With little to protect the rider from the pavement and other vehicles, motorcycle riders face risks on the road. Accidents can be caused by many factors, from the weather to a driver's inexperience. 

To help prevent motorcycle accidents, drivers and riders alike need to know what could cause one at any given time of day or night.

Distracted Driving

If you are reading this while operating a motor vehicle, you may be part of the problem. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration reports that more than 3,000 people were killed in distracted-driving crashes in 2019 alone. For motorcyclists specifically, the dangers of being on the road with distracted drivers are even more significant.

Some might say that it's not fair for riders to blame careless drivers who happen to glance at their phones or deviate from lane lines for causing car accident claims in general. But regardless of how often those events cause accidents, the fact remains that distracted driving is always dangerous in a car or on a motorcycle.

Failure to Yield

In car versus bike accidents, the failure of a driver to yield the right-of-way is one of the most common causes. That could be because motorcycle riders are generally not seen as easily as drivers inside their vehicles. Unfortunately, in some cases, this can be deadly for motorcyclists.

To avoid a car accident caused by the failure to yield, riders need to know when they are likely to encounter one. In heavy traffic conditions, this can be even harder because there may not always be enough room between cars for them to move over without causing additional problems.

Therefore, riders should always assume that they will run into such an issue if driving in heavy traffic and make every effort possible to keep themselves visible at all times.

Drowsy Driving

While many drivers are aware of the dangers associated with drunk driving, drowsy driving is still common among Americans. In fact, according to the NHTSA, around 50,000 people were injured in 2017 due to drowsy driving.

While you might not fall asleep while riding, drivers around you can. That means you should always be aware of the cars around you and any sudden moves they make that could put yourself and others in harm's way. Drowsy driving is definitely one of the motorcycle accident causes that riders need to be aware of.

Dangerous Road Conditions

Motorcycle riders should always be prepared to face a variety of road conditions. They could encounter rain, snow, or even ice and slush when they are outside on their bikes. While you can't do much about the weather, there are things you can do before ever getting onto your bike to help protect yourself from dangerous road conditions.

Most importantly, you should always be sure that your bike is in good working condition. Motorcycle riders should be sure to check their tires and brakes before every ride. This helps prevent a dangerous situation from becoming much worse than it would have been otherwise if the rider was not prepared for unexpected obstacles along the way.

Driving Under the Influence

The other major cause of car accidents is drunk driving. Again, you might think that motorcycle riders don't drink and drive and that this issue is only something car drivers face. However, the NHTSA has reported that out of the nearly 5,000 people killed in motorcycle crashes in 2019, over 1,000 of them were drunk.

So, even if you don't drink and drive on your bike if you are going to ride a motorcycle, it is essential to understand that there is a very high likelihood that you could encounter an impaired driver on your way down the road.

2 Myths About Motorcycle Accidents

If you have been in a motorcycle accident and are looking to make a claim, there is no shortage of potential misconceptions surrounding your rights. Here are two of the most popular ones:

Myth 1: Motorcycle Riders Are More Likely to Be in an Accident Than Drivers Of Other Vehicles

Even if you are a car person, you've probably heard someone say that motorcycle riders are more likely to be involved in a crash than those driving other vehicles. 

Motorcyclists indeed face certain risks while on the road, but that doesn't automatically mean that they have a higher rate of accidents than drivers of cars and trucks.

Myth 2: Motorcycle Accidents Are Always the Rider's Fault

You might have heard that it's always the fault of the person on the bike in a motorcycle crash. This is not true. Car drivers are equally responsible for keeping themselves safe as riders and often do not consider their safety when driving around motorcycle riders.

Do You Need a Lawyer for a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?

If you experienced severe injuries, believe the accident was caused by another person’s negligence, or were hurt through no fault of your own, you should consult a motorcycle accident lawyer about your case. By having legal representation, your lawyer will handle all communications with the insurance company on your behalf and work toward securing a fair settlement for your motorcycle accident. Why risk being unfairly compensated and not having recourse to fix it? 

When you hire a motorcycle accident lawyer from Brandon J. Broderick, you pay nothing upfront. We work on contingent fees that are only collected if we win your case. If we don’t win, you don’t pay. Don’t wait, contact us today for a free consultation. With our proven track record of success and our commitment to client care, we can turn your setback into a comeback.