Whether due to size, or footprint of the motorcycle, or sheer stability, or a combination of these factors, motorcycles are much more likely to be involved in an accident than other automobiles. Certainly, in some cases, this is a visibility issue as well, with many drivers of other automobiles not looking in their blind spots before entering a new lane. Almost eighty percent of motorcycle crashes end up causing death or injury (with only twenty percent of passenger car accidents ending in the same result). Here are some of the most common causes of motorcycle
accidents in the United States.
Intoxication through the use of drugs and alcohol is a major factor when it comes to motorcycle accidents. Almost thirty percent of motorcycle riders who are involved in fatal accidents are over the legal limit in terms of blood-alcohol
concentrations. Almost forty-five percent of those bikers involved in fatal accidents had some alcohol in their system at the time.
Reaction time and judgment can be immediately affected after only one drink, so it isn’t worth the risk.
Motorcycles are exciting for the
freedom they offer. Sometimes, that freedom seems like it needs a little extra gas. Unfortunately, if you don’t know when is appropriate to accelerate, or you don’t obey the legal speed limits, you put yourself at increased risk of a motorcycle accident. In 2017, about thirty-one percent of motorcycle riders in the United States who ended up in fatal accidents were going above the speed limit. Speeding can put you at risk of tipping your bike, or make certain road conditions extra dangerous – like seams in the road, gravel, rain, etc. Speeding also makes it harder to compensate for anything – or anyone – around the corner when you head around it at high speed.
Getting your motorcycle license only gets you so far. Riding a long time is what increases your capabilities as a rider, which is why many inexperienced riders are the cause of accidents. This includes the twenty-nine percent of fatal motorcycle accidents that happen at the hands of motorcycle riders who don’t have a license. The other big cause of motorcycle accidents is a rider simply not paying attention. People often think of themselves as multitaskers, but that is scientifically impossible, and in doing too many things at once – especially at high speed – doesn’t allow us to make good decisions fast or make fast decisions well.
If you’re in the unfortunate position of finding yourself in a motorcycle accident, you’ll need to call RS
Law Offices to consult on everything surrounding your accident. Hold on to all of your paperwork and be sure to file a police report, and keep everything related to injuries and loss of property.
blogs
Hit by a Police Car? Here’s What You Need to Know
Although car accidents are pretty common on Californian roads, car crashes involving law enforcement officers are quite rare. However, this is not to mean they do not happen. A police officer might cause an accident during a police chase against a suspect, or even due to negligence. What do you do when you are injured […]
5 Things Cyclists Should Do After a Bike Accident in California
Biking, especially on a highway, is a fun and an adrenaline-filled way to keep fit and explore what California has to offer. At the same time, it’s also a dangerous activity as the chances of being rear-ended by a motorist in California are pretty high. Unfortunately, when a bicycle accident happens, most cyclists often have […]
5 Ways Parents can Encourage Safe Teen Driving
For teenagers, getting a driver’s license is a significant milestone. It marks the beginning of independence and instills a sense of responsibility. Most teen parents often share their children’s excitement but remain equally apprehensive since they’re well-aware of the dangers that come with driving. And they do have a perfectly valid reason to fret because […]
Driving Tips for Warm Weather
As winter thaws and we move into spring and summer, the roads will soon begin filling up with road-trippers and people moving cross country. The more cars on the road, and the more freedom we have in that nice, warm weather, the more risk we’re at of some kind of accident. Here are a few […]
Tips for Avoiding Slip & Fall Accidents
Slipping and falling is hilarious in the movies and on TV, but when you enter the real world, slipsand falls are some of the most dangerous causes of personal injuries one can experience outside of a vehicle accident. Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere and for many reasons – a simple spill, a loose […]
Mold and LA Renters — Know Your Rights
You may have heard of “mold growth” in passing. Depending on the situation, the story you heard may have been about a simple annoyance, a house deal that fell through, or a sneezing fit. However, there are a lot worse stories than that out there; mold can cause severe allergies, incapacitation, and even worse health […]
Bicycle Safety in California
In a lot of ways, California is known as the driving capital of America, if not the world. Where else are so many people absolutely defined by their vehicles, their routes to work, and even their carbon footprint for transportation? The state requires some of the most stringent emission requirements across the nation and is […]
Five Products for Truck Driver Safety
Truck drivers are the backbone of the economy, and their safety is of the utmost importance. Not only are they at special risk of trafficaccidents, but truck driving comes with a host of other dangers. The easiest way to stay safe while driving any vehicle is being aware of your surroundings and making sure your […]
Great Motorcycle Roads in Arizona
There’s no freer way to see the great state of Arizona than to travel it by motorcycle. Being one of the last gateways to the West Coast, our streets are manifold, so your options are virtually endless. Whether you’re touring to see the mountains, the wildlife, the succulents or other plants, or just visit towns […]
Four Medical Alert and Slip and Fall Apps
Slip and fall accidents are unfortunately rather common in the US. The part that many people often miss when discussing slip and fall accidents, though, is that it is not just the elderly who suffer from them. Anyone of any age can have an accident, and people of all walks of life may have chronic […]
contact form