Motor Vehicle Accidents
What Are the Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
The open road may offer motorcyclists an unmatched sense of freedom, but it comes with
October 4, 2024
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The open road may offer motorcyclists an unmatched sense of freedom, but it comes with serious risks. In one recent year alone, over 6,200 motorcyclists died on U.S. roads, making up 14.6 percent of all traffic deaths. That’s shocking, especially considering motorcycles account for only 3 percent of registered vehicles.
To make matters worse, motorcyclists are five times more likely to die in a crash than car drivers. Why? Unlike car occupants, they’re exposed, and when an accident happens, it’s often due to the negligence of others.
If you suffered an injury in a crash, consulting a motorcycle accident attorney can make all the difference in getting the compensation you deserve.
Let’s dive into some of the top causes of motorcycle accidents and liability for injuries to motorcyclists.
One of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents is the failure of other drivers to yield the right of way to motorcyclists. Imagine cruising down the street when a car suddenly turns left in front of you. This is a common scenario for motorcyclists, especially at intersections.
Drivers of cars and trucks often overlook motorcycles because they are smaller and harder to see. Drivers also often misjudge the motorcycle’s speed or distance, leading to severe collisions.
Motorcycles don’t have the same protection as cars, so a collision caused by a driver’s failure to yield can lead to life-threatening injuries.
It’s no secret that distracted driving is one of the biggest threats to everyone on the road. Drivers texting, talking on the phone, or using their GPS are essentially driving blind when it comes to spotting motorcycles.
Because motorcycles are already less visible, distracted drivers are even more likely to overlook them, leading to disastrous consequences. All it takes is a split second of inattention for a car to drift into a motorcyclist’s lane, and suddenly, lives are changed forever.
We all know that speeding kills, but the stakes are even higher when motorcycles are involved. Speeding drivers have reduced reaction times, meaning they may not stop or swerve in time to avoid hitting a motorcyclist.
Worse, speeding increases the impact force, making crashes far more devastating.
Unlike cars, motorcycles need more space to maneuver and stop. When drivers follow too closely, they leave the motorcyclist with little room to react in case of sudden stops or slowdowns.
Rear-end collisions involving motorcycles are particularly dangerous. The force of a car crashing into a bike can easily throw the rider off, causing severe injuries. Drivers often assume motorcycles can stop as quickly as cars, but this is not the case.
Drivers who change lanes without properly checking their blind spots put motorcyclists at serious risk. Motorcycles can easily disappear into a car’s blind spot, and if a driver doesn’t check their mirrors or use their turn signals, they might veer into a motorcyclist without even realizing it.
This type of negligence is all too common, especially in heavy traffic. Even though it’s the driver’s responsibility to ensure their lane change is safe, many fail to do so, leaving motorcyclists vulnerable to sudden collisions. For the rider, this can result in serious injuries, from broken bones to traumatic brain injuries.
Few things are more dangerous than a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Impaired drivers have poor judgment, slow reaction times, and reduced coordination—all of which are a recipe for disaster when motorcycles are on the road.
In crowded urban areas, parked cars and motorcycles often share the same space on the road.
One common yet dangerous scenario is when a driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of an oncoming motorcycle, known as dooring. This can cause a motorcyclist to swerve into traffic or collide directly with the door, leading to serious injuries.
Bad weather makes driving difficult for everyone, but it’s a nightmare for motorcyclists. Rain, fog, and snow reduce visibility, making it harder for drivers to see motorcycles.
Even worse, poor weather creates slippery road conditions, making speeding drivers more likely to lose control of their vehicles and crash into motorcyclists.
Motorcycle accidents can have serious and long-lasting effects on the lives of victims. The high speeds and lack of protection motorcycles offer make riders more vulnerable to severe injuries.
One of the most common effects of a motorcycle accident is serious injuries. Riders can suffer broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and even paralysis.
These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, surgeries, and rehabilitation. The physical pain and emotional trauma can be overwhelming, affecting all aspects of a person’s life.
In addition to the physical toll, motorcycle accidents can also result in significant financial burdens. Medical bills can quickly pile up, leaving individuals and their families struggling to cover the costs.
Furthermore, the injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident can often lead to a loss of income as individuals may be unable to work for an extended period while they recover.
The pain and suffering caused by a motorcycle accident can also have a profound impact on a person’s mental health and overall well-being. Debilitating emotional distress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can result from the accident.
This is why you must seek the guidance of an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. They can protect your rights, negotiate with insurance companies, and seek the compensation you deserve.
After a motorcycle accident, dealing with insurance companies and legal claims is the last thing you want on your plate. Further, insurance adjusters often try to downplay your injuries or blame you for the crash, making the process significantly more challenging.
That’s where a skilled motorcycle accident attorney comes in—they can cut through the red tape, push back against unfair tactics, and negotiate for the compensation you deserve.
When another driver’s negligence caused your crash, you’re entitled to financial recovery for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. But don’t wait too long—you face deadlines for filing injury claims. Additionally, evidence grows more difficult to find and preserve the longer you wait.
The sooner you consult a personal injury lawyer for free, the stronger your case can be. They’ll handle the legal process while you focus on your treatment and healing.
If you wonder whether you have a case or how much your claim might be worth, reach out to a motorcycle accident lawyer. They’ll give you a clear path forward.
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