Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle riding is a favorite past time for many Americans. A sunny afternoon drive, however, can take a deadly turn on the roadway resulting in tragic accidents and serious personal injuries. Motorcycle accidents can be caused by a host of varied circumstances. Some may involve the motorcyclist’s negligent conduct or careless driving; however, many others are caused by the fault of another driver on the road. The most common cause of motorcycle accidents is the failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic. Given a motorcycle’s small size, its visibility may be limited by glare or obstructed by other cars on the roadway. It comes as no surprise then that intersections are among the most common places for collisions to occur when drivers do not see the motorcyclist and fail to yield the right-of-way.

Other common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

Left turns – A significant number of accidents occur when a motorcycle or another vehicle on the road makes a left turn. In some cases, drivers fail to see the motorcycle’s turn signal when the bike is turning left. In other instances, motorists inadvertently turn into the motorcycle when the car they are driving is making a left-hand turn. Even if they check their mirrors before turning, a motorcycle can be difficult to spot and may be in the driver’s blind spot.

Hazardous road conditions - Dangerous road conditions, including slippery surfaces, uneven pavement, loose gravel, or debris on the roadway, particularly near construction sites, are the cause of countless motorcycle accidents. Because motorcycles are smaller in size and have less stability than a car or truck, they may be more susceptible to unsafe road conditions than other vehicles on the road.

Speeding and Reckless Driving - Speeding and reckless driving are also common causes of motorcycle accidents. Accidents can occur, for example, when either motorists or motorcyclists drive aggressively, speed, drive inattentively, or tailgate the vehicle in front of them. Some motorcyclists, especially those driving "supersport" cycles or sport bikes, may try to reach high speeds, at which it is easy to lose control of the bike.

Alcohol Use - Alcohol is another contributing factor in many fatal motor vehicle and motorcycle accidents.

Motorcycle accidents are often tragic and can result in serious personal injuries, including:

• Concussion and permanent brain damage as a result of bikers being thrown from their motorcycles.
• Biker's arm, which is permanent nerve damage in the upper part of the body caused by landing on one or both of the arms during a crash.
• "Road Rash," which occurs when a rider is knocked off of his or her bike and slides along the pavement or gravel.
• Broken joints, such as broken spines, elbows, hips, pelvis, shoulder bones, and wrists, caused by violent impacts associated with motorbike accidents.
• Facial disfigurement, which may occur when the rider is not wearing the proper head gear. Commonly, the rider’s face may come into contact with the chin bar of the bike, leading to permanent disfigurement.

Contact Us - A motorcycle accident can result in serious and often permanent injuries, costly medical bills, and lost earnings. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, our law firm works with individuals who have been injured in a motorcycle accident to help them recover damages for their personal injuries and get back on their feet. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, please contact the Law Offices of Steven M. Weiss, toll free, at (877) 348-1802 or fill out our contact form to receive a free case evaluation with one our of experienced Cleveland personal injury lawyers.