Greensboro Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Greensboro Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
The attorneys of Warren & Kallianos, PLLC, care deeply about the safety of motorcycle riders and their passengers in Greensboro and surrounding areas of Guilford County. Unfortunately, too many drivers lack that same deep regard for the safety of motorcyclists. Their negligence can have catastrophic consequences.
Between 2012 and 2016, North Carolina saw a marked increase in motorcycle-related crashes and injuries. During this time period, an average of 3,753 motorcycle accident-related injuries and 155 fatalities occurred in our state each year, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT). Guilford County had an average of 163 motorcycle crash-related injuries and six deaths per year, the NCDOT reports.
If a negligent driver seriously hurt you in a motorcycle crash in the Greensboro area, or if you have lost a loved one in such an accident, contact Warren & Kallianos today. We deliver highly personal and professional service to our clients. We are:
- Aggressive. We approach cases with an eye toward results. This is why we have built a reputation as a firm that achieves success on behalf of its clients, including numerous verdicts, settlements and other awards of $1 million or more.
- Dedicated. We know how hard it is to get by when you have been hurt. This is why our attorneys make it a point to meet with clients at all hours. We will charge you nothing unless we succeed at getting compensation for your injuries and losses.
- Experienced. Our attorneys have more than 56 years of combined legal experience, and our law firm has served clients throughout the state for more than 25 years.
If you are suffering after a motorcycle crash in Greensboro or the surrounding areas of Guilford County, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Why Get Legal Help After a Greensboro Motorcycle Crash?
Insurance companies will work very hard to shift the blame for the crash to you, the injured motorcyclist. You need a motorcycle accident lawyer on your side who will fight for you and protect your rights. As our attorneys know, most of these crashes occur due to a driver’s negligence – not the motorcyclist’s actions.
The Hurt Report, which is one of the most widely cited studies of motorcycle accident causes, about two-thirds of all motorcycle crashes are caused by a driver’s violation of the motorcyclist’s right of way. This happens for many different reasons. Often, the motor vehicle driver:
- Fails to keep a proper lookout for a motorcyclist
- Tries to share a lane with a motorcyclist or passes within the same lane
- Makes a left or right turn abruptly in front of the motorcyclist
- Tailgates the motorcyclist (follows too closely)
While these are all causes of motorcycle crashes, the underlying reasons are often things like:
- Drunk driving
- Texting or cell phone use
- Drug-impaired driving
- Fatigued or “drowsy” driving.
Insurance companies may try to argue that the motorcyclist is responsible for a number of reasons. They may even shift the blame to the environment. Here are some common defenses they will try:
- The rider and/or passenger failed to wear a helmet. The insurance company may argue that by failing to wear a helmet, you put yourself at risk. This argument ignores that the true cause of the injury was the driver’s negligence.
- Poor road conditions. Snow, ice, rain or other adverse conditions may make a road more dangerous. But it is not negligent for a motorcyclist to be on the road in bad conditions, and bad conditions do not excuse careless driving.
- Hit and run. When the other driver flees the scene, you may be entitled to recover compensation through your own uninsured motorist (UM) policy. However, your insurance company may try to assert that you were in a single-vehicle crash, and no other car hit you.
Our team of hard-working and devoted attorneys will fight these challenges and vigorously protect your rights. Our goal is simple: We want to recover maximum compensation for you.
How Can a Greensboro Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help You?
Our team at Warren & Kallianos appreciates the important ways in which motorcycle accident cases are different from other types of crashes. We will use this knowledge and insight to your advantage. We can help you by:
- Working to get your motorcycle repaired or replaced
- Interviewing witnesses
- Taking photos and preserving evidence
- Researching insurance policies and potential sources of compensation
- Evaluating the extent of your injuries
- Handling the paperwork on your behalf
- Taking care of all the negotiations and settlement discussions
- Litigating your case before a jury (if necessary)
- Dealing with any liens attached to your recovery.
Take These Steps After a Greensboro Motorcycle Accident
Even the safest motorcycle riders can get involved in crashes. You can’t make other people drive safely. If you have been in a motorcycle crash in Greensboro or a nearby community, here’s what you should do:
- Get emergency medical care. Your health is the first priority. Getting immediate medical attention also helps to establish the connection between the accident and your injuries.
- Get your crash report. The crash report contains contact and insurance information that you and your attorney will need. You can typically get this from the police department that investigated the crash such as the Greensboro Police Department, Guilford County Sheriff’s Office or North Carolina Highway Patrol.
- Keep records. Hold on to all of your records, from medical bills to notes from conversations you have with the police or others at the scene.
- Keep notes. It can be difficult to remember everything that is happening after a crash. This is why it is best to keep notes.
- Report the crash to your insurer. Almost all insurance policies require you to notify your insurance company of any collisions. Failure to do so could mean getting your insurance canceled or losing the right to claim certain optional benefits.
- Don’t talk to the other driver’s insurance company. Never talk to the other driver’s insurance company, including giving a recorded statement or access to your medical records. An experienced attorney from our firm can deal with the insurance company on your behalf.
- Don’t discuss the case – especially online. Social media is no place for discussing your case. Leave your injury claim to your attorney and tell everyone else that you are not willing to discuss the matter publicly.
- Don’t delay getting legal help. In North Carolina, you generally have only three years from the date of your crash to file suit for your injuries. If you lose a loved one, you have only two years from the date of death to file a lawsuit.
Our Greensboro Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Are Ready to Help You
After a serious motorcycle crash, call Warren & Kallianos to talk with a dedicated Greensboro motorcycle accident attorney about your case. We never take a fee unless we can get you compensation for your injuries. So, even if you are not sure whether you want to file a lawsuit, we will offer a completely free initial consultation and provide you with valuable information about your rights. This will allow you to make an informed decision about how to move forward, should you decide to do so. To learn more, contact us today and receive a free consultation.