Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents and Motorcycle Crashes Data Stats: The Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents and How to Avoid Them
Riding a motorcycle or dirt bike can be thrilling, but it also comes with significant risks. Therefore, understanding the causes of motorcycle crashes can help you stay safe on the roadway. Knowing these risks also allows you to take precautions and make informed decisions while riding.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Maryland if You’ve Been Injured in a Motorcycle Accident
If you know someone who was involved in a fatal bike incident or you have suffered injuries after colliding with a motorist, you need to schedule an appointment with a law firm right away.
Motorcyclists often have trouble filing claims because of the biases of drivers. For example, drivers may blame riders if they hit them because they did not see them in their rearview mirror, or they stopped too late and struck them.
They may say the cyclist was going too fast or they did not see them to refute an injury claim.
That is why you need to consult with a motorcycle accident lawyer. They can build a solid and compelling case, and show why you weren’t to blame for this type of incident.
The Law Offices of Alex Poberesky, P.A. can provide the guidance you need to file a lawsuit for maximum compensation.
If you believe the driver is fully responsible for your injuries, you can claim damages for your medical costs and other expenses by filing a lawsuit or seeking damages from the other party’s insurer.
The Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents: The FHA Motorcycle Crash Causation Study
The Federal Highway Administration has authored a causation study – the broadest effort toward collecting data and giving the reasons for wrecks and serious injuries in road and motorbike incidents.
It includes demographics for operators and reviews of specific types of accident cases and how to avoid them.
Why Knowledge is Power When Determining the Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents and Motorcycle Collision Claims
If you’ve recently suffered injuries in an incident, it helps to know why an accident on a road bike can lead to catastrophic injuries, such as brain injuries or paralysis, or how factors like left-turn accidents or safety protocols impact the vehicle driver and cyclist alike.
The more motorcycle operators know about bike claims, or why accidents happen, the better they’ll understand how accidents involving motorcycles can be prevented.
Not only will understanding the causes of motorcycle crashes lead to fewer accidents among operators in the United States, but this knowledge can also help reduce the death rate as well.
If you want to avoid a motorcycle accident then, you need to know about motorcycle safety measures and how to drive defensively, especially when you’re sharing the road with vehicle drivers.
Questions that Motorcyclists Often Ask
Many operators of bikes want to know the top causes of accidents and what to do to avoid this type of wreck.
The following questions will answer some of your questions, so you have a better understanding of your rights as an operator of any type of motorbike.
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When do most accidents occur?
Drivers of bikes often collide during the warmer months as well as on weekends because of the increased traffic flow. Operators tend to get into wrecks during rush hour as well.
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Where do crashes frequently happen?
Intersections are high-risk spots, as motorists often do not notice a bike because of its smaller size. Urban streets with multiple lanes and busy intersections, with frequent stopping and starting, present an increased risk of an incident
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What is the cause of most single crashes in motorcycle collision claims?
When reviewing stats on the causes of motorcycle crashes, speeding is frequently blamed for single accidental wrecks. Riders often get killed when they speed too fast around a curb, which is also the reason for half the number of motorcycle fatalities.
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What are the average payouts?
Depending on whether your injuries are mild, moderate, or severe, the average amount you may receive can range from $10,000 to over $500,000. Maryland does not impose a cap on economic damages.
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Bodily Injury vs. Personal Injury: What’s the difference when determining the leading cause of a motorcycle injury?
While the term, bodily injury is interchanged with personal injury, they have slightly different meanings.
Bodily injury covers physical harm to the body, such as cuts, bruises, fractures, and other physical wounds. Therefore, the term is narrower than personal injury.
Personal injury also includes mental or emotional injuries, such as trauma, depression, or anxiety.
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How long do I have to file a claim in Maryland?
People involved in accidents in Maryland who have suffered injuries in a motorcycle collision have three years to file a claim from the date of the event.
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Why do bikes crash so much? Do bikers take more chances by lane splitting, switching lanes, or passing on the highway?
Bikes crash more than cars because they are smaller and drivers often don’t see them in their blind spots. This makes it important for operators of bikes to take courses to prevent mishaps and navigate the roadways with extra care.
Many incidents occur when a biker is trying to pass a vehicle, which may cause the car to sideswipe the bike, leading to serious injuries or death.
Simple Tips for Preventing the Causes of Motorcycle Accidents and How to Avoid Injuries
Below are tips you can follow to avoid unexpected hazards on the road.
