Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

An alarming truth is that in regards to accidents, motorcyclists are almost sixteen times more likely to die and three times more likely to be injured than people riding in cars.

Despite the fact that motorcyclists can suffer catastrophic injuries such as spinal trauma or brain damage from accidents, motorcycle drivers often do not get the settlements they deserve.

A large factor in this is that many people do not know that a majority of accidents between motorcycles and cars are actually the fault of the car drivers.

At Van Sant Law, we are well aware of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents here in Georgia, and we will use that information to help you get the optimal settlement possible.

Local and national statistics show some clear trends in the causes of motorcycle accidents.

• About one-third of motorcycle accidents involving other vehicles were caused by a motorist turning into the path of a motorcycle.
• In 2012, around one-fourth of traffic fatalities were caused by drivers with impaired cognitive function due to alcohol (a BAC of .08 or higher). Drivers of passenger vehicles are less likely to see motorcyclists in their path when they have been drinking.
• A majority of motorcycle accidents occurs during the day at intersections due to passenger vehicles not checking blind spots or turning into the path of other vehicles.
• Road irregularities like potholes, road kill, slick pavement conditions, uneven heights between lanes, and other unexpected objects in the road pose a serious safety threat to motorcycles and can cause accidents.
• A driver suddenly stopping in front of a motorcycle can cause a serious accident. While this would be a fender-bender with two cars, a small front-end collision can be catastrophic to motorcycle drivers if they are thrown from the bike.

It is clear in research on motorcycle accidents that most of the time other drivers are at fault when a motorcyclist gets into an accident. It is important that motorcycle drivers know their rights or they may not be able to get the settlement they deserve from the person responsible.

Nearly 85 percent of motorcyclists involved in accidents are males between the ages of 20 and 29. Young men often do not have the information that they need to negotiate with insurance companies to get the money they are entitled to if they have been injured by another driver’s negligence.

It is, of course, important to exercise extra caution on the road as a motorcyclist and to never drink and drive. However, sometimes caution is not enough. In all cases, it is important for motorcycle drivers to contact a professional who can help them.

If you’ve been injured in a Georgia motorcycle accident you should speak with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our office directly at 855-GA-INJURY or 404-991-5950 to schedule your free consultation.