Motorcycle accidents are common, and they can be devastating. A person injured in a motorcycle accident might need extensive medical care and rehabilitation and lose wages while recovering. If the accident was due to someone else’s negligence, you might be able to recover compensation for your damages.
Many online legal resources say accidents can cause injuries when riding a motorcycle. The following is a list of some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents:
Failure to give Right-of-Way
Failure to give way is another common cause of motorcycle accidents. In many cases where a driver fails to give way, they may not see the motorcycle or see it approaching from behind and moving into their traffic lane or changing lanes without checking their blind spot first. It can result in a collision with the rider and lead to severe injuries or death for both parties involved.
Speeding
Speeding may seem like a minor offense, but it can cause serious injuries when you get into an accident on your bike. If you’re going too fast for the road conditions, your chances of crashing increase dramatically because you’ll have less time to react if something unexpected happens on the road ahead of you. You also have less control over your bike when going at high speeds than at slower speeds because it’s harder to stop or steer away from danger if needed.
Inexperience
The inexperience of riders also contributes to many motorcycle accidents. Many riders have little or no experience riding motorcycles before taking the wheel, so they do not know how to handle unexpected situations or react in an emergency. This inexperience can lead riders into dangerous situations such as riding at night without lights or in heavy traffic when they are unfamiliar with how quickly people drive on city streets.
Impaired Driving
Another common cause of motorcycle accidents is impaired driving. According to the Florida Clash Board, at least 37 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes involve alcohol or drugs. Most states have laws against drinking and driving, but these laws don’t apply to motorcyclists who aren’t wearing helmets or other protective gear. Many riders choose not to wear helmets because they want to be able to have drinks while they’re riding their bikes. However, this decision puts them at risk of severe injuries if they’re involved in an accident, especially if it involves another vehicle or pedestrian.
Lack of Protective ear
Bikers often ride without protective gear because it can be uncomfortable and bulky. However, this leaves bikers vulnerable to severe injuries if they are involved in an accident because there is less protection between them and the road when they crash. In addition, even if bikers’ bodies are protected from injury, their heads may still hit parts of their bikes during an accident and suffer brain damage.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is among the most common causes of these accidents. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association(GHSA), over 3,100 motorcycle riders were killed in traffic accidents in 2017 — an increase from an average of 3,000 deaths in 2016. Distracted driving was also one of the leading causes of motorcycle fatalities at 21 percent.
Ride Safely
The most common types of accidents that occur while riding a motorcycle involve other vehicles. These can be preventable if you take precautions such as wearing proper safety gear, being aware of your surroundings, and slowing down when necessary.
