Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

What Are The Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

Despite the fact that motorcycle safety equipment has improved over the years, many motorcycle riders choose to not wear the equipment. Even when wearing it, motorcyclists are way more likely to suffer from injuries during collisions.

1. Riding in the Blind Spots of Other Vehicles. It is extremely easy to ride in another vehicle’s blind spot as a motorcyclist. This is just simply because your vehicle is much smaller than passenger cars, vans, or trucks, and is therefore, easier for you to disappear amongst other vehicles. To avoid an accident, be aware of your positioning at all times on the road.
2. Engaging in Lane Splitting. If you choose to lane split, which is when you ride between two lanes, you are putting yourself at great risk. Not only are you risking other drivers’ lives, but you are putting yourself at risk because you are not riding with the flow of traffic. It can be very tempting to lane split to avoid congestion and gridlock, but it does increase your chances of having an accident.
   
3. Driving During Dangerous Road Conditions. Things like uneven pavement, potholes, and slippery road conditions can cause you to be less stable on your motorcycle. To reduce your risk of having an accident, take familiar routes and do not ride in adverse weather conditions.
   
4. Overtaking Passenger Vehicles at Intersections. Accidents are very common at intersections when motorcyclists try to overtake other passenger vehicles. Most commonly, an accident will occur when cars go to make left-hand turns and a motorcyclist goes to overtake them. Approach all intersections cautiously and do not overtake anyone.
   
5. Driving While Impaired. While impaired driving is among the top reasons for accidents out of all vehicle types, statistics note that motorcycles are involved in a large number of impaired driving accidents. According to the NHTSA, 78% of riders who have had a blood alcohol level of 0.1 or higher are involved in motorcycle injuries and deaths.

What You Should Do If You Have Been in a Motorcycle Accident

1. Always stay at the scene of the accident. Stay with your vehicle and wait for the police to arrive on scene. The only time where it is okay for you to leave the scene is if you are being taken away by ambulance.
2. Get the necessary contact information. You will need their insurance information, driver’s license number, person’s name, plate number, make and model of the vehicle and any witness contact information. Take down details of the accident or, if unable, get someone else too.
3. Do not make small talk with the other party. This can be used against you in court.
4. Head to the hospital and schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor. If you go to make a claim, the insurance company will notice if there is a gap between the accident and when you got treated for injuries.

Please feel free to contact the Troutman Law firm for a free evaluation of your motorcycle accident. To contact us, either call us at 407-647-5002, or through our contact form through our website.