Did you know that annually about 5,014 motorcyclists die in motorcycle related crashes? While riding your motorcycle on the open road is an enjoyable experience, it can also be extremely dangerous.
Thanks to their excellent handling, clear view without obstruction, powerful brakes, and road-gripping tires, motorcycles are well equipped to avoid collisions. Motorcyclists are most at risk of accidents when other motorists are negligent and when weather conditions make roads slippery. With this in mind, motorcyclists are less likely than automobile and commercial truck drivers to be involved in an accident. However, motorcycle accidents tend to cause death or very serious injuries.
Types of Motorcycle Accidents
- Head-On Collisions
- Left Turn Accidents
- Lane Splitting Collisions
- Speed & Alcohol
Head-On Collisions
When it comes to riding your motorcycle, head-on collisions can occur with another motorcycle or any other type of vehicle. Motorcyclists are killed in more than half of all vehicle accidents while riding.
Most of these types of accidents involve cars striking motorcycles from the front. With this in mind, most of these head-on collisions between motorcycles and other vehicles result in death for the rider. Be sure to avoid bobbing and weaving between traffic, and try to stay the two car minimum distance away from larger vehicles to avoid head-on collisions and death.
Left Turn Accidents
With a smaller vehicle such as a motorcycle, the view of your vehicle will be much less visible to other drivers in a car, van, or other large moving vehicle. Motorcyclists who pass cars and other vehicles in the same lane tend to be more vulnerable to accidents. Motorcycle maneuvers are often unexpected and surprising for other motorists.
Left turn accidents can occur from a variety of driving techniques. Here are areas of motorcycle maneuvers to pay extra attention to while on the road:
- When the motorcyclist is passing a vehicle
- When the motorcyclist is traveling straight through an intersection
- When the motorcycle is attempting to overtake a vehicle
Lane Splitting Collisions
Oftentimes, accidents can occur on the road because of lane splitting. However, lane splitting accidents involving motorcyclists can be much more detrimental. Some motorcyclists can be hurt in accidents where they split the lane, or drive between two lanes of slowly moving or stopped vehicles, which tends to occur in traffic jams. Like we said earlier, be sure to avoid bobbing and weaving between traffic, and try to stay the two car minimum distance away from larger vehicles to avoid head-on collisions and death.
In instances of lane splitting, the distance between vehicles is often narrow, making it harder for the motorcycle to maneuver such little space. This in and of itself can cause an accident. Similarly, a motorcycle’s close proximity to other vehicles while switching lanes or while moving, increases the potential of an accident. This has to do with the fact that other motorists do not anticipate a motorcycle passing their vehicle when in stopped or slowed traffic.
Speeding & Alcohol
When it comes to any motorized vehicle, avoiding speeding and alcohol usage while on the road is important. As approximately 50% of all motorcycle accidents involve alcohol use or excessive speed, the injuries involved tend to be more significant than those of a typical motorized vehicle. Be sure to avoid drinking and driving, especially when on a motorcycle, and try to not make speed your enemy when behind the wheel.
An accident involving a motorcycle is sometimes challenging to determine fault or liability. A personal injury attorney with experience investigating crashes can help determine fault as a result of this. Establishing the cause of the collision can identify all responsible parties, and a lawsuit is able to be filed in order to obtain financial compensation for the injured victim.
