Riding motorcycles is a popular and enjoyable pastime, but it can be dangerous. The chances of sustaining severe and/or disabling injuries are multiplied for motorcyclists and their passengers. The likelihood of being injured in a motorcycle accident is extremely high: 98% for multiple vehicle collisions and 96% for single-vehicle collisions. ‘Accident’ refers to an unforeseen event that occurs without anyone’s fault or negligence. Most motorcycle accidents are caused by another individual’s negligence. You can do your part to stay safe by using defensive driving techniques, but you can not control the actions of other motorists. Another driver’s negligence can change your life in the blink of an eye.
The most common causes of motorcycle accidents
Failure to See the Motorcycle
The leading cause of motorcycle accidents is the failure of the motorist to see the motorcyclist. In approximately one-half of all motor vehicle accidents, the view of the motorcycle was limited by glare or obstructed by other vehicles. A critical factor for motorcyclists is conspicuity or the act of making yourself noticeable on the road.
- Wear colorful clothing
- use signals and headlights
- the most important thing to remember is to never drive in a car’s blind spot
The safest way to share the road is to follow this advice, ‘Assume that you are invisible to other motorists and operate your motorcycle accordingly.‘ Almost 70% of motorcycle accidents occur at intersections because drivers do not see the motorcycle. Since motorcycles are smaller, other motorists often misjudge how fast a motorcyclist is traveling and turn into their path of travel causing an accident. This can also happen while on the highway when changing lanes or simply coming to a stop in traffic. Tailgating increases the risk of multiple vehicle collisions and motorcyclist ejections especially when sudden stops or abrupt lane changes are involved.
Inclement Weather
Uncontrollable factors like inclement weather can also set the stage for accidents. Inclement weather and obstacles prove more hazardous for motorcycles than other motor vehicles. Be more cautious when operating your motorcycle during inclement weather, on slippery road surfaces or when encountering obstacles on the highway. Drivers of other motor vehicles are expected to use ‘caution of care’ while driving and should be able to avoid motorcycle crashes by driving safely and responsibly. However, accidents do happen, so protect yourself by being a defensive driver at all times and in all conditions.
Driving Under the Influence
The worst kind of negligence is driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. One-half of all fatal single-vehicle motorcycle crashes involved alcohol. Operating a motorcycle requires more skill and coordination than driving a car. Even the smallest amount of a substance can decrease a motorcyclist’s ability to operate the motorcycle safely. Minimal impairment is maximum impairment when on a motorcycle.
Below are some statistics from North Carolina to illustrate just how deadly drinking and driving can be, especially for motorcyclists.
- 40-45% of all riders killed in motorcycle crashes had been drinking; only a third of these riders were legally drunk.
- 90% of crashes resulting in injury involved substances, compared to 33% of car accidents.
At Hardison & Cochran, our Wake County motorcycle accident attorneys and staff are committed to assisting motorcycle drivers, passengers and their families cope with the consequences resulting from motor vehicle accidents, including motorcycle crashes, car accidents and truck wrecks. We are also committed to your safety. If you have lost a friend or family member or if you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact us. We can help.
What should I do if I am injured in a Motorcycle Accident?
Hardison & Cochran serves personal injury and accident victims throughout the state of North Carolina, including, but not limited to, Raleigh, Cary, Durham, City of Greenville and Fayetteville, NC.
FAQs
Speeding is the number one contributing factor to motorcycle crashes in California. Just like people who speed in a car, motorcyclists who exceed the posted speed limit have a greater risk of getting into an accident.
Where do 70% of motorcycle accidents occur? ›
' Almost 70% of motorcycle accidents occur at intersections because drivers do not see the motorcycle. Since motorcycles are smaller, other motorists often misjudge how fast a motorcyclist is traveling and turn into their path of travel causing an accident.
What is the main cause of the crash over 70% of the time when a motorcyclist is involved in an accident? ›
Nearly 70% of motorcycle accidents occur at intersections, particularly busy ones with high traffic, poor visibility, and overspeeding. Hence, it's imperative for both motorcyclists and drivers to exercise caution and maintain vigilance at intersections.
