Motorcycle accidents in the Pacific Northwest send thousands of victims to the hospital with serious injuries each year. As a motorcyclist, you should always be on the lookout for potential crash risks and prepared to take evasive action to avoid dangerous situations. Recognizing the most common types of motorcycle accidents and how to avoid them can help keep you safe.
Rear-End Collision
Rear-end collisions always have the potential to cause serious injuries, such as whiplash and bone fractures. When a motor vehicle strikes a motorcycle from behind, however, this type of collision can cause significant damage. The motorcyclist may be ejected from the bike or crushed between the two vehicles. These collisions often occur due to distracted, drowsy or speeding drivers.
Left-Turn Accident
One of the most dangerous situations for motorcyclists is when motor vehicle drivers are turning left. Drivers may not notice oncoming motorcycles in the opposite lane, or misjudge their speed and distance. This can lead to the motorist cutting a motorcyclist off and causing a head-on collision. In other scenarios, a driver may not see a motorcycle and make a left turn immediately on top of the motorcyclist. Check for signs that the driver in front of you is about to turn left, such as a turn signal, and keep a safe distance behind the driver to avoid getting hit.
Lane-Change Accident
Many motorcycle accidents are traced back to drivers being unable to see motorcyclists. Motor vehicle drivers are used to noticing larger vehicles; they may not be on the lookout for small motorcycles. A car’s blind spots may hide a motorcyclist. This increases the risk of a motor vehicle colliding with a motorcycle in a lane-change accident. If a driver is not careful in checking for motorcyclists in the destination lane, he or she may change lanes or merge on top of the motorcyclist. Stay out of a car’s blind spots as much as possible.
Head-On Collision
Head-on collisions are often fatal for motorcyclists. If a passenger car collides with a motorcyclist head-on, it is most likely a high-speed crash. This can lead to the motorcyclist sustaining severe or fatal injuries. You can help prevent these accidents by driving to the right-hand side of the road, reducing your speed and scanning the road in front of you for oncoming vehicles.
Drunk Driving Accidents
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can alter a driver’s ability to safely and properly control a motor vehicle. Drunk drivers are more likely to engage in reckless and dangerous driving practices that could put your life at risk. If you notice erratic driving behaviors, such as a car swerving, weaving in and out of lanes, speeding, or abruptly braking and accelerating, keep a safe distance, as the driver may be intoxicated.
Fixed-Object Accident
Not all motorcycle accidents involve other vehicles. Many are fixed-object collisions, where the motorcyclist collides with a stationary object. Despite there being no other drivers involved, these accidents are not always the fault of the motorcyclist. The motorcycle may have experienced an equipment breakdown due to a defective part, or the roadway may have contained a hazard that contributed to the crash.
Corner-Turning Accident
Another single-vehicle accident is a corner-turning accident. These accidents often involve dangerous road conditions, such as loose gravel, slippery grass clippings and blind corners. This can lead to a motorcyclist losing control of his or her bike on a corner, even when traveling at a reasonable speed. If the city or state reasonably should have repaired the road or remedied the problem, the government could be held responsible for the crash.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, contact a motorcycle accident attorney in Vancouver at NW Injury Law Center for a free case consultation.