5 Forms of Driver Negligence That Can Lead to Motorcycle Accidents

 Posted on October 18,2021 in Personal Injury

Riding a motorcycle is inherently more dangerous than driving or riding in a passenger vehicle. Cars and trucks have a number of safety systems meant to protect their occupants, such as seat belts and airbags. The structure of a vehicle itself also provides protection, and the body of a car or truck contains crumple zones that help keep occupants safe, even in a high-speed crash or rollover accident. 

Without the safety provided by being inside a vehicle, motorcyclists are much more likely to be seriously injured or killed in a collision. However, most motorcyclists recognize this fact, and they take extra care to be as safe as possible. Unfortunately, many drivers do not use the same level of care, and they can inflict severe injuries in a motorcycle accident. By understanding the types of driver negligence that are likely to cause a collision and working with an experienced lawyer, injured motorcyclists can take action to hold a driver responsible for their injuries.

Dangerous Behaviors by Drivers That Can Injure or Kill Motorcyclists

Drivers may commit multiple traffic violations that place motorcyclists at risk of harm, including:

• Speeding - A road’s posted speed limit is the speed at which drivers can maintain control of their vehicle, including being able to slow down and stop in response to the normal traffic conditions on the road. Many drivers regularly exceed the speed limit, and when doing so, they may be unable to respond in time to avoid colliding with a motorcycle that is driving at a legal speed.

• Tailgating - Drivers sometimes have trouble judging the distance between their vehicle and a motorcycle in front of them, and they may not realize that a motorcyclist has slowed down. If a driver follows too closely behind a motorcycle, they may be unable to avoid a rear-end collision when the motorcyclist slows down or stops.

• Turning in front of a motorcycle - Since they are smaller than other vehicles, motorcycles are not always easy for drivers to see. When drivers make right or left turns at an intersection or pull onto a road from a parking lot or driveway, they may fail to notice motorcycles that are traveling on the road legally. Cutting off a motorcycle by turning in front of it may cause the motorcyclist to collide with the vehicle, or a biker may swerve to avoid a vehicle and collide with another vehicle or obstacle.

• Distracted driving - Other types of traffic violations can become even more dangerous if a driver is not fully paying attention to the road. Texting while driving or other activities that affect a driver’s ability to see and respond to motorcycles can lead to dangerous collisions.

• Intoxicated driving - The use of drugs or alcohol can impact a driver’s ability to control their vehicle. An intoxicated driver will experience longer reaction times, problems with vision, and difficulty controlling their body, all of which can cause them to be unable to avoid striking and injuring a motorcyclist.

Contact Our Arlington Heights Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

The lawyers of Newland & Newland, LLP work to protect the rights of motorcyclists who have been injured by negligent drivers, and we help injury victims pursue financial full compensation for the damages they have suffered. Contact our Rolling Meadows motorcycle collision attorneys at 847-797-8000 to arrange a complimentary consultation and learn how we can help with your case.

Sources:

https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycles

https://ride.vision/blog/10-top-motorcycle-accident-causes/