If you own a motorcycle, you have probably been preached to about being safe on the roads. Because motorcyclists are more vulnerable than other drivers to being struck and killed in crashes, loved ones often make their voices heard when it comes to motorcycle safety. However, staying safe on a motorcycle is more than just wearing the right helmet and safety gear.

While wearing protective gear is a good start to staying safe on two wheels, learning how to predict driver behavior can also help reduce your odds of being in a collision. Because the majority of motorcycle accidents are caused by negligent drivers, it is best that all motorcyclists understand the common ways in which collisions involving cars and motorcycles occur, such as:

  • A car turns in front of a motorcycle. This is the most common type of motorcycle accident involving a car. This often occurs because a driver didn’t see a motorcycle or failed to judge a motorcycle’s speed correctly. Motorcyclists may be able to avoid these types of crashes by being aware of threats such as gaps in traffic, overgrown trees or signs that might block a driver from clearly seeing a motorcycle. After a motorcyclist identifies the threat, it is important to make note of where the driver is looking and where his wheels are pointing in order to determine what the driver is planning to do. It is also important that motorcyclists are alert to their surroundings in case they need to make a sudden maneuver to avoid a crash.  
  • A car changes lanes into a motorcycle. This type of accident occurs because many drivers aren’t looking out for motorcycles or fail to see them because of their small size. In order for motorcyclists to avoid this, it is important to spend as little time as possible in cars’ blind spots. Also, it is wise to be aware of dangers such as one lane moving faster than another and distracted or inattentive drivers. When motorcyclists are aware of what’s happening around them, they have a better chance of avoiding a crash.

By educating yourself about these types of accidents, you can use your new-found knowledge to increase your chances of avoiding these common crash scenarios. However, even if you have educated yourself on the common ways in which motorcycle accidents occur and wear the right safety gear, you may still be injured in a crash as a result of someone else’s negligence.

Even the safest, most defensive motorcycle rider can suffer injuries if another driver makes poor choices behind the wheel. If that’s you and you have been injured as a result of another’s negligence, you probably have some pressing questions. Feel free to ask us anything and chat with us by selecting the live chat button on the left side of the screen.

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