Motorcycle riding is a popular activity millions of Americans enjoy each year. To stay as safe as possible when you’re on your bike, it’s important to be aware of potential dangers that can result in serious injuries or fatalities. The personal injury lawyers at Thomas, Conrad & Conrad believe that all riders should learn about the common causes of motorcycle accidents and be vigilant about safety when hitting the road.
Lack Of Visibility
Regardless of the type of collision, lack of visibility is often a leading cause of motorcycle accidents. Even the most conscientious motorists can fail to see a motorcyclist, which can result in serious crashes and injuries. There are many different reasons other motorists may not see a motorcyclist, including driver distraction or inattention, visual obstructions, glare on sunny days, and a multitude of other factors.
Even the most skilled, cautious motorcyclists can’t avoid accidents if other drivers on the road aren’t aware of their presence. Due to the lack of protection surrounding them, motorcyclists often suffer catastrophic injury or death in a motorcycle crash.
Vehicles Making Left-Hand Turns
Intersections are particularly dangerous for motorcyclists. Riders are often hit by cars making left-hand turns who fail to see a motorcycle heading their way. Approaching intersections at a reasonable speed and looking ahead for vehicles that may be getting ready to turn left can help you avoid these types of collisions. If you are hurt in a left-hand turn accident, the motorist who is turning is typically at fault. However, it’s critical to speak with a personal injury lawyer before giving a statement or accepting a settlement from their insurance company.
Unsafe Lane Changes
When a driver fails to signal or check their blind spot when changing lanes, they can cause serious harm if they hit a motorcyclist. If you’re riding in multilane traffic, always be aware of the vehicles surrounding you and look out for unexpected lane changes.
Sudden Stops
Although rear-end accidents are often minor when they involve two cars, an abrupt stop can result in significant injury or death to a motorcyclist. Maintaining a safe speed and adequate distance between you and the vehicle in front of you can help you avoid rear-end accidents.
Speeding
One of the leading causes of all types of motorcycle accidents is speeding. When a driver is traveling at high speed, they may not have time to see and react to a motorcyclist in time to prevent a crash. Unfortunately, speeding accidents often involve head-on collisions, which can have grave consequences for motorcyclists and other drivers. Other types of reckless behavior like swerving in and out of traffic, aggressive driving, and distracted driving can also cause serious accidents.
Driving Under The Influence
Motorists who get behind the wheel while impaired have slower reaction times, altered visual perception, and poor judgment. This can easily lead to a drunk driver being unable to see a motorcyclist on the road, especially when it’s dark.
Dangerous Road Conditions
Loose gravel, potholes, slippery surfaces, and debris in the road can upend a motorcycle’s stability. It can be particularly tough for motorcyclists to stay the course and avoid wiping out when they encounter one of these hazardous conditions while taking a sharp curve or turn.
Lane Splitting
When a motorcyclist rides between two lanes of traffic going in the same direction, it is known as lane splitting. A dangerous practice that is illegal in Pennsylvania, lane splitting is just a bad idea all around. If you’re injured in an accident that happens while you were lane splitting, you may find it challenging to recover compensation for your injuries and other damages.
How To Protect Yourself On The Road
Wearing gear that makes you visible to other drivers, making sure your bike is in good working condition, following traffic laws, and practicing caution when riding your bike can all help keep you safe when riding. However, sometimes accidents are inevitable, and riders may sustain life-altering injuries in these common types of motorcycle crashes. If you’ve been hurt or have suffered the loss of a loved one in a crash, it’s important to seek the counsel of an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to find out your options for recovering compensation.
Contact A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer To Schedule A Free Consultation
Our personal injury attorneys at Thomas, Conrad & Conrad have helped thousands of injured victims throughout eastern Pennsylvania find the justice and compensation they deserve. Contact us online or call our Bath office at 610-867-2900 to schedule a free consultation today.