Did you know that 75% of motorcycle accidents involve collisions with another vehicle? While motorist negligence is the number one cause of motorcycle accidents in the U.S., various other conditions contribute to these incidents as well.
As a motorcyclist, your safety should be a top priority. However, in order to be safe, you may want to recognize some of the ways you could find yourself in need of a motorcycle accident attorney.
Below, we’ve put together a quick list of some common conditions that contribute to motorcycle accidents and how to look out for them. As a personal injury law firm, we’ve seen a lot of different accidents and have noticed some trends over the years.
Here are 6 conditions to look out for as a motorcyclist:
- Head-On Collisions
- Left-Hand Turns
- Lane Splitting
- Alcohol Use & Speeding
- Fixed Object Collisions
- Basic Road Hazards
Head-On Collisions
Head-On collisions are one of the most common accidents when it comes to motorcycle injuries. Often fatal for the motorcyclist, head-on collisions between a car and motorcycle account for 78% of these types of accidents.
As someone who drives a motorcycle, it’s important for you to be even more aware of your surroundings on the road. With most cars having various blind spots, a motorist can visually miss a motorcycle driver quite easily, resulting in a terrible accident.
Left-Hand Turns
Another common dangerous situation for motorcyclists involves left-hand turns. These collisions often account for another vehicle in the mix as well. Whether the motorist or motorcyclist is turning left, these types of accidents are common due to the smaller size of motorcycles, making them even less visible to another vehicle.
Similarly, motorcycles changing lanes can often surprise other drivers on the road. Generally, a vehicle that hits another vehicle while making a left-hand turn will be found at fault for the accident. However, if the motorcyclist was speeding or in the wrong lane, they may play a part in this type of collision.
If you find yourself in a left-hand turn accident, you may need to contact a motorcycle accident attorney.
Lane Splitting
Lane splitting is a driving maneuver often only accessible to motorcyclists. This occurs when a motorcyclist drives between two lanes of stopped or slowly moving cars, typically during traffic hours. Due to the close proximity of the cars to the motorcycle, reduced space for the motorcycle to maneuver, and lack of anticipation for the motorists on the road, lane splitting accidents are very common.
In Tennessee, lane splitting is considered illegal; however, in Kentucky, this is not necessarily the case. Depending on your state and the police officer handling your accident, the vehicle at fault may vary.
Alcohol Use & Speeding
Generally, about half of the accidents involving only the motorcycle are caused by speeding or alcohol use. While alcohol use and speeding play a large role in other vehicle accidents as well, these types of misconduct can have a hefty effect on a motorcyclist.
Because motorcycles don't provide much protection to the rider, crashes brought on by speeding or alcohol use are much more likely to result in serious injuries or even death.
Remember to always wear protective gear, follow the speed limits, and never drink and drive.
Fixed Object Collisions
While colliding with fixed objects has proven to be statistically less fatal for motorcyclists, these fatalities do still occur. Again, because the motorcyclist is not encased in a physical vehicle, they are more likely to be thrown from their bike. When on the road, be sure to keep an eye out for medians, curbs or other obtrusive objects.
Basic Road Hazards
Due to the smaller size and less stable nature of motorcycles, cyclists face higher dangers from road hazards than other vehicles. Potholes, dead animals, uneven lanes, slick road conditions can pose serious threats to these drivers.
As a motorcyclist, it’s your job to be aware of other irregularities or unexpected objects in the road to ensure your own safety.
If you or a loved one is in need of a motorcycle accident attorney, contact Bart Durham Injury Law today. We have more than 75 years of experience helping folks just like you!
