7 Common Motorcycle Crashes and How to Avoid Them

7 Common Motorcycle Crashes and How to Avoid Them

Motorcycle accidents will almost never happen so long as drivers see motorcyclists and drive safely around them and motorcycle manufacturers make safe bikes.

Motorcycle accidents can have devastating consequences. Most motorcyclists who suffer an accident face severe physical injuries, mental anguish, and mounting medical bills. 

A professional Florida motorcycle accident attorney will help you and your loved ones make a stressful and challenging time easier to manage after your accident.

If you or a loved one experienced a motorcycle accident, call the team at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA at 833-552-7274 (833-55-CRASH) for your free initial consultation.

Meanwhile, here is some helpful advice on avoiding getting into one of the seven most common types of motorcycle accidents. 

Motorcycle Accident Injuries in the United States

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS),  more than 42,500 motor-vehicle-related deaths occurred on the nation's roadways in one recent year. That same year, there were an estimated 6,222 motorcycle fatalities, representing 15 percent of all motor-vehicle-related deaths in the United States. 

The IIHS further reports that approximately 19,500 deaths were the result of an alcohol-impaired driver and that the majority of motor-vehicle-related fatalities in the United States occur in urban areas.

Data provided by the National Safety Council (NSC) indicates that the majority of motorcycle fatalities in one recent year occurred on urban roads during the daytime and in good weather.

The NSC notes that these fatalities were usually the result of a crash involving two vehicles and that the majority of motorcyclists were wearing helmets and were not alcohol-impaired. 

What Is My Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?

Most motorcyclists who experience a traumatic accident are left suffering through severe amounts of physical pain, mental stress, increasing medical expenses, and other financial hardships. 

Motorcyclists and their loved ones could receive compensation for all of the damages suffered from a motorcycle accident, including:

• Physical pain and injuries
• Mental anguish
• Medical bills and other associated expenses
• Property damage
• Lost wages and lost earning capacity
• Lost quality of life
• Lost consortium or companionship
• Wrongful death

Working with a trusted and assertive motorcycle accident attorney will protect your rights while maximizing your chances of recovering compensation for the damages caused by your motorcycle accident. 

Contact the team at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA today to get the help you deserve for your motorcycle accident case. 

Why Should I Hire Dolman Law Group for My Motorcycle Accident Case?

Working with a skilled and experienced motorcycle accident attorney if you or your loved one have suffered a tragic accident will help ensure your rights are protected and maximize your chances of recovering compensation for your damages. 

A knowledgeable attorney on your side will handle the insurance claim process for you and your loved ones while making sure the case's fault lies with those responsible for it. 

Our attorneys at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA recognize how challenging the aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be for people who must manage the physical and emotional healing of the experience while trying to navigate the complexities of an insurance claim. 

Since founding Dolman Law Group in 2004, Matthew Dolman has built a dedicated team of trusted attorneys that works tirelessly to attain proper compensation for its clients while protecting their rights in the aftermath of a personal injury accident.

We offer all our clients a free initial consultation, during which we will learn more about your accident and help guide you on the best legal path forward. 

Our team at Dolman Law Group strives to recover the best compensation possible for our clients while holding all responsible parties accountable. 

We have successfully recovered the below compensation for our clients:

• $5,000,000 for a car accident that resulted in burn injuries
• $1,875,000 for a car accident with disputed liability that resulted in injuries
• $1,150,000 for a motorcycle accident caused by an at-fault driver making an illegal left turn that resulted in multiple injuries
• $1,000,000 for a motorcycle accident that caused a traumatic brain injury
• $1,000,000 for a rideshare accident that resulted in a wrongful death

The attorneys at Dolman Law Group understand how difficult dealing with a personal injury is and make the extra effort to ease the client's stress during this trying time. As a result, our clients often express gratitude for the ease of the experience of working with our team. 

Bryan was relieved that we handled the hassle of the insurance company for him, taking care of all the paperwork and correspondence for his insurance claim. 

Anne appreciated the clear and consistent communication we provided her throughout her claim process, making sure she always knew what to expect for her case. 

Meagan praised our team's knowledge and professionalism, delivering impeccable judgment when proceeding with her claim. 

With offices nationwide and across both Florida coasts as well as in Chicago, Boston, Houston, and San Antonio, you can easily reach Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, by phone or using our online contact page.

