Riding a motorcycle can provide the ultimate feeling of freedom, but it can be dangerous. Bike manufactures typically equip motorcycle with powerful brakes, tires, excellent handling, and unobstructed views. Because motorcycles do not have a protective structure like cars, a motorcyclist is more likely to suffer severe or fatal injuries. Knowing the common accidents, the causes, and how to avoid it can help you reduce your chances of getting into an accident.
What are Common Accidents
1: The most common motorcycle accident is when a car turns left in front of a motorcyclist. Left-turn accidents happen when there is a misjudgment of distance or when there is a confusion on the right of way. It can also occur when passing a vehicle, traveling through an intersection, and when a motorcyclist is overtaking a car. These accidents can be reduced by paying attention.
2: Accidents can be caused by road hazards such as gravel, potholes, objects, debris, and crumbling pavement. Road hazards can cause the motorcyclist to lose control of the motorcycle. To avoid road hazard accidents, you should ride at a speed that can give you reaction time to any obstacle.
3: Speeding is the leading cause of many accidents; it can be more detrimental to the motorcyclist because of the lack of protection. Speeding reduces your chance of reacting to other drivers. To avoid speeding accidents, you need to slow down.
4: Unsafe lane change is when drivers do not check their blind spots or signal before change lanes. This can cause the drivers to veer into the motorcyclist lane, thus causing an accident. You can avoid blindspots by being aware of them and avoiding spending time in them if possible.
5: The weather can be a factor in accidents, whether it is a motorcycle or car. Bikers should take extreme care riding in bad weather because you do not only have safety protection like other motorist but you are physically in the elements such as rain or snow. To reduce your chance of an accident, you should check your tires and drive speed conducive to weather conditions.
6: Splitting lanes is driving between two lanes of moving or stopped traffic. Accidents can happen when splitting lanes for a variety of reasons. Some of them include the limited space between vehicles, which leave little room to maneuver, the proximity to other cars, and motorists would not expect a motorcycle to pass their vehicle in stopped or slowed traffic. You should avoid lane splitting, whether it is legal or not.
7: Alcohol is a factor in more half of motorcycle accidents, according to the 1981 Hurt Report, which is the most extensive study on the cause of motorcycle accidents. The easiest avoidance ever! Do not drink and ride!
What to do Next After an Accident
Now that you know the common motorcycle accidents and what to do to avoid them. You must know what to do if you are in an accident. Motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries such as spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and more. These injuries can require a lifetime of medical attention, and they can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
When an accident occurs, who is at fault must be determined. The fault can fall with the motorists, and in some states, it can fall on the manufacturer, other motorists or government road maintenance. Determining fault can be a challenge, and it will require the skills of an experienced personal injury attorney. A skilled attorney can investigate the feasibility of the claim and determine the best legal outcome and for fair compensation.
