North Carolina Injury Lawyer Blog

North Carolina Governor Perdue is calling the month of May Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. His proclamation is part of a nationwide campaign to remind motorists and other drivers that they share the roads with each other and they must do so safely. This awareness will prove especially important in the coming months, as the warmer weather kicks into gear along with the many riders getting on their bikes.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is reporting 142 motorcycle fatalities in 2008—a decline from the 192 rider deaths in 2007. However, AAA Carolinas says North Carolina still has the number eight highest motorcycle death rate in the US. While motorcycles make up just almost 2% of all registered vehicles in the state, they represent almost 12% of all North Carolina traffic deaths.

Just this month, a 21-year-old Onslow motorcyclist died in a single-vehicle crash. Police say that Christopher Steiner may have been traveling approximately 90 mph in a 55 mph zone when he lost control of his bike. His cause of death, according to the Onslow County Medical Examiner’s Office, was blunt force trauma. In another North Carolina motorcycle accident in Lillington, Victoria Allen was charged in the fatal traffic accident that killed Brandon Rodney Brown on US 421.

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month seeks to make riders and other motor vehicle drivers aware that they are both responsible for preventing North Carolina motorcycle accidents from happening. AAA Carolinas Offers a Number of safety tips for motorcyclists and drivers, including:

For Motorcyclists:
• Wear a helmet. The Governor’s Highway Safety Program recommends that you use a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard ( FMVSS ) 218 helmet. North Carolina law mandates that motorcyclists wear helmets.

• Before you get on a North Carolina highway, take a state-approved motorcycle training course.

For Other Drivers:
• Don’t share the lane with motorcyclists.
• Signal to indicate your next move.
• Give at least 3 seconds more following distance to a motorcycle than you would another motor vehicle.
• Check your blind spots for motorcycles.

Both riders and the drivers of trucks, cars, and buses are reminded to pay attention when driving.

Gov. Perdue Proclaims May Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, Media Newswire

Motorcycle riders aim to spread awareness this month, WRAL, May 13, 200

Woman charged in motorcyclist's death, WRAL.com, May 3, 2009

Onslow man killed in motorcycle wreck, WRAL.com, May 5, 2009

Related Web Resources:
AAA Carolinas

Clutch & Chrome

Continue reading "After Decrease in North Carolina Motorcycle Deaths in 2008, State Transportation Officials Hope to Continue Rider Fatality Decline in 2009 with Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month" »

According to the North Carolina Transportation Department, the number of people that died in motor vehicle accidents throughout the state in 2008 compared to 2007 decreased by 18%. State transportation officials say there were 1,406 traffic deaths last year, compared to 1,705 the year prior.

Traffic fatalities involving alcohol use also dropped, by 19.8% from 489 deaths in 2008 to 392 fatalities in 2007, while motorcycle deaths declined by 26% from 192 to 142.

N.C. Secretary of Transportation Gene Conti says that the decline in traffic deaths shows the state’s commitment to working with local agencies to ensure that North Carolina is a safe place for ground travel. So far, in 2009, North Carolina traffic deaths are down 12% compared to the same time period during 2008.

Earlier this year, South Carolina’s public safety department also reported a sharp drop in traffic deaths for 2008. While 1,077 people died in South Carolina motor vehicle crashes in 2007, 894 traffic fatalities occurred in 2008.

According to the UNC-Chapel Hill's Highway Safety Research Center, the decrease in motor vehicle deaths in all of the US states last year can be attributed to the fact that there weren’t as many motorists on US roads. Yesterday, the US Department of Transportation reported that the number of motor vehicle deaths that occurred nationally for 2008 was the lowest figure since 1961.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says about 37,313 traffic fatalities occurred throughout the US last year. There were 41,059 motor vehicle deaths the year before. Seat belt use was slightly up in North Carolina, at 89.8% in 2008 compared to 88.8% in 2007. Safety belt use in South Carolina went up to 79% last year from 74.5% the year before.

