At the Law Office of Gary Poole in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, I want each person visiting my office to feel comfortable and have a good understanding of my firm and approach to handling motorcycle injury cases. To that end, I have provided answers here to some frequently asked questions. For answers to other questions you may have, please contact my firm today and schedule an initial consultation.
Do you offer motorcycle accident free consultations?
Yes. When you call me we can discuss all of your questions, including: how the insurance company of the driver at fault will reimburse you for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering (how you were injured and how those injuries affect you) and any permanent injuries; how will your property damage claims be handled; and do you need an attorney. If it looks as if you do not need an attorney then I will give you some free advice on how you can handle your own claims with the insurance company.
If you handle my case, how and when do I pay you?
I work on a contingency fee basis. This means that I am paid a percentage of the settlement amount in your case. In other words, I am only paid if I am able to get you the compensation you deserve.
Do you make home or hospital visits?
Yes. I am happy to meet at the most convenient location to you. With Covid, though, we just need to make sure that we can property distance.
Will you travel to meet me?
Yes. I routinely travel throughout North Carolina to meet with motorcyclists to talk about their cases.
What happens if the other driver has little or no insurance?
When this situation occurs, you may have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage under your own motorcycle insurance that can be of help to you. I have significant experience in representing motorcyclists who have had to use their uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage under their own motorcycle insurance policy to get compensation.
What exactly does it mean to have a personal injury case?
It means that your injury is the result of another party’s negligence.
What does compensation entail?
If you have been injured due to the negligence of another driver, you receive payment from the insurance company of the driver at fault, which is referred to as a settlement. A settlement is a lump-sum payment made up of any of the following items that apply to your situation: medical expenses, lost earnings, past and future pain and suffering because of your injuries, and permanent injuries.
What about damage to my vehicle and other personal property?
When I represent a motorcyclist in connection with their injury claim, I will deal with the insurance company to get the motorcyclist fair compensation for the repairs to their motorcycle or the total loss of their motorcycle. I will then also deal with the insurance company to obtain payment for any damaged or destroyed personal property, such as a helmet, jacket, cell phone, boots, pants, gloves, etc. I will handle all of these property claims at no charge.
Do you collect a percentage of the property damage settlement?
No. I only collect a fee for handling your personal injury claim. Obtaining compensation for damaged property is simply part of my service to you.
Will I have to deal with insurance companies?
No. As your motorcycle accident lawyer, I will deal with your insurance company.
How long have you been in practice?
I have been practicing for over 38 years.
Do you really represent motorcyclists across all of North Carolina?
Yes I do! If you are anywhere in North Carolina and have questions about a motorcycle accident give me a call. Here is a list of the North Carolina counties where my motorcycle clients have come from over the years:
Alamance County, Brunswick County, Buncombe County, Cabarrus County, Caldwell County, Carteret County, Caswell County, Catawba County, Chatham County, Cherokee County, Craven County, Cumberland County, Davidson County, Davie County, Durham County, Edgecombe County, Forsyth County, Franklin County, Granville County, Guilford County, Halifax County, Harnett County, Iredell County, Johnston County, Lee County, Lenoir County, Mecklenburg County, Moore County, Nash County, New Hanover County, North Hampton County, Onslow County, Orange County, Pender County, Person County, Randolph County, Robeson County, Rockingham County, Rowan County, Sampson County, Stanley County, Stokes County, Surry County, Union County, Vance County, Wake County, Warren County, Washington County, Wayne County, Wilson County, Yadkin County
And, here are some of the North Carolina cities, towns and communities where my motorcycle clients have been from over the years:
Albemarle, Andrews, Angier, Apex, Ararat, Archdale, Arden, Asheboro, Autryville, Bear Creek, Benson, Burlington, Butner, Carrboro, Carthage, Cary, Castle Hayne, Cedar Grove, Chapel Hill, Clayton, Clemmons, Coats, Concord, Conover, Creedmoor, Dunn, Durham, Eden, Edenton, Efland, Enfield, Erwin, Fayetteville, Four Oaks, Franklinton, Franklinville, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Garysburg, Gaston, Goldsboro, Graham, Granite Falls, Greensboro, Greenville, Hampstead, Havelock, Henderson, Hickory, High Point, Hillsborough, Holly Springs, Hope Mills, Hubert, Hurdle Mills, Jacksonville, Jamestown, Kernersville, Kinston, Knightdale, Lenoir, Lexington, Liberty, Lumberton, McLeansville, Mebane, Mint Hill, Mocksville, Moncure, Monroe, Mooresville, Morrisville, Mt. Airy, New Bern, New Hill, Newport, Oxford, Parkton, Pfafftown, Pikeville, Pittsboro, Pleasant Garden, Prospect Hill, Raleigh, Ramseur, Randleman, Reidsville, Richlands, Roanoke Rapids, Rocky Mount, Rocky Point, Rougemont, Sanford, Shallotte, Siler City, Smithfield, Spring Lake, State Road, Selma, Statesville, Stem, Stokesdale, Supply, Surf City, Thomasville, Wake Forest, Weldon, Wendell, Willow Spring, Wilmington, Winston-Salem, Youngsville, and Zebulon
Do you represent out of state motorcyclists?
Yes, I will represent an out of state motorcyclist when their accident occurs in North Carolina. I know that many motorcycle riders from Virginia and South Carolina and Tennessee routinely come into North Carolina to ride. I also know that riders from states north of North Carolina, such as West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia and New York will often ride through North Carolina on their way to and back from Florida.
If you would like a free consultation to discuss your motorcycle accident give me a call directly at 919-942-1181, send me an email at garyrpoole@mindspring.com or complete our online contact form.