Asheville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

How Can Our Asheville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help Your Case?

After a motorcycle crash, you need to focus on regaining your health. When you hire us, our Asheville motorcycle accident attorney will be able to handle the work related to your lawsuit. This will be a big relief for you and your family.

Here are some of the steps our motorcycle accident lawyer will handle on your behalf. We will…

• Collect facts. To be able to win a judgment in your motorcycle accident case, you need to prove that the other driver caused the crash. Our team knows which items to collect on your behalf, including the police report and any video or photographs of the scene.
• Interview witnesses. You don’t have time to track down witnesses to the crash, who can verify that the other driver caused the accident. Finding and interviewing witnesses is part of the service we provide.
• Determine fault. When a rider gets into an accident, they often wonder how much they may be to blame for the accident and ask when is a motorcyclist at fault.  It will depend on the circumstances of the accident. If police issue a traffic ticket to the other driver, this is the evidence we need to show fault. Otherwise, our motorcycle accident attorney can use the facts and interviews we’ve collected to show fault of the other driver. Proving the other driver was at fault is essential to your case. According to North Carolina law, if you contributed to the accident in any way, you cannot receive compensation.
• Determine long-term outlook. After you’ve seen the doctors you need for your care, we will interview them. This helps us determine what your long-term health outlook will be. We’ll show the insurance company how your life will change after the crash.
• Determine employability. As part of our interviews with your doctors, we will determine whether you’ll have the capability to work in the future. If you cannot work because of your injuries, you deserve reimbursement for these lost wages.
• Determine pain and suffering. If doctors believe you will have ongoing pain because of your injuries, you can receive a cash settlement for this. Additionally, if you are having emotional trauma after the crash, a cash settlement for this is possible, too.

Because of the experience we have in personal injury law, and motorcycle accidents especially, we know how to apply the facts in your case to all these areas. This helps us determine the fairest amount to request for your judgment.

TALK TO LAKOTA

Understanding State Motorcycle Accident Laws

North Carolina Laws Can Impact the Amount of Compensation Related to Your Motorcycle Accident

There are many good reasons to work with a seasoned motorcycle accident attorney in Asheville. One of them is simply their legal knowledge. Lakota has been helping accident victims in Asheville get compensation for their injuries for years. His detailed knowledge of North Carolina Laws helps him develop the strongest case possible so he can obtain maximum compensation. You can trust that Lakota will dedicate himself to your case. If he decides to help you, you’ll know he is confident he can win. In addition, you won’t pay any fees unless he wins your case.

Determining Fault Can Make or Break Your Motorcycle Accident Case

The state of North Carolina is one of only four in the nation (in addition to Washington, D.C.) that follow the doctrine of “contributory negligence” (N.C. Gen. Stat. §1-139). This means that if you contribute to the cause of your accident in any way, you cannot collect compensation for damages. Most states have comparative negligence laws, providing that your compensation is reduced by the same percentage as the percent of fault you bear in a motorcycle accident. In view of this harsh North Carolina law, it is to your advantage to use our motorcycle accident lawyer to prove that others hold full responsibility for your accident and that you bear none of the fault. Lakota Denton believes in honesty. When you first discuss your case with him, he will let you know if he believes you should proceed.

Statute of Limitations in a Motorcycle Accident Case

We recommend that you waste no time in contacting our Asheville motorcycle accident attorney. Accident cases can be complex and often require significant investigation and research to ensure your claim is as strong as possible. In addition, you should have your attorney gather available evidence as close to the time of the accident as possible. If there are witnesses to interview, those conversations should happen soon after the accident, while memory is still fresh.

To give our team adequate time to make your case, move quickly and give us a call today at 828-333-5996. Why the hurry? Because North Carolina has a statute of limitations that requires you bring a case within 3 years of your accident (N.C. Gen. Stat. §1-52).

