Goldsboro Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Motorcycles have become an increasingly popular form of transportation. Many individuals travel for work and pleasure on North Carolina roads and highways on their bikes. Unfortunately, riders take an enormous risk when operating their bikes in traffic. Motorists commonly fail to see motorcyclists and cause collisions that can result in devastating injuries or even death for bikers. In any crash involving a motorcyclist and a motor vehicle, it is the motorcyclist who carries the greater safety risk. Without airbags, seat belts, and a steel shell around the body, your chances of walking away from an accident without injury are low. 

When negligence-based accidents happen, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer you can trust to give you the dedicated effort needed for an optimum outcome.

Motorcycle Accident Cases in North Carolina

Even when following traffic laws, driving defensively, and protecting yourself as much as possible, you face potential danger as a motorcyclist. One of the most common excuses motorists use when colliding with a motorcyclist is that they didn’t see the rider. Motorists often fail to share the road or drive with safety in mind around motorcycles. 

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), motorcycle fatalities have been steadily rising in the past decade. In 2020, motorcycle deaths hit 5,579, the highest number since 2011. That same year, 83,000 motorcycle injuries were reported. As noted by III, motorcycles are more dangerous because they are less crashworthy, less visible to others, and less stable than vehicles with four wheels. Motorcyclists must exercise different skills and are at greater risk than passenger car occupants when driving in bad weather and road conditions. 

Common causes of motorcycle accidents include but are not limited to:

• Distracted driving
• Left-hand turns in front of oncoming motorcycles
• Drunk/drugged driving
• Speeding
• Tailgating
• Failure to see motorcyclists

As a result of accidents, motorcyclists can suffer devastating injuries, such as concussions, head injuries, road rash, internal injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, loss of limbs, and more. Some of these injuries can lead to long-term or permanent disability, requiring ongoing medical care and rehabilitation for indefinite periods. 

Such injuries can end a motorcyclist’s future earning capacity and ability to be self-supporting. All of these consequences will require enormous financial resources which may only be available through a personal injury claim or lawsuit.

Do You Have to Wear a Motorcycle Helmet in North Carolina?

While riding a motorcycle in North Carolina you are legally required to wear a motorcycle helmet. It's one of 19 states that has what is known as universal helmet laws. These laws require anyone riding a motorcycle, regardless of their age, to wear a motorcycle helmet. 

Aside from a helmet, other protective gear you should wear while riding a motorcycle includes:

• A riding jacket (leather or a strong synthetic material)
• Gloves
• Pants
• Boots or special made riding shoes
• A face shield on your helmet or glasses/goggles

At Strickland Agner Pittman, we take every investigative and legal measure to help you secure the compensation to which you may be entitled in negligence-based motorcycle crashes. 

Learn more about your case and legal options in a complimentary consultation with a Goldsboro motorcycle accident attorney at Strickland Agner Pittman. Send us your contact details online or phone us at (919) 893-0090 to get started.