What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?

Although motorcyclists may enjoy the feel of the open road, they are riding a vehicle that increases their risk of danger. When motorcycle accident s occur, they tend to cause much more serious injuries and fatalities than other types of automotive accidents.

Often, motorcycle accidents occur when motorists fail to look for motorcyclists sharing the roadway. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, it is important that you have an experienced personal injury attorney in West Palm Beach on your side who can be an advocate for your claim.

The West Palm Beach motorcycle accident attorneys at Gordon & Partners have successfully helped motorcycle accident victims recover compensation in situations involving:

Head-On Collisions

Typically, head-on motorcycle collisions occur when a motorist is distracted or does not yield the right-of-way to a motorcyclist.

These accidents are often fatal to the motorcyclist, who may be thrown from the motorcycle upon impact or when he or she is suddenly stopping in an attempt to avoid the collision. Motorists can prevent these accidents by scanning the road in front of them and observing potential hazards.

Left-Hand Turn Accidents

Another common cause of motorcycle accidents is when the motorcyclist or other driver is making a left-hand turn and collides with oncoming traffic.

In many cases, left-hand turn motorcycle accidents occur when motorists fail to see motorcyclists traveling near their vehicle or fail to anticipate motorcyclists’ traffic maneuvers.

Additionally, a left-hand turn motorcycle accident can occur when:

• A motorcyclist travels through an intersection and is hit by a vehicle turning left
• A motorist is passing another vehicle
• A motorist attempts to overtake another vehicle

Lane Splitting

Lane splitting occurs when motorcyclists pass other vehicles by riding between vehicles between lanes, rather than using a full lane. This is a common maneuver motorcyclists use to travel between two lanes of slow-moving traffic.

However, lane splitting can be dangerous and may put motorcyclists at risk of crashing into a passing vehicle. There are several factors that make lane splitting dangerous for motorcyclists, including the:

• Close proximity between passenger vehicles for the motorcycle to travel through
• Reduced space a motorcyclist has to maneuver through traffic and react to sudden changes
• Lack of anticipation motorists have that a motorcycle will pass them in slowed or stopped traffic

Impaired Driving

Motorists who are impaired by alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription drugs or over-the-counter remedies are a risk to all other drivers, pedestrians and motorcyclists sharing the roadway.

Unfortunately, impaired driving is one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents. Consuming drugs or alcohol can significantly affect a driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle and may cause him or her to engage in reckless behavior behind the wheel.

Additionally, motorcycles do not protect riders from hazards. In the event of an accident with an impaired driver, motorcyclists are at risk of suffering serious injury or death.

Road Hazards

Although hazards in the roadway can be dangerous for all motorists, motorcyclists are particularly susceptible to these elements. Motorcycles are smaller and less stable than other vehicles, so a small hazard can pose a serious risk for motorcyclists.

Some common road hazards for motorcycles include:

Additionally, motorcyclists are more at risk of an accident when the pavement is slick from rain, sleet, ice or snow. If a motorcyclist approaches an unknown hazard on a wet roadway and fails to react fast enough, it could result in serious injury or death.

Contact an Experienced Lawyer for Help with Your Motorcycle Accident Claim

If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your suffering and losses.

Gordon & Partners’s personal injury attorneys in West Palm Beach have helped numerous injury victims obtain the justice and compensation they deserved. We will not hesitate to pursue every legal option available to help you reach the fairest outcome possible for your claim.

Contact us to schedule a free, no obligation consultation where we review your claim and determine if you may be entitled to compensation from the at-fault party. We provide our services on a contingency fee basis, which means we will not charge upfront legal fees. You only have to pay us if we recover compensation on your behalf.

Complete a Free Case Evaluation form to get started.