Top Questions About Motorcycle Accidents Answered

According to the Insurance Information Institute, there are over 8 million registered motorcycles in the United States and in 2020, there were 83,000 injury accidents involving motorcycles. Over 5,000 of them tragically ended in a fatalities. It is important to know the issues surrounding motorcycle accidents and what you can do if you have been involved in an accident with a motorcycle. 

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in North Carolina

Distracted Driving: When a driver is distracted by their phone, radio, or other passengers in the car, they can easily miss seeing a motorcycle on the road.

Speeding: The number one cause in all motor vehicle accidents is excessive speed. This holds true for motorcycle accidents as well. When drivers are going faster than the speed limit, there is often not adequate time to react to a change in traffic patterns or road conditions, which can lead to the driver losing control of their vehicle and causing an accident.

Impaired driving: Drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol are more likely to cause a motorcycle accident. Impaired drivers have slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and reduced coordination.

Lane splitting: When motorcyclists ride between 2 lanes of traffic, it is called lane splitting. It is a common practice, but it is not allowed in North Carolina and can be dangerous, as other drivers may not be expecting a motorcycle to be in their blind spot. Technically, lane splitting is not illegal, but according to NC General Statue 20-146.1, a car cannot share a lane with a motorcycle, they must give the motorcycle the entire lane.  Motorcycles are allowed to ride 2 bikes side by side, but it can be dangerous at high speeds and is discouraged.

Road hazards: Potholes, uneven pavement, debris, slippery pavement, and other road hazards can be especially dangerous for motorcyclists, who are more vulnerable to losing control of their bike. If they lose control near other cars or trucks, it can be especially dangerous as those drivers may be unable to stop before hitting them. 

Resolving Motorcycle Accidents

Resolving a case that involves a motorcycle victim can be more difficult than a car accident for several reasons: 

Bias against motorcyclists: There are often preconceived notions that motorcyclists are reckless or dangerous, and this preconception can affect what people remember about an accident and can even influence the outcome of a trial.

Difficulty in proving liability: Sometimes it is difficult to prove liability in a motorcycle accident case because there may be multiple factors involved, such as the actions of other drivers, road conditions, and the weather conditions. This can make it challenging to demonstrate that the other driver was solely responsible for the accident.

Severity of injuries: Motorcycle accidents can result in severe and life-changing injuries, such as brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and loss of limbs. These injuries can be expensive to treat and may require ongoing medical care and rehabilitation, which can make it difficult to calculate damages and settle a claim fairly in a timely manner.

Lack of witness testimony: In some cases, no one sees the accident or notices the details of what happened because of the speed of the vehicles or the weather conditions. This can make proving liability more challenging. In these cases, it may be necessary to rely on other forms of evidence, such as police reports, accident reconstruction, and expert testimony.

All of these factors make motorcycle cases complex and time-consuming to settle. It is important to work with an experienced Charlotte motorcycle accident lawyer who is familiar with the unique legal issues involved in motorcycle accident cases and can help navigate the legal process to obtain a fair outcome.

Questions You May Have After a Motorcycle Accident

Interview Questions for Your Charlotte Motorcycle Attorney

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident in North Carolina and are considering working with an attorney, you need to feel confident that you have hired the right lawyer who will fight for your rights and do a thorough job of representing you in your case. 

Questions You May Want to Ask a Motorcycle Attorney

What experience do you have with motorcycle accident cases? It is important to work with an attorney who has experience handling motorcycle accident cases specifically, as they will be more familiar with the unique legal and medical issues involved. You do not want them learning the specific laws that affect your case while they are representing you.

How much do you charge for your services, and what is your fee structure? Attorneys may charge different rates, such as an hourly rate, a contingency fee, or a flat fee. You should work to understand the attorney's fees upfront, and clarify how they will be paid and when.

How do you communicate with your clients, and how often will you update me on the progress of my case? While you cannot expect a daily update about your case, you want to make sure the attorney you choose understands how stressful these cases are for clients and will be able to keep you informed at each step of the process while taking the burden off of you to deal with multiple agencies while trying to heal and recover.

What do you think about my case? An experienced motorcycle injury attorney should be able to give you an honest assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of your case, and provide a realistic expectation of the potential outcomes.

Will you be the only attorney working on my case, or will other attorneys or paralegals be involved? If you have a preference about who is working on your case, now is the time to make sure that your preferences match the attorney’s work style.

What is the process to move through settlement negotiations and then to trial, if necessary? Depending on the circumstances of your case, you might be able to negotiate a settlement or you may end up going to trial. You should understand your attorney's approach to these options and their experience in negotiating settlements and trying cases in court.

Call Now to Schedule Your Free Consultation with a Charlotte, NC Lawyer!

It's important to choose an attorney who is willing to listen to your concerns and goals, and who is committed to achieving the best possible outcome for your case. A lawyer can also help you navigate through the legal process after a motorcycle accident and protect your rights.

If you're unsure about your case or what you should do next, call Rosensteel Fleishman, PLLC today at 1-704-714-1450 for a free consultation about your situation.