If you or someone you care about is injured in an accident Learn more about getting into an accident while riding a motorcycle through no fault of your own How about Raleighmotorcycle accident Ioyer Can help you recover your losses.
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Motorcycle rider injury statistics
While motorcycles are fun, they offer riders far less protection than car passengers in the event of a crash.
This is frightening considering the number of self-reported distracted North Carolina drivers who texting and driving, Using a cell phone while driving (despite being under 18), as well as drunk or otherwise intoxicated drivers, put everyone's life at risk.
In 2024, at least 17% of traffic accidents in North Carolina involved distracted drivers (NCDOT).
A lack of personal protection when riding a motorcycle, combined with the negligence of others, can result in serious injury or fatal accidents.
In 2022, U.S. statistics show that motorcyclists 22 times more likely For every mile traveled, more people die in crashes than passenger car occupants.
Between 2020 and 2024, an average of 3,457 motorcycle injuries occurred each year in North Carolina.
According to statistics, in 2024, the number of motorcycle fatalities was 193 state department of transportation.
In 2024, there were 256 motorcycle crash injuries and 13 fatalities in Wake County. This equates to one injury every 33.5 hours and more than one death every month.
Also read Raleigh Car Accident Statistics and Twenty Ways to Avoid Raleigh Car Accidents.
Common motorcycle accident injuries
Unfortunately, motorcyclists involved in traffic accidents are often the most severely injured of all accident victims.
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, injuries may range from superficial skin damage (road rash) to broken bones to penetrating organ damage (catastrophic).
North Carolina requires helmets, but even with a helmet, motorcycle accident victims can still suffer severe traumatic brain injuries.
A 2006 study showed that head injuries, torso injuries (including rib fractures), thoracic spine injuries, and abdominal injuries are common after motorcycle accidents (NIH).
Recovering from an injury can be a long and arduous task, not to mention providing medical records, lost wage statements, other supporting documentation, and negotiating with insurance companies.
This is where many injury victims and their families decide to call a Raleigh personal injury attorney to handle their motorcycle accident claim.
Also Read Raleigh Car Accident Injuries and North Carolina Catastrophic Injuries.
North Carolina Injury Victims Law
Negligence is an integral part of damages in a personal injury claim.
The at-fault party must be negligent in the recovery of the injured rider.
Negligence is a failure to perform a duty that results in injury to the victim.
For example, negligence occurs if a driver becomes distracted, makes an unsafe lane change, and knocks a motorcyclist off the road, causing injury.
Additionally, under North Carolina’s contributory negligence law, a victim may not recover damages based on fault.
If a motorcyclist is following too closely while speeding, and the driver of the car in front suddenly brakes and stops, causing the motorcycle to rear-end, the motorcyclist will not be able to recover compensation due to negligence.
Police often determine liability at the scene of an accident, but unclear narratives in accident reports can cause additional trouble for victims when trying to recover compensation.
See also NC contributory negligence.
What compensation can a motorcycle accident victim receive?
Victims can recover damages in two forms: economic and non-economic.
Understand the difference between the two types of damages: All damages with a fixed price tag (medical bills, lost wages) are economic, while damages without a fixed price (pain and suffering, punitive damages) are non-economic.
Non-economic losses are more difficult to quantify and realize.
Insurance adjusters rarely provide adequate compensation for non-economic losses, and litigation is required.
In addition to current damages, future damages must be calculated and included in any claim in a serious injury case.
Specialists (e.g., life care planners) may be needed to assess the victim's future needs.
What to do after a Raleigh motorcycle accident
Step 1: Seek treatment and follow medical advice
You should seek and follow all medical advice after a Wake County motorcycle accident.
If your doctor tells you to rest, take medicine, use crutches, etc., do so.
Step 2: Take photos
You should also take photos of the damaged motorcycle and the car that hit you (if possible).
Additionally, photos of your injuries after the accident and photos of your healing with dates will help tell the story of your recovery.
Step Three: Document Lost Wage and Expenses
Also, keep track of the workdays you missed and the pay you would have received on those days.
Read “Methods of Proving Pain and Damage”.
Step 4: Treat social media with caution
If you choose to post accident information on social media, do not include allegations or assumptions about the cause of the crash or the at-fault driver.
Step Five: Obtain a Police Report
The first step in recovering from a Raleigh motorcycle accident is to obtain a police report.
Police reports are available from the Raleigh Police Department. You should obtain the police report as soon as possible to ensure that the accident is described correctly.
If the police report is incorrect or you're not sure how to interpret it, read the Raleigh car accident report.
Step Six: File a Claim
Filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company should be simple.
Nonetheless, insurance adjusters often delay or deny liability for a variety of reasons, including visibility or driving conditions.
They may even claim that the motorcycle accident victim was at fault, even though the negligent driver clearly caused the accident.
Insurance companies may also try to settle your claim quickly to avoid paying all of your medical bills.
This can leave victims unable to pay medical bills and unable to seek future medical care.
Also read What Not to Do After a Raleigh Car Accident and Twenty Steps to Take After a Raleigh Car Accident
Step Seven: Hire an Accident Lawyer in Raleigh
A victim's decision to hire an attorney depends on their comfort level dealing with the insurance company and whether they feel the insurance company's offer is a fair settlement.
Often, adjusters will make an offer without all the necessary evidence.
Without all the evidence, the adjuster can't make a correct offer.
An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can evaluate a victim’s case and obtain documentation of medical bills, lost income, emotional distress, physical pain, and future needs to ensure that the victim is fully compensated for their losses.
If the insurance company is unwilling to fairly compensate the victim, a personal injury attorney can discuss the pros and cons of a personal injury lawsuit with the victim.
Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Serving Raleigh, NC
Our motorcycle and car accident attorneys can help you recover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any necessary future medical expenses while allowing you and your family to focus on your recovery.
The Bishop Law Firm does not get paid unless you win your motorcycle accident case.
We are committed to helping you obtain fair compensation for your losses and receive compensation for all of your losses (past, present, and future).
Also Read What Do Raleigh Car Accident Lawyers Do?
Contact our team of knowledgeable and skilled motorcycle accident attorneys today for a free case evaluation at (919) 615-3095 Or start online now.
Related Articles: Wake County Car Accident Lawyers and Raleigh Car Accident Resources
