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Common Causes

Motorcyclists have virtually no protection in a collision, which is why motorcycle accidents have such an overwhelming potential to result in injuries, including catastrophic and fatal injuries. Because riders face such elevated risks, it becomes essential for all motorists to uphold their legal duty of operating their vehicles safely. When they fail to do so and cause wrecks that injure riders, they can be held liable for victims’ damages.

What's On This Page

North Carolina Motorcycle Accident Attorney and Firm Founder Jason E. Taylor is a motorcycle enthusiast and member of the American Motorcyclist Association, the Concerned Bikers Association, and other organizations dedicated to the safety and well-being of fellow riders. His own passion for riding has been a driving force behind his commitment to fighting aggressively on behalf of motorcyclists who have suffered injuries in all types of preventable wrecks across North and South Carolina.

If you or someone you love has been injured in any type of motorcycle collision, you can be confident about placing your trust in The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor.

Our legal team draws from over 100 years of combined experience to investigate the underlying cause of motorcycle wrecks and pursue a full recovery of damages from the at-fault party. We encourage you to call (800) 351-3008 24/7 for a FREE consultation.

Factors in Motorcycle Wrecks

Many factors can cause motorcycle accidents. When it comes to personal injury or wrongful death claims, victims will need to prove that negligence, in whatever form it took, more likely than not led to the accident and subsequent injuries or death.

Below are a few of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents:

  • Intersections – Statistics show a large percentage of motorcycle accidents occur at intersections. This is due to the dangers of cars making left-hand turns.
  • Commonly motorists who make left turns will fail to see a motorcycle going straight through an intersection or passing a vehicle due to inattention, distraction, or sheer negligence. Motorists must yield at left hand-turns when there is no protected turn arrow, and they can be held at fault when they fail to do so.
  • Lane changes – Because motorcycles are smaller than passenger vehicles, they are often overseen by motorists who attempt to change lanes. When motorists fail to properly survey their surroundings and change lanes without knowing the coast is clear, they can cause collisions with riders. This is why riders should always make sure drivers can see them. However, a distracted, inattentive, or otherwise negligent motorist can still cause accidents when making unsafe lane changes.
  • Distraction – Distracted driving has become one of the most concerning dangers on public roads. Experts believe it is a primary reason behind the increasing number of roadway injuries and deaths across the nation. Drivers who choose distractions over the task of driving, such as texting or using a cell phone, are committing serious acts of negligence that endanger all others around them, and especially motorcyclists who can be easily overlooked by drivers who aren’t distracted at all.
  • Not enough space – Drivers who follow too closely or are otherwise inattentive when behind a motorcycle can cause rear-end collisions. Motorcycles are small and have shorter stopping distances, so drivers of passenger vehicles should follow at safe distances and be prepared to stop. After all, rear-end wrecks can be fatal for riders. Additionally, drivers should provide enough space when passing motorcycles. If they cannot provide at least three feet of clearance when passing a rider, they should wait until it is safe to do so.
  • Alcohol – Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report that alcohol plays a role in nearly half of fatal motorcycle accidents. This can include both driver and rider impairment. Even when riders obey the law and ride sober, they can still fall victim to motorists who choose to get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Driver fatigue – Studies have found that driving fatigued or sleep-deprived can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. Tired drivers are less likely to be aware of their surroundings, including nearby motorcyclists, and responsive when making driving maneuvers. A tired driver can prove deadly when motorcycle riders are nearby.

Motorcyclists face numerous dangers on the road, many of which are posed by driver error. Even when riders are extra vigilant, they can still suffer harm in accidents when others are negligent. Fortunately, they have the right to hold negligent drivers liable for their damages by pursuing personal injury claims.

Call (800) 351-3008 for a FREE Consultation

Our legal team at The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor is available around the clock to help injured riders and their families learn about their legal rights following preventable wrecks.

We know that accidents can create overwhelming challenges for both victims and their loved ones, which is why we go the extra mile to ensure they have the compassionate support and experienced representation to secure the justice and compensation they deserve. By leveraging our experience and insight, we also fight back against insurance companies that quickly dispute claims and blame riders for causing or contributing to wrecks.

