Motorcycles are some of the most dangerous vehicles to operate on the roads and highways of North Carolina. Even when other drivers see a motorcyclist, they can still misjudge its speed and distance. All drivers are required to obey the same right-of-way rules. Unfortunately, many passenger vehicle drivers fail to recognize and follow these right-of-way rules. They routinely violate bikers’ right of way. Motorists’ failure to detect motorcyclists is the leading cause of motorcycle accidents.
As a result, approximately two-thirds of all motorcycle accidents result from other vehicles encroaching on a motorcyclist’s right of way. In failure to yield motorcycle accidents, motorcyclists are the most likely to be seriously injured due to their lack of external protection. A motorcyclist who has been involved in a failure to yield accidents can suffer road rash, internal organ damage, brain damage, spinal cord injury, paralysis, and even death.
All Drivers Must Yield When Required by LawEvery driver in North Carolina has the same rights and protections on the road. These protections apply regardless of the driver’s mode of transportation. The driver of a small passenger vehicle, an SUV, a commercial truck, and a motorcycle should expect that all other drivers will follow the road rules. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
Under North Carolina law, drivers must yield to oncoming traffic when faced with a yield sign or stop sign. When approaching a yield sign, drivers must slow down to a reasonable speed under present traffic conditions. When a driver fails to yield the right-of-way to a motorcycle who is legally entitled to the right of way, the driver can be held liable for the motorcycle accident.
In many different situations, determining when to yield is a matter of common sense. For example, when attempting to make a lane change on a highway or another multi-lane road, all drivers must yield to vehicles already in the traffic light. If you have been injured by a driver's failure to yield to you as a motorcyclist, we recommend discussing your case with one of our personal injury attorneys. We will be able to perform a complete analysis of how the other driver’s failure to yield caused your injuries and begin gathering evidence.
Many Motorists Do Not Yield to MotorcyclistsWhen a motorist fails to yield the right-of-way to a motorcyclist, their actions put the motorcyclist at risk of serious harm or injury. There are many different reasons why failure to yield motorcycle accidents occurred. A motorcycle is more difficult to see than a larger vehicle. Many motorcycles can easily fit into a person's blind spot. Even if they check their side mirror and rear view mirror before making a lane change, they may still strike a motorist. Nonetheless, every driver in North Carolina is responsible for accounting for the presence of other road users before they make certain driving maneuvers.
Protecting Your Rights After a Failure-to-Yield Motorcycle AccidentAs mentioned above, there are many reasons why motorcycle accidents happen. In all of these cases, one thing remains clear. Failure to yield to the right-of-way of a motorcycle is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents and injuries. Many drivers do not give motorcyclists the respect they deserve while on the road or do not see them before they make turns or merge into traffic.
The resulting damages from a motorcycle accident can be catastrophic. Because they do not have the external protection of a passenger vehicle, motorcycle riders are more likely to suffer severe injuries in car accidents than those in full-size vehicles. These injuries can require extensive medical care. The motorcyclist will become paralyzed due to a spinal cord injury in some cases. Traumatic brain injuries are also common in failure to yield collisions. When a passenger vehicle collides with a motorcycle, the motorcyclist can be thrown from the motorcycle, causing a TBI.
Discuss Your Rights With a Charlotte Motorcycle Accident AttorneyHave you or your loved one been seriously injured by a driver failing to yield the right away? If so, you may be entitled to economic damages for all of your medical expenses, property damage, and more. You may also be entitled to non-economic damages for the pain and suffering you have endured. The best thing you can do is reach out to a personal injury attorney. Contact today to schedule your free initial consultation to discuss your case.