Most Common Causes Of Crashes Between Vehicles And Motorcycles

Openness and exposure make riding a motorcycle enticing. However, these same features make riding a motorcycle quite dangerous. The III reports that in 2020 there were 5,579 motorcyclist fatalities. As it pertains to injuries, the III reports that there were 83,000 motorcyclist injuries in the same year.

While motorcyclists face many hazards while traveling on the road, driver negligence is one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents. Negligence occurs when a motorist fails to behave in a reasonable manner. It occurs when a driver fails to act the way another reasonable driver would have acted under similar circumstances. This article discusses some common negligent acts drivers engage in that lead to crashes between vehicles and motorcycles.

Distracted Driving

According to the CDC, nine people in the United States die daily in accidents involving distracted drivers. Distracted driving can cause a motorist not to see a motorcyclist. When they think of distracted driving, many people think of texting and talking on the phone while driving. Indeed, texting and talking on the phone while driving are the most common forms of distracted driving behaviors. However, texting and talking on the phone while driving are not the only forms of distracted driving behaviors. Many other forms of distracted driving behaviors exist. Other forms of distracted driving behaviors include eating or drinking while driving, grooming while driving, and talking to passengers in the back seat while driving.

Failure To Yield the Right-of-Way

Quite a number of motorcycle accidents involving vehicles happen at intersections. Indeed, some drivers fail to yield the right-of-way at an intersection due to not seeing the motorcycle. However, other drivers fail to yield the right-of-way at intersections even when they can see the motorcycle. For example, a driver may refuse to yield the right-of-way at an intersection simply because they do not want to wait through a red light.

Driving Under the Influence

Unfortunately, despite numerous safety campaigns, many drivers fail to recognize the dangers of driving under the influence. It is estimated that every day, approximately 32 people in the U.S. die in drunk-driving accidents. In 2020 alone, the NHTSA estimates that more than 11,600 people died in drunk-driving accidents. Alcohol impairs a driver’s reaction time, affects vision, and negatively alters judgment and decision-making. For example, a drunk motorist may misjudge the distance between them and a motorcycle, thus causing a crash that leads to death or severe injuries.

Drowsy Driving

Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence. This is according to research. Studies suggest that driving while sleepy or tired can have the same impact as driving under the influence. Drowsy driving can impair a driver’s judgment and reduce reaction time. Driving while tired or sleepy can also cause a driver to fall asleep behind the wheel. A few seconds of nodding off are enough to cause a motorcycle accident.

Speeding

A motorist going over the posted speed limit will have a harder time avoiding an accident with a motorcyclist. In an attempt to avoid crashing with a motorcyclist, a speeding driver may end up losing control and causing an accident.

Tailgating

Tailgating occurs when a driver follows a motorcyclist too closely. Most rear-end accidents happen because of tailgating. Unfortunately, a rear-end accident between a vehicle and a motorcycle can be catastrophic. It is crucial for motorists to learn to maintain a safe distance between their vehicles and motorcycles.

Dooring

Dooring happens when a driver opens their car’s door in the pathway of a motorcyclist. When a motorcyclist hits a car’s door, they can lose control.

Recovering Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident

Fortunately, a motorcyclist can recover compensation if they suffer injuries after being involved in an accident with a negligent driver. Family members can also recover compensation if they lose a loved one in a motorcycle accident because of a negligent driver. If you sustained injuries or lost someone that you love in a motorcycle accident because of a negligent driver, reach out to an attorney for help. An attorney can help you gather proof to show the insurance company or court what happened. A skilled attorney can work with you to recover the compensation you deserve. If you try to handle your case alone, you can be sure that the at-fault party’s insurance company will try to blame you or your loved one as people have a negative perception of motorcyclists.

Contact a Fort Myers Motorcycle Accident Attorney

If you’ve sustained injuries or lost someone that you love in a motorcycle accident in Florida, contact our Fort Myers motorcycle accident attorneys at The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro. We can help you establish liability and recover the compensation you deserve.

Source:

iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-motorcycle-crashes