If you wish to discuss a motorcycle accident case with an attorney from our firm, call (800) 351-3008 24/7 for a FREE consultation.

Contact our Personal Injury Attorneys

Contact us today to speak with one of our Charlotte, Hickory, Greenville, Rock Hill, or Columbia attorneys.

120 3rd St NE
Hickory, NC 28601

Phone: (828) 327-9004
Toll Free: (800) 351-3008

130 Church St NE
Concord, NC 28025

Phone: (704) 787-9419
Toll Free: (800) 351-3008

301 S McDowell St #1016
Charlotte, NC 28204

Phone: (704) 676-1093
Toll Free: (800) 351-3008

1348 Ebenezer Rd #103
Rock Hill, SC 29732

Phone: (803) 980-5300
Toll Free: (800) 351-3008

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News From Our Blog

Notice of Data Security Event
Updated March 28, 2025

The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor is providing notice of an event that may affect certain individuals’ information. Although we have no indication of identity theft or fraud in relation to this event, we are providing information about the event, our response, and additional measures individuals can take to help protect their information, should they feel it appropriate to do so.

What Happened? On October 28, 2024, The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor identified suspicious activity related to our email system. We quickly took steps to investigate and determined that an unknown actor may have accessed certain emails within our email system between August 7 and November 7, 2024. We then conducted a comprehensive review of the potentially affected emails and attachments to determine what information was contained therein and to whom the information related, which was completed on February 25, 2025. Unfortunately, we were unable to verify the addresses of certain affected individuals, so we are providing this notice to ensure potentially affected individuals receive information about the event.

What Information Was Involved? The information affected may include individuals’ Social Security number, driver’s license and state ID information, financial account number, and health information.

What We Are Doing. We are notifying individuals about this matter and providing guidance about free resources that are available to assist with monitoring relevant accounts, credit reports, and how to place a fraud alert or security freeze on one’s credit file. Further, as with our typical security practices, we will continue to evaluate our policies, procedures, staff training, and technical security measures to reduce the likelihood of an event like this reoccurring.

What Individuals Can Do. We encourage you to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing your account statements and monitoring your free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. We also recommend you review the below “Steps Individuals Can Take To Help Protect Personal Information”.

For More Information. If individuals have questions about this matter, we have a dedicated assistance line with agents ready to answer their questions. Please contact our toll-free dedicated assistance line at 1-800-939-4170, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. through 9 p.m., excluding holidays. You may also write to us at The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, Attn: Compliance, P.O. Box 2688, Hickory, NC 28603.

Sincerely,

The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor

STEPS INDIVIDUALS CAN TAKE TO HELP PROTECT PERSONAL INFORMATION

Monitor Your Accounts

Under U.S. law, a consumer is entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. To order a free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. Consumers may also directly contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below to request a free copy of their credit report.

Consumers have the right to place an initial or extended “fraud alert” on a credit file at no cost. An initial fraud alert is a 1-year alert that is placed on a consumer’s credit file. Upon seeing a fraud alert display on a consumer’s credit file, a business is required to take steps to verify the consumer’s identity before extending new credit. If consumers are the victim of identity theft, they are entitled to an extended fraud alert, which is a fraud alert lasting seven years. Should consumers wish to place a fraud alert, please contact any of the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below.

As an alternative to a fraud alert, consumers have the right to place a “credit freeze” on a credit report, which will prohibit a credit bureau from releasing information in the credit report without the consumer’s express authorization. The credit freeze is designed to prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved in a consumer’s name without consent. However, consumers should be aware that using a credit freeze to take control over who gets access to the personal and financial information in their credit report may delay, interfere with, or prohibit the timely approval of any subsequent request or application they make regarding a new loan, credit, mortgage, or any other account involving the extension of credit. Pursuant to federal law, consumers cannot be charged to place or lift a credit freeze on their credit report. To request a credit freeze, individuals may need to provide some or all of the following information:

1. Full name (including middle initial as well as Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.);
2. Social Security number;
3. Date of birth;
4. Addresses for the prior two to five years;
5. Proof of current address, such as a current utility bill or telephone bill;
6. A legible photocopy of a government-issued identification card (state driver’s license or ID card, etc.); and
7. A copy of either the police report, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft if they are a victim of identity theft.