Following North Carolina Laws for Riding Motorcycles

Another potential problem can arise if you were violating state laws governing motorcyclists in North Carolina at the time of your motorcycle accident. Such a violation may mean you are unable to collect full compensation. For example, if you were operating the motorcycle without the proper endorsement on your driver’s license, this can harm your lawsuit’s chances. The insurance company could argue that because you didn’t have the right operator’s license, you helped to cause the accident.

Although this type of situation makes your case more complex, our motorcycle accident lawyer in Asheville still may be able to build a case. When you meet with us for a free consultation, we can help you determine the likelihood of having a successful outcome.

For aggressive representation from a trusted motorcycle accident lawyer in Asheville, contact Lakota Denton today at 828-333-5996 for a free review of your case.

ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS

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SHOULD MY MEDICAL BILLS BE FILED WITH INSURANCE AFTER A WRECK?

DO I NEED A LAWYER FOR MY CAR ACCIDENT?

SHOULD I SPEAK WITH AN ADJUSTER AFTER AN ACCIDENT?

WHO PAYS TO FIX MY CAR AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT?

WHO DETERMINES FAULT IN A CAR ACCIDENT CASE?

WHAT IS AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER?

HOW MUCH IS MY CAR ACCIDENT CASE WORTH?

Damages You Can Receive in your Asheville Motorcycle Accident Case

Lakota Denton Will Fight for the Full Compensation You Deserve

Because motorcycle accidents often involve such serious injuries, these cases can have significant complexities. You could be facing a number of short-term and long-term health problems. Some health issues could affect your life forever. The costs associated with those injuries can also be life-long.

We will give you an honest assessment of your case right from the start. There are many factors that affect the amount of compensation you are due. Working with a trusted and experienced motorcycle accident attorney like Lakota Denton will give you some peace of mind. He will carefully examine the details of your case and your injuries to ensure you get the full compensation possible.

Among the many costs associated with a serious motorcycle accident are…

• Emergency medical care bills
• Surgery costs
• Long-term hospitalization costs
• Physical therapy costs
• Rehabilitation equipment for at-home care
• Prescription drug costs
• Reimbursement for an inability to work
• Judgment for pain and suffering.

Some motorcycle accident cases have unique circumstances that allow for other potential sources of compensation. You can count on the level of professionalism and attention to detail that our Asheville motorcycle accident attorney will give to your case. We know the ongoing pain and suffering that you can experience as a motorcycle crash victim.

Types of Losses Involved with Motorcycle Accidents

When we pursue compensation for you, our Asheville motorcycle accident attorney will consider all the costs you may face now and in the future. When you’ve just had a serious accident, you are probably preoccupied with worry about bills, how to deal with the insurance company, filling out paperwork, questions about how to get an accident report from the police, and a host of other issues.

To help you understand what you can expect as an outcome for your case, it may help to understand the types of damages for which you can get compensation. They fall under two large categories: economic and non-economic.

Economic Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Case

There are several costs that relate to your accident that can be clearly quantified. Our motorcycle accident attorney will make sure to detail each one, so you receive the best possible settlement. Our attention to each specific economic cost to you will help us negotiate with the insurer.

Past and Projected Medical Expenses

Medical expenses are typically the largest portion of the economic losses in a motorcycle accident case. That’s why our Asheville motorcycle accident attorney will be diligent in collecting all relevant information about your case. Lakota Denton will seek maximum compensation for your injuries:

• Extended hospital stays
• Surgery
• Visits to specialists
• On-going therapy.

This is all in addition to the initial medical costs immediately after a motorcycle accident. They include:

• Ambulance trip
• Treatment in an emergency department
• Initial tests to diagnose your injuries
• Treatment in an Intensive Care Unit.

Lost Wages 

If you’ve been in a serious accident, you may not return to work for some time. If your job involves physical activity or simply working on your feet, you may struggle to return to work before you are fully healed. You may end up losing a significant amount of wages as you recover. When that loss of income is caused by the injuries from your accident, we will fight for every dollar you could have earned in the time you were out. We will also calculate future potential income, as well as the cost of benefits you may have lost or will lose in the future.

