Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Miami is one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S. for motorcyclists. Motorcycle accidents, although not necessarily more frequent than other types of accidents, are more likely to result in serious injury or death. In fact, almost 80% of all reported motorcycle accidents result in serious injury or death to the motorcyclist. The motorcycle itself provides no head injury protection to the rider or passenger. Part of the reason for this is that a motorcycle provides little to no protection to the rider. This means that ejection is much more common in motorcycle accidents.

Overall, the issue is that bikes don’t offer the protection that ordinary cars offer to their occupants. A regular car is much heavier and bulkier than a motorcycle. Additionally, due to its size, a car is a lot easier to spot than a motorcycle. There are several factors that can lead to motorcycle accidents. In order to try and help riders avoid motorcycle accidents, it is important to understand what the main causes of motorcycle accidents are. Below is a list of some of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes in Miami:

Accidents Caused by Left Turning Cars:

One of the most common types of motorcycle crashes occur when vehicles make left turns directly in front of motorcycles. In most cases, the car that makes the left turn ends up striking the motorcycle. When a vehicle hits another vehicle while making a left-hand turn, they will most likely be found at fault for the accident. These types of crashes are more common between two regular cars but can have devastating results when a motorcycle is involved.

Poor Weather Conditions:

Bad weather can have a big impact on the safety of motorcyclists because riders are usually exposed to the elements when riding a motorcycle. In South Florida, rain can also cause poor road conditions that are not safe for cyclists. Even worse, sometimes poor weather conditions occur without warning once a rider is already on the highway or roadway. In these instances, it may be hard for riders to get off the road or make other adjustments until they are able to get off of the road.

Speeding While Taking Sharp Turns:

In some accidents, when a biker makes a sharp turn while speeding, the chances of the bike touching the pavement increase dramatically. When a bike touches the roadway during a sharp turn, a bike will often lose control of the bike and end up falling off the bike. These types of accidents often involve inexperienced riders who may not know how well a bike can handle a turn. It is best to not accelerate while taking any type of turn in a car or motorcycle as road conditions can change at any moment.

Riding While Intoxicated:

About 50% of accidents involving a single motorcycle are caused by speeding or alcohol use. This statistic is not surprising and these factors play a large role in accidents among cars and other vehicles as well. However, because motorcycles don’t provide much protection to the rider, crashes involving speeding or alcohol are much more likely to result in death or serious injury.

Debri on Roadways:

This is an issue that applies specifically to motorcycles because when a car runs over a piece of debri or loose gravel, the car usually remains steady on the road. On the other hand, when a motorcycle runs through a piece of debri on the road, accidents can occur. Due to the smaller size of a motorcycle and the lack of stability in comparison to a car, potholes, dead animals, pavement conditions, uneven heights between lanes, and all kinds of debris on the road pose a serious safety threat to riders.

Head-On Collisions:

It is not surprising to hear that head-on collisions between a motorcycle and a car are often fatal for the rider of the motorcycle. These types of motorcycle crashes usually result in the most severe injuries. In some cases, these accidents can be fatal. Especially when both the car and motorcycle in the crash were traveling at a high rate of speed.

Lack of Experience:

Many motorcycle accidents are caused by riders who lack experience and training. Sometimes riders fail to understand the limitations of bikes and how to maneuver properly in traffic. Motorcycle riders need to be more alert when riding than drivers and make sure that they are visible to all drivers on the road. There are many motorcycle safety training courses offered throughout the state that can help address some of these issues.

Failure to See Motorcyclist:

One of the main causes of motorcycle accidents is the failure of drivers to see riders on the road. In about half of all motorcycle crashes, the view of the motorcycle is limited by glare or obstructed by other vehicles. An important tip for motorcyclists is to make sure you are noticed on the road. Wear colorful clothing, use signals and headlights but the most important thing to remember is to never drive in a car’s blind spot.

If you or someone you love was injured in a motorcycle accident, you may have a right to seek compensation for your losses. The Law Offices of Suarez & Montero Motorcycle Accident Attorneys is a personal injury law firm with locations in Miami and Broward. A motorcycle accident claim can seek funds that cover medical expenses, lost income and other damages. The motorcycle accident attorneys at Suarez & Montero can help those of you who would like to pursue a motorcycle accident claim. To discuss how we can assist you, call us or contact us online. We encourage you to learn more about and the successes our attorneys have had on behalf of individuals and families who have suffered serious personal injury in accidents involving motorcycles. Call us today to schedule a free consultation. We’ll review your case and help you understand your legal options.