Motorcycle accidents account for over 15 percent of all traffic accident-related deaths in the United States. As the popularity of motorcycles as a means of transport has increased over the past few decades, so has the number of traffic accidents involving motorcycles. Although all accidents are traumatizing experiences, motorcycle accidents are more so due to the little protection they offer their riders. Motorcycles are inherently dangerous vehicles, and the violation of traffic regulations makes them even more dangerous.
If you or your loved one were involved in such an incident, an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer at Riddle & Brantley in North Carolina can help you get justice. Through a lawsuit against the negligent party, you can obtain fair financial compensation for your losses. Most law firms operate on a contingency basis, meaning that you would not pay until your lawyer delivers a successful outcome for your case.
Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol is one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents in North Carolina. Alcohol impairs a driver’s concentration and reflexes, rendering them unable to react to sudden traffic developments. Drunk driving puts everyone on the road at risk of severe physical harm and is responsible for most motorcycle accident-related deaths.
Reckless Driving
Dangerous driving practices like distracted driving, over-speeding, and exhibiting blatant disregard for traffic regulations result in a significantly higher risk of getting involved in life-threatening traffic accidents. Reckless driving can result in instant death if the driver is not careful enough and severely impair their quality of life due to extensive injuries if they survive the accident.
Hazardous Weather Conditions
Rain and snow account for most motorcycle accidents resulting from hazardous wedding conditions. Slippery roads are a recipe for disaster, and an unsuspecting motorcycle rider can skid over the wet road and incur severe physical harm and life-threatening injuries. It’s best to always pay attention to your surroundings.
Lane Splitting
The term lane splitting refers to the negligent practice of driving between the lanes on the road. Instead of driving in one lane, driving between lanes can cause other drivers to collide with the motorcycle, resulting in life-threatening crashes that end up causing damage that is several orders of magnitude higher in motorcycle riders relative to car drivers. Always stay cautious on the road. If you notice a car that is switching between lanes callously stay as far away from that car as possible.
Head-on Collisions
Head-on collisions account for 75% of all accidents that occur because of a direct collision between a motorcycle and another vehicle. The high momentum of the moving vehicle is transferred to the bike, which can throw the driver off and result in catastrophic injury and even death. The risk of injuries like skull fracture and fatal internal bleeding significantly rises if the motorcycle driver does not wear protective gear like a helmet.
Conclusion
If you got injured in a motorcycle accident, you might be able to sue the negligent driver to acquire compensation for your damages. Consulting a skilled traffic accident lawyer is one of the best ways to ensure a robust personal injury claim against the offending party and obtain the justice you deserve. You deserve financial compensation for someone’s gross negligent driving so it’s best to reach out to a trusted legal team as soon as you can.