Motorcycle accidents in Greensboro, and across North Carolina, are often devastating. Due to the lack of physical protection, riders are far more vulnerable to severe injuries or fatalities than occupants of other vehicles. While many factors can contribute to a crash, most motorcycle accidents are not the rider’s fault. They are typically the result of another driver’s negligence or carelessness.
As your dedicated motorcycle accident lawyer, Roane Law is committed to helping injured riders understand their legal options. By examining the most common causes of these accidents, we can better hold the at-fault parties accountable and fight for the justice you deserve.
1. Drivers Failing to See Motorcycles (The “I Didn’t See Them” Excuse)
This is, by far, one of the most frequent causes of motorcycle accidents. Because motorcycles are smaller, drivers often fail to see them in heavy traffic, at intersections, or during lane changes. This can lead to:
- Left-Hand Turns: A car turning left at an intersection may fail to yield the right-of-way to an oncoming motorcycle, cutting directly into its path.
- Blind Spots: Drivers changing lanes often fail to check their blind spots, resulting in them swerving directly into a motorcycle’s lane.
- Merging: Drivers entering a highway or merging in traffic often misjudge a motorcycle’s speed or simply fail to look, causing a collision.
2. Distracted Driving
In our modern world, distracted driving is a growing epidemic and a major contributor to accidents. When a driver is using a cell phone, texting, adjusting the radio, or eating, they are not paying full attention to the road. This momentary lapse in focus is enough to cause them to miss seeing a motorcycle, leading to a collision.
3. Aggressive and Impaired Driving
Aggressive drivers who tailgate, speed, or make sudden lane changes pose a significant risk to motorcyclists. Their reckless behavior leaves no room for error, and their actions can easily force a rider to swerve or brake suddenly, leading to a crash. Similarly, drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs have severely impaired judgment and reaction times, making them a deadly threat to everyone on the road, especially motorcyclists.
4. Hazardous Road Conditions
While other drivers’ negligence is the most common cause, hazardous road conditions can also lead to serious accidents. For a motorcyclist, a small pothole, uneven pavement, loose gravel, or road debris can be a major hazard, causing them to lose control of their bike. If a government entity or private property owner failed to maintain a road and that negligence led to your crash, they could be held liable. Such conditions can be particularly dangerous, and the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program provides resources and information on how these hazards contribute to accidents. You can find more information on their website here.
The Roane Law Advantage: Building Your Case for Compensation
After a motorcycle accident, the responsible driver and their insurance company may try to place the blame on you. Our job is to investigate every detail of your accident, gather evidence to prove the other driver’s negligence, and fight for the full compensation you need for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Don’t let a negligent driver or a powerful insurance company get away with a lowball offer. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Greensboro, contact Roane Law today for a free consultation. We’ll listen to your story and help you understand your legal options.