You put yourself at risk every time you hop on your motorcycle, but it is important that you are actually aware of what those risks are. When you read about common causes of motorcycle accidents, the articles usually focus on what the motorcycle rider did wrong and not on the negligence of other drivers. Yes, you need to take all necessary safety precautions and follow the rules of the road, but even then you can't predict what other drivers are going to do out there.
So, what are common causes of motorcycle accidents in which the other driver is responsible?
- Distracted driving. Car and truck drivers have a lot of opportunities to be distracted in their vehicles, whether they're talking on their cellphone, changing the radio station, eating a sandwich, or yelling at the kids in the back seat. With so many distractions, they're not looking out for you on your motorcycle and there's a good chance they will not be able to stop fast enough—or at all—when they finally do see you.
- Failing to yield to a motorcyclist’s right of way. The most common example of this is when a motorcycle is going straight and a car is taking a left-hand turn. The automobile driver either tries to get across the intersection before the motorcycle, or more frequently, he doesn't even see the biker until it's too late.
- Stopping suddenly. If a motorist is not paying attention and has to stop suddenly, he is also greatly increasing his chances of getting rear-ended. Unfortunately, while car vs. car collisions will sometimes result in only a minor fender-bender, car vs. motorcycle crashes never end well.
There's nothing you can do to stop these other drivers from making bad decisions, but you can try your hardest to make sure you have the proper safety gear, experience, and training to protect yourself in these dangerous situations.
Were you recently injured in a Seattle motorcycle accident and you want to know if you have a case? Contact Max Meyers Law for a free consultation at 425-399-7000 and be sure to request complimentary copies of our two books for motorcyclists, Motorcycle Accident Secrets Unlocked and Car Insurance Buying Secrets Unlocked (it has a chapter about motorcycle insurance).