Over 80,000 motorcyclists are injured in traffic crashes with thousands of fatalities. In as many as three-quarters of all accidents in which a motorcycle and a passenger car were involved, the motorcyclist was not at fault. There are many specific causes of motorcycle accidents however the primary cause is simple lack of visibility coupled with drivers of passenger vehicles who don’t take the extra time and caution to look for motorcyclists sharing the roadways. A fairly large portion of motorcycle accidents occur in intersections and when vehicles either back out of their driveway or a parking space at a store.
Drivers often misjudge the speed and distance of an oncoming motorcyclist, making a left-hand turn directly in front of the motorcyclist. The motorcycle rider is unable to stop or make any type of defensive maneuver therefore slams directly into the side of the car. Other times vehicles will change lanes on freeways or in the city without looking for a motorcyclist, sideswiping the motorcycle rider and sending him careening into other traffic. In the vast majority of motorcycle accidents the motorcyclist’s right-of-way has been violated although there are instances in which excessive speed or an inexperienced motorcycle driver can lead to an accident as well.
Following Too Closely and Driver Distraction
Many motorcyclists end up being hit from behind from a vehicle which is following much too closely. These accidents are either caused by reckless or aggressive drivers who are impatient and in a hurry and simply want the motorcyclist to get out of their way or they are caused—like many other accidents—by driver distraction. Driver distraction is a major cause of all auto accidents and can come from many sources.
Despite the latest legislation in many states drivers still talk on their cell phones and even text while they are supposed to be driving. Texting has been deemed to be almost as dangerous as driving while impaired, yet drivers continue to engage in this extremely dangerous behavior. Drivers have been known to read a map, read a book, apply makeup or turn around to swat the leg of a misbehaving child while they are driving. Still others fiddle with their radio, listen to music on headphones, try to change the settings of their GPS, look at what’s happening on the side of the road, chat with their passengers or simply daydream when they should be driving.
Why Motorcyclists Must Drive Defensively
Any of these behaviors can be deadly when an unprotected motorcyclist is ahead of the driver and whatever distraction the driver is laboring under causes them to neglect seeing the motorcycle who has come to a stop in front of them. Motorcyclists are not nearly as likely to engage in distracted driving and must drive defensively to avoid being hit by a distracted or negligent driver. Motorcyclists involved in an accident with an automobile will likely be severely injured or even killed.
Broken bones, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, varying degrees of paralysis, road rash which leads to infection and disfigurement are only a few of the extremely serious injuries a motorcyclist can sustain when a driver who is following too closely rams into the back of the motorcycle. Because motorcycle accidents generally come with a different set of complexities, it’s important that a motorcyclist injured by a driver seek highly experienced legal counsel. It’s time to concentrate on healing while your attorney concentrates on aggressively advocating for your future.