Motorcycle Accident Scenarios and Countermeasures

Riding a motorcycle can one of the most exhilarating experiences you can ever have. However, it’s also wise to remember that motorcycles are by far the most dangerous motorized vehicle that has ever been invented. Taking a few basic safety precautions before you hop on your bike can help save your life, as well as the lives of others.

The Most Common Motorcycle Accidents, And How To Avoid Them

The most common cause of a serious motorcycle accident is the rider’s failure to see a car or truck turning left in front of them at an intersection.

The best way to avoid a collision with a left turning vehicle is to check for cars in front of you that may be about to turn, or for tell tale gaps in traffic at the intersection, or a nearby driveway or parking lot. Remember that a gap in traffic in front of you is usually going to be filled within seconds, so reduce your speed and look in all directions as you head toward it.

Hitting A Patch Of Gravel In A Blind Corner

This type of accident occurs when you riding your motorcycle around a twist in the road and suddenly encounter a patch of gravel, dirt, or other encumbrance. Before you can maneuver around it, your front tire hits the patch, causing you to crash.

The best way to avoid this accident is enter the corner at a wide angle, steering away from the sharp side, at a reduced speed. Whipping around corners blindly is simply asking for a collision, whether with debris or a slow moving vehicle on the road that you cannot see before you turn the bend.

Turning Around A Corner Too Quickly

Even if you don’t encounter a bad patch of asphalt, or another vehicle, you can still do yourself an injury by whipping around a corner at too great a speed.

Use the brakes to slow your bike down (decelerate gently, never slam on them), and hang off your bike so as to lean it as far as possible out of the way of the obstruction. You may shed a tail light or skin a knee, but remain calm and let the bike do the work, while continuing to decelerate as smoothly as possible.

A Car Changes Lanes In Front Of, Or Beside You

A car that is changing lanes is most likely looking out for other cars, not motorcycles. The cause of such poor judgment may be negligence on their part, or it may be that you are traveling in their blind spot.

The best way to avoid a collision is to do all the attention paying for yourself and the cars around you. Watch for out cars passing you to change lanes, or drivers adjusting their mirrors, putting on their turn signals, etc. If you see that traffic is slowing in one lane, and drivers are changing into another lane, it’s a good idea to stay put in the slow lane until the cause of the delay clears.

The Key Is To Remain Conspicuous

Nearly 65 percent of all accidents that were caused by a vehicle violating a motorcycle rider’s right of way were caused by the failure of the other vehicle to see the motorcycle. One of the best ways to avoid being the cause or the victim of a serious motorcycle accident is to make sure that you always remain conspicuous to other vehicles on the road.

If you are riding your motorcycle at night, always keep your headlights, tail lights, and side lights on. If you notice any of these lights flickering, or if they have burned out or been broken, replace them immediately. It’s also an excellent idea to wear a brightly colored, fluorescent jacket or vest at night so that drivers of other vehicles can clearly see both you and your motorcycle. Yellow and orange are the most easily noticeable colors.

Make Sure To Use Motorcycle Safety Equipment

Make sure that you can make full use of motorcycle safety equipment at all times. Wearing a motorcycle helmet is mandatory in many states, and recommended in all. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) estimated that helmets saved the lives of over 1,630 motorcycle riders in 2013, and that over 700 more would have survived their accident had they been wearing a helmet.

Other types of motorcycle safety equipment, such as gloves, jackets, pants, and full body suits, can also help save your life by reducing abrasions, broken bones, and concussions. It’s a good idea to do a full course of research on the equipment you will need to keep you as safe as possible from harm while you are riding your motorcycle.

Keep in mind that the accident scenarios listed above are only a small sampling of the many potential dangers that await you as you ride your motorcycle. These dangers demand your full attention and common sense, so ride smart and stay safe.

Accident Attorneys for Motorcyclists

If you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence, you may want to consult with a personal injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer will work with you so that you are able to obtain all of the compensation that is in line with the extent of the injuries. In order to assure that you receive the highest award possible, provide your personal injury lawyer with as much information about the accident or injury as possible. The ore information you are able to provide to your lawyer, the better your chances are of receiving a quick and equitable settlement. Before you see a personal injury lawyer for the first time, you want to make sure you have as much information as possible. Some of the things you should do or have someone else do for you include the following:

  • 1. Make detailed notes concerning the motorcycle accident including any injuries you suffered and losses you incurred.
  • 2. Make note of any conversations you had with others involved in the accident or personal injury incident.
  • 3. Take pictures of the damage hat occurred from the accident and keep any physical evidence that may be needed later to support a claim of personal injury.
  • 4. Attempt to locate any potential witnesses who may be able to support your claims of liability in court.
  • 5. Notify the responsible party or parties that you plan to file a personal injury lawsuit.
  • 6. In the event you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit, be sure you hire a lawyer who is experienced in personal injury litigation.

When you are filing a personal injury lawsuit, you want to choose a motorcycle accident attorney in order to assure you have a better chance of winning. Personal injury lawyers are experienced in litigating personal injury cases and as such are a better choice than a general practice attorney.

Make sure you have all of the pertinent information your accident lawyer will need in order to provide you with efficient counsel. The more information that is available to your lawyer about the case increases your chances of winning an award that is consistent with the injuries you sustained. The more information your lawyer has, the better he can help you win your case.

THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE – PLEASE CONTACT A LOCAL ATTORNEY FOR INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR CASE