What Evidence Do I Need in a Motorcycle Accident Case?
To recover damages for injuries you suffered in a motorcycle accident, you will need evidence demonstrating the negligence of the other driver and proof of the dollar amount of the losses you have sustained. This is particularly true in North Carolina, where the state’s contributory negligence laws can bar you from collecting damages if your own negligence contributed in any way to the accident.
The motorcycle accident lawyers at the Rhine Law Firm in Wilmington have represented riders in negligence and personal injury lawsuits for over 30 years. We know what types of evidence are most persuasive in settlement negotiations and jury trials. We use that evidence to its maximum effect to recover the largest available damages awards for our clients. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
What evidence can be used to show the other driver’s negligence?
An experienced motorcycle accident attorney will use many types of evidence to establish the liability of the driver who caused your bike crash, including the following:
- The police report that describes the accident (make sure you call the police so they can file a report).
- Statements from eyewitnesses.
- Accident scene photographs.
- Video from surveillance cameras that might have captured the accident.
- Traffic and weather reports that show prevailing conditions at the time of the crash.
- Maintenance records as proof that your bike was in good operating condition.
- Certificates of motorcycle safety training that you participated in.
If your motorcycle accident involves technical issues, a personal injury lawyer might also retain an accident reconstructionist or other expert witnesses to analyze the accident or the scene and prepare an opinion on its causes.
What evidence is needed to show motorcycle accident damages?
Once you prove that the other driver was at fault for your motorcycle accident, you will need to present evidence to show both your economic and non-economic damages.
Your economic damages are the actual costs and expenses you incurred, such as the following:
- Medical bills for treatment of your injuries.
- Wages and salary you did not earn while recovering from your injuries.
- Expenses associated with your travel to and from doctors’ and therapists’ appointments.
- The dollar value of your property losses, including the damage to your bike.
- Expenses for medications, mobility assistance devices, and modifications to your living space that are needed to facilitate the rider’s limitations.
- Expenses for mental health treatment.
Your non-economic damages are the compensation you are entitled to recover for your pain and suffering and other soft costs not readily reflected on bills and invoices. Your motorcycle accident lawyer might use your direct testimony, statements from your family and friends, and doctors’ opinions to show the extent of your pain and how it has affected your life.
Call Rhine Law Firm After You Have Been Hurt in a Motorcycle Accident
The motorcycle accident attorneys at Rhine Law Firm are dedicated to helping North Carolina riders get back on their bikes as soon as possible. We use our knowledge and experience to hold negligent drivers fully accountable by marshaling all available evidence to show that those drivers were entirely responsible for the accident with no contribution from our clients. From our offices in Wilmington, we represent clients throughout North Carolina.
Please call us for additional information about the evidence you need to recover damages in your motorcycle accident case. We will connect you with a member of our legal team who will provide a complimentary and confidential assessment of your case. We work on a contingency basis, so there are no upfront legal fees.
