How Many Accidents Are Caused by Motorcycles?

It’s difficult to know the exact numbers since most states, Georgia included, allow for finding both parties to an accident partially responsible. Studies on the topic have had mixed results. In the 1970s, a well-known motorcycle safety study called the Hurt Report found that the motorcycle rider had made errors in about two-thirds of single-vehicle crashes. Whether or not this carried over to multi-vehicle crashes wasn’t entirely clear, although the data was often interpreted that way. More recently, a Florida Department of Transportation study concluded that in about 60 percent of motorcycle versus car crashes, the vehicle driver was at fault. However, the same study also noted that motorcyclists had higher numbers of single-vehicle accidents than car drivers. The bottom line is that everyone should focus on driving safely and defensively. In this article, we’ll look at common causes of motorcycle accidents and ways to reduce your risk when riding.

Determining fault in a particular motorcycle accident can be crucial if you were riding the bike, and the other driver’s insurance company doesn’t want to pay your claim. Sadly, this is a common occurrence, but it is possible to fight back. You’ll need the help of an experienced Georgia motorcycle accident attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve. Attorney Ali Awad has handled many motorcycle accidentand other personal injury cases. Just a few years ago, he started the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, quickly transforming it into the fastest-growing law firm in the country ahead of 499 other firms. When he isn’t fighting for his clients, he’s sharing legal know-how with more than a million followers on social media. If you’ve been in a motorcycle wreck, please contact the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm for a free, no-obligation consultation on your case.

How Dangerous Are Motorcycles?

Regardless of who is responsible for the crash, motorcycle accidents are disproportionately dangerous for the bike rider. The NHTSA reports that bike riders are about 28 times more likely to die in an accident than car riders, and about 4 times more likely to sustain an injury. This is mainly because motorcycles are made without safety features like seat belts, airbags, or the sturdy metal “cage” of a vehicle frame. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of serious injury or death in a motorcycle crash:

• Don’t speed. Not only does speeding increase the risk of accidents, but it also increases the risk of being thrown off the bike or otherwise injured.
• Always wear a helmet, and do some research when picking one out. Bike helmets may have one or more safety certifications, and some work better for certain types of riding than others. You should also make sure that your helmet fits securely – if it’s too loose, it may not be able to do its job and protect your head.
• Don’t forget protective gear for the rest of your body. It’s worth investing in padded jackets, pants, boots, and other clothing items designed for motorcyclists. These are specially made for riders, with extra reinforcements and cushioning to reduce the impact of striking the ground in the event of a wreck.
• Make yourself as visible as possible. One major cause of car-motorcycle crashes is that the vehicle driver doesn’t even see the bike. Drivers are encouraged to “look twice and save a life,” but riders can also help by wearing reflective clothing, adding reflective devices to their bike, and using their headlights in any low-visibility situation, including cloudy or gray days.

What is the Primary Cause of Motorcycle Crashes?

There are many different kinds of motorcycle accidents, and no one cause explains them all, but here are some of the most common reasons they happen:

• Alcohol and drug use. The NHTSA reports that for the year 2018, bike riders involved in fatal collisions had higher rates of alcohol impairment than those in other vehicles. About 25 percent of bikers, 21 percent of car drivers, 19 percent of light truck drivers, and 3 percent of large truck drivers in these crashes were found to be impaired. However, impaired vehicle drivers also pose a high risk to motorcyclists. Don’t drink and drive.
• Cars turning or pulling out in front of motorcycles – left turns are more common, but right turns may also be a problem. In most of these situations, the vehicle driver is at fault. In some cases, the driver is distracted by their phone, but even those who are paying attention to their driving can miss a motorcycle due to its small size. Again, looking twice before pulling out is recommended.
• Speeding. 2019 NHTSA data showed that about 33 percent of bikers in fatal crashes were speeding – this rate is higher than for drivers of other kinds of vehicles.
• Operator inexperience or lack of knowledge. In Georgia, you can get a motorcycle license in two ways: You go to the Department of Driver Services and pass a knowledge test, on-cycle skills test, and vision test (similar to getting a regular driver’s license for a car). Or, you can take a Motorcycle Safety Program Course, which allows you to skip the knowledge and skills test if you successfully complete the course. But the ideal situation is for everyone who plans to ride a motorcycle to take a safety course. It’s also a good idea to continue your education and take additional safety courses every few years to brush up on your skills and learn new techniques for staying safe on your bike.
• Inattention. If you wouldn’t want a car driver texting while pulling up to the same intersection as you, then you shouldn’t use your phone while riding either. Everyone should pay attention to their driving, keeping their eyes on the road so they can spot any possible obstacles ahead.
• Inclement weather or road conditions. These are more dangerous for bikers than car drivers, as motorcycles are more easily destabilized by a slick or slippery patch or by debris on the road. Some things are out of your control, but how you respond to them is not. Always reduce your speed if visibility is limited, even if you were already going the speed limit or below. It’s easier to react to hazards if you’re going slower when you spot them.

Call the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm

If you or someone you care about was hurt in a motorcycle accident, take steps to protect your legal rights as soon as you’re able. Please contact the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm at 833-254-2923 for a free consultation. We’ll answer your questions and explain the options for seeking compensation, and if we take your case, there is no fee until we secure a settlement for you.