Any decline in motor vehicle deaths is a positive step forward toward creating greater safety on US roads. However, if you have been involved in a North Carolina or a South Carolina motor vehicle accident that was someone else’s fault, you should consider your legal options regarding personal injury or wrongful death before settling with the negligent party’s insurer.

N.C. traffic deaths down in 2008, News-Record, January 7, 2009

SC traffic deaths plummet in 2008, The Post and Courier, January 2, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities in 2008(PDF)

Seat Belt Use in 2008-Use Rates in the States and Territories, NHTSA (PDF)

North Carolina Department of Transportation

Continue reading "North Carolina Traffic Fatalities Dropped 17% in 2008" »

In Charlotte, North Carolina, a motorcycle rider sustained serious injuries when his vehicle collided with a car on the UNC-Charlotte campus. According to campus officials, the car hit the motorcycle after failing to yield.

The Charlotte motorcyclist, who is a UNCC student, had to be pulled from under the vehicle. He sustained serious injuries and was taken to Carolinas Medical Center.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a motorcycle rider is the person operating the motorcycle, while a motorcycle passenger is the person who is on the motorcycle but is not driving it. Motorcyclists can refer to both groups.

2007 NHTSA Motorcyclist Accident Facts:
• 5,154 motorcyclists died in traffic accidents.
• 2,641 of all motorcycles involved in deadly accidents were in traffic crashes with another vehicle.
• 78% of these two-vehicle crashes involved a motorcycle getting hit from the front.
• 5% of these collisions involved a motorcycle getting hit from the back.
• 36% of motorcycle riders involved in deadly accidents had been driving over the speed limit when the collision happened.
• 26% of motorcycle riders involved in fatal accidents did not have a valid license.
• 3.7% of motorcycle riders involved in deadly accidents had at least one previous DUI conviction.
• 103,000 US motorcyclists were injured.
• There were 195 North Carolina motorcycle fatalities.
• There were 119 South Carolina motorcycle deaths.

Motorcyclists are at greater risk of getting involved in a deadly auto accident with a nonmoving object than other motor vehicles. In North Carolina and South Carolina, motorcyclists are entitled to personal injury compensation if the negligence of a driver or another party caused their injuries.

Motorcyclist injured in crash on UNCC campus

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Related Web Resources:
North Carolina State Motorcycle Laws

Motorcycle Safety Foundation

Continue reading "North Carolina Motorcyclist is Seriously Injured After Car Driver Fails to Yield the Right of Way on UNC-Charlotte Campus" »

The World Health Organization has released its World Report on Child Injury Prevention. Among its findings is that motor vehicle deaths continue to be the leading cause of child fatalities. Almost a million children die around the globe annually because of accidental injuries, many of which are preventable.

The WHO Report's Leading Causes of Accidental Child Injuries:

1. Traffic Accidents: 260,000 kids a year are killed. 10 million others are injured. This is also the #1 cause of fatalities among children, ages 10-19. Motor vehicle crashes are also the #1 cause of child disabilities.

2. Drowning Accidents: While some 3 million children survive drowning accidents each year, about 175,000 others are killed. Many drowning accident survivors suffer from permanent brain damage.

3. Burn Accidents: 96,000 kids die each year from their burn injuries.

4. Fall Accidents: 47,000 youths die every year because they fell. Hundreds of thousands of children survive fall accidents, but with injuries.

5. Accidental Poisoning: Over 45,000 youths are killed annually because they ingested something that was poisonous.

The WHO’s Department of Injuries and Violence Prevention director, Dr. Etienne Krug, says that injuries become the number one cause of child deaths once a young person turns 9. In the US, these leading causes of child injuries and fatalities are also among the common causes for personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits involving injuries to minors.

If your son or daughter died in a North Carolina auto accident, bus crash, pedestrian accident, bus collision, train accident, premises liability accident, or fall accident, there are steps you can take to make sure that you hold the liable party responsible and that you get your child the medical care he or she needs to recover.

