Bike Blogs: What Are Most Motorcycle Accidents Caused By?

Are you an avid motorcyclist who’s worried about the dangers out there on the road? Have you recently been involved in a motorcycle accident and looking to find the at-fault party? If so, then you need to learn all you can about the most common causes of motorcycle accidents.

Doing so can help you remain alert on the road. If you’re aware of these causes, you can take the initiative to avoid them at all costs.

See below for an in-depth list of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents today, and what to do about them if you ever find yourself involved in one.

1. Reckless Drivers

As much as you might love riding a motorcycle out on the open road, there’s no denying that it comes with a serious set of risks. Does that mean you should stop? Of course not; it just means you need to be more aware of those that are driving on the road with you.

Unfortunately, most motorcycle accidents aren’t due to the cyclist; they’re due to the reckless driving of others on the road with you.

Reckless driving is hands down the most common cause of motorcycle accidents. But what is “reckless driving” exactly? It essentially refers to any situation in which the driver is driving negligently or irresponsibly. Some of the most common examples of reckless driving include:

• Texting while driving
• Driving over the speed limit
• Driving aggressively (such as road rage or quickly swerving between lanes)
• Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI or DWI)

If you notice any signs of speeding or distracted driving, make sure to slow down and stay as far away from that vehicle as possible.

That said, some cyclists drive recklessly and cause their accidents. Make sure that you abide by all highway laws and remove any distractions while you ride.

2. Lane Splitting

Simply put, this is the most dangerous self-inflicted cause of motorcycle accidents out there. Under no circumstances should you ever lane split; it doesn’t just endanger your life, but the life of other drivers and passengers on the road with you.

If you’re unfamiliar with the term, lane splitting is when a cyclist decides to drive between two lanes on a road in an effort to zoom past the other vehicles. It’s typically performed during significant traffic jams.

Not only are you giving yourself very little room for error, but you’re also at risk of hitting any doors that swing out in front of you. Drivers and passengers never expect a cyclist to drive past them between lanes, so this can end in catastrophe.

For example, when a serious car accident occurs, there might be a traffic jam for miles. To try and see what’s causing the accident, the driver might open their door to stand up and see what’s going on. If you’re trying to split lanes at the exact moment they open their door, the result could be a fatal motorcycle accident.

Even worse, you would be the one liable for the crash. As frustrating as sitting in traffic might be, don’t ever endanger other peoples’ lives by lane splitting.

3. Left Turns

Never assume that someone is going to give you enough time to turn left, even if you have the right of way.

Left turns are one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents for a few reasons. First, if you’re trying to turn left, a car driving straight might accelerate to try and beat the light, hitting you in the process.

There’s also a scenario where the driver accidentally hits you when trying to make a left-hand turn. Even if they feel they checked their mirrors appropriately, your bike is a bit harder to spot given their car’s blind spot.

If you feel that another driver is responsible for your motorcycle accident, be sure to call a trusted motorcycle accident lawyer right away. Call the good people at Curcio Law Group to get the legal defense that you need.

4. Dangerous Conditions

If you’re driving your motorcycle in dangerous road conditions, you have to make sure you’re compensating for it. Something as simple as a slippery road could lead to detrimental damage for you and your bike.

This is even more of a concern as a cyclist since motorcycles are more prone to wiping out on dangerous road conditions.

It’s important to keep a sharp eye out for things like wet roads, icy roads, debris on the highway, divots in the pavement, loose gravel, and more.

5. Head-On Collisions

As morbid as it can be to talk about, our article wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the dangers of head-on collisions for motorcyclists.

This is the number one cause of fatal motorcycle accidents in America. When hit head-on, the cyclist can be launched off their bike and into the air, making contact with the car in front of them, the ground, etc.

The best way to prevent this is by staying aware and always driving the speed limit. Also, make sure that you’re protecting yourself by wearing all the proper motorcycle equipment, such as a helmet, motorcycle jacket, pants, and so forth.

Avoid These Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents When You Ride

Now that you have seen an in-depth list of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents, be sure to avoid them when you ride on the road.

Take the time to browse our website for more articles on motorcycle accidents, as well as many other helpful topics you will enjoy.