Motorcyclists: Beware of common causes of crashes

On Behalf of | Jun 4, 2020 | in Catastrophic Injuries |

Motorcyclists are unique. They want to feel the wind in their hair, be close to the road and really get the buzz that comes from being in control of their vehicles. For the most part, these people are cautious and capable drivers.

Unfortunately, the number of deaths caused by motorcycle crashes is around 28 times higher than that of other kinds of motor vehicles. In 2017, around 5,172 motorcyclists were killed in crashes.

What causes so many motorcycle crashes?

One of the top causes is a driver who cuts off the motorcyclist’s path. Why does that happen so often? There are a couple reasons. The first is that the motorcyclist is not as easy to see. The motorcycle is smaller and has only one set of lights, normally, so the driver may simply miss the vehicle on the road.

The second reason is because of simple physics. A motorcycle looks like it’s approaching much more slowly than it is. That can give drivers a false sense of security, and they may believe that they have enough time to cross the road or make a turn when they really don’t.

Motorcycling is becoming more popular, and as a result, more motorcyclists are on the roads than ever before. It is important that anyone who decides to get a motorcycle also signs up for classes to help them learn to control their vehicles. Learning to evade other drivers may seem unfair, but that kind of education could be what saves your life.

If you are hit, the driver who violated the traffic laws should be held responsible. You may be able to file a personal injury claim.