Injury Risks For Children Vary Around The World, Washington Post, December 23, 2008

Traffic Accidents Top Cause Of Fatal Child Injuries, NPR, December 10, 2008

Related Web Resources:

World Report on Child Injury Prevention Report, WHO (PDF)

CDC Childhood Injury Report, CDC

Continue reading "Motor Vehicle Accidents Continue to be the #1 Killer of Children, Says World Health Organization" »

AAA Carolinas says that there were about 190 motorcycle fatalities in North Carolina in 2007. This figure is a significant jump from the 108 motorcycle deaths in 2006, and reportedly ranks North Carolina number 8 among the 10 US states with the most motorcycle deaths each year.

According to AAA Carolinas CEO David E Parsons, the number of motorcycle fatalities in North Carolina has doubled in the past five years. It doesn’t help that the number of people that own motorcycles in the states has grown because of rising gas prices.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a motorcyclist’s chances of dying in a traffic crash is 37% greater than the odds faced by passengers riding in cars. While some accidents occur because of motorcyclist inexperience or error, many catastrophic injury accidents happen because a trucker, a car driver, a bus driver, or another party was negligent. If you or someone you love was injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another person’s negligence or carelessness, our North Carolina motorcycle crash lawyers would like to talk to you.

To prevent injury a motorcyclist on the road, AAA Carolinas offers a number of suggestions to motorists, including:

• Assume that a motorcycle is closer than it appears.
• Give motorcyclists enough room to maneuver.
• Pay attention while driving.
• Obey all traffic signs and signals.
• Do not follow a motorcycle too closely.
• Check blind spots before turning or changing lanes.

You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, medical costs, pain and suffering, and other damages.

AAA Warns Of Increasing Motorcycle Death Rates, NBC17.com, July 11, 2008

Multiple motorcycle accidents in New Hanover County leave three dead, WECT.com, July 29, 2008

Related Web Resources:

AAA Carolinas

Motorcycle Permit, North Carolina DMV

Continue reading "AAA Carolinas Says North Carolina Has Eighth Highest Motorcycle Death Rates Among US States" »

In North Carolina, the parents of 5-year-old Cody Fidler are suing the owners of Parker Valley Motocross Track in Cleveland County for his wrongful death.

Fidler died of neck trauma last year while at the park when an older biker crashed into him. The North Carolina wrongful death lawsuit accuses the park owners and promoters of negligence for allowing a more experienced rider on the track while Cody was there. The 5-year-old died after a 10-year-old on a larger motorcycle hit him. The track is now closed. Cody's parents are also suing for deceptive trade practices and emotional distress.

Trauma
Trauma occurs when an external force forcefully or violently impacts the body. There are three kinds of trauma:

Penetrating trauma: Injury occurs when an object penetrates the body.

Acceleration/deceleration trauma: The body in motion strikes another (moving/still) object, which results in the tearing of stretching of body tissues.

Blunt Trauma: Force of impact causes body tissue compression.

Three kinds of collisions that can happen during a crash:

• Body v. whatever it contacts
• Vehicle v. whatever it contacts
• Body v. body

If someone you love has died due to trauma injuries in a motocross accident, car accident, motorcycle accident, or truck accident resulting from the negligence of another party, you may be entitled to wrongful death compensation.

Family Sues in Child's Motorcross Death, WCNC.com, July 19, 2008

5-year-old's family sues over 2007 motocross death, DailyComet.com, July 19, 2008

Understanding Head and Neck Trauma, Biker's Rights

Related Web Resource:

Our Experience With Motocross Accidents In Children: Patterns Of Injuries & Outcomes, ISPub.com

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has dubbed the month of May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month to promote motorcycle safety and road sharing between motorcyclists and other drivers.

