The feeling of riding a motorcycle on the highway is like no other! One experiences a range of emotions, from fear to excitement. No matter how fun bike riding may be, it can be dangerous if you don’t take all the necessary precautions.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to die in an accident and five times more likely to be injured than four-wheel drivers. In 2017, motorcyclists made up 14 percent of all traffic fatalities, while the annual bike injuries increased from 82K to 88K between 2009 and 2016.
The risk of injuries and fatalities is higher for motorcyclists because motorcycles lack the steel frame protective structure and seat belts in other vehicles. So, when a motorcyclist meets an accident, they are likely to fall and hit the pavement and other objects in the surrounding area, resulting in serious injuries, especially if they were not wearing a helmet.
The most common motorcyclist accident injuries include the following:
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- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Road rash
- Facial fractures
- Neurological damage
- Disfigurement
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Limb amputations
- Spinal damage
- Paralysis
These injuries can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Depending on the severity of their injuries, victims may have to undergo multiple surgeries, be hospitalized for days or weeks, or seek physiotherapy and rehabilitation services. All of this can cost a fortune and hurt them financially. In such a situation, a victim can get help seeking financial stability and the best medical treatment to recover smoothly and with peace of mind by hiring an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in South Carolina and North Carolina.
At the Law Office of Jason E. Taylor P.C., our goal is to help you get quality treatment and set on the road to recovery without any financial constraints. Our motorcycle accident lawyer will handle every aspect of your case from day one and fight for you to get fair and full compensation for the injuries and losses incurred.
Our lawyer will thoroughly investigate your case to determine the root cause of the accident. Knowing the cause of the accident can help build a strong claim and establish liability against the responsible party. Based on our years of research and legal experience, we understand numerous factors can contribute to motorcycle accidents. Here’s a quick overview of the top causes:
- Left Turns
The road can instantly turn into a danger zone when a car makes a left turn. Statistics show that left turns account for nearly 42 percent of all motorcycle fatalities. This usually happens when a car doesn’t adequately yield their left turn to motorcycles passing or heading straight. While turning left, misjudgments of distance and right of way errors result in crashes at intersections between cars and motorcycles. Due to the small size of motorcycles, left turn crashes are more dangerous when they’re involved.
- Driving Under the Influence
Alcohol, drugs, and vehicles just don’t mix. Whether it is a car driver or a motorcyclist, they must be sober and pay full attention to the road to ensure their vehicle’s safe and proper operation. But, unfortunately, there is a high prevalence of intoxicated drivers across the US, and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents in the country. Statistically speaking, 1/3 of all fatal motorcycle accidents occur because of drunk driving.
- Opening of a Car Door
When an individual parks their vehicle on the street and then opens the door blocking the path of the oncoming traffic, an accident can occur. As the car driver/passenger fails to check the mirror or look carefully for a less visible motorcycle, the vehicle door can smash into a passing motorcyclist, thus causing severe injuries.
- Head-on Collisions
Did you know that almost 80 percent of motorcycle accidents involve a car hitting a motorcyclist head-on? This primarily happens when the car driver:
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- Starts to turn left in front of an oncoming motorcyclist
- Wants to pass a slower vehicle and fails to see a speeding motorcyclist
- Drifts out from their lane and into oncoming traffic
Another reason for head-on collisions is distracted driving. Using a cell phone is one of the most dangerous practices that can lead to an accident. Other distractions include adjusting the radio, the GPS, applying makeup, or texting while driving.
- Dangerous Road and Weather Conditions
Balanced on just two wheels, it’s not easy for a motorcyclist to maintain stability and control when the conditions on the road become unfavorable. Cracking pavement, debris, gravel, potholes, and slippery road conditions because of snow and ice can put motorcyclists at a higher risk of having an accident as they may lose control over their ride.
- Motorcycle Defects
By law, the manufacturer of a poorly designed motorcycle or defective parts can be held liable for the accident. Some of the most common motorcycle defects include:
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- Fractures in the bike’s frame, which can result in serious accidents caused by structural failures.
- Engine problems are when a motorcycle can stop in situations where it must keep moving because of the heavy traffic.
- Gas leaks due to a manufacturing flaw of the fuel tank, which can result in motorcycle fires,
- Brake failure, which can reduce your ability to stop the bike when needed.
- Defective bike wheels, which can make the motorcycle unstable and skid.
- Defective handlebars can cause the bike to wobble and prevent it from staying on the desired path.
Seek Legal Assistance Now to Fight for a Fair Compensation
If the motorcycle accident occurred due to someone else’s negligence, then you’re entitled to seek compensation. However, the amount of compensation often depends on your case representation.
Our motorcycle accident lawyer in South Carolina and North Carolina will investigate your case in-depth to determine the cause of the accident, how it occurred and who was responsible for it. All these details, supported with relevant evidence, will help us build a strong case and justify the claim amount.
At the Law Office of Jason E. Taylor P.C., our attorneys work on every case with integrity and passion. Settling for less is not an option for us. Therefore, we are ready to go the extra mile to fight for the compensation that you deserve. For more information or legal assistance, contact us today.
