Riding a motorcycle can be an amazing experience. However, motorcycle riders are significantly more vulnerable to serious injury and death in a crash compared to drivers of enclosed vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are about 28 times more likely to die in a crash per vehicle miles traveled compared to passenger car occupants.
Understanding the common causes of motorcycle accidents and how to avoid them can help riders stay safe on the road. This article will explore some of the top causes of motorcycle crashes and provide tips for avoiding them.
Speeding
One of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents is speeding. Excessive speed is a major factor in many motorcycle crashes. High speeds reduce a rider’s ability to react in time to avoid hazards or negotiate curves. Speeding also amplifies the impact of a collision.
To avoid speed-related accidents:
- Obey posted speed limits
- Adjust speed for road conditions like wet pavement or debris
- Avoid sudden acceleration or braking
- Don’t let peer pressure influence your speed
- Understand how speed impacts braking distances
- Recognize riding abilities and don’t exceed them
Impaired Riding
Riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs severely impairs judgment, reaction time, coordination and other skills essential for safe riding. According to NHTSA, in 2016, nearly 1/3 of all motorcyclists killed in crashes had a blood alcohol concentration over the legal limit.
To avoid impaired riding:
- Never ride after consuming alcohol or drugs
- Intervene if you see a friend about to ride impaired
- Offer to call a taxi for intoxicated riders
- Speak up if you feel pressured to ride beyond your comfort zone
- Set limits for alcohol intake if you plan to ride
- Stop drinking hours before getting on your bike
Lack of Training
Many riders involved in crashes are untrained, unlicensed or under-trained. Good motorcycle training teaches essential skills like hazard avoidance, effective braking techniques, cornering and swerving. It also reinforces good riding habits.
To get proper training:
- Take a motorcycle safety course, even if your state doesn’t require one
- Practice braking, turning, and cornering regularly
- Consider advanced riding courses to sharpen your skills
- If you are new to riding, start with a smaller bike and work your way up
- Take refresher courses every few years
- Know the limits of your personal skill level
Aggressive Riding
Aggressive riding behaviors like speeding, tailgating, unsafe passing, failure to signal and improper lane changes greatly raise the risk of an accident. Patience and courtesy are key to safe riding.
To avoid aggressive riding:
- Allow plenty of following distance behind other vehicles
- Use turn signals for every lane change or turn
- Don’t rush through lights or intersections
- Avoid “lane splitting” between lanes of stopped vehicles
- Be respectful of other motorists
- Stay calm in frustrating traffic situations
- Focus on your own riding, not other’s mistakes
Road Hazards
Debris, potholes, slippery surfaces, railroad tracks and other road hazards pose risks for motorcyclists. Unlike cars, bikes can’t straddle hazards or easily traverse them. Stay alert for debris like gravel or sand on turns.
To safely handle road hazards:
- Scan ahead for hazards like potholes or debris
- Give yourself time to react if you encounter a hazard
- Avoid sudden braking or swerving on slick surfaces
- Report recurring hazards like potholes to local road agencies
- When encountering road hazards, cross them at a 90 degree angle
- Slow down well in advance of railroad tracks
Driver Negligence
A major risk factor for motorcyclists is other motorists failing to detect their presence or misjudging their speed and distance. Riders should ride defensively, assume they are invisible, and be prepared to avoid car drivers’ errors.
To compensate for driver negligence:
- Use reflective gear and keep your headlights on
- Maintain safe spacing around other vehicles
- Flash your brake lights before stopping to alert cars
- Carefully pass parked cars – doors can open suddenly
- Communicate your intentions with turn signals and hand gestures
- Make eye contact with other drivers when possible
- Avoid riding in the blind spots of other vehicles
Intersection Crashes
Intersections pose significant risks to motorcyclists, especially from drivers turning left across a rider’s path. Right-of-way violations by car drivers are a common cause of serious and fatal motorcycle crashes.
To avoid intersection collisions:
- Slow down and cover the brakes when entering intersections
- Assume drivers don’t see you and will violate your right-of-way
- Avoid riding in a driver’s blind spots before intersections
- Scan aggressively for turning vehicles before entering an intersection
- When in doubt, yield right-of-way for your own safety
- Take an approved motorcycle safety course to hone hazard avoidance skills
Loss of Control Crashes
Riders new to motorcycling often underestimate the handling challenges bikes present. Loss of control accounts for a large portion of single-vehicle motorcycle crashes. Don’t overestimate your abilities or push handling limits in curves.
To avoid loss of control:
- Know your bike’s handling limits and stay within them
- Lean properly through turns, don’t fight centrifugal force
- Avoid target fixation – look where you want to go, not at hazards
- Practice emergency swerving and braking techniques regularly
- Get training on proper cornering and braking
- Start with a bike sized for your capabilities
Protect Yourself with Safety Gear
Proper motorcycle gear can greatly reduce injury risks in the event of an accident. According to the NHTSA, proper helmet use reduces the risk of fatal head injury by 37%. Sturdy clothing, boots, gloves and eye protection also help prevent serious injuries. Prioritize safety and comfort over style when selecting riding gear.
Learn More About Motorcycle Safety
We hope this overview of common motorcycle crash causes and prevention tips helps keep you safer on two wheels. However, if you’ve been in an accident that wasn’t your fault, contact a motorcycle accident lawyer Henderson at Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys for a free case consultation at 800-4THE-WIN (800-484-3946). Our experienced personal injury lawyers are here to help if you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle crash. We represent injured riders statewide and are dedicated to helping you recover maximum compensation for medical expenses, lost income, disability and pain and suffering.
Call now for your free, no obligation case review with a Henderson motorcycle accident lawyer today.
