How Many Motorcycle Accidents Per Day Are Caused by Negligence?
In most cases, motorcycle accidents happen on major, non-interstate roads. Here are some factors that may contribute to an accident. Speeding and negligence are two of the most common causes, but there are other factors, too. For example, inattentional blindness and fuel system leaks can also contribute to an accident.
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Negligence
Motorcycle accidents occur for a variety of reasons, but most are caused by negligence. Generally, motorcycles are more difficult to control than larger vehicles. Larger vehicles may not see motorcycles until they are right in front of them. Often, drivers fail to pay attention to motorcycles and fail to share the road. This results in devastating accidents.
Speeding
In the United States, speeding is one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents. It accounts for almost one-third of all motorcycle crashes. In addition to motorcycle accidents, speeding is also a major contributing factor in passenger car crashes, large truck accidents, and small-truck accidents.
Inattentional blindness
Inattentional blindness can be a cause of motorcycle accidents. Motorcyclists, who already have a disadvantage when it comes to avoiding accidents, are especially vulnerable to this condition. Drivers are often so focused on other factors on the road that they fail to see a motorcycle, putting them at significant risk of crashing. According to a 2018 study, drivers are 65% less likely to notice a motorcycle than another vehicle.
Left-turn crashes
A left-turn crash can have devastating results for the motorcyclist. The force of an impact in a motorcycle left-turn accident can be more than double the force of an impact in a vehicle. For instance, a 160-pound rider could experience up to 20 gs of force, which is the equivalent of 12 tons being dropped onto the rider. Thankfully, there are several ways to prevent left-turn motorcycle crashes.
Motorcyclist “going straight ahead”
Motorcycle riders are often the victims of negligent drivers who fail to watch for them on the road. Unfortunately, this can lead to fatalities. Many motorcycle accidents occur when a vehicle turns left in front of a motorcycle. Another common cause of motorcycle accidents is a motorcyclist that is traveling too slowly or failing to negotiate a curve.
Urban areas
Various factors can affect the number of motorcycle accidents per day. One of these factors is the type of roadway. For example, roads in urban areas tend to be more congested and crowded. Motorcyclists are also more likely to be involved in accidents at intersections. Often, motorcycle accidents result from speeding or running red lights. In addition, motorcycles are less stable than four-wheeled vehicles.
Florida
It’s difficult to say exactly how many motorcycle accidents happen in Florida each day, but a few trends can be seen. Specifically, the most dangerous time to ride a motorcycle is on a Saturday, when the weather is cool and free of winter and summer humidity. Also, most drivers are not working on Saturdays, making the roads more crowded and prone to accidents.
Texas
The state of Texas is one of the most dangerous places to be a motorcyclist. Its wide, open roads and long summers combine to create dangerous conditions for motorcycle riders. The state has the fifth-highest motorcycle registration in the nation, which means more drivers, which means more accidents. And as a result, Texas is one of the deadliest states for motorcycle accidents, right behind Florida and California. The state reported 68,877 motorcycle crashes between 2010 and 2017, which puts it among the top three states in terms of fatalities. And while Texas’ overall crash death rate has been declining over the past several years, the motorcycle death rate is holding it back.
Ohio
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), there are roughly 165 motorcycle accidents per day in Ohio. Most of these accidents happen during rush hour or on weekends. As the weather gets nicer, more motorcycle riders will be on the road. The state’s top motorcycle crash routes include US-6, US-42, US-40, and IR-75. According to OSHP, there are an average of 175 motorcycle fatalities every year. These accidents account for 16 percent of all traffic fatalities. Of those, 54 percent occurred in urban areas and 46 percent occurred in rural areas. In 2011, 212 people died in fatal motorcycle accidents in Ohio.