Sunday, March 28, 2021

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents



Motorcycle accidents are quite common on the roads today. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 4985 riders were killed on the road in 2018. Though driving a motorcycle can be fun, it can also be dangerous, and it is important to take enough precautions when riding one. 

Knowing the causes of motorcycle accidents will help you stay alert on the road and also know how best to avoid such accidents.

Here is a list of some of the common causes of motorcycle accidents on the roads today.

Speeding


This is one of the leading causes of accidents. Many motorcycles are fast, and the rider can easily speed if not careful. However, speeding affects your ability to see or react to other drivers' mistakes in time to help avoid a collision. 

Therefore, speeding can result in a head-on collision or other types of accidents. And the higher the speed, the more significant the impact of the crash and the more severe the effects.

Unsafe Lane Changes


There are rules on how to change lanes while riding your bike safely. Unsafe lane changes can risk collision with other road users. A driver needs to check the blind spots and practice safe driving.

Lane Splitting


In most states, it is illegal to drive between two lanes. While this can help you avoid traffic jams, it puts the driver very close to cars, and should there be any sudden movement from the vehicles, the rider will not have enough time to react and an accident will ensue.




Lane splitting is risky because the rider is in close proximity with the cars, and the reduced amount of space makes it very hard to maneuver. Vehicles also do not anticipate that motorcyclists will try to pass them in traffic and not pay attention.

Left Hand Turns


This accident can be fatal because of the impact. Left-hand-turn car accidents occur when a car fails to indicate when making a left-hand turn or when the motorcyclist attempts to overtake a vehicle that is waiting to make a left-hand turn from behind.

Left-hand turn accidents also occur when the rider is going straight through an intersection or when passing it. Though accidents between cars are more common, motorcycles are more vulnerable because they are smaller in size.

Unsafe Road Conditions


The presence of potholes, debris, crumbling pavements, and lack of the necessary safety signals can increase the chances of a cyclist losing control resulting in an accident.

Distractions and Driving While Intoxicated


Driving while under the influence of alcohol is also a common cause of motorcycle accidents. It can cause head-on collisions, rear endings, or hitting stationary objects and can be fatal.




Riders who cause accidents when intoxicated can face both criminal liability and civil cases.

Sudden Stops and Car Doors


There are accidents that occur when a car driver or passenger opens a door on a motorcycle rider's path. The driver can slam into the door, and this can result in serious injuries. 

Car door accidents are very common when lane splitting. Riders who follow vehicles too closely are at risk of rear-end accidents should the cars come to an abrupt stop.

Hire a Lawyer if You Have Been in a Motorcycle Accident


If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you should hire a personal injury lawyer, like those at Albright, Stoddard, Warnick & Albright to help you with your settlement or defense. A lawyer will gather all the evidence necessary to defend you.



No comments:

Post a Comment


Join 1000's of People Following 50 Plus Finance
Real Time Web Analytics