What Are the Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

Many people enjoy driving out on the open road on a motorcycle. It can be a freeing experience, but it can also be dangerous if you aren’t paying attention. There are many common causes of motorcycle accidents. If you find yourself in a motorcycle accident in Lynnwood or a nearby area, we can assist you at the Law Office of Martin W. Hodges. We are an experienced team of lawyers who can handle all types of motorcycle accident cases. Your attorney will listen to you without judgment and come up with a plan to settle your case. However, the best thing to do is to avoid the accident in the first place. Here are some of the top causes of motorcycle accidents. Read more and find out how to avoid them.

1. Left-Turn Accidents

This is one of the most dangerous and common causes of motorcycle accidents and often occurs at a four-way intersection. A driver turning left may not be paying attention, causing them to miss seeing a smaller vehicle. They then make a left turn without a green arrow or other indication as the motorcycle is approaching. As a result, the motorcyclist crashes into the car because they did not have any time to react. To help prevent these crashes, motorcyclists should drive with their headlights on and be cautious at intersections.

2. Dangerous Road Conditions

Not all roads are taken care of properly. There can be debris, potholes, cracks, and crumbling pavement as you drive. You may find yourself in an area with insufficient lighting, traffic signals, or signs. All this can contribute to an accident by causing the driver to lose control.

3. Inexperienced Drivers

Driving a motorcycle can be exciting, but even if a motorcyclist makes sure that they have practiced and understood the rules of the road before heading out, that doesn’t mean that other drivers have done the same. Even though they may have passed the license exam, inexperienced drivers are more likely to make careless mistakes and unsafe moves when driving, which can cause an accident. If you are an experienced motorcyclist, you still need to always be aware of your surroundings because inexperienced drivers could make a sudden move that could cause an accident.

4. Unsafe Lane Changes

A driver can get into an accident with a motorcyclist if they forget to signal when changing lanes or do not check all blind spots. It is easy to miss a smaller vehicle, such as a motorcycle when changing lanes. Motorcyclists can reduce their chance of being in an accident due to lane changes by trying to avoid lingering in anyone’s blind spot.

5. Speeding

Speeding is a major cause of all types of vehicle accidents since it reduces the driver’s chances of seeing and having enough time to react to what is going on around them. The higher the speed, the more severe the impact, which means a greater chance of serious injury from the accident.

6. Car Doors

Sometimes a motorcycle accident can occur when a vehicle is parked and the driver opens the door without looking. The motorcyclist may not see the open door or may not have time to react because they are already too close. While the car driver may only have a damaged door, the motorcyclist can suffer a serious injury. Drivers should look before opening a door into oncoming traffic to avoid this.

7. Lane Splitting

Lane splitting is what happens as a result of a motorcycle trying to drive between two lanes of cars. A motorcyclist will usually try to do this when the cars are stopped or are moving slowly, such as during a traffic jam. An accident during lane splitting will often occur because the motorcycle has a small amount of space to maneuver through, the cars are too close to the motorcycle, or the cars did not expect to have a vehicle passing them when traffic is stopped. In some states, lane splitting is illegal due to the risks.

8. Stopping Suddenly

Sudden stops can occur when a motorcyclist is driving too closely to the vehicle in front of them, or if the vehicle behind them is driving too close to the motorcycle. If an abrupt stop happens during this time, it can cause a rear-end accident. This often occurs at stop signs or intersections. Rear-end accidents are especially dangerous to motorcyclists because they can cause serious injury or even death.

9. Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence is typically a single-vehicle accident where only the motorcycle is involved. It is still one of the most dangerous causes of motorcycle accidents because the driver is often seriously hurt or killed. Motorcyclists should not drive while drunk.

10. Poor Weather

Poor weather can cause all kinds of auto accidents. Wet, slick, or icy roads make it harder for drivers to maneuver their vehicles. The best option is to avoid traveling in poor weather, but sometimes it is unavoidable. To reduce the risk of having an accident, be sure to drive slower and have your headlights on.

In the unfortunate event that you are involved in a motorcycle accident, you will need the assistance of a trusted and knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorney.

Reach out to us at the Law Office of Martin W. Hodges so that we can get started on your case. We have successfully represented clients in Lynnwood and the surrounding region, and we are confident we can help you with your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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Last update of the article: 01/06/2021.