Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accidents

Last updated on January 31, 2025

Motorcycle riders face a unique set of vulnerabilities that make them particularly susceptible to severe injuries and fatal accidents on the road. Unlike occupants of passenger vehicles, motorcyclists lack the protective shell of a car body, airbags or safety belts.

I am attorney Mike Maurer, a board-certified civil trial specialist who previously worked as an insurance company defense attorney handling personal injury claims. I now use all my experience to help injured people.

Hopefully, you will never need a Raleigh personal injury or motorcycle accident lawyer, but if you do, or if you have any questions at all, my staff at Maurer Law, and I am here to help. To get you started, I’ve answered a few common questions about motorcycle accidents below.

Why are rear-end collisions with motorcycles so common?

Rear-end collisions have always plagued drivers, but since the advent of the cellphone, they seem to occur more frequently than ever. While tailgating or driving too fast can be to blame, more often than not, the driver at fault was distracted by a phone call or text. The accidents are usually so simple that many insurance companies refer to them as no-doubt liability cases.

Common traffic laws require vehicles to follow at a safe distance and travel at a safe rate of speed, so even if a car stops short in front of them, there should be enough time and distance to react safely. When someone rear-ends you, it is usually because they failed to follow one of the above rules or they became distracted for a moment.

Motorcyclists are not immune to these distracted or dangerous drivers. In fact, they are far more vulnerable to these negligent actions than other motorists are. If a motorcyclist is rear-ended, he may be thrown from the bike into other traffic lanes or crushed between two cars.

Motorcyclists face an added challenge that stems from their overall visibility on the road. When motorists approach a stoplight, they are primarily scanning for other cars and trucks. It can be difficult to pick out a motorcycle in a crowd when you are not specifically looking for one, and while it is no excuse, this often exposes bikers to serious rear-end accidents.

Another very common cause of rear-end crashes is the relative braking power of a motorcycle compared to other vehicles. A fully loaded tractor-trailer takes two football field lengths to come to a stop at highway speeds, and a car takes about ten car lengths to stop. However, a motorcycle can stop in a fraction of that time due to its lightweight. If a motorcycle stops short, a car or truck will have a very difficult time braking in time, even while following at a safe distance.

Regardless of the reason, rear-end collisions involving motorcycles are extraordinarily dangerous, and they often result in motorcyclists being thrown from their bikes and suffering serious head, neck, and internal injuries. Following a crash like that, a motorcyclist who survives it will require expensive medical care.

Despite the fact that these claims are often considered no-doubt liability cases, any time serious injury is part of the aftermath, it is a good idea to involve an attorney to ensure that a proper settlement is reached that will allow a motorcyclist to get the necessary treatment and care.

Is paying more for a motorcycle with an anti-lock braking system worth the money?

In today’s economy, most people don’t want to spend a lot of money, no matter what the purchase is. For instance, some drivers opt not to pay extra for motorcycles that feature anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and prefer to save by buying those without.

Anti-lock brakes can come in handy, particularly when coming to a sudden stop. For instance, if you are riding down Route 70 and a collision occurs immediately in front of you, you may face serious injuries if you have to slam on your brakes and flip over your handlebars as a result. ABS may prevent that from happening.

How can anti-lock brakes help?

Although they may cost a bit extra, anti-lock brakes can prevent injuries and tragedies from occurring. Owning a bike that features this type of braking system has benefits in addition to improved control during sudden stops:

• You won’t notice it’s there unless you need it: Some bikers worry that anti-lock braking systems will interfere with the way their existing brakes work. On the contrary, the system won’t affect normal braking, and you’ll only notice them in an emergency when you need them the most.
• Systems are lightweight: Most anti-lock braking systems weigh about a pound and a half, which means they don’t drag on performance.

Anti-lock braking systems typically don’t increase the cost of motorcycles by exorbitant amounts. In actuality, the amount of money you spend on this type of braking system could prevent you from having to pay much more, if you get into an accident because your bike wasn’t equipped with the brakes. Unfortunately, even if you have a motorcycle with ABS, you might not be able to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of an accident.

What are the different degrees of road burn bikers can experience?

Road burn, also known as road rash, is a common injury when a motorcycle crashes. They often occur when motorists fall off of their bikes or become lodged in between two objects, such as the bike and the road. The injuries are categorized into different degrees based on their severity and the treatment they require. These include:

• First-degree road burn: The most minor of road burns is considered first degree. Those who experience this injury typically have reddened skin that looks similar to a rug burn. Usually medical treatment is not needed for this type of road burn, but you should visit a doctor if you become concerned.
• Second-degree road burn: This type of road burn causes the outer layer of skin to break. The skin layers underneath are left intact and the potential for scarring is low. If scarring does occur, it is usually minimal. Second-degree road burns are often treated at home with over-the-counter topical ointments and frequent washes. However, visit a doctor to ensure that this is the only treatment you require.
• Third-degree road burn: Third-degree road burns are quite serious and require immediate medical attention. Road burns that result in all five skin layers being scraped away, leaving the muscle and fat exposed, are classified as third-degree burns. Along with scarring, these burns are prone to infection.

Treatment of road burns can become extremely expensive, particularly if surgery is required. Unless you have the help of an attorney on your side, you may be held responsible for the costs, which is unfair.

What should I do if I think I’ve broken my collarbone after a motorcycle crash?