7 Common Motorcycle Accidents 

Numerous factors cause motorcycle accidents. Here are seven of the most common types of motorcycle crashes. 

Head-on Collisions

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 76 percent of fatal motorcycle fatalities that include another vehicle result from a head-on collision. Drivers of personal and commercial vehicles often fail to see a smaller motorcycle on the road, increasing the chances of a head-on collision. 

Left-Handed Turns

When making a left-handed turn, most drivers focus on the cars in the oncoming traffic lane they are turning across and often fail to see motorcyclists in these scenarios. 

The NHTSA calculates that 42 percent of all two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle and another vehicle in one recent year occurred when the other vehicle was making a left-handed turn, and the motorcycle was either going straight, passing, or overtaking other vehicles. 

Speeding

A driver speeding on the road puts everyone in danger. When driving above the posted speed limit, drivers often have more difficulty safely maneuvering their vehicles and avoiding collisions. 

The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that 29 percent of all traffic-related fatalities in one recent year involved a speeding driver. More than 12,150 speeding-related fatalities occurred that year, more than 33 people every day. 

According to NHTSA, approximately 34 percent of motorcyclists involved in a fatal crash were speeding. Motorcyclists between the ages of 25 and 29 were the highest age group involved in fatal motorcycle accidents where speeding was involved. 

Driving While Impaired

Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs a driver's ability to react to hazards on the roadway adequately, concentrate fully on the task at hand, and maintain clear visibility of the road ahead of them. 

In addition to illicit drugs creating an impairment behind the wheel, some prescription or over-the-counter medications can also affect a driver's ability to operate their vehicle safely. 

Lane Changing

Drivers changing lanes can miss seeing a motorcyclist in their blind spot and accidentally drive into the motorcyclist, causing an accident on the roadway. 

NHTSA reports that most multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents typically occur when a driver does not see the motorcyclist.

Road Hazards

Construction zones, potholes, and other road hazards can make it challenging for vehicles to navigate safely, especially if they are speeding or driving recklessly. 

Hazards on the road create situations where vehicles may need to quickly change lanes, apply the brakes, or veer off the road. This increases the risk that a driver of a larger vehicle reacts without seeing a motorcycle in their new path. 

Distracted Driving

Distracted drivers may fail to notice motorcyclists. 

According to NHTSA, distracted drivers caused more than 3,300 fatalities in one recent year. 

How to Avoid a Motorcycle Accident

While motorcyclists cannot control what other drivers do around them, some safe motorcycle driving habits can help avoid accidents. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) give the following advice for safe motorcycle habits on the roadways:

Ride Responsibly

Riding your motorcycle safely and responsibly can mitigate many dangers.

Responsible riding habits include

• Knowing and obeying all local traffic laws 
• Obeying all traffic lights, traffic signs, lane markings, and speed limits
• Riding defensively
• Using proper signals and checking before changing lanes, stopping, and turning
• Do not ride your motorcycle under the influence of alcohol or drugs; be aware if any of your prescription medications could cause any adverse side effects to your driving capabilities

Be Visible

Making sure other drivers see you can improve your safety as a motorcyclist. 

Use your motorcycle's headlights at all times and apply reflective materials to increase your visibility to other vehicles. 

Ensure you are not riding in another vehicle's blind spot to help mitigate the chances of them turning into you or changing lanes in your path. 

Wear the Proper Attire

Wearing the proper safety attire while riding your motorcycle can lessen the injuries caused by any accidents you may get into and can save your life. 

• Wear a helmet that fits properly (not too big) and meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. 
• Wear protective safety attire that helps you feel more comfortable while riding and provides protection in case of a fall or accident. This includes sturdy pants, a sturdy jacket, boots, gloves, and eye protection if your helmet does not provide it.

Know Your Motorcycle

Be familiar with your motorcycle and how to operate it properly. You must know how to handle and maneuver your motorcycle safely before taking it on the road around other vehicles. 

Work With an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Suffering a devastating motorcycle accident often leaves motorcyclists struggling with severe physical pain and injuries, emotional distress, and mounting financial hardships. 

Working with an experienced and well-respected motorcycle accident injury attorney will help you and your loved ones manage the stressful aftermath of a motorcycle accident, and allow you to better focus on your health and recovery. Call the trusted Florida personal injury attorneys at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA today at 833-552-7274 (833-55-CRASH) for your free initial consultation.