Top Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
To those who have never ridden a motorcycle, it is difficult to comprehend why one would put themselves at such an increased risk of serious injury or death by being involved in a motorcycle accident.
However, for those who have experienced the exhilaration inherent with the wind whipping your hair, the sun shining brightly on your face, and the smell of the outdoors while cruising down a highway, they would not have it any other way.
Unfortunately, also inherent with a motorcycle's thrill is the lurking fear of a catastrophic accident.
Due to the lack of a barrier protecting the motorcycle operator from other vehicles, cement and natural objects, the risk of serious injury or death drastically increases.
Below are the top causes of motorcycle accidents, which hopefully will increase awareness and consequently decrease the number of motorcycle accidents on America's roadways.
Another Motorist Turning Into a Motorcyclist's Path Approximately one-third of motorcycle accidents are the result of another motorist turning into a motorcycle's path.
Most often, these are at slow speeds.
However, due to the lack of protection between the motorcycle operator and other vehicles, even slow speed accidents can result in serious injury or death.
Another Motorist's Negligence If another vehicle operator fails to take proper care and precaution in their driving habits, they are putting those they share the roadway with at their mercy.
Common acts of negligence by other motorists include:
If a mechanic fails in their professional responsibility to adequately inspect and provide maintenance for a motorcycle, they put the operator at additional risk.
Failures of a mechanic can include:
If a motorcycle comes in contact with potholes or loose gravel on roadways, they are more likely to flip or skid out than typical automobiles.
These auto accidents may be attributable to local official negligence.
Failure to Wear a Helmet While not wearing a helmet is not a cause of motorcycle accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, for every 100 fatal motorcycle accidents in 2006, 36 would not have resulted in death had the victim been wearing a helmet.
However, for those who have experienced the exhilaration inherent with the wind whipping your hair, the sun shining brightly on your face, and the smell of the outdoors while cruising down a highway, they would not have it any other way.
Unfortunately, also inherent with a motorcycle's thrill is the lurking fear of a catastrophic accident.
Due to the lack of a barrier protecting the motorcycle operator from other vehicles, cement and natural objects, the risk of serious injury or death drastically increases.
Below are the top causes of motorcycle accidents, which hopefully will increase awareness and consequently decrease the number of motorcycle accidents on America's roadways.
Another Motorist Turning Into a Motorcyclist's Path Approximately one-third of motorcycle accidents are the result of another motorist turning into a motorcycle's path.
Most often, these are at slow speeds.
However, due to the lack of protection between the motorcycle operator and other vehicles, even slow speed accidents can result in serious injury or death.
Another Motorist's Negligence If another vehicle operator fails to take proper care and precaution in their driving habits, they are putting those they share the roadway with at their mercy.
Common acts of negligence by other motorists include:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
- Sleep deprivation
- Driving hazardously through poor weather conditions
- Breaking traffic regulations, including running red lights, stop signs and/or speeding
- Driving without corrective lenses
If a mechanic fails in their professional responsibility to adequately inspect and provide maintenance for a motorcycle, they put the operator at additional risk.
Failures of a mechanic can include:
- Not addressing an engine problem
- Inability to foresee break failure
- Not fixing a misaligned tire
- Misreading a tire's treads and not recommending tire replacement for a bald tire
If a motorcycle comes in contact with potholes or loose gravel on roadways, they are more likely to flip or skid out than typical automobiles.
These auto accidents may be attributable to local official negligence.
Failure to Wear a Helmet While not wearing a helmet is not a cause of motorcycle accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, for every 100 fatal motorcycle accidents in 2006, 36 would not have resulted in death had the victim been wearing a helmet.
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