Eastern NC Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
There are more motorcycles on North Carolina roads today than ever before. The growing population of cycling enthusiasts includes “weekend riders” -- those older and more affluent motorcyclists for whom riding is a hobby rather than a mode of daily transportation. An unfortunate side effect of this trend is a generally lower level of experience than the average bike rider and, therefore, a higher risk of a motorcycle accident.
The motorcycle accident lawyers of Teague & Glover have experience fighting to protect the rights of motorcycle accident victims. If you or someone you care about has been injured by someone else's negligence in a motorcycle crash, call us today at 252-335-0878 or contact us online. Danny Glover, Jr., previously served as the elected Chair of the AutoTorts Section of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice and for six years served on its Board of Governors, as well as serving on other various boards and committees of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice. We can advise you about your potential personal injury claim.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycle accidents have steadily increased each year since 1997. The largest increase by far is among the older population—47 percent of motorcycle riders killed in crashes in 2006 were aged 40 or over, compared with 30 percent in 1996. The sad reality is that motorcyclist fatalities nationwide have increased for 10 years in a row and account for 13 percent of all motor vehicle deaths.
Although every traffic accident has the potential to be serious, those involving motorcycles often result in the most severe injuries. The reasons for this are fairly obvious—motorcycles provide virtually no protection to the bike rider in the event of an accident. The most common motorcycle injuries include:
- Leg injuries
- Head injuries
- Broken bones
- Severe skin abrasions (known as road rash)
- Internal bleeding and trauma
- Spinal cord and neck injuries
An August 2008 study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed that lower-extremity injuries -- especially bone fractures -- were the most common injuries sustained by motorcyclists treated in trauma centers, followed by upper-extremity and head injuries. Although many states have enacted helmet laws to reduce the severity of head injuries, those injuries remain the leading cause of motorcycle accident fatalities.
As with all traffic accidents, those involving motorcycles result from several factors. Because of their size, motorcycles are less visible on the road. They are also able to stop more quickly than a car, truck or tractor trailer, which makes them more vulnerable to being rear-ended. Motorcycles are especially vulnerable to intersection accidents, where other motorists not paying enough attention may pull out in front of them. These vulnerabilities mean that careless drivers and common driving hazards spell disaster for motorcyclists. Additionally, motorcycle riders are subject to the dangers of hazardous weather and road conditions, including debris, blind corners, loose gravel, and potholes. Motorcycle wrecks may also be the result of defective equipment or mechanical failure.
Research into the cause of car-motorcycle collisions has revealed that the majority of crashes are not the fault of the motorcyclist but of the other driver. Most often, the driver of a car or truck simply did not see the motorcycle. However, this does not excuse the driver from responsibility. Victims of motorcycle accidents may be entitled to compensation for the damages caused by the negligence of the other driver. This compensation may include payment for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and, in the event of a fatal accident, wrongful death.
The aftermath of a motorcycle accident can leave the victims struggling physically and financially, with mounting medical bills and living expenses. Although the legal and financial ramifications are not the most immediate concerns of accident victims, they are critical in the long term. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, or if you have lost a loved one, contact the motorcycle accident attorneys of Teague & Glover today by calling 252-335-0878 or contact us online. Our motorcycle accident attorneys have been helping personal injury victims in northeastern North Carolina obtain justice since 1981, including Elizabeth City, Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, Corolla, Duck, Kill Devil Hills, Manteo, Hertford, Edenton, Camden, Currituck County and all of the Outer Banks. Contact us today.
