Motorcycle Fatalities in North Carolina

A motorcyclist is especially vulnerable to the dangers of the road. There is an appeal to the way you can zoom down the highway, feeling the rush of the wind against your body. However, this leaves you open to uniquely bad injuries in the event of an accident. There is nothing to protect you from the impact of another vehicle. Your body will take the force of the impact, and there is a good chance of being thrown from your motorcycle or making direct contact with the road.

In North Carolina, motorcycle deaths are no longer on the rise. In 2016, the fatalities resulting from motorcycle accidents decreased by 7.4 percent. However, people are still killed in accidents involving motorcycles every year. 154 of 2016’s motorcycle crashes were fatal. Overall, nearly 4,000 accidents involving motorcycles occurred in North Carolina in 2016. The number of accidents far exceeds those of some other types of vehicles. There are more motorcycle accidents than pedestrian accidents, bus accidents, and many other types of accidents.

Laws for Motorcyclists in North Carolina

In recent years, it is true that North Carolina is seeing a decrease in motorcycle accidents. In 2017, lawmakers attempted to pass a law that would make helmets optional for motorcyclists older than 21 years of age. Lawmakers argued that a helmet would not adequately protect a motorcyclist in the event of an accident, and they should not be required.

A study found that helmet use for motorcyclists could still reduce the risk of head injuries by more than 70 percent. When Florida passed a similar law, allowing looser rules about motorcyclist wearing helmets, the number of deaths increased by a significant amount.

The higher rate at which motorcyclists die in the event of an accident could also be an issue when looking to adjust laws about motorcycle helmets. Data shows that motorcyclists are 26 times more likely to die if they are in an accident than someone driving a car. There are also statistics to support the high costs of medical care for victims of motorcycle accidents. Twenty-five percent of those who are injured in a motorcycle accident accrued medical expenses greater than $100,000.

Opponents of the bill also pointed out that North Carolina’s motorcycle helmet laws save a great deal of economic cost for the state. $1,627 is saved per motorcyclist simply because the state requires them to wear helmets while operating a motorcycle.

The bill was eventually pulled from the state House of Representatives’ calendar and was not made into North Carolina law.

Have You Been Involved in a North Carolina Motorcycle Accident?

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a motorcycle accident, do not let the medical bills continue to negatively impact your life. You may be eligible to bring a claim against the negligent party in your accident. Contact The Nye Law Group today to see what your options are. Our free case evaluation can help you decide what to do next.