Riding a motorcycle is a chance to see the world, feel the freedom, and explore uncharted territory without being encumbered by a metal and steel cage that comes along with a car. While there are a huge number of benefits to riding and owning your own motorcycle, the sad fact is that many riders are at a higher risk of being caught up in an accident than their car-driving counterparts. In case you have faced an injury after a motorcycle accident, you can always reach out to our motorcycle injury lawyers.
Why are Motorcyclists More Likely to be Injured?
The smaller size of motorcycles means that they can become seemingly invisible to other road users, and the increased proximity to the ground means that riders can suffer serious injuries or even death. The simple fact is that there are few cycles that can handle the strength, speed, and weight of a car, and so accidents have the potential to be catastrophic.
What are the Most Common Causes of Accidents?
Many motorcycle accidents could be avoided and are typically caused by the inattention or recklessness of other road users. Due care and attention must be paid at all times on the road, whether you are on board a bike or safely behind the wheel.
Left Turning Cars
One of the most common causes behind motorcycle accidents occurs with cars making a left-hand turn. Research suggests that this activity accounts for 42% of all accidents involving both a car and a motorcycle. In these scenarios, the car attempting to make the turn will strike the motorcycle when the latter is passing the car, trying to overtake, or heading straight through an intersection.
In most cases of this nature, the vehicle which hits the motorcycle will typically be at fault unless the motorcyclist was driving unsafely or found to be breaking laws or rules of the road.
Strict observance is the easiest way to help avoid these types of accidents; you need to anticipate the next move of the drivers around you. Make yourself aware of any indicators that the car is planning to turn; perhaps they are waiting at an intersection, you see them look both ways, or there is a gap in the traffic. These can all be signs that the driver is planning to turn, and recognizing this ahead of time can help to reduce the risk of an accident. Making eye contact can also help; this ensures that they have seen your smaller motorcycle, and forces them to acknowledge you.
Observance is key here; the goal is always to be one step ahead of other road users and predict what they are about to do. Train yourself to notice small elements; which way are their wheels turning? Are they actively looking at the road and checking for traffic, or do they seem distracted? Have they definitely seen you? Is anything obstructing their view? By staying one step ahead, you can help protect yourself from the most common cause of motorcyclists’ accidents.
