A Cofield, North Carolina farmer has been charged in the March 6 death of a motorcyclist in a crash with his farm truck.
The North Carolina State Police reported that the crash happened when 21 year old Cadarius K. Tann was riding his motorcycle and making a legal pass of the farm truck owned by Newsome Farms, which was operated by 42 year old Raymond R. Lane.
The police stated that Tann was passing the farm truck on the left, which was pulling a trailer. The truck then made a left turn into a private driveway, into Tann’s path. The 21 year old was ejected from the motorcycle and died at the crash scene.
Lane has been charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, which is a safe movement violation.
Our View
North Carolina accident statistics show that there were 186 fatal motorcycle or moped crashes in 2015, and 154 crashes with injuries. The fatality rate for motorcycle riders in 2014 in North Carolina was six times that for passenger vehicle occupants. The data indicates that the rate of motorcycle deaths in the state is on the rise.
Clearly, motorcycle riders are at a much higher risk for death than car drivers because they are fully exposed to the environment. Car and truck drivers can reduce the chances of injuring or killing a motorcyclist if they follow basic driving safety:
- Look carefully before turning left across traffic. It is very common for car and truck drivers to not be looking for the smaller profile of a motorcycle. They are harder to see, but they have every right to be on the road that other vehicles have.
- Look carefully in your sideview mirrors and check blind spots. Another very common accident is when a car or truck is changing lanes and fails to carefully check their blind spots. Again, motorcycles are harder to see and they can easily hide in your blind spot. Turn your head to the left or right enough that you are positive that no motorcyclist is next to you before you change lanes.
- Pay attention to the road in front of you. Rear end accidents that would result only in minor car damage can kill a motorcyclist. Put down the cell phone, stop talking to your passengers and leave the radio alone while you are in motion.
If you get into an accident with a motorcyclist, death can easily result, and a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from a car or truck accident can cost you millions, in addition to any jail time you receive for the criminal charge. Our Virginia and North Carolina motorcycle wrongful death attorneys have successfully sued many careless drivers over the years, and it is something you want to avoid.
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