Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Dedicated Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in NC, SC & GA
Motorcyclists face unique dangers on the road. Without the protection of a vehicle frame, airbags, or seatbelts, riders are exposed to the full force of any collision. Motorcycle accidents frequently cause catastrophic injuries including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe road rash, and amputations. At Dr. Ted Injury Law, we understand the challenges motorcycle accident victims face — not just physically, but in the legal system where bias against riders can undermine valid claims.
Our motorcycle accident lawyers are passionate advocates for riders' rights. We have extensive experience representing motorcyclists across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, and we know how to overcome the prejudice that insurance companies and juries sometimes hold against motorcycle riders.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
The majority of motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle are caused by the other driver's failure to see or yield to the motorcyclist:
- Left-turn accidents — A car making a left turn fails to see an approaching motorcycle, the single most common type of motorcycle-vehicle collision.
- Lane-change collisions — Drivers fail to check blind spots before changing lanes.
- Rear-end collisions — Distracted drivers fail to stop in time behind a motorcycle.
- Dooring accidents — A parked vehicle's occupant opens their door into the path of a passing motorcycle.
- Road hazards — Potholes, debris, uneven pavement, and gravel are minor inconveniences for cars but can be deadly for motorcyclists.
- Speeding and reckless driving — Other drivers who speed or drive aggressively create heightened dangers.
- Impaired driving — Drunk and drugged drivers are a constant threat, particularly to motorcyclists.
Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents are typically far more severe than those in car-to-car collisions:
- Traumatic brain injuries, even with helmet use
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones and compound fractures
- Road rash and severe skin abrasions
- Internal organ damage
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Burns from engine or fuel exposure
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, multiple surgeries, long-term rehabilitation, and ongoing care.
Overcoming Bias Against Motorcyclists
One of the greatest challenges in motorcycle accident cases is overcoming bias that motorcyclists are inherently reckless. Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys often exploit this prejudice. Our attorneys counter this narrative with clear facts, expert witnesses, and evidence demonstrating our clients were responsible riders injured through no fault of their own.
State-Specific Motorcycle Laws
North Carolina
North Carolina requires all motorcyclists to wear helmets under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-140.4. The state's strict contributory negligence rule means even a small degree of fault attributed to the rider can bar recovery entirely. The statute of limitations is 3 years.
South Carolina
South Carolina requires helmets for riders under 21 under S.C. Code § 56-5-3660. The state's comparative negligence system allows riders to recover if less than 51% at fault. The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Georgia
Georgia requires all motorcyclists to wear helmets under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-315. Failure to wear a helmet can reduce recovery for head injuries. Georgia's comparative negligence rule allows recovery if less than 50% at fault. The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Victims
Victims may be entitled to compensation for all past and future medical expenses, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, scarring and disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and property damage. In cases of extreme recklessness, punitive damages may be available. Our attorneys work with medical experts, economists, and life-care planners to calculate the full value of your claim.
Contact Us Today
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in North Carolina, South Carolina, or Georgia, do not let insurance companies take advantage of you. Contact Dr. Ted Injury Law today for a free consultation. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis.
Related Case Results
Our client was driving home from work on Interstate 85 near Charlotte when an 18-wheeler whose driver had exceeded federal hours-of-service limits ran a red light at a highway interchange, causing a devastating multi-vehicle collision. Our client suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, and required months of intensive rehabilitation. Through exhaustive investigation, we uncovered falsified driver logs and a pattern of safety violations by the trucking company. After a two-week trial, the jury returned a verdict of $12.5 million, one of the largest trucking accident verdicts in North Carolina history.
A 42-year-old mother of three went to a Charlotte-area hospital for a routine gallbladder removal. Due to the surgeon's negligence, her bile duct was severed during the procedure, leading to a life-threatening infection, multiple corrective surgeries, and permanent digestive complications. Our team retained leading surgical experts who testified that the surgeon deviated from the standard of care. The case was resolved through mediation for $9.2 million, providing our client with the resources to cover her ongoing medical needs and compensate her family for the profound impact on their lives.
A commercial truck driver lost control of his vehicle on a steep descent near Asheville when the truck's brakes failed due to inadequate maintenance. The truck struck our client's vehicle head-on, killing the 38-year-old father of two. Our investigation revealed that the trucking company had repeatedly deferred required brake inspections and that the driver had reported brake issues weeks before the accident. We settled with the trucking company and the maintenance provider for a combined $8.7 million for the surviving family.
A construction worker at a high-rise project in downtown Charlotte fell 40 feet when his safety harness, manufactured by a major equipment company, failed due to a defective buckle mechanism. He suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury resulting in permanent paralysis from the waist down. We pursued claims against both the equipment manufacturer and the general contractor, ultimately recovering $7.8 million through settlement. The case led to a voluntary recall of the defective harness model.