February 22, 2022 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury
Freedom on the open road, social gatherings, helping mother nature, and exciting.
These are just a few of the reasons people enjoy riding motorcycles and make it their hobby.
Riding can be an extremely fun way to get from point A to point B.
With freedom and speed, however, come many unpredictable outcomes.
Much like our post on Missouri car accident statistics, motorcycle accidents are a common occurrence across the United States.
Here are 9 common types of motorcycle accidents to watch out for when you are on your bike.
What is lane splitting?
Lane splitting is when a motorcyclist rides between lanes or rows of slow-moving or stopped traffic.
In many countries, lane splitting is common, but it is illegal in most of the United States.
Legal or not, you’ll often see lane splitting in traffic jams.
Motorcyclists can ride on through, whereas regular motor vehicles cannot.
Unfortunately, it often causes accidents since motorists do not anticipate a motorcycle passing its vehicle in traffic.
Often, the distance the motorcyclist is trying to maneuver is narrow and they get within close proximity to other cars.
A door could suddenly open or change lanes, even a hand out a window could cause a motorcyclist to lose control.
As you read in the statistics, 74% of motorcycles involved in car traffic accidents were frontal collisions. And only 7% were hit from behind.
How does a head-on automobile collision happen?
Head-on accidents happen when a vehicle crosses the centerline of a road, or if a vehicle is going down a street in the wrong direction.
They also commonly happen in construction zones, 2 lane rural roads, and highway ramps.
What classifies as a high-performance motorcycle?
High-performance motorcycles, or sport motorcycles, are optimized for speed, acceleration, braking, and cornering on paved roads.
Due to their ability to travel at excessive speeds, anywhere from 160 mph to over 200 mph, a driver is more likely to lose control.
Motorcyclists involved in a crash on a high-performance bike have a death rate four times higher than those riding a traditional motorcycle.
Only experienced riders should take high-performance motorcycles out on the roads.
As mentioned above, 33% of fatal motorcycle accidents involved driver speeding.
This is significantly higher than other vehicles:
Excessive speeding is not just exceeding a posted speed limit but can include racing and driving too fast for conditions, such as weather, pavement, and work zones.
27% of riders involved in fatal crashes had alcohol impairment, BACs of .08g/dL or higher.
Additionally, 7% of fatally injured riders had lower alcohol levels, BACs of .01 to .07 g/dL.
Whether you are driving a motorcycle, a bike, or a minivan, alcohol, and driving don’t mix. Ever.
Road hazards are unfortunately common and numerous.
They can include
Since motorcycles are smaller than other motor vehicles, they are often less visible and have a higher risk of not being seen.
Over half of all motorcycle accidents happen when drivers turn left in front of a motorcyclist.
While driving, always make sure to keep your eyes open for motorcycles.
If you are the one driving a motorcycle, it is imperative you are extremely cautious when you make a left-hand turn.
Hitting a simple object such as a guard rail, road sign, even a construction cone, can be just as dangerous for a rider as an accident involving a car.
When a motorcyclist hits a fixed object, it is often fatal because the rider is thrown from the bike and/or hits the object.
This can result in serious injuries such as a compacted spine, spinal cord injuries, and head trauma.
Distracted driving is the leading cause of car accidents in the United States.
It doesn’t just include talking on the phone, but texting, eating, reading, grooming, or even talking to a passenger can cause a distraction.
When it comes to distracted driving, riders need to be attentive to other drivers.
It can just as easily be another motorist’s distracted driving that leads to an accident with a motorcycle.
No matter what type of vehicle you are driving, safety should always be a top priority while on the roads.
If you do find yourself in a motorcycle accident, first, go see a doctor, then talk to a local automobile accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Be sure to take pictures of what happened, and document as much evidence of the wreck as possible.
You want an attorney who fights zealously for you, but also understands what you are going through.
If another driver’s negligence leaves you with severe injuries, you deserve compensation.
Fill out the form below to schedule a free consultation with Craig