Motorcyclists face a number of dangers on roads and highways, some of which are shared with passenger vehicles and some that are unique for driver motorcyclists. With a smaller visual profile than passenger vehicles, motorcyclists are harder to see, which makes them at risk of serious personal injury in a crash. We will go over the Common Causes which can cause these accidents, and how we can avoid them in this blog.
In any collision, a motorcyclist is 28 times more likely to be killed than an occupant of a passenger vehicle. Recent statistics are concerning. In 2020, the number of riders killed in a collision exceeded the highest on record in 40 years, coinciding with the starting of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Any motorcycle operator ought to learn the explanations for incidents of motorcycle accidents and the places where danger can be lowered. This blog post will identify the often-used explanations for motorcycle accidents and can offer some useful advice if you or a loved one is involved in a crash.
Car-Doors
Motorcyclists can scarcely have time to avoid a crash when a door abruptly opens right in front of them. In circumstances like this, an accident is inevitable. Despite advertising campaigns, open car doors remain one of the primary causes of motorcycle accidents.
Speeding
The severity of a crash is amplified with speed. Additionally, the effectiveness of seat belts and airbags is lessened at higher speeds.
Alcohol Use / Drug Use
Riding a motorcycle under the influence of drugs or alcohol is extremely unsafe (and against the law). A greater percentage of motorcycle riders are involved in fatal accidents than operators of cars and trucks, light trucks, and large trucks.
Head-On Collisions
A car vs. motorcycle collision head-on is a possible hazard whenever a vehicle drifts out of its lane and directly collides with an oncoming car. Head-on collisions are quite rare (about 2 percent of all vehicle accidents), but they account for a large portion of catastrophic injuries and deaths.
Lane Splitting
Some states, like California, allow riding a motorcycle between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic. While the American Motorcyclist Association and other motorcycle advocacy groups endorse lane splitting and argue that it reduces motorcyclists’ exposure.
Lane Switching
Lane-switching accidents are common examples of drivers ignoring motorcycles. Unfortunately, some drivers make only a perfunctory glance in the mirror before initiating a lane change.
Motorcycles are more vulnerable to blind spots because their smaller profiles make them more vulnerable to the chance of being struck by lane-changing and lane-switching cars and trucks.
Motorcyclists can reduce the risks of getting into these accidents by observing signs that the driver is beginning a turn and either speeding up or slowing down to get out of a blind spot.
Sudden Stops
We’ve all come upon suddenly stopped traffic on fast-moving highways. These encounters don’t cause a collision anymore for motorcyclists than for car drivers.
However, riders can be thrown from a motorbike by a sudden stop. Since motorcycles aren’t equipped with seatbelts, a bike crash can result in an individual being flung.
Not Wearing a Helmet
Failure to a helmet does not cause a crash, but it can contribute to a fatality or severe brain injury.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that using helmets is estimated to reduce the risk of fatality or severe brain injury by up to 37 percent for motorcyclists and about 41 percent for passengers who wear a helmet. Another way of putting it: For every 100 fatal motorcycle accidents where the operator was not wearing a helmet, 37 motorcyclists could have survived if they had worn a helmet.
Inexperience & Inattention
Motorcyclists who practice in a parking lot may not develop the capability of dealing with the challenges of real road dangers. Unfortunately, many motorcycle operators wind up on a motorbike without knowing much about facing hazards and developing what they should do in order to stay alive when lives are in danger.
Carelessness and distraction may be fatal. A motorcycle operator might be carefree as long as their mind is on defensive driving, but if their mind wanders or they are not focused on it, their reaction time may be reduced when seconds are critical.
Dangerous Road conditions
Some road conditions aren’t a concern to Cars but can harm motorcyclists. Government agencies need to act once they’re notified of a hazard. Dangerous road conditions can include:
- Failure to cover speed limit signs in construction zones
- Lack of guardrails
- Poor lighting
- Road construction debris
- Non-functioning traffic signals
- Cracks
- Uneven pavement
Two-wheeled motorcycles must be extremely cautious when riding on slippery roads as a result of their less stability. Cases against government agencies are difficult but not impossible. By hiring a skilled attorney as a victim of dangerous road condition
Motorcycle Defects
A design or manufacturing bug/defect may cause or contribute to an accident, and when a crash brings about severe wounds, the damages are usually considerable. Road crash cases similar to motorcycle defects are likewise difficult and require a skilled and knowledgeable attorney.
In one case years ago, a 27-year-old man was rendered a quadriplegic due to a design defect in the kickstand of his motorcycle that caused his bike to spin out of control during a turn. The man sued Honda, the manufacturer, but they refused to agree to a settlement. At trial, a jury awarded the man $19.8 million for his injuries.
What to Do If You’ve Been Injured in a Motorcycle Accident?
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident (either as the motorcyclist, a passenger, or the occupant of another vehicle), there are two main things you need to do:
- Get medical care immediately;
- Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.
If you go to an attorney soon after an accident, they will assist you in gathering substantial proof, obtaining the police report, documenting your damages, negotiating a beneficial settlement, and taking your lawsuit to trial, if necessary.
Motorcycle Accident Injuries You Can Include in a Claim
In just a few moments, a traffic accident can result in life-altering injuries that can change a single’s future. Some of the serious injuries that may be the basis for a personal injury claim include:
Traumatic brain injuries
A wide range of physical effects can be traced to the ramifications of brain injuries, ranging from hearing loss and general weakness to emotional issues and personality changes. They are commonly classified into a range of classes and the severity of symptoms can vary between them.
Spinal cord injuries
Injuries to the spine are one of the most catastrophic injuries. Loss of nerve function below the site of an injury can result in paralysis of the arms, trunk, legs, and pelvic organs.
Broken bone injuries
Motorcycle crash victims are more likely to suffer injuries to multiple bones in the lower extremities. Lower extremity injuries, such as breaks and fractures in the pelvic bones of the thigh, shin bone, kneecap, and fibula, are quite common.
Broken bone injuries
Motorcycle crash victims are more likely to suffer injuries to multiple bones in the lower extremities. Lower extremity injuries, such as breaks and fractures in the pelvic bones of the thigh, shin bone, kneecap, and fibula, are quite common.
Why Hire an Attorney After a Motorcycle Accident?
An experienced motor vehicle accident law attorney can aid you to get the reimbursement you need after an accident. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the sooner you recover the compensation you are entitled to.
If you’d like to speak with a lawyer about your case, Contact Us or Book a Free Consultation Call below. We will explain the process for your case and the options you have available.