Any motorcycle enthusiast would likely agree that riding is an exhilarating experience. It’s difficult to match the feeling of cruising down the open road on a motorcycle. Unfortunately, motorcycles can be more prone to accidents than other vehicles. Plus, accidents can be more serious and cause severe harm.
As you understand the common motorcycle accidents listed below, you can increase your awareness. You can then use effective techniques to avoid such incidents.
Vehicles Turning Left
The most frequent accidents for motorcycles occur when a vehicle in front of them is turning left. Often, a motorist in a car or truck will try to pass the motorcycle and then quickly turn left as well. It can also happen when the motorcycle is going through an intersection. Such collisions can clip the motorcycle or side-swipe it. Serious bodily harm can come to motorcyclists in these types of crashes.
If you ride a motorcycle, you can reduce the chances of these accidents happening. The best approach is to be hyper-aware of other vehicles on the road and to anticipate other drivers’ actions. If you see a car waiting to turn at an intersection or there is a gap in traffic ahead of you, expect another vehicle to make a move.
Head-on Collisions
In most cases, a head-on collision between a motorcycle and another vehicle will be fatal for the motorcyclist. Even if the motorcyclist is wearing a helmet, a high-speed head-on collision will cause extensive trauma to the brain. Head-on collisions can occur when an oncoming car loses control, the driver is trying to pass another vehicle, the driver has fallen asleep or is distracted, or alcohol or drugs are involved.
A head-on collision can happen suddenly. You can minimize the chances of being in one by reducing your speed and driving to the right. You should also be aware of oncoming traffic at all times.
Lane-Switching
It is easy for a driver of another vehicle to fail to see a motorcycle. Frequently, motorcycles travel in drivers’ blind spots, making it more likely that a collision will occur when the vehicle tries to change lanes. A car’s quick lane change can put a motorcycle on the ground or push it into traffic.
The best way to avoid a lane-changing accident is to stay out of other drivers’ blind spots. Be aware when you need to speed up or slow down so other people can see you on the road.
Corner-Turning Accidents
Turning a tight corner on a motorcycle can be challenging. It requires skills and balance. This task becomes more difficult when the pavement is wet or the terrain has loose gravel. Inexperienced or inattentive motorcyclists can easily lose control when attempting to turn a corner.
To avoid accidents in these situations, you’ll need to maintain a slower speed as you turn. Going too fast around a corner is a recipe for disaster. Also, look for any obstacles in the road that could impede your turning.
Speeding
The ability of a motorcycle to accelerate and hit high speeds can be exciting for riders. However, excessive speeds can cause the driver to lose control. A high-speed accident on a motorcycle is often fatal or will leave the rider with life-altering injuries.
You can avoid speeding accidents by following the speed limit and controlling your motorcycle’s speed at all times.
The Bottom Line
Motorcycle accidents can be deadly and are often more serious than those involving cars. You need to be aware of what can commonly happen on the road as a motorcyclist and strive to avoid these incidents. Our team at Friedman Law Offices can help if you’ve been in an accident. Call us today at 1-800-876-1093 for a consultation.