Since motorcycles are small vehicles that lack the protection that cars offer, motorcycle accidents are more likely to result in injuries and deaths than other types of collisions. According to the latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) cited by the Insurance Information Institute, per mile driven in 2015, there were 29 times more deaths from motorcycle crashes than from car crashes, and motorcyclists were nearly five times more likely to suffer injuries than passenger car occupants.
Unfortunately, these alarming numbers are of great concern—especially to motorcyclists and their families—which is why motorcyclists as well as all motorists need to understand some of the most dangerous ways in which motorcycle crashes occur in order to reduce the likelihood of being involved in one.
Two of the Most Dangerous Ways Motorcycle Crashes Occur
The following types of crash are unfortunately common and can cause serious injuries:
- Head-on collisions. As with car accidents, this is a very dangerous type of crash. It occurs when one vehicle crosses the center line of the road and plows into the other vehicle head-on. Although head-on motorcycle crashes aren’t the most common type of collision involving a motorcycle, they are often the most deadly. This is because motorcyclists who are hit head-on are often thrown from their bikes and suffer devastating injuries such as brain injuries, facial injuries, and spinal cord injuries that can lead to death.
- Left-hand turns accidents. One of the most common types of motorcycle crashes occurs because other drivers fail to detect motorcycles in traffic due to their small size and end up pulling out in front of them. This type of dangerous situation often occurs in intersections when a driver of a car is waiting to turn left and fails to see the small motorcycle or misjudges how close the motorcycle is to them, making the turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle. Consequently, a left-hand turn motorcycle crash can result in head trauma, broken bones, paralysis, amputation and even death.
The Main Cause of Motorcycle Collisions
Although many drivers believe that motorcyclists are reckless and negligent—and some are—the truth of the matter is that the vast majority of motorcycle accidents are actually caused by other negligent drivers on the road. In fact, according to NHTSA, it is usually the non-motorcycle driver who violates the motorcyclist’s right-of-way and is at fault for the crash.
Some of the main causes of motorcycle accidents are other drivers texting or using their cell phones while driving, driving sleepy, and driving impaired. Whether another driver runs a red light, drives drunk, participates in texting while driving, drives drowsy, or just fails to notice a motorcycle in traffic, any type of negligent conduct on the part of someone else sharing the road with a motorcyclist can lead to a serious crash.
Getting Legal Help
There is nothing like riding a motorcycle in the open air, but it comes with great risk. Although there are known risks with riding, motorcyclists shouldn’t be penalized just for riding a motorcycle. But unfortunately, insurance companies feel differently and often attempt to settle motorcycle injury cases for much less than they are actually worth. This is why it is important to have a law firm that isn’t afraid to battle a large insurance company and even take your case to trial, if necessary.
If you suffered injuries as a result of another driver turning left into you or hitting you head-on, you need to seek legal advice. Most personal injury lawyers offer free consultations, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by speaking with an attorney who has experience handling motorcycle injury cases. Our law firm offers free, no-obligation consultations, and we have the experience you are looking for. Please give us a call today or fill out a short form on our website to contact us, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.