Typically, the driver, rather than the rider, is at fault in motorcycle accidents. Why? Because it’s challenging for drivers of larger vehicles to see motorcycles on the road, which causes many accidents between a motorcycle and a vehicle.
People might assume the motorcyclist is the risk-taker on the road. Still, the vehicle driver may be less aware while driving, which can expose the motorcyclist to potential harm, as National Safety Council statistics show.
What Causes Most Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcyclists and personal injury attorneys know the joy and freedom of riding a motorcycle. But there is no protection against cars, trucks, and buses motoring just feet away from an exposed rider. Other than drivers not seeing motorcycles on the road, there is no one significant cause of motorcycle accidents but rather a host of contributing factors.
Most motorcycles in an accident with a vehicle are hit head-on, with 76% of fatal accidents occurring from such a collision and 7% of fatal accidents due to being hit from the rear, according to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The actions or inactions that cause most motorcycle accidents include scenarios such as:
Vehicles Turning
Drivers turn left after waiting for a break in oncoming traffic. They may see the cars coming but fail to see the motorcyclist approaching them. They turn in front of the motorcycle, giving the rider no time to do anything but hit the turning car.
Drivers also turn right on a red light, waiting until all the cars have passed before driving onto the road, but perhaps they don’t notice the motorcyclist, who has the right of way, crossing the intersection. The vehicle turns right, and the motorcyclist has no time to do anything but run into the back of the vehicle.
Vehicles Changing Lanes
Drivers regularly change lanes or merge onto roads. Unfortunately, they don’t always see motorcyclists, either because motorcycles are smaller than cars and not noticed while the driver is trying to merge, or the driver fails to look over their shoulder to check their blind spot when changing lanes.
Negligent Driving
Drivers may drive in dangerous ways for any vehicle around them, and certainly for a motorcyclist who is not surrounded by a steel cage. This type of driving may include:
- Tailgating
- Sudden or improper stops
- Speeding
- Driving while intoxicated (DWI)
- Distracted driving (texting, holding a phone, reading)
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ClientThe Facts About Motorcycle Accidents
The NHTSA report mentioned earlier indicates that in 2020, 5,579 motorcyclists were killed in traffic accidents, the highest number in nearly 50 years. Over 80,000 motorcyclists were injured in that same year.
Crashes involving motorcycles tended to:
- Occur more often in urban rather than rural areas
- Occur more often away from intersections
- Almost entirely occur when there was no precipitation
- Occur during daylight by just over half of all crashes
- Occur on non-interstate roads by over 90%
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientTypes of Injuries Sustained in Motorcycle Accidents
Without question, there are risks to riding a motorcycle. The safest rider may not always be able to avoid a reckless driver. Injuries in such accidents include but aren’t limited to:
- Leg injuries, such as bone fractures
- Road rash, which can cause infections and nerve damage
- Disfigurement of the face and facial bone fractures
- Organ damage
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Amputations
- Spinal injuries
- Paralysis
- Pelvic injuries
- Internal bleeding
It is too easy to get seriously injured on a motorcycle. If you are in an accident while riding, always have a medical professional examine you, even if you think your injuries are not serious.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientWhat to Do If You Have Been in a Motorcycle Accident
If you know you suffered an injury, seek medical attention if you can. If you have not suffered an injury, but someone else in the accident has, call an ambulance, and stay by their side until help arrives.
If no one needs immediate medical care and you feel mentally and physically able to do so, you should:
- Call 911.
- Exchange license and insurance information with the other driver.
- Collect names and contact information of eyewitnesses.
- Take pictures of the accident scene.
- When you are at home, jot down everything you can remember about the accident and inform your insurance company about the incident.
- Seek legal representation from a motorcycle accident lawyer.
They treated us like no other people would. Whenever we needed something they were there for us. I put my trust in them and I don’t regret it.
ClientCall Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers for Help After a Motorcycle Accident
We want everyone to travel safely, but life doesn’t always work out that way. If you suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident, our attorneys are here and ready to fight by your side as you seek a proper compensation settlement or verdict.
Many motorcycle accidents are not the rider’s fault, but when injuries occur, what matters is recovering the money injured accident survivors need to pay their medical bills and cover other accident-related losses. Call us anytime, night or day, for a free consultation. We can help you explore your legal options for recovery after a motorcycle accident.
