Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycles are an American icon in the world of transportation. Although motorcycles give riders a sense of freedom, this feeling is the underlying factor in the danger of these vehicles. In fact, motorcycle accidents occur 28 times more than car accidents. With the number of accidents substantially higher than cars, there are numerous factors that cause these accidents.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the top causes of any vehicle accident. Doing so can cause you to have a delayed stop time, resulting in an immediate impact with the vehicle in front of you. For motorcycles, these accidents can be extremely dangerous and fatal in some cases due to the low amount of protection surrounding the driver. Although motorcycles can go faster than most vehicles, it is important to follow the speed limits to avoid any potential collisions.
Intoxication
Driving under the influence is not only illegal but also extremely dangerous. By driving while impaired, you put not only yourself at risk but others who are on the road as well. 30% of motorcycle accidents caused by impaired driving are fatal.
Dangerous Road Conditions
Motorcyclists have almost no protection while driving. This leaves them susceptible to flying debris, uneven roads and lane closures caused by road construction. Not only are motorcyclists more vulnerable to construction, but they are also majorly impacted by weather. Motorcycles have no windshield wipers, so their visibility is negatively affected as they drive through rain or snow resulting in accidents.
Unexpected Breaking
One of the top causes of motorcycle rear-end accidents is an unforeseen breaking of the vehicle ahead. As the flow of traffic slows down, especially as motorcyclists are cruising on interstates and freeways, their stop time is significantly decreased. Unexpected breaking is the outcome of many motorcycle accidents that may become fatal due to the high-speed impact of the two vehicles.
Lane Splitting
In some states, lane splitting may be illegal. Lane splitting is when motorcyclists move from lane to lane while driving. Not only is this extremely dangerous, but it also puts fellow drivers at risk and may be the cause of fatal accidents.
If you believe you have suffered as a result of a motorcycle accident injury, contact us, Lewis and Feldman, at 205-896-6410 or toll-free at 888-705-3997 for a free, no-risk consultation about your injuries. Lewis and Feldman services Birmingham, Bessemer and Hoover, Alabama areas.
No representation is made that the quality of legal services performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.