The national safety campaign comes less than a week after the end of North Carolina’s Motorcycle Safety Awareness Week, which took place from April 21 to April 25.

The statewide and national safety awareness campaigns couldn’t come at a better time. The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles says that motorcycle deaths have risen—183 rider deaths last year compared to 61 motorcyclist fatalities in 1997.

Motorcycles account for only 1.96% of all registered motor vehicles in North Carolina, but make up nearly 12% of all traffic deaths. There are 500,000 licensed drivers in North Carolina with either a motorcycle learner’s permit or endorsement.

Promoting motorcycle safety is essential—especially as motorcycle accidents often lead to serious injuries and fatalities. Just lat month, a Guilford County school bus driver was charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. She accidentally struck a motorcyclist when she failed to stop before driving through an intersection.

In North Carolina and South Carolina, our motorcycle accident law firm has helped many motorcycle victims and their families recover personal injury compensation.

Many motorcycle accidents occur because motorists fail to see the motorcycles on the roads with them. Driver inattention, inexperience, and drunk driving are also common causes of motorcycle crashes.

As your personal injury representation, our North Carolina motorcycle accident law firm can deal with all aspects of your personal injury case for you.

School Bus Driver Charged In Motorcycle Crash Death, WXII12.com, April 22, 2008

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, AAMVA.org, March 31, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Gov. Easley Proclaims April 21-25 Motorcycle Safety Awareness Week, WNCT.com, April 21, 2008

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Continue reading "Return of North Carolina Motorcyclists In Spring Followed By Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month" »

A report released by AAA Carolina ranks the most dangerous places to drive in North Carolina. Haywood County was named the place where there is the “Best chance of being in a collision” under the category “Top 5 Dangerous Counties for Tractor-Trailers.”

Haywood’s Interstate 40, which is winding and narrowly built, is one of the reasons for the high motor vehicle crash rate. The I-40 once was once known for having the highest rate of tractor-trailer crashes in the United States.

The large amount of traffic—in particular, tractor-trailers—that pass through the area is another reason that so many accidents occur. The cold weather can cause the roads and tunnels to become icy.

Swain County and Graham County ranked at the top of the “5 Dangerous Counties for Motorcycles” under the categories “Best Chance for Being Injured” and Best Chance of Being in a Collision.”

Graham County was also named the leading North Carolina County where one has the “Best Chance of Being Killed.” A major reason for this high ranking is the 318 curves on its 11-mile stretch of U.S. 129. The fact that the number of people buying and riding motorcycles is increasing is also playing a role.

Also ranking on the AAA Carolinas list is Gaston County, which ranked number 27 out of the 30 most dangerous counties in North Carolinas for auto crashes. On a positive note, it ranked 91 out of 100 counties where deadly accidents will most likely take place.

Mecklenburg County ranked number six under the most dangerous counties list. Also listed among the counties where motor vehicle collisions were most likely to occur were Lincoln County at number 25 and Cleveland County at number 33.

The number one county where auto wrecks were most likely to happen, for the fifth year in a row, is New Hanover County.

The North Carolina county where you are least likely to get into a motor vehicle wreck is Currituck County. Chowan County is the area where you are least likely to die in a car crash.

If you were injured in a motor vehicle crash or someone you love was killed in an auto collision that was caused by another negligent party in North Carolina or South Carolina, our motor vehicle accident law firm would like to offer you a free consultation to discuss your personal injury or wrongful death case.

Gaston County ranks in top half for wrecks, but few end in fatalities, GastonGazette.com, February 5, 2008

Mountain roads cited as among the state’s most dangerous, Smoky Mountain News, February 6, 2008

Related Web Resource:

AAA Carolinas

Continue reading "AAA Carolinas Releases Its List of Most Dangerous Places to Drive in North Carolina" »

A motorcyclist from Crouse was injured in North Carolina on Sunday after he was struck by an SUV at the intersection of N.C. 150 and N.C. 27.