Property Damages

The immediate financial concerns you have may focus heavily on your bills that have been piling up since your motorcycle accident. Or you might focus on the costs of your medical care, and on the money you can’t earn while you heal. However, you also have losses of your property in the crash. Your motorcycle may be totaled your helmet may need to be replaced; and protective clothing you wore may also have served its purpose but won’t be usable again. If you had packs on your bike or a small trailer that were harmed in the accident, you can get compensation for those losses, too.

Our motorcycle accident lawyer in Asheville has the experience you need to pursue every potential loss you incur related to your injuries. Count on Lakota to fight for you and help you get all the compensation you are due.

Non-Economic Damages in a Motorcycle Accident

The above list shows why compensation in a case like yours could quickly become a large amount. However, there is more suffering related to a serious crash that isn’t as visible as injuries, property damage, or lost pay.

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering is a type of non-economic damage that can be more difficult to calculate than bills directly related to medical care. However, our motorcycle accident lawyer has significant experience with serious accident cases. Lakota will fight for compensation related to emotional anguish you may suffer related to any long-term injuries, disability, impairment, disfigurement and scarring.

Wrongful Death Claims in a Motorcycle Accident Case

While injuries to motorcyclists are often severe after an accident, sometimes the worst happens: your loved one died. It’s tragic enough to lose someone dear to you, but when the motorcycle accident was caused by the negligence of others, you can seek added damages in a wrongful death case.

North Carolina law (NC §28A-18-2) allows us to help you pursue additional compensation in a wrongful death claim, including:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Final medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages and financial support
• Punitive damages against the party who caused the wrongful death.

Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Is a Skilled Negotiator

Get the Compensation You Deserve with Lakota’s Winning Reputation

Unfortunately, the process toward winning a motorcycle accident case rarely is as easy as it could be. The insurer often will balk at paying you the amount you actually deserve. After all, the insurer is a for-profit company. Its profits suffer when it has to pay large settlements. That’s where our motorcycle accident attorney in Asheville can help.

Our team has represented many clients over the years, giving us quite a bit of experience in negotiating with insurance companies. We know how to present the facts in the case to give you the best possible chance at winning the settlement you deserve.

The insurance company often will have numerous adjusters and lawyers on its side during negotiations, especially if the settlement will be a large one. Although you certainly can represent yourself in negotiations related to your motorcycle accident settlement, it’s difficult to go head-to-head with the insurance company on your own.

Hiring our Asheville motorcycle accident lawyer to help with your case will change the dynamics of the negotiations. We will work to tilt the playing field in your favor. Call our team at 828-333-5996 for help today.

What if Negotiations with an Insurer Fall Through?

If the settlement amount an insurer offers is not what our motorcycle accident attorney believes you deserve, you have the option of taking your case to trial. Just as Lakota doesn’t retreat when going to battle in negotiations, he certainly doesn’t shy away from going to court. As a fierce litigator, he gets excellent results for his clients in a trial. It is not in the best interests of an insurer to proceed to this stage when Lakota has taken on your case. That’s why most cases settle.

As a motorcycle accident lawyer who is very skilled in court, he’s confident he will win you the best possible compensation. In fact, he won’t take on your case unless he feels he can win. While most motorcycle accident cases end with a settlement, if a court battle lies ahead, we’ll be ready. Our team always proceeds with a case as if it may go to trial.

Injuries that Can Happen in a Motorcycle Accident

There is good reason that motorcycle accident settlements can be substantial. The severity of injuries suffered in a crash often require extensive medical care and, sometimes, long-term care. If a motorcyclist flies off the bike and lands hard on the pavement, multiple injuries are possible, including:

• Concussion
• Traumatic brain injury
• Broken bones
• Internal organ injuries
• Paralyzing back and neck injuries.

Some of these injuries can be serious and life changing. A severe brain injury in a motorcycle crash can leave you without the ability to work or enjoy your favorite activities. You may even be unable to communicate or perform basic personal care tasks, burdening your family.

