The Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents (and How to Prevent Them)
Did you know that motorcyclists account for 14% of all traffic fatalities? In 2019 alone, there were over 5,000 fatal crashes!
Even if you survive, there’s a high chance of injuries such as broken bones, muscle damage, or road rash. There’s also a chance of traumatic brain injury, which can result in physical and cognitive defects.
Are you a motorcyclist? Want to know what some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents are? If so, you’re on the right page.
We’ll be going over some of the most common situations below. Keep reading to learn more!
- Cars Making Left-Hand Turns
The most dangerous situation for motorcyclists occurs when a vehicle is making a left-hand turn. More often than not, the turning car will hit the motorcyclist when the motorcycle is passing the car or going straight through the intersection.
This has to do with the motorcycle’s small size, which makes them less visible to the turning vehicle. In most cases, said vehicle will be found at fault for the accident.
With that said, the motorcyclist may be at fault as well if they were in the wrong lane or speeding. That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to your surroundings—both to speed limits and to other vehicles—when you’re riding.
- Lane Splitting
Lane splitting is when a motorcyclist rides on the line between two lanes of traffic.
While it allows them to overtake slow-moving or stopped cars, it’s also dangerous. For one thing, there won’t be much space for the motorcycle due to the close proximity of the vehicles.
Not only that, but distracted drivers can easily rear-end the motorcycle, which can cause serious injuries even at a low speed.
- Distracted Driving
Distracted driving, both on the part of motorcycle drivers and vehicle drivers, can cause motorcycle accidents. For example, a motorcyclist can drift into oncoming traffic if they’re texting instead of paying attention to the road.
The flip side is also true; a distracted driver can easily strike a motorcyclist if they veer over into the lane or turn without checking their blind spots.
In cases like that, a personal injury attorney may be able to help you recover compensation for your medical bills.
- Speeding
Speeding is one of the most prevalent factors when it comes to motorcycle accidents. Even a 10mph speed increase can make a big difference—according to national data, it can up the risk of a crash by 9.1%.
Compared to cars, speeding in a motorcycle is also much more likely to result in serious injury or death as they don’t provide the rider with much protection. You need to have a motorcycle helmet for safety and protection.
Not only are they exposed to the elements, but motorcycles don’t have the same level of stability as cars that allow them to break or swerve quickly to avoid obstacles.
Preventing Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can be caused by many things from lane splitting to speeding. Fortunately, you can prevent and avoid these situations by being a responsible driver. Remember, motorcycle safety always comes first.
For more posts like this, check out the rest of our Education section!
