Motorcycle Accident 101: The Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
The accident blue bike with a blue car. The motorcycle crashed into the bumper of the car on the road. The motorcycle lies on the road near the car.
As written for The Safe Driver.
In 2017, over 5,000 motorcyclists died as a result of road accidents.
Motorcycles are less visible to other drivers on the road and aren’t as stable as regular automobiles. Riding a motorcycle takes more skill than driving a car and the riders are more vulnerable to road conditions and weather hazards.
This means, unfortunately, that motorcycle accidents are not uncommon.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common causes for motorcycle accidents.
Inexperienced Drivers
Everyone’s new at one point or another. But it’s important to realize when you’re starting out riding that inexperienced drivers are more likely to make decisions that compromise their safety and the safety of others.
Left Turn Accidents
One of the common causes for motorcycle accidents is left-turn accidents. If a motorcyclist or automobile driver misjudges how much time and space they have to make a left turn, the results can be tragic.
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, you’ll probably want to check out your legal options.
Dangerous Road Conditions
Whether it’s weather or imperfect roads, dangerous roads is another common motorcycle accident cause. Debris, potholes, crumbling pavement, and more can make it so drivers lose control.
Unsafe Lane Changes
When vehicles make unsafe lane changes, they run the risk of colliding with a motorcyclist. This is why it’s important to always check your mirrors and blind spot as well as signal your lane change.
Car Doors Opening
It’s important if you’re parked on the street in a vehicle to always check your mirrors before opening you door. This type of injury is common for both motorcyclists and bicyclists.
Speeding
Speed limits exist for a reason. When either vehicle drivers or motorcyclists speed, the result of an accidental impact gets exponentially worse.
Driving Under the Influence
About 43% of fatal motorcycle accidents involved alcohol. It’s illegal and incredibly dangerous to operate a motorcycle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Lane Splitting
You’ve likely seen motorcyclists do this at some point in your life. It’s when they drive between two lanes of traffic. This is particularly dangerous for inexperienced motorcyclists.
Sudden Stops
Motorcyclists are simply more exposed than those in regular vehicles. If they stop short or someone in front of them stops short, serious injury or death can occur to the rider.
Motorcycle Defects
Sometimes the rider does everything right and everything still goes terribly wrong. If a poorly designed or faulty motorcycle causes injury or death, the manufacture can be held liable for the injuries or death.
Education, Practice, and Attention Are Vital to Avoiding Motorcycle Accidents
As we said before, everyone is new to something at some point. Driving a motorcycle is a dangerous thing to do, though, if you’re not giving it the respect and attention it deserves. If you decide to start riding, you’ll want to learn as much as you can and practice so that you can apply what you know while out on the road.
Did you find this article about motorcycle accident causes useful? If so, be sure to check out the rest of our blog!