Common Causes and How to Avoid Motorcycle Accidents

There’s nothing quite like the freedom you experience when riding a motorcycle. Feeling the wind in your face and experiencing the open road with little between you and the elements is thrilling, indeed. However, that freedom can be taken away in a matter of moments if you are involved in a motorcycle accident. In fact, motorcycle accidents have a much higher risk of being fatal than any other type of auto accident. It is important to know that your risk of being involved in a motorcycle accident is greatly reduced if you wear safety gear and take defensive driving lessons. However, with motorcycle accidents on the rise, no matter what precautions you take to operate your motorcycle safely, you are always at risk of being injured or killed by other motorists on the road.

Motorcycle accidents happen for a variety of reasons, and it is rarely the fault of the rider. However, since motorcyclists are automatically given a reputation for being wild and dangerous, they often take the blame. Motorcycle accidents are much more popular for discussion than the millions of car accidents that happen every day, and many people have the wrong mentality about them.

There is no seat belt, no airbag, and no frame to protect a motorcyclist in an accident, which is why they are far more dangerous. Drivers have accidents every day, and often walk away without a scratch because they had these safety features. Even motorcyclists that wear helmets are often injured or killed in motorcycle accidents at times. Another surprising fact? Motorcycle accidents that result in death often occur at relatively low speeds, and at the fault of someone other than the rider.

Its terrible that motorcyclists have such a bad reputation that they get blamed for accidents when they often aren’t at fault. When a driver fails to see a motorcycle and hits it, or is drunk or talking on a cell phone, it rarely is brought to light. Instead, the fault is automatically placed on the motorcyclist in many cases simply because they ride a bike.

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, it is important to remain at the accident scene. Leaving an accident scene can result in a charge of “hit and run” or “leaving the scene of an accident” which can further complicate an already stressful situation. Also, if you leave the scene of the accident, you are allowing the account of the other driver involved in the accident to be the basis for the police report. That means the other driver may place 100 percent of the blame on you.

Not only is it important to remain at the scene of the accident, but it is also important to check for injuries and call the police. It is essential to file a police report immediately following an auto accident so there is official documentation of what happened. Also, be sure to seek medical attention even if you feel fine. Remember, after a motorcycle accident you will be in a state of shock which will interfere with your ability to accurately assess the pain that you are feeling or the injuries that you sustained. Not seeking immediate medical attention may affect your ability to receive fair compensation for your injuries. Therefore, even if your injuries are not obvious at the time of the accident, be sure to have your condition checked by a medical doctor soon after the accident so your motorcycle accident attorney can help you recover the compensation you are entitled to and you can file your claim before the statute of limitations runs out.

It is also important to exchange information with the other motorist(s) involved in the accident. You will want to exchange driver’s licenses and vehicle registration papers with the other driver(s) and write down the following information: name, address, date of birth, telephone number, driver’s license number and expiration date, insurance company and contact information, and written description of the other vehicle (the make, model, year, license plate number and expiration date, and vehicle identification number).

Another important thing to do is preserve evidence of the motorcycle accident. Follow the same procedures you would if you were in a car accident (see How to Preserve Evidence after a Car Accident). Taking good notes and plenty of photographs will assist your motorcycle accident attorney in helping you receive sufficient compensation for your injuries and damages.

As is often the case in motorcycle accidents, you will not be able to take these actions if you have been injured severely. Therefore, it is imperative that you contact a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after a motorcycle accident so he or she can investigate the accident and put together a strong case for your claim. Be sure to contact a lawyer who has experience handling motorcycle accidents as they will be familiar with the intricacies of the law as they pertain to your case. Many factors can contribute to your damages and injuries and an experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help you determine if you have a products liability claim in addition to a claim against the other motorist involved in the accident.

If you are the relative of someone who has died in a motorcycle accident, it is also important that you contact a motorcycle accident attorney right away. Motorcycle claims can be complex and difficult to interpret. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help you understand your rights and provide you with the expertise and knowledge you need to fight for fair compensation.

Drivers today are far too comfortable in their cars. They chat on cell phones, text message their friends, do their makeup, eat, and anything else they can accomplish while driving because their schedule is so jam-packed. When they do this, they quit paying attention to the road, making it that much more likely that they’re going to cause a motorcycle accident because they don’t see the motorcycle in time.

Another cause of motorcycle accidents is the manufacturers defective products. There are often cases where a motorcycle malfunctions due to negligent production, and everyone once again blames the rider. This is why it is always a good reason to keep your bike tuned up and check it regularly for maintenance defects before you go riding, but even this cant protect every defect-related accident from happening.

Since this social stigma exists, motorcyclists have to be extra-careful when they’re riding. If the drivers aren’t going to pay attention, someone has to. I think that its really sad that riders cant just enjoy the ride because they have to watch out for everyone else, but when you make it home safe at the end of the day, its definitely worth it.