Protecting Your Rights and Future After a Crash
No driver or a motorcyclist goes out on the street thinking that they might end up in an accident. However, accidents are very common and can happen to anyone. Find out why you need a car or motorcycle accident lawyer if you’ve been hurt!
Millions of people die because of car or motorcycle accident every year. No one is protected from injuries in accidents, not even truck drivers who seem to be safe up in their huge and heavy vehicles.
Motorcyclists are more prone to severe injuries due to the fact that the only protection they have is the helmet on their heads. Even a small impact can cause them to end up thrown on the street.
Car drivers have some protection, but a car is a lightweight vehicle compared to a truck, so the outcomes in such accidents can be dangerous too.
No matter what kind of accident you were in, always make sure you contact a North Carolina auto accident lawyer.
Motorcycles vs. Cars
It is a known fact that motorcycles are far more dangerous than cars. While a decent car comes with several safety features that should reduce the number of deaths on the streets, motorcycles don’t come with any of those things.
New and modern cars have anti-lock brakes, seatbelts, electronic stability control, collision warning systems, and so on. Also, they come with backup cameras and side-view cameras which makes the whole driving easier and safer.
A motorcycle does not come with a seat belt, nor any other safety feature that should protect the rider from a potential crash. The rider relies only on their helmet.
Motorcyclists are recommended to wear a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet. The harsh statistic says that more than fifty percent of motorcyclists killed in accidents were not wearing a helmet (mainly in states without universal helmet laws).
Compared to states that have the universal helmet law, only 8 percent of riders died (they were not wearing a helmet).
The helmet is the main protector of severe brain injuries and saves thousands of lives per year. But, the helmet cannot protect the rider from broken ribs, fractured arms or legs, or internal bleeding. The force that throws the rider off the bike is the main reason for most severe injuries.
Common Causes For Car and Motorcycle Accidents
The reasons behind a car or motorcycle accident are various. Every year, more than 11 million car accidents take place in the United States. The causes for such accidents can be classified into two groups
- Driver error
- Other causes (road conditions, brake failures, weather conditions, health emergencies)
Here are the most common causes of car accidents:
- Distracted driving – About 25 percent of all car accidents happened because the driver used a cell phone. We all believe that multitasking is a great way to finish things faster, but when it comes to driving, it can cost us our life.
- Driving under the influence – Alcohol remains one of the top reasons for car accidents (half of all car accidents happened because of drunk drivers).
- Driver fatigue – Up to 3 percent of the accidents the United States occurred because the driver fell asleep while driving.
Speeding – Just like alcohol, speeding contributes to half of the accidents. - Aggressive driving – This includes failure to stop at stop signs or traffic lights, aggressive tailgating, or frequent changing lanes.
The following are the most common reasons for motorcycle accidents
- Car making a left-hand turn – Riders are at high risk of an accident when cars make a left-hand turn. More than 40 percent of all accidents involving a car and motorcycle were caused because a car was turning left. In such cases, the motorcycle may be hit while riding straight through an intersection, when it tries to overtake the car or pass it.
- Lane splitting – Although illegal in all states, it is one of the most common reasons for such accidents. When motorcycles drive between two lanes they are at a higher risk of crashing due to reduced space for maneuvering. The vehicles are too close and the drivers do not expect a motorcycle passing them while the traffic is stopped or slow.
- Alcohol and speeding – Just like with car accidents, alcohol, and high speeds easily lead to crashes.
Hitting a fixed object – One-quarter of fatal motorcycle accidents happen because riders hit a fixed object. - Road hazards – Motorcycles have two wheels and poorer balance when they drive over uneven lane heights, potholes or other hazards.
Our attorneys know North Carolina’s rules on car and motorcycles accidents. Contact Harman Law today at (704) 286-0947.
