Charlotte Motorcycle Accident Attorney

If you ride a motorcycle, you are at a higher risk of being injured in an accident, even if you are a safe rider. You are also at a higher risk of being killed in a motorcycle accident. According to the National Transportation safety board, for every mile traveled, motorcyclists are nearly 28 times more likely than the occupants of passenger vehicles to die in a traffic accident. Motorcycles are smaller, less visible, and less protected than other vehicles.

Car and truck drivers may not detect a motorcyclist in traffic, leaving the motorcyclist vulnerable on the road. Additionally, when an accident occurs between a motorcycle and another vehicle, the driver without the protective frame of a passenger vehicle commonly receives the most serious injuries. In 2020 alone, 176 motorcyclists died, and 2,805 became injured in motorcycle accidents in North Carolina crashes.

The steps you take after a motorcycle accident are important. After a motorcycle accident, the most important thing to do is to call 911 and request emergency medical personnel and a police officer to come to the scene. Try to remain calm and move to a safe location if you can do so. If the paramedic recommends that you go to the hospital, follow that recommendation and make sure you tell the doctor about all of your symptoms.

As the days go on, keep a journal and write down all of your symptoms. Be sure to follow up with your primary care doctor and attend all appointments, and take all of your medication. Doing so will help your legal claim for compensation down the road. If you can safely take photos of the scene, we recommend doing so. Obtain a police accident report, document everything, and discuss your case with an attorney as soon as you can.

Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable on North Carolina roads. Many motorcycle accidents involve another vehicle, such as a car, truck, semi-truck, or another commercial vehicle. The most frequent type of collision is caused by a car making a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle. These types of accidents can result in head-on or near head-on collisions, increasing the likelihood that the motorcycle will be severely injured or pass away. Other common causes of motorcycle accidents in North Carolina include the following:

• Unsafe Lane changes
• Sudden stops
• Speeding
• Road hazards
• Open car doors
• Lane splitting
• Hitting a fixed object
• Following too closely
• Driving while intoxicated
• Defects in motorcycles
• Distracted driving
• Corner turning

The potential for a serious injury in a motorcycle accident is high. Motorcyclists are less protected than most other drivers on the road, even if they wear all of their safety gear and a helmet. When a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle collide, the motorcyclist is the most likely to become injured. An experienced motorcycle attorney can help you document your injuries and medical care so you can fight for the compensation you deserve. Some of the most common types of injuries caused by motorcycle accidents include the following:

• Arm injuries such as sprains, brakes, bruises, cuts, damage to the nervous system, and amputations
• Leg injuries such as sprains, brakes, cuts, bruises, and amputations
• Head injuries such as amnesia, headaches, skull fractures, concussions, and traumatic brain damage
• Road rash is caused by friction burns or skin abrasions when the motorcyclist scrapes along the ground after being thrown from the motorcycle

Unfortunately, in some motorcycle accidents, the motorcyclist passes away from his or her injuries. A motorcyclist often may be thrown from the motorcycle and suffer severe internal organ injuries, a spinal cord injury, or more, and pass away at the accident scene. In North Carolina, the deceased individual’s personal representative has a right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the person or company whose negligence caused the motorcycle accident. Suppose your loved one died in a motorcycle accident that a negligent driver caused. In that case, you could pursue damages for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, the medical expenses he or she received, and loss of income.

At Arnold & Smith, PLLC, our personal injury attorneys understand the appeal of motorcycle riders experiencing freedom on the open road. We also understand the physical, financial, and emotional trauma that accompanies motorcycle injuries. Our attorneys know how to successfully fight insurance companies and defendants for compensation for injured motorcyclists. Contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC, today to schedule your free initial consultation and learn more about how we can fight for your rights.