If you’re a motorcycle rider, you probably realize that there is a certain air of freedom when riding. You want to enjoy the ride and get to wherever you’re going safely.  As you know, riding a motorcycle can be dangerous for a couple reasons, but here are 10 of the most common reasons for motorcycle accidents.

  1. Intersection Accidents: Riders or drivers who disregard traffic signals and right of way rules make intersections a dangerous place. A common intersection accident involves a motorist making a left turn who fails to yield to an oncoming motorcyclist who is going straight through the intersection.
  2. Blind Spot Accidents: Motorcycles riding in a lane beside another vehicle may disappear in the blind spots. A driver who fails to look over his or her shoulder before changing lanes may cause an accident by colliding with a motorcycle in a blind spot. Commercial trucks have much larger blind spots in almost every direction of the truck.
  3. Distracted Driver Crashes: Distracted drivers cause accidents by failing to be aware of other vehicles, traffic signals, and changing traffic conditions. This can be due to cell phone use, eating, drinking, or daydreaming.
  4. Failure to Yield Accidents: Drivers will sometimes ignore a yield sign, or they “think they can make it” before the oncoming traffic.
  5. Drunk Driving Accidents: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), alcohol plays a contributing factor in roughly 40 percent of all motorcycle accident fatalities.
  6. Excessive Speed Accidents: Speeding is a significant contributing factor to motorcycle accidents and injuries. Drivers or riders that are speeding will have less time to react to a sudden change in traffic conditions.
  7. Failure to See a Motorcyclist Approaching: Drivers may be scanning the road for larger objects and may overlook oncoming motorcycles because it is less noticeable than a car or truck. To help prevent this, motorcyclists can wear bright colors and make themselves as visible as possible and actively use their horn if they perceive a car is going to pull out in front of them.
  8. Driving Too Fast for Road or Weather Conditions: There are plenty of weather and road conditions that make it dangerous for riders, and they include: rain, snow, wind, gravel, uneven roads, leaves, and cut grass that is blown on the road.
  9. Taking Curves Too Fast: Novice drivers will sometimes take curves too fast. It increases the risk of being injured in an accident. Whether you are riding alone or riding as part of a group, slow down for curves, and give other riders plenty of space.
  10. Sharing Lanes: Sharing lanes is dangerous, particularly if the other motorcyclist has to swerve to avoid an obstacle. Do not ride side by side; it is better to ride in a staggered formation.

The Hines & Wilson Law Firm has more than 50 years of experience with personal injury and road accident claims. We will use our experience and knowledge to get you the compensation you deserve. If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, contact us. You can call us at (573) 443-4500, our toll-free number (877) 473-4500, or email us info@hineslawfirm.com for a free and confidential consultation about your claim.