Riding a motorcycle can be a fun way to take advantage of nice weather and experience the thrill of the ride. However, motorcyclists are also at a greater risk of experiencing accidents than traditional passenger vehicles. Unfortunately, motorcycle accident fatalities are about 30 times higher than car accident fatalities.
If you ride a motorcycle, remaining aware of common causes of motorcycle accidents is essential to staying safe on the road. Read on to learn the top motorcycle accident causes in the U.S.
The Biggest Cause of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can result from a range of causes. However, the most frequent cause of these accidents within the U.S. is the failure of other motorists to see motorcyclists on the road.
Motorcycles are smaller than other cars, and often, drivers do not think to check for motorcyclists before changing lanes, making turns, or merging into traffic. Additionally, because motorcycles are so small, glares and other vision obstructions can make them challenging to see in traffic.
If you ride a motorcycle, you should watch out for these types of failure-to-yield accidents. Wearing bright, reflective clothing can improve your visibility on the road. Additionally, you should always make predictable movements and attempt to avoid other drivers’ blind spots.
Other Common Causes of Accidents
Failure to see motorcyclists is a top cause of motorcycle accidents, but these accidents can also have numerous other sources. Some of these causes are unique to motorcycles, while others are popular sources of all motorist accidents. If you’re a biker, be sure to stay aware of the dangers of these activities will riding:
Speeding
Speeding is a top cause of car and motorcycle accidents. The Department of Transportation in each state sets speed limits to indicate the highest speed that motorists can safely navigate the roadway. Traveling above the speed limit places you at risk of being unable to stop when traffic slows or safely maneuver between other vehicles.
Additionally, speeding accidents are often more severe than other collision types. The higher your speed on the road, the stronger your impact with another vehicle or obstacle.
Alcohol Use
Driving while under the influence of alcohol or other illicit drugs is illegal. Drugs and alcohol impair your ability to follow traffic laws, make safe decisions, and react quickly to other drivers. When you drive while under the influence, you not only put your and other drivers’ safety at risk, but you also make yourself vulnerable to criminal charges that could land you in jail.
Inexperience
If you’re a motorcyclist, you know how specialized biking is compared to driving a passenger vehicle. In many states, motorcyclists must complete motorcycle safety courses and pass a knowledge exam to obtain their motorcycle licenses. As a result, it makes sense that many motorcycle accidents occur when unlicensed riders hit the road.
Lane Splitting
Because motorcycles are skinnier than traditional vehicles, they can weave between other cars on the road with ease. This “lane splitting” practice is illegal in some states and can place you at risk of an accident. Other drivers typically do not predict that you will drive between the lanes, preventing them from noticing you when they change lanes.
Road Hazards
Road hazards such as potholes, cracks in the asphalt, and debris can be annoying for drivers of passenger vehicles. Unfortunately, however, these hazards can be perilous for motorcyclists.
When motorcyclists hit bumps in the road, their chances of losing control of their vehicles increase. Additionally, some hazards that passenger vehicles could safely run over are simply too large for motorcyclists to pass.
Even if you stay vigilant about common motorcycle accident causes, sometimes, these accidents are inevitable. If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle crash, contact our team at Law Tigers today at 1-800-529-8443 to schedule your free case evaluation.
