For those that dare to drive a motorcycle, the experience can either be of two things: fun or dangerous. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents can make a turn for the worst. In just one year, there were over 5,000 known motorcycle fatalities. With this in mind, we advise that if you are to drive a motorcycle, you proceed with the utmost caution during the process.
The first step to motorcycle safety is wearing protective gear. Helmets are known to literally save lives in the face of losing control and sudden accidents. Wearing protective garments like gloves, jackets, and pants can also help protect your other body parts.
If you’ve yet to visit The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) website, you should do so now. MSF offers necessary information you’ll need to begin taking a motorcycle safety course. It offers courses nationwide and at different difficulty levels.
Once you’ve caught yourself up to speed on the basics, it’s time to review common motorcycle accidents you’ll need to avoid while on the road.
1. Motorcycle Accidents Caused by Left Turning Cars
42% of all accidents involving a motorcycle and car occur due to left turning cars. When the motorcyclist is driving, the left-turning car can strike when the motorcycle is going straight through an intersection, passing the car, or trying to overtake the car.
To avoid this kind of accidents, you’ll need to be vigilant. Watch out for key indicators that someone is about to turn in front of you.
These can include when a car is at an intersection waiting to turn, if there is a gap in the traffic directly in front of you while someone is waiting to go, and if the car driver is looking both ways last minute.
If you are aware of any of the above, it’s important to slow your motorcycle down immediately.
2. Lane Switching Motorcycle Accidents
If you’ve ever driven a car, you’ll know that other drivers can decide to switch lanes at very sudden, unexpected times with significantly low reaction time. When driving a motorcycle, this occurrence is no different. If a car begins to merge over into your lane while you are right next to you, you’re most likely in their blind spot.
In this circumstance, there will be no way to alert the car driver that you’re right next to their car while they are merging over in time. So, it’s best that you look out for key indicators that this will happen to avoid being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
To know a car is changing lanes, you should take notice of:
- Blinking turn signals
- Wheels turning
- The driver is checking their rear-view and side-view mirrors
- The driver is looking for blind spots
In short, the best motorcyclists are hyper-aware of their surroundings and drive mindfully.
3. Head-On Collision Motorcycle Accidents
Unfortunately, head-on collisions are just as bad as they sound. In fact, they are the most fatal of all motorcycle crashes. In this kind of situation, a car hits a motorcycle at a very high-speed. The motorcyclist’s damages from this accident are known to be severe or even worse, fatal.
Recommended by the National Safety Council, the best way to avoid a head-on collision would be:
- “Read” the road ahead
- Always drive on the right
- Reduce your speed and be mindful of the speed limit
- Ride off the road
Getting the Legal Assistance You Need
When motorcycle accidents get really bad, they can result in brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and more. If you’ve sustained injuries similar to the aforementioned, your way of life can be greatly impaired. The next best steps in the face of a tragic motorcycle accident after seeking medical treatment is to get a personal injury attorney that can help you get the compensation you need. Call Attorney Dan Zohar for a free consultation today!