Articles and Research

Motorcycle Accidents

There is very little between a motorcyclist and the road and motorcycle accidents almost always have potential for serious injuries. A motorcycle is small and short and not easily seen by drivers of larger vehicles. Motorcyclists are contending with road conditions that don't really bother automobile drivers; what to a car is a small pothole may be like the Grand Canyon to a motorcycle. The riders on motorcycles often drive too fast and don't pay attention to larger vehicles when they swerve in and out of traffic. Automobiles on the other hand do not always treat them with the respect they give larger vehicles and do not give them their share of the road.

The most dangerous situation for a motorcyclist is when a car is making a left hand turn. This type of accident accounts for 42% of motorcycle accidents involving automobiles. This occurs when the motorcycle is going straight, trying to pass the car or wanting to overtake the car. The size of the motorcycle is such that if the automobile driver is not paying good attention they will not see the motorcycle and there will be a crash. Motorcycles that are "lane splitting" i.e. going between lanes of cars as in heavy traffic, are more likely to crash due to the small space for maneuverability and the fact that automobile drivers do not anticipate their presence. Obviously use of alcohol and speeding while using a motorcycle are causes of accidents just as they are for automobile drivers, however, the motorcyclist has far less protection even with a helmet in a crash than does the car driver.

A person in a motorcycle accident is very likely to suffer serious injuries just due to the fact that they are not well protected even if wearing a helmet. If you are in a motorcycle accident you need to get pay attention to the other parties to the accident, take down their information and what you think happened as soon after the accident as possible. If the accident involved another vehicle, they may well be held at fault and you need to get advice as soon as possible on your rights as a victim in this accident. An attorney with experience in motorcycle accidents can guide you as to what information you need to gather and can find the people needed to go over the accident scene and determine what actually happened. It can be reassuring to talk to with an experienced attorney after an accident and it can enhance your perspective of the situation. You owe yourself this chance at righting what might have been a wrong and gaining compensation to which you are entitled.

If you would like to learn about motorcycle accidents or if you have questions regarding your legal rights, please contact us.