A North Carolina man was the victim of a deadly motorcycle accident that occurred near an entrance ramp of Interstate 74.

High Point, NC -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/05/2019 -- Based on a preliminary investigation, law enforcement officers from the High Point Police Department believe that both alcohol and excessive speed were factors in the crash, resulting in the death of a a 44-year-old High Point man, according to reporting from Fox 8 WGHP.

The Motorcycle Hit a Guardrail

Emergency first responders were dispatched to the scene of this accident shortly before midnight on July 20th. When they arrived at the city, officers from the High Point Police Department determined that the motorcycle, 2006 Suzuki, has struck a guardrail on the entrance ramp of Interstate 74 West, near North Main Street. Tragically, the victim, Dorian K. Beasley, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Guardrails Can Be Hazardous to Motorcycles

Guardrails serve an important safety purpose on our roadways. However, it is notable that safety guardrails are generally designed with cars and trucks in mind. As a result, they do little to help motorcycles. In fact guardrails can be extremely dangerous for motorcyclists.

A study published by highway safety researchers at Virginia Tech found that motorcycle accidents account for 42 percent of fatalities that result from guardrail collisions — this despite the fact that motorcycles make up less than two percent of the overall vehicle fleet in the United States.

Motorcyclists are Especially Vulnerable to Severe injuries
When motorcycle crashes occur, the consequences can be catastrophic. Motorcyclists are exposed to the elements. As explained by High Point, NC motorcycle accident lawyer Bryant T. Aldridge, Jr., "A report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that motorcyclists are more than 26 times more likely to be seriously injured or killed in an accident than are occupants of standard sized passenger vehicles. For motorcyclists, highway safety is an imperative."

How Motorcyclists Can Reduce the Risks
There are a number of different steps that motorcyclists in North Carolina can take to improve safety and reduce their risks. First and foremost, motorcyclists should not get on the road until they are licensed and properly trained. Next, motorcyclists and motorcycle passengers should always wear a Department of Transportation (DOT) approved safety helmet. Not only is it the law in North Carolina, but wearing a helmet reduces the risk of a serious head injury by more than 70 percent. Finally, motorcyclists should take exceptional care to operate their bike in a safe manner. Always follow all applicable state and local traffic regulations.

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A 53 Year Old Man Is Dead After Another Driver Drifted Over The Center Line And Collided With His 2004 Ford Ranger.

High Point, NC -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/27/2019 -- According to investigators, 71-year-old Sandra Key Butler, of Pfafftown, was traveling westbound on Shattalon Drive when, for unknown reasons, she seemingly lost control of her vehicle and crossed over to the eastbound side. In so doing, she hit Kyle Martin head-on. Emergency responders rushed both drivers to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. Ms. Butler survived, but Mr. Martin did not.

As the investigation continues, police reached out to the public asking witnesses to come forward.

"Taken separately, loss-of-control crashes and wrong-way crashes are the most complex kinds of car wrecks," observed North Carolina personal injury attorney Bryant Aldridge. "When the two come together, the factual and legal knot is difficult to untie."

First, there's the question of negligence. Technically, tortfeasors (negligent drivers) who cross the center line and cause crashes are responsible for damages as a matter of law. But jurors often award substantial compensation only if the tortfeasor was impaired in some way. The main kinds of driving impairment are:

- Substance Use: Hospitals routinely perform toxicological screens on their serious injury patients. Even trace amounts of alcohol or drugs impair most drivers. If there is no direct evidence, circumstantial evidence, like bloodshot eyes, may be compelling.
- Fatigue: Drowsiness has roughly the same effect on the brain as alcohol or drugs. To establish fatigue, most attorneys re-trace the tortfeasor's steps for the past twenty-four hours to determine how much rest the tortfeasor had.
- Loss of Consciousness: Attorneys can review medical records to determine if the tortfeasor suffered from epilepsy, diabetes, or another condition which could cause sudden loss of consciousness.
- Distraction: Witnesses can testify that the tortfeasor was distracted or driving erratically in the moments before the crash. The vehicle's Event Data Recorder, which is like a commercial jet's black box, can provide the same evidence.

Compensation in a car crash claim usually includes money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and lost wages or future earnings; as well as, noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.

Second, there's the question of liability. The last clear chance doctrine often complicates liability issues in head-on crash claims. If the victim had a reasonable chance to avoid the collision, by changing lanes or otherwise, and did not do so, liability for the crash may change.

Significantly, the victim must have the last clear chance, and not just any possible chance. Typically, traffic and other conditions make sudden emergency maneuvers impossible to perform.

Additionally, the tortfeasor generally pulls directly into the path of the victim, and the victim does not have enough time to respond.

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