Understand the causes of motorcycle crashes, how to avoid them, and how to recover compensation if you’re involved in a motorcycle accident
Motorcycle accidents leave victims with some of the most severe injuries among all vehicle accidents. All too often, drivers fail to see motorcycles on the road or, if they do, they don’t give the motorcycle and rider the same consideration they would give to an automobile.
Whatever the reason, when a motorcycle rider is the victim of an accident, they are often left with injuries, lost wages, damages to their bike and astronomical medical bills.
This article will discuss some of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes, how to avoid them, and what to do if you’re a victim of one.
How do most motorcycle crashes happen?
Accidents involving motorcycles can happen in a number of ways. In Florida, these are the top 10 most common causes of motorcycle accidents.
Left-hand turns
Left-hand turn motorcycle accidents happen when oncoming drivers fail to see or acknowledge the motorcyclist—who has the right of way—as the vehicle makes a left-hand turn and crashes into the motorcycle.
Recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NSTSA) shows that left-hand turn accidents are responsible for approximately 36% of all motorcycle accident fatalities.
Blind spots
Blind spot motorcycle accidents occur when a motorcycle rider is in an area near a vehicle where the driver is unable to see them. When the driver changes lanes or makes a turn without seeing the motorcycle in their blind spot, an accident can easily happen.
One point that many drivers don’t realize: The bigger their vehicle, the bigger the blind spot it will have.
Incorrect estimation of speed
A perception specialist from Texas Tech University conducted a fundamental perception study that indicated many accidents involving motorcycles might be the result of motorists misjudging the motorcycle’s speed, distance and size.
The study showed that when the driver of a vehicle sees an approaching motorcycle, they almost always miscalculate how far away it is and how fast it’s traveling. The human brain automatically deduces that the bigger an object appears, the closer it is. However, that isn’t always the case.
Poor road conditions/hazards
Motorcycle accidents that happen as a result of poor road conditions or hazards can often lead to serious injuries or fatalities. If a road has an uneven surface, potholes, debris or other obstructions, it can lead to motorcycle crashes without another vehicle being involved.
Poor and unsafe road conditions also include things like:
- Missing or inoperative traffic signs or signals
- Obstructed sight lines
- Loose gravel
- Water flowing or pooling in the road
- Ice
Distracted driving
If a driver takes their eyes off the road to read or send a text, answer or make a phone call, change the radio station, ear or drink, etc., this is known as distracted driving, and it can cost a motorcyclist their life.
The distracted driver can veer into another lane and hit the motorcycle, make a turn without taking the time to look carefully and see the motorcyclist, or rear-end a bike that is stopped at a stop sign or traffic light.
Driving under the influence/driving while intoxicated
When the driver of a vehicle is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, any motorcyclist they encounter is at an increased risk for injury or death because their judgment and driving abilities are impaired.
Additionally, motorcycles are smaller than other types of vehicles, making them less visible in even the most ideal conditions.
This is one type of accident that is 100% preventable. However, when a driver makes the wrong choice, it is often a motorcyclist who suffers for it.
Types of Damages You Can Suffer in a DUI Accident
In a DUI car accident, victims can collect compensation for a number of various physical, emotional and punitive damages if fault can be proven.
Speeding
Speeding is a major cause of accidents on U.S. roads, and according to data from the NHTSA, these 3 factors frequently contribute to high-speed motorcycle crashes:
- Running late. Being late for work, school, appointments, etc., will often cause a driver to choose to speed, which puts others’ lives in danger.
- Traffic. Drivers will often get angry when they find themselves stuck in traffic. They will choose to drive recklessly by speeding and moving in or out of traffic quickly without being properly cautious, which can result in a motorcyclist being seriously injured or worse.
- A sense of detachment. A driver may feel as though they are protected from and anonymous to the rest of society when they’re inside their vehicle. They may develop a false sense of security and boldness, causing them to act more recklessly than they normally would. This behavior can result in a motorcyclist becoming the victim of someone else’s irresponsible driving.
Improper lane-changing
When the driver of a vehicle fails to signal that they’re changing lanes or thoroughly check their blind spots, serious crashes can occur. The driver should check all areas near their vehicle to make sure they have enough distance to safely change lanes before maneuvering into another lane.
