Common Factors Resulting in Motorcycle Accidents
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If you have a motorcycle or know someone that rides one, then you may already be well aware of them when you are on the road. However, others may forget that they need to keep their eyes out and may not understand the challenges and dangers that motorcyclists face day in and day out.

Motorcycle accidents can prove to be very serious. When you are on a motorcycle, you aren’t nearly as protected as you would be in a vehicle. There is no surrounding protective structure between you and the road and other vehicles. This means that you may suffer more significant injuries and damage when you are involved in a collision.

The following are a few of the more common factors resulting in motorcycle accidents on the road:

  • Unsafe Lane Changes. There is always the risk of a collision between a vehicle and a motorcycle when the driver fails to pay close attention to their surroundings  especially when switching lanes. Some fail to check their blind spot and others fail to signal properly when changing lanes.
  • Car Doors. How many times have you see a car park on the side of the road and then open their door without so much as a glance to see oncoming traffic? This happens a lot more often than you think.
  • Speeding. This is the cause of many accidents on the road. When you speed, there is a reduced chance that you will be able to see and react to other drivers in enough time to prevent a collision from happening. Great impacts result from higher speeds and more dire consequences.
  • Driving Under the Influence. If you cause an accident because you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs while driving, then you may end up facing civil and criminal liability.
  • Lane Splitting. This is when a driver drives between two lanes of traffic. It is illegal in Florida and is dangerous for everyone – especially the more inexperienced drivers.
  • Inexperience. Which brings us to inexperienced drivers who make unsafe moves while driving. These moves can compromise the safety of everyone around them, including motorcyclists.
  • Dangerous Road Conditions. If there is a road in disarray and has broken pavement, potholes, debris, or the road lacks necessary safety and traffic signals, it can cause accidents.

When there is an accident between a vehicle and motorcyclist, the consequences can definitely be severe. Brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and so many other more serious injuries can result from a collision. Many of these injuries can also prove to be life-changing and can result in permanent disability and, in some cases, death.

This is why it is so important to pay attention to your surroundings while you are on the road and keep your eyes open and alert to other drivers, including motorcyclists that may be in your blind spot.

If you have been injured while riding your motorcycle, you may be entitled to compensation for those injuries and other damages sustained as a result of the accident. You may be entitled to payment for your hospital and medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and lost earning capacity, among others.

It may be in your best interest to contact an experienced personal injury attorney to help you navigate the process.