Driving while impaired is a serious offense that can result in high fines, license privileges revoked, and/or worse, fatal accidents. While state and federal lawmakers have made laws stricter and the consequences are now severer for those who refuse to follow the laws, intoxicated or impaired drivers are a constant threat to everyone. If an accident occurs involving a motorcycle and if alcohol was involved, catastrophic events can follow.
Attorney Brian Steed Tatum has years of experience in helping North Carolina’s and South Carolina’s injured drivers and their families in dealing with the devastating consequences of motorcycle collisions. His experience is put to work for each client in order to ensure that injured clients receive the compensation they deserve.
Motorcycles are vehicles with the same rights and privileges as all other motor vehicles on the roads. They are also subjected to the same regulations. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics show that the percentage of intoxicated motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes is greater than the percentage of other intoxicated drivers on the road. Other statistics say that motorcyclists who are involved in a fatal accident are two and a half times more likely to have consumed alcohol than the drivers in passenger vehicles.
The NHTSA says that any driver over the age of 21 with a blood alcohol content (BAC) above 0.08 grams/deciliter is considered to be alcohol-impaired. Motorcycles can be dangerous enough without adding alcohol to the mix. Even while sober, operating a motorcycle is more dangerous than operating other vehicles. Motorcyclists have to balance their bike, operate two brakes, shift, steer, and operate a clutch while navigating roads. If the rider is impaired, the dangers of making a single wrong maneuver can prove deadly.
On the other hand, when drivers of passenger vehicles operate their vehicles while impaired, motorcycle riders are put at a whole new level of risk. Motorcycles are much smaller than passenger vehicles and drivers who are intoxicated may completely miss seeing oncoming motorcycles. Moreover, impaired drivers have slower reaction times and so preventing accidents that could have been avoided now becomes much more difficult.
The NHTSA promotes safety on all roads and highways. They remind all motorists to “share the road” with motorcycles and to be extra alert to help keep riders safe. Motorcyclists are reminded to ensure that they are visible to other drivers to help increase everyone’s safety. If any motorist operates a vehicle while impaired, it subjects everyone on the road to deadly consequences.
Motorcycle riding can be glamorous and thrilling. Unfortunately, it also has a public perception of being tied to biker bars and risk taking. Riders who drink before going out on their bikes run the risk of injuring themselves or others. When drivers decide to drive while impaired, other motorists on the road, especially motorcyclists, are placed in an even greater danger.
The Tatum Law Firm knows the effects of motorcycle accidents and has years of experience in litigating and representing clients who have been involved in these types of collisions. Our experienced motorcycle accident attorney, Brian Steed Tatum, will manage your case and pursue your claim in order to ensure that you are justly compensated.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an accident where you believe that a violation of drunk driver laws contributed or caused the accident, please contact our office for assistance at (704) 307-4350 or reach out online for a free case evaluation.