Since motorcycles don’t offer the same protection as cars or other motor vehicles do, wearing a helmet is a crucial step all riders can take. It can help prevent serious brain injuries, and in severe collisions, it could save your life. But is wearing a helmet a requirement in Charlotte, North Carolina? What happens if you don’t wear one and you are involved in a crash?
If you have suffered losses in a collision and you weren’t wearing a helmet, hiring Charlotte motorcycle accident lawyers can protect your chances of receiving compensation. At Chandler Volta Personal Injury Lawyers, our team can guide you as you begin legal action. Contact us today at (704) 980-9999 to schedule a free consultation.
How Chandler Volta Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Charlotte, NC
The chances of suffering a catastrophic injury in a motorcycle accident are much higher than they are in a car accident. If you have sustained an injury that requires medical care and results in other losses, you may have the option of filing a claim against the liable party. One of the most important steps you can take in these instances is to hire a lawyer.
At Chandler Volta Personal Injury Lawyers, our Charlotte motorcycle accident attorneys provide services such as:
- Assessing your claim during a free consultation
- Investigating the motorcycle accident
- Collecting evidence, including testimonies from expert witnesses
- Establishing liability
- Calculating damages
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Representing you in court, if needed
We are a client-centric personal injury law firm. This means that we will always treat you with the compassion and respect you deserve while offering individualized attention.
Our team has decades of experience representing people in Charlotte who have suffered because of someone else’s negligence. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a Charlotte personal injury lawyer.
North Carolina Helmet Laws
North Carolina is one of the few states that has universal helmet laws. All riders and operators of motorcycles must wear a helmet, regardless of age or experience level.
The helmet must comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218. This means that it needs to have a firm inner liner made of polystyrene foam that should be about one inch thick. Some appropriate helmets may have a comfort liner over the foam, but the padding is enough.
Don’t choose a helmet just because it has a Department of Transportation (DOT) sticker on it. Many manufacturers place these on helmets that do not meet the requirements. The helmets you should purchase are the ones that have the DOT symbol permanently fixed on them.
Another important thing to remember when buying a helmet is that it must have the manufacturer’s label attached. This label must state the model, size, shell type, and liner type, as well as information on how to clean and maintain the helmet.
How Not Wearing a Helmet Can Impact a Claim in Charlotte, North Carolina
North Carolina is a fault state for traffic accidents, so you must prove that the other party is liable for the crash. If you weren’t wearing a helmet when the crash occurred, you were breaking the law and can be seen as being partly responsible for the injuries you sustained.
Because North Carolina has modified comparative negligence laws, this doesn’t mean that you are automatically barred from recovering losses. As long as your percentage of fault is below 50%, you can still receive compensation. Keep in mind, however, that your winnings will be reduced by the fault you’re assigned.
Since insurance companies understand that the more fault you bear, the less they have to pay, they will do everything possible to increase your liability. That is where having an attorney truly makes a difference.
Your lawyer will gather evidence that shows that the other party holds the majority of fault. Your attorney can negotiate aggressively to protect your right to receive compensation. If there are continued disputes and a settlement isn’t possible, your lawyer can take your claim to court.
Contact Our Charlotte Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you were involved in a North Carolina motorcycle accident, contacting experienced representation is vital. That’s especially the case if you weren’t wearing a helmet during the crash. Attempting to go through this process alone could mean ending up with a smaller settlement than you deserve to address your losses.
At Chandler Volta Personal Injury Lawyers, our Charlotte motorcycle accident attorneys can help you through the most complex cases. With compassion and tenacity, we can guide you in the aftermath of a crash. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.