May is the unofficial start of summer. With the warm temperatures comes an increase in motorcycles on the roads. As of 2021, North Carolina had almost 200,000 registered motorcycles. Motorcycles make up about 2% of registered vehicles yet account for about 10% of traffic fatalities. May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides some tips for improving motorcycle safety.
Motorcycle Requirements in North Carolina
North Carolina requires motorcycle riders to have a learner’s permit or motorcycle endorsement on their regular or commercial driver’s license. Applicants should review the motorcyclist’s handbook provided through the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles. To obtain a motorcycle endorsement, the applicant must pass both a written knowledge test and a road skills test. Those who are ages 16 through 18 years old must complete a motorcycle safety course and have the permission of their parents. Motorcycle safety courses are offered through the North Carolina Motorcycle Safety Program and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “Should I take photographs of the property damage sustained to my car, of the accident scene, or of my visible injuries following an accident?”
Motorcycle Safety Guidelines for Riders
Motorcyclists in North Carolina must adhere to the rules of the road that apply to all motor vehicles. Riders must wear a helmet that complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Helmets that comply have a Department of Transportation (DOT) sticker affixed to them. Riders should use hand signals to signal turns. Wear long sleeves and pants and wear reflective clothing at night. Do not drive faster than the speed limit, and do not try doing tricks on the road. Never ride when you are impaired.
Motorcycle Safety Awareness for Other Drivers
Drivers need to be vigilant in looking out for motorcycles on the road and must practice defensive driving at all times. Always check blind spots before changing lanes. Remember, motorcycles have the right to a full lane, so do not try to share a lane with a motorcycle. Allow plenty of space between your vehicle and a motorcycle. Signal all turns in plenty of time so other drivers will know your intentions. Be extra cautious at intersections. Do not drive while you are distracted or impaired. Distracted driving, such as texting while driving, is illegal in North Carolina.
Motorcycle Accidents
Unfortunately, accidents with motorcycles still occur. When an accident happens, the motorcyclist is often severely injured. A serious accident may require an extended hospital stay, multiple surgeries, and long-term rehabilitation. The negligent driver should pay for the damages they caused. Damages may include a variety of expenses, such as medical costs, lost wages, and money for pain and suffering. If you are the victim of a motorcycle accident caused by a negligent driver, you are entitled to compensation. An experienced personal injury attorney will help you get the money you deserve for your injuries.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, we can help you get money for your damages. Contact our legal team at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to request a consultation.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
Source:
Official NCDMV: Motorcycle Safety Helmet Law (ncdot.gov)
Official NCDMV: Motorcycle & Moped Safety (ncdot.gov)
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