What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?
Many accidents involving motorcycles are caused by a vehicle driver’s inattention. Drivers often fail to see motorcycles when making left-hand turns. The motorcycle may also be in the car driver’s blind spot. While the car driver is generally held responsible for the motorcycle accident, the motorcycle rider may also be at fault if he was speeding or driving in the wrong lane. Other factors that can cause motorcycle accidents to include poorly designated merging zones, bends, and unpaved surfaces.
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Inattention
Thousands of motorcycle accidents occur each year, many of which are the result of driver inattention. Some are caused by rider errors, but many are the fault of another motorist or a separate party. In many cases, a motorcycle accident claim can be filed with a law firm that specializes in such accidents. While inattention may be a leading cause of motorcycle accidents, there are many other factors to consider as well.
Driver inattention is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents, and it affects both experienced and new riders alike. Inattention results when a driver is unable to focus on the road or is distracted by a cell phone. Moreover, many drivers fail to check their blind spots when driving, and this leads to crashes.
Drunk driving
There are many reasons why drunk drivers cause motorcycle accidents, but the most common is their inability to control their vehicles. The small size of motorcycles means that they can easily over-accelerate and lose control if the speed is too high. While speeding is a major factor in many motorcycle accidents, it is also an important factor to remember that drunk drivers are more likely to make poor decisions, which puts their lives and others’ lives at risk.
Alcohol is a major factor in motorcycle crashes, but other substances such as drugs or over-the-counter medications can also impair the driver. It is therefore vital that the motorcycle-riding community and law enforcement work to promote responsible drinking and recognize the signs of impaired driving.
Lane-splitting
Many motorcycle accidents are caused by lane-splitting, the practice of changing lanes to pass another car. Motorcycles are vulnerable to accidents because they have less time to react than cars moving at higher speeds. This practice has also been shown to increase the risk of rear-ending another car. The NHTSA reported that distracted driving led to 3,142 motorcycle fatalities in the United States in 2019.
Often, the cause of a lane-splitting accident is not immediately apparent. Inattention, blind spots, or reckless driving could all be factors that contribute to the accident. Regardless, you should never engage in lane-splitting unless it is a last resort.
Blind spots
Most motor vehicles have blind spots, and a motorcycle is no exception. Since motorcycles have no pillars to shield their sides, a driver needs to take extra care to check his or her blind spots when passing another vehicle. Failure to do so can lead to serious accidents. Fortunately, there are several ways to prevent motorcycle crashes caused by blind spots.
The first thing to do is to identify the area in front of your motorcycle. These are areas you can’t see in the side-view mirrors, but which are invisible to another driver. While checking your mirrors is a good start, you should always check the areas behind your vehicle as well. You can also roll down your windows to check for activity.
Road conditions
Injuries and fatalities caused by motorcycle accidents are often the results of poor road conditions. While most accidents can be avoided by following traffic laws, poor road conditions can still occur and pose a serious risk for motorcycle drivers. Potholes, for instance, can be a serious hazard. When they’re larger than 1.5 inches in diameter, they can easily deflate tires, which can lead to an accident.
Another factor that contributes to motorcycle crashes is bad weather. A motorcycle cannot brake quickly on wet or icy roads, making it difficult for a driver to react. In addition, bad weather can come without warning, making it difficult for drivers to make adjustments. Also, motorcycles tend to be very fast. This can make it harder for other drivers to react to a motorcycle’s speed, reducing their reaction time. Therefore, motorcycle riders should drive at or below the speed limit.