What Causes Most Motorcycle Accidents?

What Causes Most Motorcycle Accidents? 

Motorcycle accidents are a result of several factors, including speeding and inattention. Motorcyclists should ride at an appropriate speed to give themselves time to react to potential hazards and accidents. The best way to ride safely is to stay on the right side of the road and maintain the appropriate speed. 

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Inattention 

Inattention is a major factor in motorcycle accidents. It’s an issue that affects drivers of all types but is especially deadly for motorcycle riders. Inattentive driving leads to more collisions and more severe injuries than any other cause. Drivers who are distracted are less alert and may not notice a motorcycle coming up a ramp or merging lanes. Drivers who are impaired by drugs or alcohol may also fail to see a motorcycle, which can lead to catastrophic consequences. 

The size of a motorcycle makes it difficult for drivers to see it. As such, drivers must be extra vigilant when driving. Often, inattentiveness leads to left-turn collisions and right-of-way errors. 

Distracted driving 

Many motorcycle accidents are the result of other drivers being distracted while driving. Drivers who are distracted while driving have less visibility and are less likely to see motorcycles. Distracted drivers are more likely to fail to look twice before they make a left turn or yield the right-of-way to another vehicle. 

This is especially harmful to motorcycle riders. They are more susceptible to distracted driving than other drivers and often suffer severe injuries in collisions. In addition, motorcycles don’t have the safety features that cars have, which makes them more likely to be involved in a crash. Motorcyclists are often ejected from their motorcycles during a collision and can sustain serious injuries. 

Speeding 

Motorcyclists should be cautious while driving on the highway. Motorcycle accidents are common, but they can be deadly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding is responsible for nearly half of fatal motorcycle crashes. Even when a driver doesn’t realize he’s speeding, he can still hit a motorcycle. 

Drivers who are speeding often don’t realize they’re impairing their own reaction time and making it difficult to maneuver around the motorcycle rider. The result is often a crash or left-turn accident. Other common causes of motorcycle accidents include failure to yield the right-of-way, inattention, and not realizing a motorcycle is nearby. 

Failure of the motorist to see the motorcyclist 

Failure of a motorist to see a motorcycle rider is one of the most common reasons for motorcycle accidents. Many of these accidents are caused by a vehicle turning left without seeing the motorcycle rider. 42% of motorcycle accidents involve vehicles turning left onto a motorcyclist’s right of way. Another common cause of motorcycle accidents is aggressive driving, including speeding as the light changes and intentionally running red lights. 

In addition to driver inattentiveness, other factors may also contribute to motorcycle accidents. Distracted driving can include playing with the radio, texting, or other distractions. When a driver is distracted, he or she is less likely to see the motorcyclist. 

Drunk driving 

While drunk driving may be the leading cause of motorcycle accidents, it is not the only factor. Distracted driving is another contributing factor. Drivers are often distracted while driving, including adjusting their radio, talking with passengers, or eating while they are behind the wheel. The results can be catastrophic. These drivers can sustain traumatic brain injuries, which may affect their memory, intellect, vision, and hearing. 

Drunk driving is especially dangerous because it impairs a driver’s judgment, reaction time, and visibility. In addition, a driver is much less likely to stop for traffic signals and obey speed limits while intoxicated. This means that drunk drivers are more likely to hit another motorcycle, hit someone on the road, or kill themselves in a motorcycle accident.