Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes
What Is the Primary Cause of Motorcycle Crashes?
The primary cause of motorcycle crashes involving another vehicle is another driver violating the motorcyclist's right-of-way. Specifically, vehicles making left-hand turns in front of an oncoming motorcycle are the most frequent and dangerous scenario. Drivers often misjudge the motorcycle's speed and distance or fail to see the rider altogether, leading to a direct collision at an intersection.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Unsafe Lane Changes
Unsafe lane changes by other drivers are a major cause of motorcycle accidents. A motorcycle's slim profile allows it to fit entirely within a car's or truck's blind spot. When a driver changes lanes without a proper visual check, they can sideswipe or cut off a motorcyclist, leaving the rider with no time to react and avoid a crash.
Speeding
Exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for conditions is a leading factor in approximately one-third of all fatal motorcycle crashes. High speeds reduce a rider's reaction time, increase the braking distance needed to stop safely, and dramatically magnify the severity of injuries sustained in a collision. Speeding can be the primary error for either the motorcyclist or the other vehicle involved.
Alcohol and Drug Impairment (DUI)
Riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly impairs a motorcyclist's judgment, coordination, and ability to control the vehicle. In fatal motorcycle crashes, riders are more likely to be alcohol-impaired than drivers of any other vehicle type. This impairment leads to a higher risk of single-vehicle accidents as well as multi-vehicle collisions.
Sudden Road Hazards
Unexpected road hazards pose a much greater threat to motorcycles than to larger vehicles. Debris, gravel, potholes, oil slicks, or uneven pavement can cause a rider to lose traction and control, resulting in a crash. Unlike a four-wheeled vehicle that can often drive over minor hazards, a motorcycle's stability is easily compromised.
Rear-End Collisions
Motorcyclists are highly vulnerable to rear-end collisions, often caused by a following driver who is distracted or tailgating. Because motorcycles can decelerate more quickly than cars, a driver who is not paying attention may not have enough time to stop. The impact from a rear-end crash can easily throw a rider from their bike, causing severe injuries.
Lane Splitting
Lane splitting, the act of riding a motorcycle between two lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic, is a contributing cause of accidents in states where it is illegal or performed unsafely. The primary dangers arise from the tight clearance between vehicles and the fact that drivers do not expect a vehicle to be passing them in this manner, often leading to collisions when they attempt to change lanes.
Collisions with Fixed Objects
A significant number of fatal motorcycle accidents are single-vehicle crashes where the rider collides with a fixed object. These objects include guardrails, trees, utility poles, or street signs. Such accidents are often the result of losing control of the motorcycle due to excessive speed, rider error, or trying to avoid another hazard on the road.
Single-Vehicle vs. Multi-Vehicle Motorcycle Crashes
Multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes are most frequently caused by the errors of other drivers, particularly through right-of-way violations like left turns. These incidents highlight the challenge of motorcycle visibility in traffic. In contrast, single-vehicle motorcycle crashes are more often attributed to rider error, such as speeding into a curve, over-braking, or failing to navigate a road hazard. While multi-vehicle crashes are more common, single-vehicle crashes often result in severe or fatal injuries due to the direct impact with the road or a fixed object.
How to Reduce Your Risk of a Motorcycle Accident
Wear High-Visibility and Protective Gear
Wearing a DOT-compliant helmet is the single most effective way to reduce the risk of a fatal head injury in a crash. Brightly colored or reflective clothing, jackets, and helmets significantly increase your visibility to other drivers, making it less likely they will overlook you in traffic. Protective gear like armored jackets, gloves, and boots can prevent or reduce the severity of other injuries.
Practice Defensive Riding Techniques
Always ride defensively by assuming other drivers cannot see you. Maintain a safe following distance to give yourself ample time to react and brake. Constantly scan intersections, driveways, and merging lanes for potential threats. Positioning yourself in the lane for maximum visibility, rather than in a driver's blind spot, is a critical defensive maneuver.
Enroll in a Motorcycle Safety Course
Completing a professional motorcycle safety course can sharpen your riding skills, regardless of your experience level. These courses teach advanced braking, swerving, and cornering techniques that can help you avoid a crash. A refresher course can also reinforce safe habits and make you more aware of common accident scenarios.
What to Do Immediately After a Motorcycle Crash
Prioritize Safety and Call 911
Your first priority after a crash is to move to a safe location away from traffic, if you are able. Immediately call 911 to report the accident and request emergency medical services, even if you believe your injuries are minor. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some serious injuries may not be immediately apparent.
Document the Scene and Exchange Information
If you are physically able, use your phone to take pictures of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, license plates, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Obtain the name, contact information, driver's license number, and insurance details from all other parties involved. Also, gather contact information from any witnesses.
Seek a Full Medical Evaluation
Always get a comprehensive medical evaluation from a doctor or hospital emergency room after any motorcycle accident. This ensures all injuries are properly diagnosed and treated, and it creates an official medical record linking your injuries to the crash, which is essential for any future insurance claim or lawsuit.
Do Not Admit Fault
Avoid discussing the details of the crash or admitting any fault at the scene with the other driver or even with law enforcement. Stick to the objective facts of what happened. Determining legal fault is a complex process, and any admission can be used against you later by insurance companies.
How a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help
Proving Fault and Liability
An experienced motorcycle accident attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to establish who was at fault for the crash. This involves gathering police reports, interviewing witnesses, analyzing photographic evidence, and, if necessary, hiring accident reconstruction experts. Proving the other party's negligence is the first step toward securing compensation.
Managing Insurance Company Communications
Insurance adjusters often try to minimize payouts or attribute unfair blame to the motorcyclist. Your attorney will handle all communication and negotiations with the insurance companies on your behalf, protecting you from tactics designed to devalue your claim and ensuring your rights are protected throughout the process.
Calculating the Full Value of Your Claim
A lawyer will accurately calculate all of your damages, including current and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering. This comprehensive valuation ensures you demand a settlement that truly covers all of your losses.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Motorcycle Accident?
Economic Damages
Victims of motorcycle crashes can seek compensation for all their direct financial losses, known as economic damages. This includes all medical bills, costs for physical therapy and rehabilitation, lost income from being unable to work, damage to your motorcycle and gear, and any other out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident.
Non-Economic Damages
You are also entitled to compensation for non-economic damages, which cover the intangible, personal losses you have suffered. This category includes physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, permanent scarring or disfigurement, disability, and the loss of enjoyment of life resulting from your injuries.
The Role of Comparative Fault
If you are found to be partially at fault for the motorcycle accident, you may still be able to recover compensation under a comparative fault rule. In this system, your total compensation award is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are deemed 20% responsible for the crash, your final settlement will be reduced by 20%.
When Unavoidable Accidents Happen, Call Steelhorse Law
When you're on your bike, it may seem like the world around you disappears. But that peaceful feeling is instantly shattered when you're involved in an accident caused by another driver's recklessness. If you or a loved one have been involved in a motorcycle accident, don't hesitate to call Steelhorse Law. We take great pride in protecting our clients from biker biases' and always provide empathetic, fair, and aggressive legal representation. We understand there's more to consider when defending a client. That's why we fight to the last second to secure compensation that will help you move forward.
We don't back down from a fight and DEFINITELY don't give in to pressure from the opposition. Let us protect your peace of mind and your right to recover damages. Call Steelhorse Law to schedule a free case consultation and learn how we can assist you.
