Motorcycle accidents are extremely dangerous to the rider. When you ride a motorcycle, there is always the threat of getting seriously injured in motorcycle accidents due to the nature of bikes and the lack of protection – especially if you get into an accident with a car or other larger vehicle.
These accidents can be due to several common causes. Find out what the most common causes of motorcycle accidents are, and how a motorcycle accident attorney can help.
Operating a motorcycle safely and accurately can require a lot of experience and many hours behind the wheel. Before operating a bike, drivers should go through formal training to learn the correct way to navigate through potentially dangerous scenarios and obtain their motorcycle license. Even without formal training, motorcycle riders should know how to fully operate the bike, be able to react to various weather conditions they might encounter, and know how to respond to numerous situations they might have to navigate through on the road.
As is a risk with drivers of all types of vehicles, drunk drivers can put motorcycle drivers at risk. If a person is driving while drunk, he or she can put all other motorists at risk if they fail to follow proper traffic laws and drive irresponsibly. Drunk drivers cannot react promptly to situations on the road, may drive more aggressively than usual, and may not be able to safely operate a vehicle. If a drunk driver of a car or larger vehicle crashes into a motorcycle, it can cause major injuries to the motorcycle driver.
Because motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles on the road, drivers can miss them when navigating the roads. Bikes can be more difficult to see in blindspots if drivers are not paying attention, and they can be overlooked when drivers are making risky maneuvers, like trying to make a left-hand turn. Drivers of cars, SUVs, trucks, and other vehicles can be so focused on looking for a pair of headlights or searching only for larger vehicles, that they can miss motorcycles and risk hitting them, causing major injuries to the driver.
Traveling at excessive speeds can put motorcycle drivers and others at risk. If a driver of a car or other larger vehicle is speeding, it can cause them to lose control of their vehicle, and put them in a situation where they are unable to stop in time and may hit a motorcyclist. The impact of a speeding vehicle can be devastating for a motorcycle driver.
Likewise, a motorcycle driver may also speed, putting himself and others on the roadways at risk. Motorcycles can be hard enough for drivers of other vehicles to see, but if a bike driver is speeding, it can be even more difficult for other drivers to see. According to the NHTSA, speed was a factor in 32 percent of motorcycle deaths in 2017.
All drivers can be at risk when they participate in distracted driving, including motorcycle drivers. Texting while driving, changing the radio station, drinking coffee, and more can take a driver’s eyes off of the road and put themselves and others at risk. If a driver of a car is texting and driving, he or she might not see a motorcycle. The time it takes them to get their eyes back on the road and realize the situation might not be enough time to successfully avoid a crash.
Bike operators also need to put their full attention on the road and not on other distractions. Because they can suffer serious issues if they crash into another vehicle, it’s essential to always put 100 percent of their focus on the road.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, you need help from a top-rated, hard-working representation. At Shapiro|Delgado, our attorneys put their injury law experience to work for you. And we handle cases on a contingency basis, which means we don’t get paid unless you do.
We represent clients throughout Florida, including Sarasota, Bradenton, Tampa, Saint Petersburg, Pinellas County, and surrounding communities.
To set up a free personal consultation, call 941-954-4000 or use our convenient online contact form.
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