What's the Most Common Cause of Motorcycle Accidents?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Traffic Safety Facts state that speeding, lack of valid licenses, and alcohol impairment were all significant causes of motorcycle crashes and fatal crashes. The NHTSA also reports that in order to avoid accidents, motorcycle drivers should practice motorcycle safety in the form of:

Being familiar with their bike
Maintaining and checking the function of their bike before every ride
Wearing safety gear
Keeping safety in mind when riding

Sometimes, motor vehicle drivers not paying attention can result in crashes. Motorists sometimes make unsafe lane changes or turn left directly in front of a motorcycle rider, causing catastrophic injuries and even death.

Motor Vehicle Drivers Can Cause Motorcycle Accidents

While motorcycle riders get into accidents due to their own action or inaction, there are many ways that a motorcycle accident can be caused by other parties’ action or inaction:

Unsafe lane changes: Some drivers simply do not look in their blind spots closely enough to see if there are any motorcycle riders near them.
“Dooring”: In many cases, a driver is simply unaware of their surroundings and while they are parked, they will open their car door directly in the path of an oncoming motorcycle.
Speeding: While a driver may know that they are speeding, they may not be aware of how their speeding is affecting their inability to stop quickly or navigate around a motorcycle rider—which may cause an accident.
Left-turn accidents: Many right-of-way errors by motorists are due to inattention and the failure to realize that a motorcycle rider is near them.

There are many other causes of motorcycle accidents, including driving or riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol, manufacturing defects of a vehicle or motorcycle, or the inexperience of a motorcycle rider who has failed to take any kind of rider education course. Ultimately, whenever a motorist is involved in an accident with a motorcycle rider, typically the motorcycle rider suffers the catastrophic physical damage.

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Injuries Resulting from Motorcycle Accidents

The types of injuries related to motorcycle accidents range from minor injuries to fatalities. Some of the most serious and tragic injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents include the following:

Traumatic Brain Injuries: Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) can include mild concussions, hemorrhaging, permanent brain damage, or even death when motorcycle riders are thrown from their motorcycles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Road Rash: While this may seem minor, road rash can actually be very severe and cause serious infections as the skin has been torn after the motorcycle rider has been thrown from their bike.
Broken or Fractured Bones: One type of injury suffered by a motorcycle rider in an accident can involve the feet and legs, which can become trapped under the motorcycle as it falls to one side in an accident. Additionally, other types of broken or fractured bones may include spinal cord injuries, broken hips, shoulder bones, pelvis, or elbows and wrists—as the rider is violently thrown from their motorcycle.
Facial Disfigurement: Unfortunately, when a motorcycle rider does not wear a helmet or any proper headgear, the motorcycle rider’s face may hit the chin bar of the motorcycle, which can lead to permanent disfigurement or broken bones in the face and skull.

Seek Immediate Medical Evaluation

If you were involved in any kind of motorcycle accident, you need to seek immediate medical evaluation. Many injuries may not have symptoms directly following the accident, due to a victim being in a state of shock or having a rush of adrenaline masking their pain. Seeking medical evaluation and treatment following a motorcycle accident will help ensure that your health is taken care of by a physician. You can also preserve your legal rights to pursue a claim in the future against those whose negligence caused your injuries.

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Contact Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers

There are many common causes of motorcycle accidents. However, if you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may be facing:

Substantial medical bills
Pain and suffering
Property damage
The inability to return to work as a result of your injury, resulting in lost wages

If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, contact Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers at (855) 529-0269. We can provide a free consultation and help you determine how you may be able to pursue compensation for your injuries related to a motorcycle accident. We also want you to understand your legal rights.

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