Can Motorcycle Victims Recover Lost Income?

According to the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles, there were 144 motorcycle riders who died in 2014 and 3,149 motorcycle riders who got hurt in 2014.

For the thousands of motorcycle riders who experienced injuries, many were forced to miss at least some time at work, or to take sick days or vacation days due to their serious injuries. In cases where a motorcyclist was killed, surviving family members were also left without the income previously being brought into the household by the motorcyclist.

North Carolina law allows motorcycle accident victims to recover compensation for lost income or wages, if someone else caused the collision. If a motorcyclist can prove another person or company was unreasonably careless or failed to fulfill obligations, that person or company can become responsible for paying for lost wages and other damages.

Usually, it is a careless driver who is held responsible for motorcycle accidents and made to pay lost wages. The careless driver’s auto insurer typically picks up this cost.

In some cases, however, a motorcycle manufacturer may be held liable because a defect in the motorcycle caused an accident, or a road maintenance agency will be responsible for negligently failing to maintain the roads. In every case, the motorcycle accident victim or victim’s family must pursue a claim and prove the other party should be held responsible and required to provide compensation for losses.

If the motorcycle accident victim survives, he can be compensated for all time off work, including vacation and sick days, caused by motorcycle accident injuries. If injuries are permanent or long-lasting and continue to impair working abilities, the accident victim should receive compensation for continued loss of income.

If the accident was a fatal one, North Carolina General law section 28A-18-2 allows for recovery of lost lifetime earnings following a death.

For help recovering lost wages compensation after a motorcycle accident injures you or kills a loved one, contact a Charlotte, NC motorcycle accident lawyer for help.