Injured in a Motorcycle Accident?
Practice Areas
North Carolina Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Durham
Helping Victims Seek Fair Compensation
Motorcycles are involved in 10% of all crashes, even though they account for only 2% of the vehicles on the road. Accidents are typically more severe for riders, if you are on a motorcycle, you are 35 times more likely to be killed in an accident than someone in a car. In addition, about 80% of accidents result in injury or death for motorcyclists, compared with 20% for passengers in a car.
If you ride safely and are aware of other drivers, your chances of being in an accident are lower, but the fact remains that motorcycles are statistically a more dangerous mode of transportation, a fact that often results in insurance company bias when determining fault in an accident.
Top Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists often suffer from negative stereotypes that brand them as “reckless” or “risky.” These are unfair perceptions that can make litigating motorcycle accident claims difficult, especially when trying to convince a jury otherwise. The reality is, many motorcycle accidents are in fact caused by drivers of motor vehicles. Studies show that drivers of cars and trucks are to blame for most motorcycle accidents.
Common causes of motorcycle accidents:
- Cars making left turns – Drivers often have difficulty assessing the distance and speed of oncoming motorcycles, which can cause serious accidents during left turns.
- Rear end crashes – This often results in drivers who are following too closely or distracted by their phones.
- Blind spots – Some drivers fail to check their blind spots before changing lanes or making turns. Although motorcycles are smaller than cars and are harder to spot, drivers still have the responsibility of making sure they do not hit other motorists.
- Car door opening – This often happens when a car is parked on the side or in a parking lot. Suddenly opening doors while a motorcycle is driving by can lead to horrific accidents. Drivers should always check the roads before opening any car doors.
Common Motorcycle Injuries
Because of the high instance of accidents on the road, there are many common issues that can happen. These injuries can cause you to have high medical bills, additional expenses, and future pain and suffering.
Common injuries in a motorcycle accident include:
- Fractures: When a rider is thrown from a bike, any bone is at risk of being broken.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damaging your spinal cord can result in paralysis.
- Brain damage or concussion: A blow to the head can cause a severe brain injury, severe neck trauma and death, which is why wearing a helmet is the law in North Carolina.
- Road rash: Hitting the pavement can result in severe abrasions.
Strong Advocate for Motorcycle Accident Victims
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you need strong legal representation from an experienced lawyer with proven results in motorcycle cases to obtain the compensation you deserve. In personal injury cases and wrongful death, you pay no fees unless you receive compensation.
Call Don Strickland at (919) 828-4357 to schedule an initial consultation.