Understanding how accidents happen may allow motorcyclists to learn how to avoid these crashes. At the very least, it can help them be aware of what red flags to watch out for and how they may be injured.
Of course, accidents are all unique and involve multiple factors. We’ll discuss five of the most common ones below, but be aware that they don’t all look exactly like this, nor is this an exhaustive list. The best move is to always be careful and alert while riding.
The main accidents that happen consistently
The following are five different accidents that motorcycle experts have noted tend to happen with a fair amount of consistency:
- A car turns left in front of the motorcycle, causing the motorcycle to strike that car.
- The motorcycle crashes after hitting a hazard on the road, like a puddle or gravel in a turn.
- A car merges into a motorcycle while attempting to change lanes.
- A car rear-ends a motorcycle, perhaps after the bike has come to a stop at a red light.
- A person in a parked car opens the door without checking the street, and it swings into the path of the motorcycle.
You can see how hard it is to avoid these accidents. If you’re stopped at a light and the driver behind you doesn’t see the bike and isn’t slowing down fast enough, there’s not a lot you can do to get their attention or get out of the way. You could suffer catastrophic, life-changing injuries.
If this happens, be aware of your legal options. You may be able to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost earnings and many other costs after a negligent driver causes you an injury.