Motorcycle Accidents Happening More Often in North Carolina

NORTH CAROLINA – According to a news report published online at cbs17.com, motorcycle accidents have been happening more often in North Carolina. Data from the North Carolina Department of Transportation show that the number of fatal motorcycle collisions was more than 20 percent higher in 2018 compared to 2017.*

In 2017, according to information from North Carolina DOT, a total of 136 deadly motorcycle accidents happened in the state. The following year, in 2018, 165 fatal motorcycle accidents occurred in the state. The represents a 21 percent increase in motorcyclist fatalities in just one year. 

Accidents don’t appear to be dissipating in 2019, either. Recently, four people sustained injuries after a motorcycle collided with an SUV in Raleigh, North Carolina. Not long before that, a motorcyclist was tragically killed in a traffic accident in Raleigh. 

One long-time rider interviewed by reporters said that he believed the statistics because he had been in a serious accident and had even more close calls while riding.  

“I thank God,” the man said. “I really do. I thank God that I can ride another day, but there’s been close calls where I was really going too close for the turns, for the corners.”

Several years ago, the man said, he was struck by a driver while out riding his motorcycle. He told reporters that the driver was “impatient” and turned in front of his path. The man said he went through the windshield of the car and ended up with serious injuries. 

Some riders think that a larger population, bringing more cars to the road, is the reason for higher numbers of accidents. Others believe the primary factor in the accidents is distraction.  

Accident News is a driver safety and education initiative from Montlick & Associates, designed to help people better understand and thereby avoid common accident causes.  To learn more about our injury prevention programs, including iridesafe.com - click here. We hope you are never in an accident, but if you or family member are injured, call Montlick & Associates 24/7 for your free consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333) or use our live chat at Montlick.com.

Source:https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/ncdot-motorcycle-fatalities-rose-21-percent-in-2018/