Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

It goes without saying that you can vastly increase your chances of survival in a motorcycle accident if you wear a helmet, but how do you increase your chances of not getting in a collision at all? Unfortunately, most motorcycle accidents are not mere fender benders where your only worry is property damage. If you get in a motorcycle accident and the triage nurse determines that you do not need to be admitted to the hospital, you are among the lucky few. Some motorcycle accidents are due to factors entirely beyond the motorcyclist’s control, such as getting hit by a car that was speeding too fast to avoid hitting you by the time the driver saw you.

In many cases, though, you have some control over the factors that increase the risk of an accident. If the insurance companies or court determines that you are partially at fault for the accident, you still have the right to file a claim or lawsuit, but the amount of compensation you can recover is less; this is the rule of comparative negligence. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact a Houma car accident lawyer.

Distracted Driving

Only the foolhardiest person would scroll on a cell phone while riding a motorcycle, but there are plenty of other distractions when you are riding a motorcycle. If you do not wear a helmet, all kinds of particles get distractingly close to your face. If your helmet does not fit or, worse, if it has too much fancy technology that it keeps displaying alerts like a wannabe virtual reality headset, you have plenty of distractions to put you at risk.

Drugs and Alcohol

Motorcyclists are not more likely to drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs than car drivers are, but drunk motorcycle riding is prevalent at certain events. Motorcycle-friendly festivals on holiday weekends, where people celebrate at multiple locations and then ride from one location to the next, are a recipe for drunk driving. In Louisiana, Mardi Gras is peak season for drunken motorcycle riding.

Hazardous Road Conditions

We in Louisiana are blessed to have a mild climate, but the weather can still contribute to hazardous road conditions. After the heavy rains and occasional hurricanes of the summer, the roads can remain muddy and full of debris for days. Louisiana does not get much snow or freezing weather, but when it does, it is poorly equipped to remove snow and ice from the roads. You can prevent accidents by postponing your motorcycle ride until road conditions improve.

Motorcycle Malfunction

A malfunction of any of the parts of your motorcycle, including but not limited to tires and brakes, can cause an accident. If the malfunction is due to a manufacturer’s defect, you might be able to recover compensation through a product liability claim.

Contact the Law Office of Patrick H. Yancey About Motorcycle Accident Cases

A personal injury lawyer can help you get the money you need after a motorcycle accident.  Contact the Law Office of Patrick H. Yancey in Houma, Louisiana, to set up a consultation about your case.

Sources

https://highways.dot.gov/turner-fairbank-highway-research-center