Motorcycle Right-Of-Way Violations

Motorcycle Accidents in North Carolina and South Carolina

Distracted, inattentive, and aggressive drivers make it difficult for motorcyclists to remain safe on the roadways. Often these drivers fail to adhere to the right of way of other vehicles and sometimes this results in accidents. When these drivers fail to yield to motorcyclists, the consequences can be devastating because cars and trucks outweigh motorcycles and the riders do not have any of the protections that car or truck drivers have.

Attorney Brian Steed Tatum has years of experience in helping injured victims and their families during the complex process of accident investigations in North Carolina and South Carolina. We can take some of the worry out of the difficult process of obtaining compensation for injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident.

Right-of-Way Violations

According to statistics about motorcycle accidents, most accidents involving another vehicle happen because the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcyclist’s right of way and this caused the accident. Speed and judgment errors about bikes often cause drivers to violate a motorcycle’s right of way by failing to yield. The size of motorcycles can make their speed deceiving to motorists who are not paying close attention when executing a turn. Failure to check blind spots or use turn signals when changing lanes can often cause lane splitting, which can lead to bikes being overcrowded and hit in a side-swipe collision.

Generally, inattentive and distracted drivers stand out in traffic by their failure to yield or tendency to take the right of way in any situation. Many right-of-way violations happen on the roads when merging lanes, entering or leaving a construction zone, making an unprotected left turn, or during three- or four-way stops. All of these situations require judgment calls, and when drivers are not taking reasonable care to operate their vehicle, accidents occur because a motorcycle does not have enough time to react safely.

Motorcyclists know that their vehicles are smaller and less noticeable than other vehicles on the road because other cars and trucks can hide them very easily. In order to make themselves more visible, riders should position themselves strategically in a lane, wear bright and reflective clothing, and always ride with their headlight on. Also, motorcyclists must practice defensive driving in order to recognize the signs of inattentive driving and to be more alert to predict what these drivers may do that could put the rider’s safety at risk.

Consulting an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney

While being involved in a motorcycle accident can be devastating, The Tatum Law Firm is committed to serving clients involved in motorcycle crashes in North Carolina and South Carolina. Our experienced and dedicated motorcycle accident attorney, Brian Steed Tatum, will carefully pursue the motorcycle accident investigation process in order to diligently pursue your claim and ensure that you receive the maximum compensation allowed by law.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a motorcycle collision due to a right-of-way violation, please contact our office for assistance at (704) 307-4350 or reach out online for a free case evaluation.