passengers must wear helmets. This requirement is a universal motorcycle helmet law that applies to all riders, regardless of age.

Additionally, North Carolina law requires that motorcycle helmets meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218. The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) summarizes these safety helmet laws as follows:

• The inner liner of the motorcycle helmet should be approximately one inch thick and be made of rigid polystyrene foam.
• The back of the helmet should feature a permanent “DOT” sticker that signifies the helmet meets federal safety standards.
• The helmet’s interior should include a manufacturer’s label that lists the “name or identification, precise model, size, date of manufacture, type of shell and liner construction materials, and an instruction label for cleaning and care of the helmet.”

North Carolina General Statutes § 20-140.4(c) states that anyone who violates the helmet law is subject to a fine. Although this might not seem like a substantial enough penalty to make a difference, studies show that universal helmet laws reduce the incidence of serious injuries (especially traumatic brain injuries) and fatalities in motorcycle accidents.

It is important not to assume you don’t have a motorcycle accident claim if you weren’t wearing a helmet. While not wearing a helmet could result in a ticket and worsening injuries in a motorcycle accident, your lack of a motorcycle helmet did not cause the collision itself.

Deadlines for a Motorcycle Accident Claim

How long do you have to file a motorcycle accident claim? The statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit (including those involving motorcycle accidents) is three years. Failure to file a lawsuit within this time limit will likely result in the court dismissing your case, leaving you with no recourse to seek compensation.

How Long Do Raleigh Motorcycle Accident Claims Take?

Every motorcycle accident claim is unique. Some cases may be resolved within a few months, while others can take a year or more to conclude.

Several different factors can lead to your motorcycle accident case taking longer to resolve, such as:

• The availability of evidence
• The severity and complexity of your injuries
• Issues of disputed liability
• The willingness of the defense to compensate you fairly

Our Raleigh motorcycle accident lawyers can protect your legal rights, move negotiations with the insurance company forward, and determine when and if it is time to file a lawsuit.

Can You Get PTSD From a Motorcycle Accident?

The physical effects of a motorcycle accident are pretty well-known. However, many people do not discuss the mental and emotional impact. Severely injured riders are likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Intrusive, recurring thoughts of a traumatic experience (such as a motorcycle accident) characterize PTSD. Symptoms commonly include:

• Flashbacks of the traumatic event
• Distressing dreams in which the person “relives” the experience
• “Triggers” associated with the event (e.g., feelings of fear when thinking about riding a motorcycle)
• Changes in cognition and memory
• Depression
• Changes in behavior and personality

Any motor vehicle accident can lead to PTSD and other psychological issues. However, the high rate of severe injuries and the lengthy recovery after a motorcycle accident can make motorcyclists who have been in a crash more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress.

You may be entitled to compensation if you were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after a motorcycle accident. Compensation can include economic damages for the cost of treating PTSD (i.e., psychotherapy, medications, etc.) as well as non-economic damages for the feelings of distress and anguish you endure.

The damages associated with PTSD after a motorcycle accident can be challenging to quantify. However, an experienced Raleigh motorcycle accident attorney at Whitley Law Firm can review your medical records, speak to your doctors, and consult expert witnesses to build a strong claim and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Let Our Family Help Your Family

At Whitley Law Firm, we understand the effects a serious injury can have on your home life and career. Choosing us to work for you means placing your needs, comfort, and future well-being in our hands—an honor and a responsibility we take very seriously. As such, our team will fight for you and your compensation as we would for our own family.

When you turn to us, you can get:

• Help from skilled litigation attorneys with more than 120 years of combined legal experience
• A free case evaluation
• Representation on a contingency fee basis

During your free consultation, our motorcycle accident lawyer in Raleigh, NC, can provide comprehensive advice and guidance on your next steps. Call or visit us online to get started.