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Wear the Proper Riding Gear
Wear a DOT-approved helmet and a protective jacket, gloves, and gloves. Over-the-ankle boots are helpful to wear as well.
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Drive Defensively
Check your surroundings and expect any potential hazards. Assume that other drivers can’t see you when you’re on your bike.
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Follow the Rules of the Road
Obey the speed limit, traffic signals, and signs. Use your turn signal whenever you turn or change lanes. Avoid weaving between lanes.
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Keep a Safe Following Distance
Leave enough space between your bike and the car ahead so you have enough time to respond, brake and stop.
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Make Sure You Can Be Seen
Wear reflective and bright easy-to-see clothing and avoid riding in the blind spots of other vehicles.
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Don’t Get Distracted
Stay focused on the road. Don’t text while riding.
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Perform Regular Maintenance Checks
Check your bike’s brakes, tire pressure, and fluid levels on a regular basis.
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Ride Sober
Don’t drive after drinking or taking drugs.
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Take a Safety Course
Improve your knowledge and skills by taking a safety course. Doing so can also help you save on insurance. The more you know about motorcycle accidents and prevention, the safer you’ll be on the roadway.
Key Motorcycle Crash Facts About Injuries and Fatalities
Based on causation studies and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) research, the following crash facts represent current data pertinent to motorcyclist claims:
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents and Fatalities
- Wrecks involving road bikes make up 14% of the total number of vehicle deaths, thereby creating a need to contact an injury lawyer who handles disputes that involve car accidents and motorcycle settlements.
- Death often results when a helmet isn’t worn. Current data shows it’s a common cause of mishaps, resulting in 2,251 deaths annually. So, to avoid a wreck, especially motorbike-related crashes, it pays to wear a helmet.
- Speeding results in 34% of fatalities. It is one of the top reasons for the claims filed for traffic accidents involving highway and off-road bike operators.
- Reckless driving is a primary cause of accident claims, especially when riders are involved in fatal accidents.
- Distracted driving, such as texting, is one of the major causes of motorcycle crashes, as it impairs drivers visually, manually, and cognitively.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs contributes to 27% of fatal motorcycle accident claims.
- Most fatal accidents occur in urban areas, where motorcyclists are more vulnerable due to the smaller size of their vehicles.
- Speeding, especially at intersections where motorists may run red lights, is a leading cause of fatal motorcycle accidents.
Key Statistics on Motorcycle Crashes and Their Impact
- The number of claims filed for fatalities and injuries is approximately 70 and 1,045, respectively. Most settlements are handled by an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer or an attorney who specializes in motorcycle injury claims.
- 65% of motorcycle accidents occur away from intersections, while 35% occur at intersections.
- The majority of crashes (97%) occur on clear or cloudy days, with fewer crashes happening in rainy (2%), snowy, sleety, or foggy conditions (1%).
- Common causes of motorcycle crashes show that accidents are more likely to occur during daylight hours than after dark.
- Motorcycle collisions are more frequent on non-interstate roads compared to interstate highways.
- Operators of motorcycles who are involved in accidents tend to be, on average, 42 years old.
- Personal injury cases in Maryland are not accepted if a motorcycle rider is even 1% at fault due to the state’s contributory negligence doctrine, but failure to wear a helmet does not limit liability in an accident.
The above facts prove that the more you know about accidents and how to avoid them, the easier it will be to anticipate any problems before they occur.
What are the Top Causes of Motorcycle Accidents with Cars?
Accidents that involve bikes and cars can happen for a variety of reasons. Whenever a vehicle and a motorcycle collide, it can lead to severe injuries.
To avoid an accident then, you need to remain cognizant of your surroundings at all times. Motorcycle accidents happen when the following factors exist:
- Speeding
- Lane splitting
- Switching lanes
- Turning left – often leads to head-on collisions
- Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs
- Distracted driving (texting or eating)
- Sudden stopping
- Driver inexperience
- Blind spots
Only a lawyer who specializes in motorcycle accidents can review your case and ensure you get paid fairly for your medical costs and damages.
Why It’s Important to Prioritize Safety
Operating a road or dirt bike requires skills that go beyond defensive driving. Drivers of bikes also must wear the proper gear to stay safe and therefore less vulnerable to the conditions that lead to accidents.
Knowing what will prevent accidents is just as important as knowing what will cause a motorcycle to collide or wreck. That’s why operating a motorcycle requires both knowledge and skills. You can’t have one without the other.
Because a motorcycle accident causes both injuries and emotional distress, drivers of bikes must anticipate what can happen by driving wisely and with care.
