Motorcycles are definitely thrilling to ride, but they’re also quite dangerous. Not only are they much faster than cars, they’re less stable and less visible to others on the road. In 2015, motorcyclists accounted for 14% of all traffic fatalities1 and 4% of all people injured.
As a motorcyclist, it’s important to follow the rules of the road and to understand the risks you face. Here are the top causes of motorcycle accidents, as well as how a motorcycle accident attorney can assist in the event that you’re involved in a crash.
Left-Hand Turns
A left-hand turn collision usually occurs when the motorcyclist is passing a car or going through an intersection. This type of accident is quite common among drivers because of a lack of visibility. Since motorcycles are easy to miss, a driver may not see you on the road.
As a rule, never pass a car while using the same lane, as visibility is even more impaired.
Unsafe Lane Changes
Since motorcycles can be tough to spot, there’s a big risk of a car colliding with a motorcyclist. This often happens because drivers didn’t check their blind spots or didn’t use their signals before changing lanes.
Speeding
Going fast on a motorcycle is the epitome of adventure and freedom. While fun, speeding is extremely dangerous. With minimal protection, you highly increase your risk of serious injury and death when speeding on your bike.
Head-On Collisions
The majority of motorcycle accidents occur because of a fatal head-on collision. Typically, a car strikes the motorcycle from the front—often because the driver doesn’t see the motorcyclist.
Lane Splitting
There are some advantages to driving a motorcycle, such as the fact that you can drive between two lanes, allowing you to pass through traffic. Convenient, yes. Dangerous, surely! Lane splitting is very unsafe, as you’re much closer to other vehicles, leaving you little room to maneuver. Lane splitting also reduces visibility, increasing the risk that a driver may not see you.
Involved in a Motorcycle Accident? We Can Help
Even if you follow all of the rules of the road, accidents do happen. As we face a growing number of distracted drivers, the risk to motorcyclists has increased. If you’ve been involved in an accident, you’ll want to ensure you have access to a motorcycle accident attorney who can help you through the court process, recouping losses, insurance claims, and more.
At Johnson Garcia LLP, we’re experienced in helping motorcyclists who have been involved in accidents. If the accident occurred because of a negligent driver, we can help you navigate the legal maze.
Call our office today at (832) 844-6700 for a free case evaluation. We look forward to working on your case.
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