If you are someone who owns a motorcycle, it is likely that you have heard multiple times how dangerous they can be. People are seriously injured or even killed in motorcycle accidents much more often than they are in vehicle accidents. In fact, over 80 percent of all motorcycle accidents end in the injury or death of the motorcyclist. If you want to try and protect yourself the best you can, knowing the most common ways motorcycle accidents occur can help you to protect yourself while you are on the road. Continue reading below so that you can ride safely and potentially avoid being involved in a motorcycle accident.
Alcohol
Plain and simple, alcohol impairs your judgment whether you are on the road or not. When you are riding a motorcycle, you have to have extremely quick reflexes, meaning that even one drink could reduce your reaction time and cause you to crash. Nearly 40 percent of all single-vehicle motorcycle fatalities that occurred in 2013 involved alcohol in some capacity. If that doesn’t make you think twice about drinking before getting onto your bike, then we don’t know what will.
Left-Hand Turns
A large percentage of motorcycle accidents that involve another vehicle involve the other driver turning left while the motorcycle is heading straight. Since motorcycles are more difficult to see, many drivers make a turn without looking for the extra moment it would take for them to spot the motorcyclist.
Speeding
While it might be tempting to go above the speed limit on your motorcycle, we would suggest that you try to avoid doing so. Speed limits are set for a reason and often they do not take road conditions into account. For example, if the speed limit on a road is 50mph on a clear day, it’s important that you don’t drive the same speed when there is rain or snow on the road. Losing control of your bike becomes much easier the faster you are traveling.
Inattentive Driving
Whether it is the driver another car on the road or the motorcyclist, inattentive driving leads to a ton of accidents on the road. For example, it is not uncommon for people to drift into other lanes when they are participating in unsafe activities while they are driving. In today’s day and age, the most common reason for inattentive driving is texting while behind the wheel. So even if you are not able to use your phone while you are on your bike, be sure to keep your eyes out for any other drivers who may be distracted by their cell phones.
Call Our Law Firm If You Have Been Injured In A Motorcycle Accident
If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident and you have not yet contacted a personal injury attorney, it’s time to do so. Contact the law office of Your Damage Lawyer by Chad J. Robinson, PLLC today. We would be happy to discuss your case with you so that you can begin to pursue compensation that is rightfully yours.