Motorcycle riding is fun but also dangerous. Data suggests that more than 80% of all accidents involving motorcycles result in injury or death of the motorcycle riders. If you are a motorcycle enthusiast, you need to understand the seriousness of a motorcycle accident.
Due to lack of any protective structure around the motorcycle, on an average, motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to die in an accident per vehicle mile driven as compared to car passengers. Therefore, you need to take due care when riding a motorcycle.
Here’s a list of the top causes of motorcycle accidents in order to help you stay safe when riding a motorcycle.
Left Turns
Statistics suggests that a number of motorcycle accidents happen when the motorcycle rider or driver of another vehicle on the road takes a left turn. In some cases, it is difficult for the driver of a vehicle to spot the motorcycle or the motorcycle happens to be in the driver’s blind spot. In other cases, the driver of a vehicle fails to notice the turn signal of the motorcycle when the motorcyclist takes a left turn.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving and speeding is one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents. It typically happens when motorcyclists or motorists drive inattentively or aggressively and tailgate the vehicle in front. Sometimes, individuals driving sports bikes lose control of the bike trying to reach the highest speeds.
Driving under Influence
Don’t drink and drive as alcohol impairs judgment. The motorcyclist needs razor-sharp reflexes when riding a motorcycle and consumption of alcohol reduces reaction time which may lead to accidents. In fact, in 2013 alone, 40% of all the motorcycle fatalities involved alcohol.
Unsafe Road Conditions
Due to the small size of motorcycles and less stability as compared to a truck or a car, motorcyclists are more susceptible to hazardous road conditions. Countless motorcycle accidents happen due to dangerous road conditions that may include uneven pavement, slippery surfaces, loose debris on the roadway near construction sites and other such places.
Entering a Corner Too Fast
Sometimes, motorcycle accidents happens when the rider goes too fast in a corner and panics when they feel that they are not going to make it.
Lane Splitting
Some motorcyclists begin to drive their motorcycle between two lanes of slowly moving or stopped cars, and it is referred to as lane splitting. It’s a common cause of accidents involving motorcycles as the motorcycle is in close proximity to several cars and there is less space to maneuver.
Inexperience
If the motorcycle rider does not have enough experience and goes too fast on the road, it may lead to accidents due to misjudgments or errors.
Car Doors
Sometimes accidents happen when car driver opens their parked vehicle’s door in front of an oncoming motorcycle when they fail to notice the motorcycle.
Head-On Collisions
56% of deaths in motorcycle accidents involve collision between a motorcycle and other vehicles. Almost 78% of the time, these are head-on collisions and such collisions are often fatal to the motorcyclist.
Sudden Stops
Such accidents happen when motorcyclists follow a car too closely and the vehicle in front comes to an abrupt stop. If the motorcycle rider does not have good reflexes, it may result in a serious accident.
Overall, motorcycle accidents may lead to serious consequences including broken bones, spinal cord injuries as well as brain injuries and much more. In some cases, these may require a lifetime of medical treatment and therefore, it is important that you take due care when riding a motorcycle in order to avoid being part of the accident statistics. So, keep the above mentioned most common causes of motorcycle accidents in mind when you take your motorcycle out for a ride next time.