Motorcycle Accidents

Fayetteville, NC – Motorcyclist Hurt in Crash with Truck on Murchison Rd.

Published on: July 24, 2021 | Jason M. Burton

Fayetteville, NC (July 24, 2021) – A motorcyclist suffered injuries in a crash that took place in Fayetteville on Friday night. The accident took place in the 1800 block of Murchison Road.

According to a report from the scene, a pickup truck and a motorcycle were involved in an accident around 8:45 p.m. The cause of the accident was not immediately available. Rescue crews arrived at the scene and transported the injured motorcyclist to a hospital where they were treated for life-threatening injuries.

The motorcyclist’s identity has not been revealed at this time. There is no word on whether anyone else was injured in the crash and officials have not said if any charges are expected to be filed. The road was blocked for several hours while police and emergency officials worked at the scene. Motorists were advised to find alternate routes of travel.

I Have Been Injured by an Uninsured Driver. Do I Still Have a Claim?

Published on: July 16, 2021 | Jason M. Burton

If you were injured in a car wreck in North Carolina and were not at fault, you or your attorney will likely start by contacting the at-fault driver’s insurance company. But what if it turns out that the at-fault driver did not have auto insurance? Perhaps they don’t even have a valid driver’s license, or maybe their insurance policy recently lapsed. Whatever the reason, you probably have a lot of questions about your options and what to do next.

Isn’t insurance required in North Carolina?

To drive a car in North Carolina, vehicle liability insurance is required, as is a valid driver’s license. Unfortunately, some people do not comply with these laws, so it is possible to end up injured in a wreck that involved an uninsured driver; however, if you have auto insurance, you are still protected.

How Do I Choose a Personal Injury Attorney?

Published on: June 28, 2021 | Jason M. Burton

If you have been injured in North Carolina, you may be looking for a personal injury attorney. Before you hire an attorney, there are several factors you will want to consider. The personal injury team at Burton Law Firm put together this guide to help you make the best decision for yourself and your loved ones.

COST – In North Carolina, most personal injury attorneys represent clients on a contingency fee basis. This means that the attorney gets paid a percentage of what they recover for the client, and they usually only get paid their attorney fee when/if they recover money for the client. Additionally, most (but not all!) injury law firms will provide potential clients with a free consultation. This gives you a chance to ask questions, learn more about the attorney and his or her firm, and find out what legal rights and options are available to you. Look for a personal injury attorney who will represent you on a contingency fee basis and who will provide a free consultation.

EXPERIENCE – Were you injured in a wreck with an 18-wheeler or a drunk driver? Or maybe you suffered a traumatic brain injury or lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence. No matter what happened, you will want to make sure you find a personal injury attorney with experience handling cases like yours.

Surry County, NC – Paul Zink Killed in I-74 Motorcycle Crash

Published on: June 27, 2021 | Jason M. Burton

Surry County, NC (June 27, 2021) – A 45-year-old man from Clemmons was killed in a motorcycle crash that occurred in Surry County on Saturday, June 26th. The accident took place on Interstate 74 West near Mile Marker 6.

Authorities identified the deceased victim as Paul Lee Zink. Police say that Zink was traveling westbound on I-74 when he collided with another vehicle in heavy traffic. The exact cause of the crash is not known at this time. Zink suffered critical injuries and died at the accident scene. Police have not said whether any additional injuries were sustained. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is currently investigating the collision. Troopers have not said whether any charges are expected to be filed. The crash caused significant delays at the scene as police investigated. Motorists were asked to avoid the area if possible.

No further details are available at this time.

Greensboro, NC – Stephan Hampton Dies in Moped Crash on Wendover Ave.

Published on: June 24, 2021 | Jason M. Burton

Greensboro, NC (June 24, 2021) – A 29-year-old man from Greensboro lost his life in a moped crash that took place on Thursday, June 24th. The accident was reported around 1:45 a.m. on Wendover Avenue near the intersection with Guilford College Road.

Officers with the Greensboro Police Department, along with rescue workers, responded to the scene shortly after the crash happened. When police arrived, they found Hampton lying in the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers believe that he was struck by multiple vehicles and all of the drivers fled the area before officials could arrive. There is no additional information related to the events leading up to the crash at this time. Wendover Avenue was closed while police investigated at the scene.

The accident is still being reviewed at this time. Anyone with information should contact the Guilford County Highway Patrol District Office.

Salisbury, NC – Caleb Jarvis Killed in Motorcycle Crash on Jake Alexander Blvd.

Published on: June 21, 2021 | Jason M. Burton

Salisbury, NC (June 21, 2021) – An 18-year-old was killed in a motorcycle crash that took place in Salisbury on Saturday, June 19th. The crash happened just after 2:00 p.m. on Jake Alexander Boulevard at Julian Road.

