While motorcycle accidents are less common than vehicular crashes, they often can result in more severe injuries and fatalities. One of the ways to prevent an accident from happening to you is understanding the common causes of motorcycle accidents.
If you take all the necessary precautions and someone still causes an accident that leaves you with injuries and financial losses, speaking with a motorcycle accident lawyer can help you get your life back on track.
What Are Some Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes?
Motorcycle accidents can be caused by other car drivers on the road or by riders themselves, among other factors. Some of the more common causes include:
Speeding
Motorcycles are fast, but riding at excessively high speeds can be catastrophic. Speeding offers little to no time for a rider or driver to react and prevent a crash.
Speeding also includes riding faster than the current road conditions allow, such as in bad weather.
Motorcycle accidents resulting from speeding are usually more dangerous.
Open Car Doors
A driver parked on the street must check for any hazards, including motorcycles, in the side mirror before opening their car door. If they fail to do so, the driver or passengers risk opening the door in the way of a motorcycle and causing a dangerous collision with the rider. This is known as dooring.
Inexperienced Riders
Unfortunately, some motorcycle owners begin riding before they’ve had sufficient training and an accompanying license. This creates a hazard for both the rider and other people using the road.
Riding a motorcycle requires skills and knowledge that are difficult to gain without proper training. An experienced rider should operate the bike, evaluate conditions, and know how to respond to different situations on the road.
Impairment from Alcohol and Other Substances
Alcohol and other intoxicating substances impair driving, affecting coordination, balance, and ability to make proper decisions on the road.
An impaired driver or rider is not only a danger to themselves but also to other road users. Besides violating traffic laws, driving or riding under the influence is also a crime that can result in jail or even prison time.
Defective Parts
Improperly manufactured, assembled, or designed motorcycle parts can easily malfunction and cause an accident. When this happens, the manufacturer or bike dealership might be responsible for your injuries.
Motorcycles that are poorly maintained or lack proper servicing can cause a part to become faulty and cause a crash.
Distracted Driving
Riding a motorcycle or driving a car requires undivided attention. A split-second distraction from your surroundings can cause a catastrophic motorcycle accident.
Some of the most common sources of distraction for drivers include using a phone, speaking with a passenger, eating or drinking while driving, adjusting the radio, and so on.
Lane Splitting
Lane splitting refers to when a motorcycle rider rides between two lanes, especially during a traffic jam or when cars in either lane are moving slowly.
This is usually dangerous for the rider because of the reduced riding space, proximity to vehicles on either side, and the possibility of being in a car’s blind spot.
Talk to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
A motorcycle accident can happen so fast that there’s no time to determine the cause. However, it’s also impossible to pursue compensation for your injuries and property loss if you don’t know who caused the crash.
As you recover from the pain and trauma, allow a motorcycle accident lawyer from The Kindley Firm, APC, to help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Using our experience, our attorneys can study the circumstances surrounding your accident to identify and sue the liable party.
Speak to us by either calling our office at 619-550-1313 or sending a message through the contact form below.