A rider who slides across the pavement in the crash could suffer significant facial trauma or road rash injuries that could lead to disfigurement, soft tissue damage, and the need for skin grafts. The rider could be facing painful, permanent scarring.

Attempting to recover from these injuries can take months or even years. After a long hospital stay, you may need physical therapy and in-home health care for a long time. The medical bills for care like this can quickly surpass six figures or more. Given the severity of these injuries, our clients often expect large settlements and ask us what’s the average payout for a head injury. Because each case is unique, our motorcycle accident attorney will explain how the facts of your case will impact your settlement amount.

Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Knows How Long-Term Complications Affect Your Case

Cyclists have a 28 times higher chance of dying in a crash than a passenger car occupant, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Motorcycle operators do not have the same kinds of safety systems and gear that appear in a motor vehicle, such as a seat belt and air bags.

Motorcycles weigh quite a bit less than a car or truck. This means that, in an accident with a car, the motorcycle and rider receive the brunt of the force of the crash. Being hit with such a massive amount of force, and the lack of a car body surrounding you at the time of a crash, can cause debilitating injuries.

Challenges of Recovering from a Motorcycle Accident

Beyond the massive medical bills you could face after a motorcycle crash, you may have other financial concerns. You probably will be unable to work in the same capacity you did prior to the accident, if at all. This can hinder your family’s financial well-being. Financial stress is the last thing you need when you are trying to recover from injuries after your accident.

You may find that you are unable to enjoy the same activities you did before the motorcycle wreck. Perhaps you are missing out on precious time with your spouse or children because of your injuries. You may be unable to travel for pleasure or to enjoy activities like golfing, working on your car, or taking care of your garden.

You deserve compensation for all these losses. Asheville motorcycle accident lawyer Lakota Denton and his team are ready to help.

Why You Should Work with Our Asheville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Finding the right attorney to represent you in a lawsuit after a motorcycle crash is an important choice. Your life may never be the same after the accident, so this decision will have long-lasting ramifications.

At the Lakota R. Denton Law Firm, our team will handle all aspects of your case, from start to finish. We know how to find the facts in the case that show you did nothing wrong to create the accident. Our motorcycle accident lawyer knows how to help you receive the settlement you deserve to give you the best chance at a recovery.

You Won’t Pay Anything Unless We Win

Understand that we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not have to pay anything ahead of time or during the case to have us represent you.

Instead, payment for our services occurs only when the case reaches a conclusion and we win a judgment for you. We receive a percentage of the final settlement amount. If we do not win a settlement for you, you don’t owe us anything.

Giving You the Respect You Deserve

After a serious motorcycle accident, we understand that you and your family are facing potentially the worst time in your lives. You probably have a lot of unknowns when you hire us. We work hard to alleviate your concerns through our professionalism.

We always treat our clients with respect and compassion. We put in the time and effort required to give you the best chance to win the largest possible judgment. We believe our dedication to preparation and our level of experience give us an edge when representing our clients.

Our Motorcycle Accident Attorney Always Keeps Your Best Interests at the Forefront

Many motorcycle accident victims find significant frustration when dealing with the insurance company. Insurers are good at trying to convince the victim that they’re providing help. Ultimately, though, this is not the case. Their goal is to pay you the lowest possible amount, to protect their bottom line.

You need someone who actually works for you. Our team will be on your side throughout the case. We will fight tirelessly to combat the techniques of the insurer to stall or to reduce your claim.

Insurers often will try to argue that your long-term issues are not serious. We do not back down against these unfair allegations. For a free consultation, contact our Asheville motorcycle accident lawyer at 828-333-5996 today.

Client Testimonial

”Just want to say that Lakota Denton and his staff are incredible. I left his office feeling like I was just adopted into his family. Very informative and easy to understand, I have a total understanding of how he handles cases from the short talk I had with him. I would recommend Lakota and his staff to anyone injured in an accident. If I could give 20 stars it would not be enough. Very happy with this Lawyer.” – Anonymous (Google Review)