According to Sgt. Russ DeSantis of the Salisbury Police Department, 18-year-old Caleb Jarvis was riding his motorcycle southbound on Jake Alexander when he collided with a Chevrolet Malibu as the Malibu attempted to make a left turn onto Julian Road. Jarvis was thrown from the motorcycle and died at the crash scene. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision. The driver of the Malibu, who was not identified, was not injured in the crash. Both the Malibu and the motorcycle suffered heavy front-end damage. Motorists were asked to avoid the area.

Police continue to investigate. There is no word if any charges are expected to be filed.

Raleigh, NC – One Killed in Motorcycle Crash on Perry Road

Published on: June 18, 2021 | Jason M. Burton

Raleigh, NC (June 18, 2021) – One person was killed in a crash between a motorcycle and a car in Raleigh on Friday morning. The crash took place around 12:30 a.m. on Perry Creek Road near the intersection with McGuire Drive.

The Raleigh Police Department was called to the scene just after the accident happened. According to a report from the scene, a car was overturned on its roof following the crash. The deceased victim died at the scene. That person’s identity has not been released at this time and it is not clear if the motorcyclist or the driver of the car was killed in the crash. Police have not released any details on the cause of the accident at this time. There is no word on whether any charges are expected to be filed. Motorists were advised to avoid the area if possible.

There is no further information available.

Bladen County, NC – Derrick Highsmith Killed in Motorcycle Crash on US 41

Published on: June 16, 2021 | Jason M. Burton

Bladen County, NC (June 16, 2021) – A 40-year-old man was killed in a motorcycle crash on North Carolina Highway 41 in Bladen County. The accident happened on Tuesday, June 15th.

According to Trooper J.C. Waldrop of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Derrick Highsmith, of Harrells, was driving a motorcycle on N.C. Highway 41. At the same time, a vehicle driven by Henry Howell, of Harrells, was traveling eastbound on N.C. 51. Howell attempted to make a left turn but turned into the path of the oncoming motorcycle. The two vehicles collided with each other. Highsmith was ejected from his bike and was pronounced dead at the accident scene. Howell was taken to Cape Fear Valley Bladen County Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Following an investigation, Waldrop was issued a citation for misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and failing to yield the right-of-way. Neither speed nor alcohol is believed to have played a role in the crash.

Is a Motorcycle Wreck Different from a Car Wreck?

Published on: June 15, 2021 | Jason M. Burton

There’s not much that compares to riding a motorcycle down the road on a perfect, 75-degree day, but when a distracted auto driver fails to see you on your bike, things can get bad – fast. If you or someone you know has been injured while riding a motorcycle, there are several things you will want to keep in mind as you’re trying to figure out what to do next.

#1 – MEDICAL TREATMENT. When a car hits a motorcycle, the injuries to the biker can be much more severe than with an auto v. auto wreck. Although bikers typically have on protective gear like helmets and boots, this gear often provides only minimal protection when a biker is hit by a car. Injuries can range from road rash to broken bones, concussions, and even death. If you or someone you know was injured in a motorcycle wreck, make sure you get the medical treatment you need. After your initial hospital treatment, there will typically be follow up visits with primary doctors, orthopedists, physical therapists, and more. Going to all of your doctor and therapy appointments and following the advice of your doctors will give you the best chance for a full recovery.

#2 – EVIDENCE. As with most injury incidents, preserving evidence is crucial. With a motorcycle wreck, the evidence may include things like photos of the scene and roadway, photos of the bike and vehicle, injury photos, witness names and contact information, and more. The insurance company for the other driver will be trying to protect themselves and pay out as little as possible. In North Carolina, if they can convince a jury that you were even 1% at fault, you will not be able to recover any money damages for your injuries! This is known as contributory negligence. Because of this, it is important to make sure you can clearly show who was at fault for the wreck, and the evidence can help you do that.

Zebulon, NC – UPDATE: Dillon Keesling Identified in Fatal Motorcycle Crash

Published on: June 6, 2021 | Jason M. Burton

Zebulon, NC (June 6, 2021) – Authorities in Zebulon have now identified the man who was killed in a motorcycle crash on Friday evening. The collision occurred on North Carolina Highway 39 near Richardson Road and Middlesex.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Dillon Keesling, of Zebulon, was riding his motorcycle of N.C. 39 when he was rear-ended by a vehicle. Keesling was ejected from his bike and later pronounced dead at the crash scene. The driver of the vehicle has been identified as Jacob Miner, of Middlesex. Miner was not hurt in the crash. Following a police investigation, he was issued a charge of driving while impaired driving while his license revoked for a previous DWI. Additional charges are possible pending the outcome of the investigation. Miner was taken to jail where he was being held on a $250,000 bond.

There is no further information available at this time.