North Carolina Highway Patrol say that Richard Mark Whitaker was riding his motorcycle east on NC 150 when a black Chevy pulled in front of him. Whitaker told police that he was going to go around the SUV but his motorbike locked up.

Whitaker sustained a cut to his head and said he was experiencing pain in his knee. The driver of the SUV, Somsack Phongsa, is from Grover, NC.

Police charged Whitaker with driving with his license revoked and having a fictitious tag. Phongsa was charged with failure to yield right-of-way.

This was the second traffic accident involving a motorcycle in Lincoln County over a 48-hour-period. On Friday, a woman was flown to Charlotte and treated at Carolinas Medical Center after she lost control of her motorcycle.

The woman says that a tractor-trailer was in the lane she was riding in on Shoal Road. She says that she tried to avoid the large motor vehicle but lost control of her motorcycle. She was flung from her motorcycle. An investigation in this case is ongoing.

In 2004, 134 of the 1,557 traffic deaths in North Carolina involved a motorcycle collision.

The “Hurt” Report” provides a number of statistics and information regarding motorcycle accidents, including the following:

• One of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents involving other motor vehicles is the other drivers’ failure to notice there is a motorcycle nearby.

• Motorcycle crashes involving other vehicles will frequently occur at intersections—usually because a car, truck, or bus has disregarded the motorcycle’s right of way.

• Motorcycle riders between the ages of 16 and 24 are significantly overrepresented in accidents; motorcycle riders between the ages of 30 and 50 are significantly underrepresented.

• 2% of motorcycle accidents are the result of road defects.

• Under 3% of motorcycle crashes are caused because of mechanical failure.

• About 75% of motorcycle crashes involve another motor vehicle.

If you have are the injury victim of a motorcycle crash caused by the negligent actions of another party, you should speak to a personal injury lawyer immediately. Injuries from motorcycle accidents are frequently severe, and a personal injury attorney can work with you to obtain financial recovery from the responsible party.

Crouse Man Injured in Motorcycle Wreck, Lincoln Tribune, September 9, 2007

The Hurt Report

Related Web Resources:

North Carolina Motorcycle Roads

North Carolina State Motorcycle Laws, American Motorcyclist Association

Continue reading "North Carolina Motorcyclist is Injured in Collision with SUV at N.C. 150 and N.C. 27 Intersection" »

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol says that the number of motorcycle fatalities is growing. This year, the Highway Patrol has so far reported 47 motorcycle deaths, compared to 93 fatalities for all of 2006.

This rise in motorcycle collisions is reflected nationally. In 2003, 3,661 riders were killed while riding motorcycles in the U.S., while more than 67,000 sustained injuries. Police reported more than 79,000 traffic collisions involving motorcycles.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol cites better gas mileage as one of the reasons that motorcycles are growing in popularity. The increase in the use of motorcycles is one of the reasons that more accidents, injuries, and deaths are occurring.

Despite the laws and safety measures that exist to keep motorcyclists safe on our roads, riding a motorcycle can be a very dangerous experience. Motorcycle riders do not have anything to protect them from becoming seriously injured when they are involved in a traffic collision with a truck, car, or another motorcycle.

North Carolina is one of the U.S. states with a mandatory helmet law. Also under state law, motorcycle drivers are required to have a passenger seat and footrest on their motorcycle if they are carrying a passenger with them.

Injuries from a motorcycle accident can include broken bones, severed limbs, severe burns, cuts, scrapes, bruises, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, road burns, disfigurement, and wrongful death.

Motorcycle Fatalities Up Across State, News14.com, July 1, 2007

Motorcycle Rider Safety Data, Bureau of Transportation Statistics

North Carolina State Laws, AMA Database of Motorcycle Laws

Related Web Resources:

Motorcycle Safety, NCDOT.org

State of North Carolina Mandatory Helmet Law

Continue reading "North Carolina Motorcycle Accidents and Deaths on the Rise" »