Have you been wondering about the causes of motorcycle accidents? Florida offers enjoyable motorcycle rides, whether driving from Daytona Beach to Port Orange or doing the Withlacoochee State Forest Loop. However, the latest data from The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) indicate there were 8,620 motorcycle crashes last year, of which 545 were fatal, with 7,446 injuries caused by motorcycle accidents. What are the most frequent causes of motorcycle accidents?
#1: Going Too Fast
Published in May 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 2020 Traffic Safety Facts show that 34 % of all motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were speeding, compared to motor vehicles (22%), light-truck drivers (16%), and large-truck drivers (7%). Of these riders, most fell into the age group 25 to 29, but the second highest age group where fatalities occurred due to speeding was 35 to 39 years of age. It is clear that excessive speed is the cause of the majority of motorcycle accidents resulting in fatalities. Motorcycle drivers often speed up because they are ‘lane splitting’, which is against the law, and can often result in fatal consequences.
#2: Left Turns
Left-turn accidents happen quickly. Drivers often have blind spots where they cannot see the traffic around them, have an obstructed view, or are distracted and don’t focus on the speed or actions of the oncoming traffic. Unfortunately, oncoming or passing motorcycles are often hit at intersections by turning vehicles. Do you need to pursue compensation for medical bills and other losses due to a crash caused by a motor vehicle when it made a left turn and hit your motorcycle? Sokoloff and Weinstein, P.A. are personal injury lawyers who can help you claim from the at-fault party or their insurance company.
#3: Open Car Doors
One would not expect open car doors to be road hazards. When you think of your own behavior as a vehicle owner, do you check the traffic before opening your door? Some people are thinking of their shopping lists or the sports event of the previous night, and open the door without noticing oncoming traffic. Because motorcycles are small compared to other motor vehicles, drivers sometimes exit cars into the path of a motorcycle rider, causing personal injury. As a victim of one of these collisions, before speaking to anyone about your accident, whether family, friends or your insurance company, you should contact a motorcycle accident attorney first, as any words you utter might be seen as an admission of guilt even if you were not
#4: Obstructions In The Road
The maneuverability of motorcycles is their greatest benefit but also possibly their greatest risk because they are more vulnerable to obstructions on the road. Unsafe road conditions can make motorcycle riders lose control, whether caused by a small oil slick lifted by rain, potholes, gravel on the road, standing water, or ice. Sudden stops are dangerous where common road hazards are present, increasing the risk of an accident. If the road hazard was caused by roadworks or a lack of road maintenance, a city or local municipality may be liable for restitution in an injury compensation case. As a motorcycle operator, abide by the law and visit a doctor immediately following a motorcycle accident, even when emergency services already attended to you, and keep detailed records.
#5: Drunk Driving
Alcohol slows the reaction times of drivers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 32 people in the United States are killed every day in crashes caused by drunk driving. That is one death every 45 minutes. When your motorcycle is damaged and you are injured due to the behavior of an at-fault alcohol-impaired driver, you need a motorcycle accident attorney that knows personal injury law. If you are physically able to, get the full name, correct address and telephone numbers of any witnesses to the incident.
Are you looking for a motorcycle injury attorney in West Palm Beach or Vero Beach, FL? Have you suffered losses due to one of the causes of motorcycle accidents? Contact Sokoloff & Weinstein today for a consultation.
