Near fatal bike wreck

[mgdoc8307]

I just got my son home from Wake trauma center after 2 weeks plus in the ICU. He and my family have alot to be thankful for this Christmas since he will recover and he is alive. Fractures of his right hip, femur, both knees, one foot, nose, face and arm but no brain trauma other than a concussion. Spinal cord is ok. A SUV made a illegal left turn in front of him and my son hit him at approx. 45 MPH broadside. He will miss his final semester at NC State and have a delay entering vet. school at NC State. His hosp. bills so far excede $500,000 . Does anyone have any experience with motorcycle accident litigation ? How to pick a lawyer? I've never sued anyone but in this case (driver of SUV charged with failure to yield right of way) my son needs help. Thanks,Michael

[NoRRmad]

Wo! Sorry to hear about that.

Your local Bar Association can probably present you with some recommendations and listings for a lawyer experienced in these matters.

[AncientMariner]

So glad to hear your son will recover.

Same exact type of accident happened to one of the guys in the Yankee Beemers. The lawyer that handles his personal affairs recommended that he contact one of those law firms that advertises on TV, you know the ones that promise that you will get what you have coming, yada, yada.

My friend did that and he was quite satisfied with the results. All his reconstructive surgery was covered and more.

[mogu83]

No personal experence.
I would consider checking out a LOCAL lawyer that specialized in representing injured motorcyclists. I see all kinds of ads in the motorcycle magazines and in the local MC shops. Sounds like you have to do something for your son. He could have repercussions from this for the rest of his life.
Good Luck

[NakedRider]

So sorry to hear about your son's accident. I agree with others here. Get a good lawyer and take your time with that. You may be working together for quite some time.

It doesn't sound like any of the injuries are crippling which must be a relief to you and the rest of the family. Personally, I would praise God for bringing him through this for the holidays.

[ShinySideUp]

I'm sorry you and he are going through this. And am glad to hear that his brain and cord are in good shape along with major organs.

Another possible source of information is an attorney who works for your insurance company. They often know who the good plaintiff's attorney's are in the area. Perhaps your local agent is the place to start getting access.

If you know any kind of attorney in your area, ask him or her who is the best firm for personal injury cases. Usually there's a premier firm in any given area with a well-known reputation. Then do the interviews to see if you can find an attack dog you can relate to.

From personal experience, I'd advise your son not to be in any hurry to settle until the full extent of residual problems is understood. Bones heal in 6 weeks; soft tissue can take years. Residual nerve symptoms can also persist. All these can affect the compensation.

I want him to heal fast and completely.

Bill

[mgdoc8307]

Thanks to all for your thoughts and concern for my son's recovery.

[Rog(UK) - Yorkshire Dales]

Sorry to hear about that. I'm in the UK and the same type of accident happened to mewhen I was out riding on my trusty Moto Guzzi SP3. I sustained a comminuted fracture of the left elbow and wrist (they were in several pieces) but I was lucky because the same guy did exactly the same manouvre a couple of years earlier in the same place, but the biker was not so lucky.

What to do? OK laws are different in the UK, but I'm sure the basics are the same. Your son has been injured through the incompetence/lack of due attention of the other driver. My advice to you is to go to a TOP firm of lawyers and and tell them what happened. Go from there. Don't try to economise by going to a small-town lawyer. The previous popster was totally right when he said that this could have repurcussions for the rest of your son's life. Your son is the injured party. It is his right (and nothing to do with the insurance company) to instruct the lawyer of his choice.

As an aside; after my accident, I was quite naive and accepted the lawyers which my insurance company recommended. I was NOT happy with them. I got the feeling that the solicitor dealing with my case was just one of 50 in a large room and was simply ticking boxes. This was confirmed three MONTHS later when I received a letter from him asking if my CAR had now been repaired. I sacked him the same day.

Best wishes

Rog

[ka5ysy]

Michael:

Give Jonah "Joe" Poe a call in Durham and tell him I referred you. He is a personal injury tort lawyer and good guy.

POE LAW FIRM, PLLC
P.O. Box 15455
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 471-4015
Fax: (919) 471-4035


Private message also sent to you

Doug Stracener
Attorney, Baton Rouge

[seevtsaab]

Glad to hear your son will recover, I've nothing to add regarding lawyer advice.

Perhaps you could post an accident review / gear involved, and how said gear helped or not?

I haven't seen if there's special section here for this - this is a rotten yet invaluable way to learn benefits of particular gear.

[Luke_Warmwater]

Glad to hear your son will recover, I've nothing to add regarding lawyer advice.

Perhaps you could post an accident review / gear involved, and how said gear helped or not?

I haven't seen if there's special section here for this - this is a rotten yet invaluable way to learn benefits of particular gear.

My suggestion would be for you to abstain from discussing the details of the collision on this or any other forum due to possible pending litigation. Wishing a speedy recovery to your son. All the best for 2010.

[TPE3B]

Sorry to hear about your son, i hope he will make a full recovery.

This guy - Tom McGrath - advertises a lot in Virginia, and has an office in NC as well http://www.motorcyclevirginia.com/home.aspx
Never had personal experience with his group, but at least he himself is a motorcyclist....

AZ