Types of Damages that Accident Victims May Claim When Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
You can claim economic and non-economic damages when filing a lawsuit in Maryland. These damages, also called compensatory damages, are typically meant to help you recover to your pre-injury state.
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Economic Damages and What They Cover in Motorcycle Accident Cases
Economic damages cover your medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, loss of earnings, and damages to your property.
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Non-Economic Damages and How They’re Determined
Non-economic damages include pain and suffering or a loss of your quality of life. They are based on the severity of your injuries and are calculated, in most cases, by a multiplier – 1.5 to 5.
The multiplier is applied to the total cost of your economic damages. For instance, if you suffer traumatic brain injuries, the multiplier used is higher, which leads to a higher payout.
Head-on Collisions that Lead to Fatal Crashes
Head-on collisions are responsible for 56% of fatalities and are usually the result of speeding. Many of these wrecks happen at intersections during the busiest part of the day.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious motorcycle accident, such as a head-on collision, it’s important to understand your legal rights. Filing a head-on collision claim can help you recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Because these accidents often cause catastrophic injuries, having an experienced lawyer familiar with head-on collisions claims in Maryland is essential to protect your interests and guide you through the claims process.
What Is Lane-Splitting?
One of the most dangerous maneuvers that motorcyclists may attempt is lane-splitting. Riding on a motorcycle is lane splitting when you drive down the broken white line that separates lanes. To stay safe, riders must follow the same rules of the road as drivers of autos.
Unsafe Lane Changes that Drivers Make that Injure Bike Riders
Often, when the operator of a bike is hurt, it’s because the driver of an auto didn’t see the motorcyclist in their mirror, or they didn’t check for blind spots.
Failing to signal, changing multiple lanes (which includes weaving in and out of traffic), or drifting into a rider’s lane can lead to major settlement claims.
One of the leading causes of motorcycle crashes is speeding, so both the driver and bike rider need to slow down while navigating the highways and byways.
Motorcycle Accident Injuries A Motorcyclist Can Include in a Personal Injury Claim
If the other party is 100% to blame, a motorcycle operator can ask for compensation for both physical injuries and psychological damages that include pain and suffering.
Physical Injuries that Occur in Accident Cases that Involve Bike Riders
Motorcyclists often request money for physical injuries, including the following:
- Brain and head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs), including paralysis
- Fractures and broken bones
- Lacerations
- Road rash and abrasions
- Internal injuries, such as internal bleeding or organ damage
- Disfigurement and scars
- Amputation
What you receive in compensation will depend on the recovery time and the required treatments and therapy.
Psychological Injuries that Impact Operators of Bikes
Psychological injuries may include:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Emotional distress
- Depression or anxiety
Medical expenses cover medical care, including ambulatory services, surgical expenses, prescription medicines, and hospital costs. Home modifications may also be needed if a rider’s injuries result in a permanent condition, such as paralysis.
Road Hazards a Motorcyclist Might Encounter
Road hazards are more severe to a rider, as it’s easier to lose control, given the construction of a road bike. For example, you can easily slide over gravel, just like you might glide over ice in the wintertime. This is especially true if you’re going too fast. Potholes, patches, and uneven pavement may lead to serious wrecks as well.
High Speed Motorcycle Accidents Involving Sport and Super Sport Bikes
Cyclists who drive sport and super sport bikes tend to take more chances. This can lead to a mishap that results from speeding or a similar form of recklessness.
This is important to remember, especially in Maryland. Again, to receive money for injuries, you need to show that another party was completely at fault. Otherwise, any recklessness on your part will prevent you from filing a claim.
Do You Really Need a Motorcycle Accident Attorney to Manage Your Claim?
You need to depend on the services of a lawyer who specializes in these types of claims, particularly those related to the causes of motorcycle crashes. They can research your case and submit the necessary paperwork for your case in a timely manner as well.
Moreover, lawyers can negotiate with the insurance company to maximize your payout. Research reveals that getting legal representation will increase the amount of compensation you can receive.
Even if you have to go to court, having a lawyer at your side is a smart move to make. If you want to make sure you receive the optimum settlement, you can’t afford to file a claim without legal advice and assistance.
Request a Free Consultation | Contact the Law Offices of Alex Poberesky, P.A. in Maryland Today
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Maryland and the other party was to blame, contact the Law Offices of Alex Poberesky, P.A. today. We will help maximize your compensation for your medical costs, financial losses, and pain and suffering. Contact us right away.
