Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle Accident Causes

Motorcycle accidents are typically very tragic events, and it is not often that the motorcyclist comes away unscathed. Statistics don't lie; these accidents usually are fatal or cause very serious injuries. Just about 20 percent of riders are fortunate enough to escape with minor cuts and bruises. Without that shell of protection that cars offer, motorcyclists are predisposed to danger.

There are a number of variables that can cause motorcycle accidents, but the most common cause appears to be the lack of visibility on the part of other drivers when motorcycles blend in with dense traffic. Studies show that approximately two-thirds of accidents in which a motorcycle collides with a car or truck are the result of the driver of the automobile's failure to recognize the bike traveling alongside their vehicle and ultimately veering into the adjacent lane, cutting the motorcycle off. Research has also shown that motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to be killed in an accident than passengers in the car it crashes into. They also suffer some kind of injury at five times the rate of the driver of a motor vehicle.

Motorcycle crashes are set off by other circumstances that occur with regularity too. Motorcyclist inexperience can be particularly destructive because the unfamiliarity with the bike often leads to reckless behavior. Novice riders tend to experiment with their bikes to see what they can handle, which normally means they travel at speeds well beyond the limit. New rider or not, all motorcyclists seem to have a weakness for speeding because they crave the adrenaline rush that accompanies the freedom of the open road. However, what many don't realize is that this wonderful feeling can turn deadly with a slight steering error or an obstacle on the horizon.

Biker negligence is another common source of motorcycle accidents, and these kinds of catastrophes often do not even involve other vehicles. Sometimes, failure to steer properly around a tight turn or over-braking in certain situations can lead to loss of control, especially on wet pavement.
There are hazards after the initial accident that can contribute to even more bodily harm. For example gasoline leaks can pose a fire threat that can be terribly dangerous if the driver is hurt and immobile. Surprisingly, this actually happens at more than half of all accident sites.