Should consumers wish to place a credit freeze or fraud alert, please contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below:

Equifax Experian TransUnion
https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/ https://www.experian.com/help/

https://www.transunion.com/credit-help
1-888-298-0045 1-888-397-3742 1-800-916-8800
Equifax Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348-5069 Experian Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016
Equifax Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348-5788 Experian Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094

Additional Information

Consumers may further educate themselves regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and the steps they can take to protect their personal information by contacting the consumer reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission, or their state attorney general. The Federal Trade Commission may be reached at: 600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20580; www.identitytheft.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The Federal Trade Commission also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. Consumers can obtain further information on how to file such a complaint by way of the contact information listed above. Consumers have the right to file a police report if they ever experience identity theft or fraud. Please note that in order to file a report with law enforcement for identity theft, consumers will likely need to provide some proof that they have been a victim. Instances of known or suspected identity theft should also be reported to law enforcement and the relevant state attorney general. This notice has not been delayed by law enforcement.

For District of Columbia residents, the District of Columbia Attorney General may be contacted at: 400 6th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001; 1-202-442-9828; and oag.dc.gov.

For Maryland residents, the Maryland Attorney General may be contacted at: 200 St. Paul Place, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202; 1-410-576-6300 or 1-888-743-0023; and https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/.

For New Mexico residents, consumers have rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, such as the right to be told if information in their credit file has been used against them, the right to know what is in their credit file, the right to ask for their credit score, and the right to dispute incomplete or inaccurate information. Further, pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the consumer reporting bureaus must correct or delete inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information; consumer reporting agencies may not report outdated negative information; access to consumers’ files is limited; consumers must give consent for credit reports to be provided to employers; consumers may limit “prescreened” offers of credit and insurance based on information in their credit report; and consumers may seek damages from violators. Consumers may have additional rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act not summarized here. Identity theft victims and active-duty military personnel have specific additional rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. We encourage consumers to review their rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act by visiting www.consumerfinance.gov/f/201504_cfpb_summary_your-rights-under-fcra.pdf, or by writing Consumer Response Center, Room 130-A, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20580.

For New York residents, the New York Attorney General may be contacted at: Office of the Attorney General, The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341; 1-800-771-7755; or https://ag.ny.gov.

For North Carolina residents, the North Carolina Attorney General may be contacted at: 9001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-9001; 1-877-566-7226 or 1-919-716-6000; and www.ncdoj.gov.

For Rhode Island residents, the Rhode Island Attorney General may be reached at: 150 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903; 1-401-274-4400; and www.riag.ri.gov. Under Rhode Island law, individuals have the right to obtain any police report filed in regard to this event.
STEPS INDIVIDUALS CAN TAKE TO HELP PROTECT A MINOR DEPENDENT’S PERSONAL INFORMATION

Typically, credit reporting agencies do not have a credit report in a minor’s name. To find out if a minor has a credit report or to request a manual search for a minor’s Social Security number each credit bureau has its own process. To learn more about these processes or request these services, consumers may contact the credit bureaus by phone, writing, or online:
Equifax Experian TransUnion
https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/request-child-credit-report/
https://www.experian.com/help/minor-request.html
https://www.transunion.com/fraud-victim-resources/child-identity-theft

1-800-685-1111 1-888-397-3742 1-800-916-8800
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348-5788 P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013 P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016

To request information about the existence of a credit file in a minor’s name, search for a minor’s Social Security number, place a security freeze or fraud alert on a minor’s credit report (if one exists), or request a copy of a minor’s credit report consumers may be required to provide the following information:
● A copy of their driver’s license or another government issued identification card, such as a state identification card, etc.;
● Proof of address, such as a copy of a bank statement, utility bill, insurance statement, etc.;
● A copy of the minor’s birth certificate;
● A copy of the minor’s Social Security card;
● The minor’s full name, including middle initial and generation, such as JR, SR, II, III, etc.;
● The minor’s date of birth; and
● The minor’s previous addresses for the past two years.

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