You’re a safe driver and wear all of the proper equipment when you’re riding on your bike but you still don’t feel right after you were the victim of a motorcycle crash while riding in Raleigh. Your collarbone area is bruised, swollen and sore, and you wonder if you’ve broken it. Here’s what should you do:

• Visit a doctor: Not receiving medical attention for your potentially broken collarbone could make your injury worse. Infection and improper healing could occur if you allow the fracture to attempt to heal by itself without any medical intervention. A doctor will also begin a record that documents your injury, along with the diagnostics and treatments for your issue. This record is essential if you plan on attempting to file a lawsuit for compensation.
• Contact an attorney: The medical bills and pain that a fractured collarbone causes can have a major impact on your life. By hiring an attorney, you may be able to receive compensation for the costs and the inconvenience that results from this accident. An experienced attorney will fight for your rights and do all he can to get you what you are owed.

If you know someone who received a fractured collarbone after a motorcycle crash, I encourage you to share this information with them. It may be just the information they need.

What clothing or gear can protect me in a motorcycle accident?’

Wearing the proper clothing and protective gear in a Raleigh motorcycle accident could mean the difference between life and death. Although what you are wearing probably won’t stop you from getting involved in the accident in the first place, it could stop serious and life-altering injuries from taking place. At the very minimum, you should wear these items:

• Helmet: Perhaps the most important piece of equipment to wear on a motorcycle is the helmet. Traumatic brain injuries are often the result of motorcycle accidents, and helmets may prevent that from happening. Although you can certainly still experience problems while wearing the helmet, they may reduce the severity.
• Arm and leg coverings: No one expects to become involved in a motorcycle crash, which is why many hop on their bikes wearing short-sleeved shirts and shorts. If their skin meets the pavement going 60 mph, that type of clothing will do nothing to protect their skin. Always wear pants and jackets that are made from thick material, such as leather, to possibly prevent road rash and other injuries from occurring.
• Boots and gloves: Your feet and hands can become injured during a crash, so remember to keep them safe as well. Wear heavy boots and gloves made for riding to help protect yourself from injury.

If you were the victim of a Raleigh motorcycle accident, you may be facing a long road ahead that is filled with pain, setbacks and costly medical bills. I don’t think you should be held responsible for the costs; I want to help you get the compensation you deserve.

What is the most common cause of a Raleigh motorcycle crash?

If you ride a motorcycle, the thought of getting into a crash has probably crossed your mind. Odds are if you do become involved in a collision, you will get hurt. This frightening truth makes many riders wonder what exactly causes accidents. Knowing what causes most motorcycle crashes can prevent you from becoming a victim. Here are the most common reasons:

• Cars and trucks: The truth is that cars and trucks are the common causes of crashes. Bikers have various factors against them, including the fact that drivers often don’t see them and that they have no protection during a collision.
• Motorists fail to recognize motorcyclists: Many motorists don’t think to look for bikers when they are driving. If they’re not looking for them, they likely won’t see them, which can cause a serious collision. Additionally, car and truck drivers often expect bikers to yield to them – instead of the opposite. As you can probably imagine, serious problems can result because of this.
• Left turns kill: One of the most common causes of a motorcycle crash is making a left turn. When cars and trucks attempt to turn that way and a biker is coming toward them going straight, the motorist often fails to realize just how close or far away the motorcycle is. The small size of the bike can be confusing. Motorists can make the wrong judgment call and turn, causing the motorcyclist to collide right into the vehicle.

If you were involved in a Raleigh motorcycle crash that wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t have to pay for the medical bills and vehicle repairs that often occur as a result.

What are the facts regarding motorcycle accidents?

It is a known fact that motorcycles are much more dangerous than passenger vehicles on the motorways. The obvious reason is that they offer little protection for the rider. However, this has not stopped people from buying motorcycles in increasingly large numbers. The fact that the number of vehicles on the roads is also rising means that the risks of driving a motorcycle are also rising.

Motorcycles are cheaper and often times easier to drive/maintain than passenger cars. This is why motorcycles have become a favorite in Raleigh Durham, North Carolina, and many other areas. Also, motorcycles have become the vehicle of choice for adults looking to buy second vehicles; hence, they are also becoming popular among those over 40. However, the possibility of being in a motorcycle accident is real and it is best that you know the statistics related to motorcycle accidents before you sink thousands of dollars into a motorcycle.

Any good attorney specializing in motorcycle wrecks and personal injury cases probably knows these statistics, which are taken from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) report in 2012 and from reports by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

• Alarmingly, fatalities including motorcycles in the United States rose significantly (by close to 9%) in the year 2012
• Although the total number of traffic fatalities decreased in the country over the period of 1977 to 2011, deaths due to motorcycle accidents doubled every year during the same period
• Deaths related to motorcycle accidents have risen steadily in 14 of the last 15 years.
• Motorcycle accident fatalities have increased in 34 states in the nation
• In the year 2011, the number of deaths related to motorcycle accidents was 3760. This number rose to 3922 in 2012
• Motorcyclists below the age of 40 years are 36 times more likely to die than their peers who drive other vehicles
• Deaths among motorcyclists rose in all age groups from 1988 to 2000

Although these statistics show that it is becoming increasingly dangerous to drive motorcycles in the U.S., the number of states that have universal helmet laws decreased over a period from 1977 to 2011 (going from 26 to 19). You don’t need a lawyer to tell you that wearing a helmet can reduce the chances of grievous injuries and fatalities in motorcycle accidents.

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At Maurer Law, I handle all types of accidents involving personal injuries sustained in motorcycle wrecks and other motor vehicle accidents. Give my firm a call today for a FREE consultation with a board-certified civil trial lawyer. 704-899-2133.