Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
When you or a loved one is hurt in a motorcycle collision, there’s no time to sit back and wait for the insurance company to look out for you. Some injured motorcyclists are left with life-changing injuries, like amputations, burns, physical deformities, disfigurement, and paralysis, while tragically some accidents are fatal.
There is an unbelievable burden placed on motorcycle accident victims to fight for the full compensation they truly deserve after a serious crash. This is why the dedicated motorcycle accident attorneys of Serious Injury Law Group work so hard to identify the cause of the crash, determine who was at fault, document the damages suffered, and argue aggressively for maximum compensation.
Please call us today to discuss the circumstances surrounding your crash in a free consultation.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes
There are a lot of reasons why motorcycle crashes happen. Here are just some of the more typical causes we tend to see on a regular basis:
- Speeding and reckless driving – Perhaps one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents, speeding and unsafe driving can cause serious injuries when a motorist slams into a bike. With higher speeds, it becomes more difficult to stop. This is especially true with larger vehicles such as trucks and those carrying loads.
- Aggressive driving – If you’ve ever seen an aggressive driver swerving in and out of traffic, hardly watching where they are going, then you understand what a danger this can be for motorcyclists, who are often overlooked on the road.
- Distracted driving – Using handheld devices to talk, text, or surf the Internet can all lead to driver distraction. Distracted driving remains a leading cause of auto accidents in the country.
- Making unsafe lane changes – When drivers fail to use proper turn signals, check lanes, and make erratic changes from lane to lane, a motorcycle rider can be seriously hurt.
- Driving under the influence – Drunk driving is a big problem, but so is drug-impaired driving and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of prescription medications.
- Sharing lanes – Although it is actually safer in many instances for two motorcycles to occupy the same lane, it is never safe for a car or truck to attempt to pass within the same lane or “share” a lane with a motorcycle. This stems from a lack of knowledge about the rules of the road and a general disregard for the rights of motorcyclists.
- Dangerous roadway conditions – Sometimes the road itself plays a big role in a crash. Poorly maintained highways and natural conditions can also cause serious crashes.
- Opening doors into the path of motorcycles – When parking on the side of the road, some drivers may open a door without looking. Opening a door in traffic can cause harm to motorcyclists who may be attempting to ride by.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Injured motorcyclists typically end up having more expensive injuries because they are more severe. One of the most obvious reasons for this is that a motorcycle offers no protection for the rider or passenger. Common motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Head trauma
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Amputations
- Crushing force injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage or failure
- Lacerations
- Burns and hemorrhages
- Disc injuries
- Road rash
- Sprain/strain injuries
- Fatalities
Safety Tips for Motorcyclists
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), helmets are about the most important thing you can wear to prevent injury, followed closely by protective gear like good long-sleeve jackets and pants. Motorcyclists are also encouraged to avoid open-toe shoes or any footwear that lacks ankle support.
According to the CDC, helmets reduce the chance of death by as much as 37 percent and reduce head injuries by 69 percent.
When riders fail to wear helmets, it may also have an impact on their ability to recover compensation. Sometimes insurance companies will try to reduce your compensation after an accident, arguing that your injuries would not be so bad if you had been wearing a helmet. Keep in mind that in Alabama, helmets are the law for everyone, even adults over 21 and passengers.
Our law firm will aggressively fight against any attempt to reduce compensation based on your helmet use.
Training for Motorcycle Riders
If you are wondering how to prevent motorcycle accidents, look no further than your local motorcycle training source. Even experienced riders can gain valuable skills from taking a refresher course.
We understand that most crashes happen due to impaired, distracted, or otherwise inattentive drivers on the road. But you, as the rider, can actually make a big difference in a collision if you know how to crash a motorcycle safely. It’s a delicate art and skill that can be learned.
In many crashes, a driver pulls out into traffic without warning, due to not seeing a motorcycle approaching. When this happens, unlike a regular driver, the motorcycle rider must make a split-second choice: ride straight into a car and risk a deadly collision or lay down the bike and risk a painful road rash injury or worse. These accidents often end up with a rider stuck or trapped underneath a vehicle, or with broken ankles and legs. With proper training and safety gear, it can give the rider confidence to make the painful – yet better – choice.
Getting Help After an Alabama Motorcycle Crash
After a painful and serious collision, motorcycle accident victims in Alabama have a long list of things they will need to do. From notifying your own insurance company and getting medical care to obtaining a police report and dealing with multiple insurance adjusters, there will be seemingly no end to the challenges you must handle.
At Serious Injury Law Group, our experienced motorcycle lawyers will work to lighten your burden and help you pursue compensation while healing from your injuries. Please call our knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyers today for a free case evaluation, and see if we can help you with your case.