Motorcycle accidents can lead to serious injury, sky-high medical bills, and property damage for an injured motorcyclist. Sometimes, injured riders even experience fatal injuries when riding on the open road. Every motorcyclist should have a fair understanding of motorcycle law and know some best practices to avoid a serious accident.
However, sometimes motorcycle accidents can’t be prevented. Knowing some of the common causes of collisions and what to do after a motorcycle crash are some of your best interests to stay safe when riding.
1. Lane-splitting
Riding between the defined lanes is also known as lane-splitting and it’s a top cause of motorcycle accidents according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These accidents are primarily caused by the motorcyclists as they attempt to squeeze between other vehicles. Lane-splitting runs the risk of a motorcycle rider falling off their vehicle and being struck by other motorists.
2. Unsafe lane changes
Like lane-splitting, unsafe lane changes cause many accidents. These happen when motorcyclists and other motorists fail to check their blind spots when switching lanes. An insurance company may find it harder to pass judgment on these accidents compared to lane-splitting as both parties could be at fault to a certain degree.
3. Driving while intoxicated
This one is a no-brainer but driving under the influence is especially serious when a motorcyclist is involved. Since motorcyclists don’t have the added protection of airbags and enclosed seats, the potential for serious injury skyrockets. It’s also likely that, in this scenario, legal action and a police report will be involved which could cause further complications down the road.
4. Speeding
Everyone does it, right? Well, even if you have extensive experience as a motorcyclist, speeding can turn you from a pioneer of the road into a motorcycle accident victim faster than you might think. Some motorcycle riders tend to push their luck when it comes to speed and the resulting accidents can be quite severe. No matter how open the road might look, it’s in your best interest to always follow the speed limit to the exact number. It could save lives.
5. Inexperienced riders and drivers
New to motorcycle riding? You may not be as confident on your motorcycle as the drivers around you. Plus, you always have to keep in mind that you may be sharing the road with a new driver who just received their license or permit. Inexperience leads to more accidents than you’d expect and some of these can be deadly.
What to do in the event of a motorcycle accident
After an accident, file a police report and contact your insurance company. This will ensure that any injury or property damage claims will start processing as soon as possible. Next, contact a motorcycle accident lawyer, especially if you believe you aren’t at fault. A motorcycle attorney can help you receive financial compensation and pay for medical bills or damages. Depending on the motorcycle lawyer, you may need to pay on a contingency fee basis.
Always look for a motorcycle accident lawyer with extensive experience in the field. Your motorcycle lawyer should be able to work with your insurance company to seek damages. If this process is held up, your lawyer may even suggest further legal action. This could mean that you’ll be suing for damages or seeking additional financial compensation, especially if your insurance company is reluctant to pay up.
A motorcycle accident can harm you physically, mentally, and emotionally. This says nothing of the resulting property damage, either. Always follow the rules of the road and contact a motorcycle accident lawyer if you think your claim is being processed unfairly. As long as you’re doing your best to stay safe on the road, you should be able to avoid the vast majority of accidents. Now, what are you waiting for? The open road is calling.
