Top Reasons for Motorcycle Accidents
While motorcycles are fun to ride and very economical, personal injury lawyers and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) state that they are much riskier to operate than cars and trucks are. In 2012, approximately 93,000 motorcyclists were injured and nearly 5,000 were killed on U.S. roads, an increase of 7 percent over the previous year.
If you are involved in an accident, a motorcycle accident attorney may be able to help you receive compensation for your damages, but the best case scenario is to prevent accidents rather than recover from them. The first step in motorcycle safety and avoiding a meeting with a personal injury lawyer is to understand the top reasons for accidents.
Not Paying Attention or Not Being Seen at Intersections
Intersections, whether controlled or uncontrolled, are the most dangerous part of any road for motorcyclists. In some cases, this is because the motorcyclist is not paying attention to the road and surrounding traffic, but most of the time, accidents occur because the motorcycle is not seen by other drivers. In fact, 42 percent of all motorcycle collisions occur when cars are making left-hand turns. When on a motorcycle, always approach lights and stop signs with caution, and do everything possible to ensure you are easy to spot while on the road.
Ignoring Weather and Road Conditions
Motorcycles are not the most stable vehicles to drive. It does not take much interference to lose control. Small objects, cracks or loose gravel in the road is sometimes all that stands between a safe excursion and a fatal accident. In addition, most personal injury lawyers experienced with motorcycle injuries ask bikers to avoid riding during inclement weather. If you are already on the road, pull off to the side or seek shelter under an overpass until the weather eases or clears.
Splitting Lanes
Splitting lanes is the act of driving between two cars in adjacent lanes. This brings the motorcycle into close proximity of two moving vehicles, reducing the safety cushion to practical nil. Splitting lanes is also dangerous because other drivers are not anticipating this maneuver and may not see the motorcyclist.
Sometimes, accidents happen even when riders take every available precaution. A personal injury lawyer at John Price Law Firm, LLC can inform you of legal options you may not know you have. If you or someone you know has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact our offices for a free initial consultation.