Who is most often at fault in motorcycle car crashes? ›
A car or truck driver is more likely to be at fault for a motorcycle-related crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), most multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents happen when another driver doesn't see a motorcycle rider.
What kills most motorcycle riders? ›
Head-On Collisions
Did you know that crashes involving motorcycles and other vehicles account for 56 percent of all motorcycle-related deaths? In the majority of these cases, the car strikes the motorcycle from the front.
What is a major factor in motorcycle accident? ›
Loss of control, speeding and impaired driving are the leading motorcycle accident causes, all resulting from a multitude of factors that, when analyzed, reveal both preventable and uncontrollable causes.
At what speed do most motorcycle accidents happen? ›
The Speed at Which Most Motorcycles Crash
The average speed of impact for motorcycle accidents is 21.5 mph. Shockingly, only one out of every 1,000 motorcycle accidents occur at speeds of around 85 mph.
Which age group has the most motorcycle accidents? ›
25 to 29-Year-Olds Are Most Likely to Die in a Motorcycle Accident. Motorcycle accident deaths predominantly occur among young people. The majority of motorcyclists who lost their lives in fatal crashes were between the ages of 25 to 29.
What time of day do most motorcycle accidents happen? ›
Most Motorcycle Accidents Happen in the Evening
Most fatal motorcycle accidents occur between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on weekends. On weekdays, fatal accidents most commonly occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. The fewest motorcycle fatalities happen during the period of 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. on weekdays.
What is the most danger to motorcyclist than to drivers? ›
Motorcycle riding can be exhilarating and liberating but comes with its fair share of risks. Riders must be aware of the most dangerous traffic situations they may encounter. The deadliest of these is a collision with left-turning vehicles. Vehicles making left turns pose a unique risk to motorcyclists.
It found that the most common type of collision between cars and motorcycles is when there is a left turn at an intersection. Within these crashes, most of them happen when the car's operator does not notice an oncoming motorcycle or notice the motorcycle but decides to make the turn anyway.
What type of motorcycle has the most accidents? ›
Super-sport bikes are the fastest and the most dangerous motorcycle types to control. IIHS statistics show 1,169 fatalities involving this bike type in 2021, accounting for 20% of all motorcycle fatalities, despite making up only 6.3% of registered motorcycles!
What is the main cause of motorcycle accidents? ›
Reckless Driving, Speeding, and Alcohol Use
These three causes of motorcycle accidents are forms of reckless driving. Liability, of course, will come down to who was driving recklessly (the motorcyclist or the motorist).
What is the most common motorcycle accident? ›
Sadly “T-bone” collisions, like those caused by left-turn accidents, are a leading cause of motorcycle collisions worldwide. Several factors can cause a collision resulting from a left turn, but most times drivers will cite inattentional blindness as the reason they turned into the rider.
What is the most common motorcycle crash? ›
By far, the most common reason for motorcycle accidents is that someone makes a left turn in front of the motorcyclist, or runs directly into the motorcyclist. Most of the cases I handle involve unsafe left turns. These dangerous accidents result in the rider flying forward, often over the vehicle.
What is the cause of most single vehicle motorcycle crashes is rider? ›
Unsafe speed: Exceeding the speed limit or going too fast for road conditions is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents. Alcohol impairment: Operating a motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs can impair a rider's judgment and reaction time, leading to accidents.
What is the most common cause of collisions between cars and motorcycles? ›
The researchers found that the most common type of collision between a motorcycle and a car is a left-turn accident at an intersection. Most of these accidents are caused by the car driver when they fail to notice an oncoming motorcycle before turning left at an intersection in the motorcycle's path.
Which factor leads to more motorcycle crashes? ›
Top Causes of Motorcycle Accidents on the Road
Traffic. Speeding. Alcohol. Lack of Licensing & Experience.
