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Factors affecting motorcycle accidents in the United States

On Behalf of | Nov 28, 2014 | Motorcycle Accidents

Accidents involving motorcycles often lead to catastrophic injuries or fatalities. When a passenger vehicle collides with a motorcycle, the person who usually sustains the most severe injuries is the motorcyclist. Motorcycle riders have to educate themselves about the factors that can cause motorcycle accidents.

One of the reasons motorcycle accidents occur is because drivers of passenger vehicles fail to notice motorcycles on the road. Due to the smaller size of motorcycles, drivers sometimes do not see them until it is too late. Because of this, car drivers are often deemed at fault in head-on collisions involving motorcycles.

Another contributing factor in motorcycle accidents is vehicles making left-hand turns. Collisions often happen at intersections where the car was turning left and failed to recognize that a motorcycle was approaching in a straight direction. The driver will likely be found at fault if that driver struck a motorcyclist who had the right of way at the time of the crash.

Road hazards and fixed objects have accounted for an estimated 25 percent of motorcycle accidents. Some common examples of fixed objects are dead animals, light poles and objects left in the middle of the road. Motorcyclists have to be aware of their surroundings and be prepared to do evasive maneuvers in order to avoid these hazards.

A motorcyclist injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver may be entitled to an award of damages. Damages can include medical expenses, lost wages and compensation for pain and suffering. Injured motorcyclists may want to consult an experienced personal injury attorney to evaluate their options.

Source: Motorcycleaccident.org, “Main factors that cause motorcycle accidents,” accessed on Nov. 18, 2014

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