Motorcycle accidents happen in a variety of different ways. A motorcyclist could get rear-ended at a stoplight, for instance, by a driver who doesn’t stop in time. Another motorcyclist could get sideswiped on the interstate when someone changes lanes without signaling or checking their blind spot.
But according to some reports, the most common accident is known as a “left-turn accident.” This doesn’t mean that the motorcycle is making a left turn. Rather, another driver ahead of the motorcycle is turning, and they accidentally cut the motorcycle off by turning left in front of it. The motorcycle then hits the side of the vehicle, and the rider has no way to avoid the crash other than swerving into oncoming traffic lanes. That’s what makes this such a dangerous collision.
Why does this happen?
Left-turn accidents happen for a wide variety of reasons. Many drivers simply don’t see motorcycles. For instance, a driver who is looking down at their phone or who is impaired by alcohol or drugs—or fatigue—is more likely to overlook a small motorcycle approaching. They may think that they’re making a safe left turn when they’re actually causing a crash.
Unfortunately, there’s not much that a motorcyclist can do to avoid the collision. The best thing to do is to stay alert and carefully watch any vehicle that’s waiting to turn ahead of the bike. Motorcyclists should assume that they haven’t been seen, even when they know they have the right of way.
Left-turn motorcycle accidents can lead to devastating injuries, and it is critical that those who have been injured due to another driver’s negligence know what legal options they have.
