A 23-year-old man has died from injuries he suffered in a North Carolina motorcycle accident. The deadly crash occurred at the intersection of Peters Creek Parkway and Ethel Drive in Winston-Salem on Wednesday, August 10, at approximately 6 p.m. According to police, Jeffrey McMillian was riding a 2017 Suzuki motorcycle north on Peters Creek. As he approached the intersection at Ethel Drive, an 80-year-old man driving a 2014 Honda Accord attempted to take a left turn onto Ethel and crashed into the motorcycle. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Police are investigating the crash.
North Carolina is a popular destination for motorcycle enthusiasts, offering the Dragon’s Trail, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and many other areas that attract riders. Motorcycles are popular with North Carolina residents, too, with just under 190,000 bikes registered in the state.
Unfortunately, one of the things people love about riding – the feeling of the open road around them – is also the very thing that leaves riders vulnerable to catastrophic injuries in motorcycle accidents. With no protection or barrier between the motorcycle and the vehicle that slams into them, the outcome of the crash can be tragic. Almost 5,000 people are killed in motorcycle accidents each year.
Preventing Motorcycle Accidents
According to national statistics, motorcycle accident victims are 30 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries than other vehicle accident victims. One reason for this is that when a crash occurs, a person on a motorcycle is often thrown off the bike. In many accidents, the motorcycle they were riding lands on top of them, causing even more severe injuries.
There are steps that a motorcyclist can take to help decrease their risk of being in a crash. These include:
- Be aware of vehicle blind spots. Every vehicle has blind spots where the driver cannot see if there is any other vehicle or object in that spot. This is one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents. It is not uncommon for a North Carolina motorcycle accident lawyer to hear an at-fault driver say during a deposition that they did not see the motorcycle.
- Obey the speed limit. Speeding is one of the leading causes of fatal motorcycle crashes.
- Watch out while taking sharp curves and turns. This is especially important for new motorcyclists. If the turn is taken too fast, you could end up crossing into other lanes.
Despite what many people think, it is not “daredevil” motorcyclists who cause the majority of motorcycle accidents. In fact, most riders are cautious drivers who obey the rules of the road and follow safety tips. The majority of these crashes are caused by other vehicle drivers who take left turns in front of motorcycles coming the other way, tailgate motorcycles, or speed.
Contact a North Carolina Personal Injury Attorney Today
Our North Carolina motorcycle accident attorneys understand that the injuries motorcycle accident victims sustain often leave them with permanent disabilities that not only create physical limitations but also result in significant financial losses.
If you or a loved one are injured in a motorcycle accident, it is critical not to delay contacting the legal team at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp to take action on your case before the statute of limitation expires. If that happens, you will be unable to collect financial damages for losses you or your family may be entitled to.
We will work diligently to get you the financial compensation you deserve, like the $1 million settlement we obtained for one client who was left permanently disabled after a negligent driver forced her motorcycle off a four-lane highway. Call our office today to schedule a free case evaluation.
Our firm also offers a free motorcycle injury guide which offers information that you may find helpful.
RELATED CONTENT