In addition to the risk of hitting a motorcycle themselves, drivers in cars also take the chance of forcing the motorcyclist to veer out of their own lane and into the path of another vehicle.
Driving head-on into oncoming traffic
A head-on collision is the most dangerous type of crash between a motorcycle and another vehicle. Head-on motorcycle accident collisions happen for a number of reasons, including:
- A vehicle swerves due to debris or an obstruction in the road, traveling into the opposite lane and striking the bike head-on.
- The driver of the vehicle is impaired or distracted, causing them to drift into a lane of oncoming traffic.
- The driver is speeding, which causes them to lose control of their vehicle and cross over into an oncoming lane of traffic.
Some factors that make head-on collisions the worst type of accident for a motorcyclist to be involved in include the following:
- The force involved
- The immense difference in the size and weight of the vehicle and the motorcycle
- The lack of a protective frame (that other vehicles have) surrounding the motorcycle
Lane-splitting
When a motorcyclist rides in the middle of 2 lanes of traffic without paying attention to the marked lines on the roadway, this is known as lane-splitting. This practice is commonly seen in slow-moving traffic situations such as congestion during rush hour, after a concert or during the aftermath of an accident.
Lane splitting can be dangerous to the motorcyclist because of the risk of a vehicle potentially changing lanes without using a signal and running into them.
What are the most common motorcycle injuries in a personal injury claim?
The most frequent injuries listed in a personal injury claim after a motorcycle crash include the following:
- Road rash on the legs, feet, arms, hands or face
- Fractured or broken bones
- Head and neck injuries
- Abdomen and chest injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Severe burns
- Muscle damage
What types of damages am I entitled to after a motorcycle accident?
Victims of motorcycle accident injuries are entitled to compensation for their injuries and other damages. The main factor in receiving compensation will be the extent and severity of physical injuries incurred as a result of the crash, as well as mental trauma/suffering.
Potential damages will include the following:
- Economic (special) damages. These include compensation for monetary losses, including the costs of your medical treatment (past and future), lost wages (since the accident and in the future) and property damage.
- Non-economic (general) damages. These include compensation for nonmonetary losses, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium/ loss of companionship with a life partner), etc.
- Punitive damages. These damages are only awarded in cases where the defendant’s behavior was especially careless or intentional. They are intended to deter similar future behavior.
Steps to take after a Florida motorcycle accident to recover compensation
To get maximum compensation after a motorcycle accident, it’s essential that you take the following steps:
- Call the police. It’s critical that you call the police immediately after any motorcycle accident. Their report can be extremely helpful in determining fault and getting compensation.
- Gather evidence. If you’re physically able to do so, take photos and collect witness statements. These can also be crucial in establishing fault on the part of the other driver.
- Seek immediate medical care. Even if you don’t initially feel injured, you should seek medical care as soon as possible after any motorcycle accident. Injuries don’t always show up right away. Seeing a doctor can help identify injuries and also provide documentation that connects them to your accident.
- Talk to an attorney. Always consult a personal injury attorney experienced in motorcycle cases before speaking with the other party’s insurance company. Insurance companies tend to offer quick settlements to injury victims in an attempt to get them to accept less than they deserve.
Why should I hire an attorney that specializes in motorcycle accidents?
Following a motorcycle accident, you have enough on your hands just trying to recover from your injuries. An experienced, reputable motorcycle accident attorney will know every step that needs to be taken to file your claim and get you the full compensation to which you’re entitled.
An attorney will also deal with insurance adjusters and others who may try to contact you on behalf of the other party. Under no circumstances should you speak with any of these people without consulting an attorney. Doing so could negatively affect your case and decrease the amount of your settlement.
It’s important to keep in mind that after you accept an offer from the insurance company, you can’t go back and request more money later if you discover your injuries are more severe than you thought they were. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney knows the value of your claim and can ensure you get maximum compensation.
The Dangers of Social Media After a Car Accident
Learn how using social media after a car accident can hurt your personal injury claim.
Get help from an experienced Florida motorcycle accident attorney
Unfortunately, even when motorcyclists take the necessary steps to protect themselves on the road, accidents still happen. At Lorenzo & Lorenzo, our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys understand the nature of motorcycle injury cases, and we have a proven track record of success in helping people in Tampa receive the compensation they deserve after a motorcycle accident.
