Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle Accidents in North Carolina

December 8, 2021 | J. Bradley Smith, Esq.

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “What if a loved one dies from the injuries sustained in a serious accident while the case is pending?”

Motorcycles are a popular mode of transportation. Motorcyclists ride for pleasure in addition to using the vehicle to get to and from work. Motorcycles continue to increase in popularity. As the population in North Carolina grows, so does the use of motorcycles. Although motorcycles offer a fun and economical way to get around, they can also be dangerous. Other drivers may not always see motorcycles and crashes with larger vehicles can result in serious and life-threatening injuries. If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident, the negligent driver should be responsible for your damages. Consult with an experienced North Carolina personal injury attorney to discuss your claim.

Motorcycle Accidents in North Carolina

October 6, 2021 | J. Bradley Smith, Esq.

Charlotte Injury Lawyer Matt Arnold answers the question: “What is the value of my case?”

While it can be enjoyable, riding a motorcycle can also be incredibly dangerous. For instance, a rider could be thrown out of the seat, across the road, or even into the path of oncoming traffic in the case of an accident. While it is definitely important for motorcycle riders to be cautious on the road, accidents do happen. When they do, it is usually the rider who sustains the most damage from it, not the occupants of the other, larger vehicles involved.

Is Lane-Splitting Legal in North Carolina?

February 17, 2021 | J. Bradley Smith, Esq.

Charlotte Injury Lawyer Matt Arnold answers the question: “What happens if the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance?”

Lane-splitting is the practice of a motorcyclist riding between two lanes or rows of slowly moving or stopped traffic. Many motorcycle riders in the United States, including North Carolina, use this maneuver to bypass traffic jams.

How Much Is Your North Carolina Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit Worth?

August 14, 2019 | Matthew R. Arnold, Esq.

Personal injury Lawyer Matt Arnold answers the question: “I was involved in a motor vehicle accident with injuries. Do I need a lawyer?”

It is difficult to put an exact dollar amount on the amount of money you will receive for your injuries. Even an initial consultation with a North Carolina motorcycle accident lawyer cannot determine this amount, since courts only arrive at a number after communicating with insurance companies, law enforcement, and the parties involved.

Tips to Strengthen Your Motorcycle Accident Claim

December 19, 2018 | Matthew R. Arnold, Esq.

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “What can you sue for in a personal injury case?”

Motorcycle accidents happen every day. Regardless of the frequency, they are still dangerous to all parties involved, especially the motorcycle rider. Victims of accidents are often left with unexpected expenses that they might not be in the financial position to pay. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to damages through a personal injury lawsuit or claim. In order to recover damages, you need to have a strong case. The following are tips to strengthen a personal injury claim after a motorcycle accident.

Highway Deaths Surge In 2015

September 6, 2016 | Matthew R. Arnold, Esq.

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: ” Is a tractor-trailer accident the same as an automobile accident?”

Though we all realize that getting behind the wheel of a car can be a dangerous activity, few of us appreciate just how terribly things can go wrong in the blink of an eye. Driving is so commonplace that it has lost much of its obvious danger, lulling millions of motorists into a false sense of security. Recent numbers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration serve as a stark reminder that driving can indeed prove deadly. In fact, the numbers show a pretty dramatic rise in highway deaths, something researchers haven’t encountered in decades.

Local Accident Highlights Dangerous Trend In Motorcycle Accidents

June 2, 2016 | Matthew R. Arnold, Esq.

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “What can you sue for in a personal injury case?”

Authorities in Lumberton, North Carolina say a 41-year-old man died late last week when his motorcycle was involved in an accident. The crash occurred in front of a Baptist church late one evening. Police say they suspect speed was a factor and that the injuries suffered by the man were severe enough that he was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

Woman Charged After Motorcyclist Killed

June 17, 2014 | Matthew R. Arnold, Esq.

Attorney Matthew R. Arnold answering the question: “What exactly is a wrongful death claim?”

Police in Charlotte have filed formal charges against a woman they say is responsible for the death of a motorcyclist. The accident happened Saturday morning at the intersection of Providence Road and Wendover Road.

According to law enforcement officials, the crash occurred when James Johnson was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle down Wendover Road. Susan Brown, in her BMW X5 SUV, pulled out directly in front of Johnson.

Police officers say that Brown was in the left turn lane and had a flashing yellow arrow at the time, meaning she failed to yield the right of way to Johnson who had a green light. When she turned in front of Johnson, the grill of her SUV struck him and ejected him from his motorcycle. The force of the accident threw Johnson into the lanes of Providence Road.

The accident then set off a chain reaction crash, with the front end of the BMW hitting a Ford F150 that was stopped at the red light on Providence Road. Johnson was trapped on the ground between both the BMW and the Ford.

Motorcycle Wreck Leads To Fatality And Criminal Charges

March 4, 2014 | Matthew R. Arnold, Esq.

Attorney Matthew R. Arnold answering the question: “Can I wait a few months to pursue a personal injury claim?”

A man was killed earlier this week in Huntersville, NC when police say another driver turned in front of his bike. The accident happened quickly and ended in the experienced motorcyclist’s tragic death.

According to witnesses, emergency responders arrived at the scene of the accident a little after 3 p.m. on Saturday. The wreck occurred at the 16700 block of Huntersville-Concord Road and involved a motorcycle driven by Kenneth Lavern Owens and a Chevy Trailblazer.

Police say that 40-year-old Owens was in his motorcycle heading northeast on Huntersville-Concord Road when the Trailblazer, which was heading south, made a left turn into Owens’ lane. According to accident scene investigators, Owens tried to brake but simply did not have the time to do so safely. Thinking fast, Owens then laid his bike down on its side in an attempt to slow the momentum of himself and his motorcycle.

Despite his best efforts, Owens was unable to avoid colliding with the Trailblazer. Police say that when they arrived, Owens was already dead after hitting the side of the Trailblazer. The driver of the Chevy has since been charged with a misdemeanor, death by vehicle, as well as failure to yield the right of way.

North Carolina Couple Killed In Motorcycle Wreck :: Personal Injury Attorneys and Lawyers in Charlotte, NC

October 24, 2013 | Matthew R. Arnold, Esq.

Attorney Matthew R. Arnold answering the question: “What can you sue for in a personal injury case?”

A North Carolina husband and wife were killed this past week after being hit from behind by a pickup truck. According to police the accident occurred when their motorcycle was rear-ended along N.C. 87 North.

Highway Patrol officials say that the accident occurred just before 8 p.m. when a truck driven by Michael Ahlgren hit the back of the motorcycle carrying Michael and Shanon Turner. Police say the accident happened after Ahlgren was driving closely behind the couple and failed to see that the Turner’s had put on their turn signal. Authorities say that by the time Ahlgren noticed that the Turner’s were slowing down it was too late. Ahlgren was simply traveling too fast to come to a stop.

Given the speed with which the motorcycle was hit, both Michael and Shanon were ejected from the bike and thrown onto the pavement. Emergency responders pronounced both dead on the scene while Ahlgren was unhurt.

Police say that an investigation revealed alcohol was not a factor in the accident. However, Ahlgren was charged with two counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. His bond was set at $2,500.

Risk of being thrown from a motorcycle is one of the reasons that motorcycle riding can be so dangerous. While occupants of a passenger vehicle can also be ejected, the risk is much less serious given that seat belts do such a good job of keeping passengers inside the vehicle. Motorcycles lack these restraints and are easily thrown from their bikes onto hard pavement, or even worse, into other lanes of traffic.