Motorcycle Accidents And DUI | Drunk Driving And Motorcycles | Carolina Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

The serious issue of drinking and driving is not regulated to those operating car and trucks – the shocking truth is that besides speeding, drinking while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is the most common cause of fatal motorcycle accidents. According to the United States National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA), 30 percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve a biker with an illegal amount of alcohol present in his blood. An estimated 45 percent of all fatal motorcycle accidents involve some amount of alcohol.

Driving a motorcycle after drinking is even more dangerous than driving other types of motor vehicles. A biker must balance, operate two brakes, steer, shift, and operate the clutch all while navigating roads that could be rife with hazards such as pot holes, grooves, or rough pavement. Even when sober, driving a motorcycle is more dangerous than driving a car – and adding inebriation to the equation can be deadly.

According to a report release by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) the rate of DUI motorcycle accidents and accident fatalities has increased, especially concerning drivers over the age of 40. While the rate of drunk driving deaths for other vehicles decreases, the rate of deadly drunk driving accidents for older motorcycle riders has increased.

Some blame the culture of motorcycle riding on the problem of drinking and biking – but the truth is that individual motorcycle riders must become personally responsible for their bike riding. Only their behavior can prevent future fatal drinking and biking accidents. Very simply, drinking and biking is illegal and should never be done – and any amount of drinking can prove disastrous when riding a motorcycle.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a law firm whose attorneys focus on injury and accident law, and we have experience handling motorcycle accident cases. Check out this case result involving a motorcycle and a pickup truck. We serve every area of North Carolina, including the Outer Banks, Nags Head and the western mountains, as well as all the cities and counties in between. In South Carolina, we cover the state from Myrtle Beach and Charleston to Orangeburg, Columbia, Florence, Rock Hill, Darlington, Aiken, Anderson, Greenville and Spartanburg.

Rick Shapiro and James Lewis were included among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008 and and we were named one of the Best Injury Law Firms in North Carolina for personal injury law since 2010 by U.S. News & World Report. In addition, we have been selected by the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009 and our firm has the highest rating of AV from national lawyer ranking organization Martindale-Hubbell. That means we have a reputation for demonstrating preeminent legal skill.

While not every injury case meets our criteria, we offer a free, initial confidential injury case consultation, so call us toll free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a voicemail so we can return your call promptly.