5 Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

August 20, 2021

Billions of people all over the world ride motorcycles every day. And many of them meet some sort of accident every minute.

5 Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

The majority of accidents happen out of nowhere and may result in severe injuries and even lead to death. It is because, unlike cars, bikes lack seatbelts or the exoskeleton that cars have.

According to statistics, motorcyclists are likely to die 27 times more than those in cars when compared per mile traveled.

While there is no data about whose fault it is when it comes to motorcycle accidents, the bike driver and other drivers are equally to blame. If you are involved in an accident, you can take the help of a motorcycle accident injury lawyer.

Having said that, you might be wondering, what are the reasons behind such accidents? If you are thinking about the same, then read on. Here are the five most common causes of motorcycle accidents:

1. Road Conditions

This is one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents. While cars are somewhat immune to road conditions, bike riders are the most vulnerable.

While several factors are involved, countless bike accidents are caused by loose gravel, oil spill, slippery surfaces, uneven pavement, and any kind of debris. In addition, compared to cars, bikes are super unstable and are susceptible to accidents.

2. Limited Visibility Due to Small Size

While it may sound silly, the most common reason for a motorcycle accident is nothing but other motorists not being able to see the motorcycle coming. At high speeds, many people are unable to see any motorcycles crossing them.

This might happen due to several reasons, such as glaring or not being able to pay attention. The most common area where the majority of these accidents happen? You guessed it right; it is indeed the intersection.

It doesn’t matter how safe you drive or what precautions you take; if the other person is unable to see you, chances are high they might bump into you.

3. Left-Hand Turns

Another dangerous situation many bikers find themselves in daily is when cars are making a left-hand turn.

Of course, making turns is a part of driving, but more than 42% of road accidents involving a bike and other vehicles such as a car are because of them taking a left-hand turn.

The problem is that the biker usually wants to go straight while cars make a broad turn to the left. As a result, they might hit the motorcyclist while making the turn, at the intersection, or when trying to overtake them.

Not only bikes, but car accidents also happen to have the same accident frequency. But the seriousness and the injuries involved in a bike accident are more serious.

4. Inexperienced Drivers

Another common cause of bike accidents involves inexperienced drivers. Before hitting the road or the highway, the rider is ideally required to spend some days training. There are certain things people expect bike riders to do:

Flawlessly operate their motorcycle
Read the condition
Do not panic

According to the NHTSA, more than 29 percent of all motorcycle accident fatalities were because the driver did not possess a valid motorcycle license.

5. Lane Splitting

If you are unfamiliar with the term lane splitting, it is the art of driving between two lanes in traffic. Almost every motorcycle rider has done lane splitting (unless you live in a remote area) at some point in time.

Depending on where you live, lane splitting is either illegal or does not matter much. For example, in Florida, the practice is deemed unlawful. In addition, the practice is unsafe if you do not have much experience.

Often, a truck or a car might hit you because you are in their blind spot while cruising between the traffic.

Lane splitting can sometimes be fatal or even lead to death if the motorcycle gets underneath the other vehicle. In any case, make sure to be careful when lane splitting.

Conclusion

While there are many reasons for a motorcycle accident, we have listed the top 5 reasons responsible for an accident. Hopefully, this blog helps you understand why these accidents happen and how you can avoid some.

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, make sure to call a professional bike injury lawyer to get compensation for damages. Stay safe!

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