Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

What are the causes of motorcycle accidents?

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycling comes with inherent dangers. Riders lack the same protection that drivers in motor vehicles have, leaving them vulnerable to serious and life-altering injuries if a crash occurs. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 80 percent of motorcycle collisions lead to injuries or death for the motorcyclist. 

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash that someone else caused, a Chicago motorcycle accident attorney from Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can help you pursue compensation from the responsible party. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Learning the most common motorcycle accident causes can help you identify potential hazards and drive defensively. NHTSA notes that many motorbike accidents occur because of the rider’s unfamiliarity with the limitations of their bike or a lack of experience on the motorcycle. However, even the most vigilant motorcyclists may be unable to avoid collisions when other motorists drive negligently. 

Speeding and Reckless Riding

Speeding or reckless driving are common causes of traffic collisions for all road users. Some sport bikes have top speeds significantly higher than posted speed limits and could endanger those unfamiliar with the bike’s capabilities. If a motorcycle rider is going too fast, they may not have time to slow down to avoid a collision. If other vehicles are speeding, the heightened force of impact with a motorcycle increases the odds of the motorcyclist sustaining catastrophic injuries.

Distracted Driving and Inattention

Distracted drivers are a threat to others on the road, especially motorcycle riders. With their smaller and narrower frames, motorcycles are less visible to other motorists. Inattentive drivers who fail to check their mirrors and blind spots before switching lanes or merging run the risk of crashing into a nearby rider.  Motorcyclists must pay close attention to the road and other drivers to anticipate any sudden or unsafe changes to the traffic pattern.

Lane Splitting and Unsafe Lane Changes

Lane splitting occurs when a motorcyclist rides between two lanes of slowed or stopped traffic, passing cars and trucks stuck in slow-moving congestion. Illinois prohibits lane splitting because a car or truck that changes lanes without signaling could strike a motorcycle rider or push the rider off the road or into neighboring vehicles.

Impaired Driving

Driving under the influence is one of the chief causes of motorcycle accidents. Alcohol can delay reaction time or cause drivers to drift into other lanes of traffic. It also affects vision and perception, so an intoxicated car or truck driver may not even see the smaller profile of a motorcycle. 

Road Conditions and Hazards

Dangerous road conditions like uneven pavement, potholes, loose gravel, slippery roadways, or other highway debris pose a greater danger to a motorcycle rider than someone in a larger vehicle. Motorcycles are smaller and less stable, so a road hazard that would barely register with a car or truck driver could easily cause the motorcycle rider to lose control of their bike. In some cases, these crashes could be due to poor maintenance by the agency responsible for maintaining the road or a defective road design. 

Mechanical Problems

Improper maintenance of a vehicle or a faulty part or system could cause a catastrophic motorcycle crash. If a vehicle’s mechanical problems cause a motorcycle collision, its owner could be liable if they failed to service the car appropriately. A maintenance company or parts manufacturer could have liability for the crash if they conducted poor repairs or a defective component led to the motorcycle accident.

Inadequate Visibility

Lack of visibility is a primary cause of motorcycle crashes. A motorcycle’s smaller size and slim profile may be difficult to spot in traffic. Glare can obstruct another driver’s vision, or the small headlamp on a motorbike may not be large enough to be detected at night. A motorcycle rider may improve visibility on the road by wearing reflective clothing or attaching reflective strips to the bike. However, drivers must check their blind spots and drive responsibly to account for potential visibility hazards. 

Failure to Yield Right of Way

Obeying right-of-way laws is critical to protect motorcyclists. Failure to yield the right of way could include making a left turn without leaving enough space or time to account for an oncoming rider in an intersection. If another vehicle doesn’t yield to a motorcycle driver, the rider may not have enough time to avoid a collision.

Personal Injuries After a Motorcycle Accident

Even a motorcycle crash that occurs at low speed could have devastating effects on the motorcycle rider. Motorcyclists lack a motor vehicle’s protective metal shell and airbags. A biker may also have multiple impact points (e.g., being struck by a car and then hitting the pavement). 

Even with a helmet and protective clothing, injuries from a motorcycle crash can be serious. Examples include: 

Unfortunately, many motorcycle riders suffer multiple serious injuries, meaning recovery may take weeks or months. In some cases, a full recovery is impossible. A personal injury attorney can help place an appropriate value on your legal case if you’ve been hurt. 

The Importance of Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Chicago

If you suffered injuries in a motorcycle crash, you may have legal options to seek compensation from the party(s) that caused the collision. A Chicago personal injury lawyer with experience pursuing motorcycle accident claims can help. At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., we fight aggressively for the compensation injured motorcyclists need and deserve. We have recovered over $2.3 billion for our clients to date, including the largest personal injury award for an individual in Illinois history. Put our experience and dedication to work and contact our law firm today for a free consultation.