Negligence is a primary factor in many motorcycle accidents that result in painful injuries. Whether due to distraction from cell phones or other activities, failure to properly check mirrors and blind spots, or not yielding the right of way – these thoughtless actions often have unintended but devastating outcomes.
If you’ve been struck while operating your motorcycle due to another’s careless behavior, it’s important to pinpoint the exact cause to identify the liable parties. Even though the cause of a crash may appear obvious on the surface, liability isn’t always what it may seem to be.
Let’s explore the most common accident causes for personal injury claims involving preventable mistakes by other parties. If you’re unsure of the cause of your crash, a Plantation motorcycle accident lawyer can help you understand what to consider, conduct an investigation, and help you seek compensation.
Motorcycle Crashes
Motorcycles are exciting, but they come with their own unique set of risks. Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable when they collide with other vehicles and fixed objects. Unlike drivers and passengers in cars, they’re not shielded by a box of metal or cushioned by airbags.
They are also much smaller and lighter than cars, which can make them more easily knocked off their feet or sent flying into other vehicles.
Top Causes of Motorcycle Crashes
Here are some of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes that can be attributed to either the rider or outside factors:
- Vehicles violating a motorcycle’s right-of-way, usually during turns or lane changes
- Distracted driving by motorists, often due to cell phone use
- Road conditions like debris, potholes, uneven pavement, gravel, etc
- Poor visibility/sightlines limiting drivers’ ability to see motorcycles
- Aggressive or reckless riding by motorcyclists, including speeding
- Following other vehicles too closely, especially large trucks
- Drunk or impaired driving by motorists or motorcyclists
- Improper merging onto roads by motorists failing to clear lanes
- Lane splitting/filtering that is unexpected by drivers
- Wildlife/animal collisions – usually deer that enter roadways abruptly
To learn more about what to do after a motorcycle crash, you can consult our free resources. You can download The Florida Motorcycle Bible for free today.
Causes of Motorcycle Crashes That Lead to Personal Injury Claims
Motorcycle crashes can often result in devastating injuries for riders. When these accidents are caused by the negligent or reckless acts of other drivers, motorcyclists may be able to receive compensation to aid in their recovery through a personal injury claim.
Let’s examine some of the most common reasons why motorcycles are involved in accidents that lead to drivers being found legally liable for resulting injuries.
Left Turn Violations
One major cause of motorcycle accidents is when a turning vehicle violates a motorcyclist’s right of way. Drivers who want to make a left turn often fail to see oncoming motorcycles and inadvertently cut them off.
Without adequate blind spot checks and proper timing of turns, drivers can easily collide with motorcycles they miss seeing. Left-hook crashes are quite common and can happen even if the motorcyclist isn’t speeding.
Distracted Driving
Eating, talking, or texting on phones are common distractions, but their consequences can ruin lives when a driver collides with a motorcycle due to inattention rather than focused driving.
When distracted drivers look down at their phones or otherwise take their eyes off the road, they can easily miss seeing an approaching motorcycle. Even a few seconds of distraction could put a motorcyclist in grave danger if an inattentive driver changes lanes or turns without noticing the bike.
Poor Road Conditions
Debris, potholes, uneven pavement, poor roadway design, defective traffic signals, and other poor road conditions can cause motorcycles to lose control, especially during hard braking or swerving. Motorcycles have significantly less room for error than larger vehicles when navigating hazardous road surfaces.
Unlike cars that can more easily compensate by slowing down or straddling defects, motorcycles are more readily thrown off balance.
Substandard road upkeep by municipalities poses risks that specifically endanger motorcyclists. If road crews failed to make timely repairs or place warning signs for known dangers, they may share fault in the event a hazardous condition causes a crash.
Motorcycle Defects
In some accidents, mechanical defects with the motorcycle itself could be a contributing factor to a crash. Just like any vehicle, motorcycles can experience flaws, malfunctions, or inadequate safety components that increase the risk of loss of control.
If a rider loses control due to an equipment issue they were unaware of, it could give rise to a product liability claim against the motorcycle manufacturer.
- Some examples of defects that have led to crashes include:
- Brake failure due to a manufacturing or design defect
- Throttle locks that get stuck open and cause sudden acceleration
- Tire blowouts from flawed tires
- Suspension or steering failures impair handling
Proving the specific defect requires thorough forensic investigation by qualified experts. However, if a defect can be tied to the crash through evidence, it may form the basis for legal action against the responsible parties involved in manufacturing, assembling, or installing the defective component.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Law Firm Today
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another party’s negligent actions or defective products, your health and future should be the top priority right now. The seasoned Davie motorcycle accident lawyers at the Winston Law have decades of combined experience helping motorcyclists in your situation seek the compensation they deserve so they can focus fully on recovery without financial worries.
Our team will thoroughly investigate the cause of your crash and build a strong case identifying all liable parties. Whether pursuing a settlement or taking legal action if needed, you have our commitment to fighting aggressively on your behalf.
Don’t face a difficult recovery alone – let us put our experience to work for your rights. Contact Winston Law today to schedule a free consultation. Justice is within reach, so take that first step to claim it.
