Automobile drivers are not always mindful of motorcyclists when they’re sharing the road. Many drivers who coexist with motorcycle riders may not notice them, even when they are directly in front of their field of sight. When accidents occur, they can often be attributed to variables like distracted driving or poor visibility.
Motorcycle riders are eight times more likely than automobile drivers to be seriously injured in an accident and 35 times more likely to be killed in one, according to figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Three common reasons for motorcycle vs. automobile crashes
There are many reasons for crashes that occur between automobiles and motorcycles. The three most common situations are as follows:
- Left turn (T-bone) crashes can be caused by several factors, but not seeing or being aware of the motorcycle is the most frequent one. For example, If the rider is moving forward or attempting to pass the automobile, the turning vehicle may strike the motorcycle simply because they didn’t notice it.
- Driver distraction has a wide range of causes these days. Eating, listening to music or podcasts or making phone calls can all affect a driver’s ability to detect and respond appropriately to a motorcycle on the road.
- Cell phone use by drivers has surged by almost 1,500% since 2003 alone. It is now believed that distracted driving accounts for at least 10% of all fatal traffic collisions in the United States.
- Lane splitting refers to a motorcycle cutting across two lanes to pass traffic. Lane splitting is extremely risky and can result in a deadly collision between an automobile and a motorcycle.
Crashes between motorcycles and automobiles can be devastating. When they occur, it’s important to seek assistance with recovering the cost of a victim’s medical bills and damages, especially if the victim’s harm resulted from another party’s negligence.
