If you’ve been involved in a Greenville motorcycle accident, securing the right legal counsel is important to deal with the aftermath and protect your rights. At Shipman & Wright, our Greenville motorcycle accident attorneys bring a wealth of experience and a strategic approach to each case. We are dedicated to advocating for the rights of motorcyclists and understand the unique challenges you face on the road. With a commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients, our team is ready to provide the legal guidance and support you need to secure the compensation and justice you deserve. Reach out today to see how our Greenville motorcycle accident lawyers can assist you in your recovery and legal journey.
Why Choose Shipman & Wright For Your Greenville Motorcycle Accident Claim?
Choosing Shipman & Wright to represent you in your Greenville motorcycle accident claim will put you at an advantage over the opposing lawyer. Here’s why you should consider partnering with us for your legal needs:
- Extensive Experience in Motorcycle Law: Shipman & Wright has a long-standing reputation for excellence in handling motorcycle accident claims. Our motorcycle accident attorneys include Gary Shipman and William Wright who bring a wealth of knowledge from over forty-five years of litigation experience.
- Tailored Legal Strategies: We recognize that each motorcycle accident case carries its unique set of facts and challenges. At Shipman & Wright, we tailor our legal strategies to fit the specific details of your case so that you can feel the personalized service that aligns with your individual legal and recovery goals.
- Fierce Advocacy: Our firm is renowned for its assertive advocacy in the legal community. We have a proven track record of securing favorable outcomes for our clients, whether through settlements or at trial.
- Contingency Fee Basis: We offer our legal services on a contingency fee basis to remove any financial barriers to obtaining quality legal representation. You will not owe us anything unless we win your case which aligns our interests with yours.
Why You Need Legal Representation for Your Greenville Motorcycle Accident Claim
Having legal representation in your Greenville motorcycle accident claim is important to maximize the compensation you can receive from insurers. Here’s how our skilled personal injury attorneys in Greenville will assist in your claim:
- Knowledge of Motorcycle-Specific Laws: Motorcycle accidents involve specific legal considerations that differ from other vehicle accidents. Our experienced attorneys understand these nuances—including helmet laws, right-of-way issues, and the dynamics of motorcycle crashes—which are critical for effectively arguing your case.
- Navigating North Carolina’s Contributory Negligence Law: North Carolina operates under the strict contributory negligence rule, where if you are found even slightly at fault for the accident, you could be barred from receiving any compensation. Our Greenville motorcycle accident attorneys will make sure to prove that you were not at fault, or at the very least, minimize your perceived level of fault.
- Dealing with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies often attempt to settle claims quickly and for as little as possible. Our tactful attorneys will negotiate with these companies on your behalf to ensure that you receive the full compensation you deserve.
- Calculating and Claiming Full Damages: Determining the full extent of damages in a motorcycle accident is not straightforward and involves more than just immediate medical costs. Our Greenville motorcycle accident attorneys will consider all possible damages, including future medical expenses, loss of earnings, pain and suffering, and emotional distress, ensuring that the compensation claimed truly reflects the impact of the accident.
Lane Splitting Laws in Greenville Motorcycle Accident Claims
Some states allow for lane splitting, which is the act when a motorcycle maneuvers in between lanes to bypass vehicles. However, this is not permitted in Greenville according to N.C.G.S. § 20-146:
“§ 20‑146. Drive on right side of highway; exceptions. (d) Whenever any street has been divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic, the following rules in addition to all others consistent herewith shall apply. (1) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety. (2) Upon a street which is divided into three or more lanes and provides for the two‑way movement of traffic, a vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle traveling in the same direction when such center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance, or in the preparation for making a left turn or where such center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the same direction that the vehicle is proceeding and such allocation is designated by official traffic‑control device.”
What this provides is that drivers of vehicles, including motorcyclists, must drive their vehicle as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane. A driver should not shift lanes until determining it is safe to do so and should switch to the other lane right away. If a motorcyclist is found lane splitting at the time of an accident, it can be argued that they were not operating their vehicle safely or within the bounds of the law which would fall under contributory negligence.
Contributory Negligence in Greenville Motorcycle Accident Claims
Contributory negligence can play a critical role in Greenville motorcycle accident claims. North Carolina is one of the few states that still adheres to the traditional contributory negligence rule. This rule can have a significant impact on the outcome of motorcycle accident claims, as it can completely bar recovery if the claimant is found to have contributed in any way to the accident.
Contributory negligence is a legal doctrine that denies a plaintiff any recovery of damages if they are found to be even minimally responsible for the incident that caused their injuries. If a motorcyclist is determined to be as little as even one percent (1%) at fault in causing the accident, they cannot recover any compensation from the other parties involved, no matter how negligently the other party may have acted.
For instance, if a motorcyclist is speeding slightly over the limit and another driver illegally turns left in front of them, causing a collision, the motorcyclist could be found contributory negligent for speeding. As a result, despite the other driver’s clear violation of traffic laws, the motorcyclist’s own breach of the traffic regulations by speeding could prevent them from receiving any compensation for injuries sustained in the accident.
Contact Our Greenville Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident in Greenville, don’t feel that you need to face the aftermath alone. Our experienced Greenville motorcycle accident lawyers at Shipman & Wright are here to help. We understand the devastating impact an accident can have on your life and are committed to fighting for the compensation you deserve. Our team is well-versed in North Carolina’s strict contributory negligence laws and will work tirelessly to build a strong case on your behalf. Contact Shipman & Wright today to schedule a free consultation so we can review your case, discuss your legal options, and plan the best course of action.