The roadways in and around Charlotte can be chaotic, and it is important that everyone follows the laws of the roadway. At Brown, Moore & Associates, PLLC, we know that accidents are common, whether we are dealing with passenger vehicles, motorcycles, pedestrians, or bicycles. Today, our Charlotte motorcycle accident attorneys want to talk about a tragic story that occurred recently in west Charlotte. Four people were killed when a motorcycle collided with a vehicle.
What happened in this incident?
On Aug. 30, police say that a Hyundai Elantra with five passengers was traveling east on Wilkerson Blvd. in west Charlotte when they tried to make a u-turn at Fairhaven Street. As the Elantra was making the turn, it was struck by a 2016 Yamaha motorcycle with one rider.
All three people in the back seat of the Hyundai were pronounced dead at the scene. Two people in the front seat of the Hyundai, including the driver, were taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries.
The motorcyclist, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, was also pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
Police have said excessive speed was a contributing factor in this crash but have not said if the driver of the Hyundai or the motorcyclist were impaired, pending test results.
The statistics for our area
We can turn to the latest year of data from the NC Department of Transportation to show us that there were more than 275,000 vehicle crashes reported across the state. Out of those, there were:
- 1,396 fatalities
- 127,964 injuries
Looking specifically at motorcycle crashes, we can see there was a total of 3,722 that same year. These incidents led to:
- 145 fatal crashes
- 2,991 injury crashes
Crashes involving motorcycles almost always result in injuries or a fatality. Motorcyclists are vulnerable in a crash, even when they are wearing a helmet. It is not uncommon for us to see the following injuries in the aftermath of a motorcycle crash:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Bone fractures and dislocations
- Loss of or damage to a bodily organ
- Dismemberment or amputation
- Other injuries that inhibit a person’s daily activities
- Significant disfigurement
Excessive speed, impaired driving, distracted driving, and other factors all contribute to vehicle and motorcycle crashes.
Let us help you get through this
If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle crash that was caused by the careless or negligent actions of another person, please seek legal assistance as soon as possible. The team at Brown, Moore & Associates, PLLC is ready to step in and ensure you get the compensation you need. This can include:
- Coverage of medical expenses related to the crash
- Recovery of lost wages if you cannot work
- Coverage of any needed physical therapy
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Possible punitive damages against the negligent party
If you need a Charlotte motorcycle accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 704-335-1500.