The most common cause of motorcycle accidents is other drivers not seeing the motorcyclist, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
In 2018, nearly 5,000 motorcyclists were killed in crashes. Motorcyclists are also 27 times more likely to die in a crash than a passenger in a car, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). This is why it is incredibly important for motorcyclists to be vigilant. It is also important to hold negligent drivers accountable for their carelessness.
When driver error causes accidents, and negligence played a factor, you might be able to recover compensation for your losses related to the motorcycle accident.
Other Motorcycle Accident Causes
While most accidents are caused by some form of negligence, this is not always the case. Some accidents are caused by bad weather conditions, flaws in the road, or unsafe intersections. Here are other common motorcycle accident causes:
Speeding
Speeding in any vehicle is dangerous, but when a driver speeds and collides with a motorcyclist, the result can be deadly. According to the NHTSA, 34% of motorcyclists and 21% of car drivers in fatal crashes were speeding.
Alcohol
Another common cause of motorcycle accidents is drinking and driving. In 2013, 28% of motorcycle riders were under the influence of alcohol during a fatal crash. Other vehicle drivers involved in crashes include:
- Passenger car drivers: 23% were alcohol-impaired
- Small truck drivers: 21% were alcohol-impaired
- Large truck drivers: 2% were alcohol-impaired
Time of Day
According to the III, most fatal motorcycle drivers were killed in accidents from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. during 2017. This is when people are leaving work, and the sun is going down, meaning higher traffic volumes and lower visibility—a deadly combination.
Despite this, drivers still have to take proper precautions to adequately compensate for road conditions. If they do not, and an accident results, they might be responsible.
Equipment Failure
Another less common cause of accidents with motorcycles is equipment failure. When a part on a vehicle fails, and an investigation finds that the part was defective, it might be the designer or the manufacturer’s fault.
There are other causes of traffic accidents with motorcycles, and you could be entitled to financial recovery no matter what type of negligence caused your accident. Therefore, you should seek expert motorcycle accident lawyers as soon as possible after the crash. Having time to evaluate the evidence, talk to witnesses, reconstruct the accident with specialists’ help, and preparing all the necessary paperwork to file a claim or a lawsuit could prove pivotal to your getting a satisfying settlement.
NHTSA’s Motorcycle Safety Tips
The NHTSA, first and foremost, says to wear a helmet that meets the U.S. Department of Transportation’s standards. They also say to obey all of the traffic laws.
NHTSA tells motorcycle drivers to “ride defensively,” because most of the time, larger vehicle drivers do not see the motorcyclists. Some of the most dangerous places for motorcycles are at intersections.
To help ensure that other drivers see you when you’re riding your motorcycle, the NHTSA recommends using reflective materials and keeping your high beams on at all times.
Cost of Motorcycle Crashes
Motorcycle accidents costed a total of $16 billion in 2010, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), and that number does not include ongoing care costs. The GAO says the public bore the brunt of those costs—meaning it pays to drive safely on the roads.
If you or a loved one was the victim in a motorcycle accident, you should not have to be responsible for paying the costs because of someone else’s negligence.
Recoverable Compensation in Motorcycle Accidents
If you were harmed in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, you might be able to recover compensation as long as you can prove the other party’s negligence. You typically do this by proving the following:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care to prevent you from harm
- The driver did something to breach that duty and put you in harm’s way
- That breach of duty caused your accident
- You suffered injuries and financial and emotional losses
If you can prove the above four aspects, you might be able to file a claim with the other party’s insurance company or file a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation for your expenses. Common financial awards in personal injury and car accident cases include:
- The past and future costs of medical treatment
- The cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle
- Any other damaged property
- Lost income while you were recovering
- Lost earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
If a loved one died in a motorcycle accident, you might also be entitled to recover compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of consortium, loss of support, and more. A motorcycle accident lawyer from Ben Crump Law, PLLC can help you with your case.
Call a member of our team today at 800-959-1444 for a free, no-obligation evaluation of your case. We can tell you how much you might be entitled to in your motorcycle accident settlement.
