How Cars Are The Reason Behind Many Motorcycle Accidents
Michael Babboni
Motorcycle Accidents
Among all the vehicles on the road, motorcycles are the ones that are most prone to getting involved in accidents. Their smaller size makes them more vulnerable, not only to unpredictable elements but also to the other cars on the highway. While many motorcycle accidents are caused by inexperience in driving one, slippery roads, and even DUI, the truth is cars and other vehicles are also behind most motorcycle-related mishaps.Here are the different motorcycle accidents that can be caused by cars:
• Open Car Door Collisions - Even when cars are not actively driving, they can still cause accidents to passing motorcycles. Drivers and car passengers who are hopping off their cars have lowered their guards compared to when they are traversing the roads. In addition to a motorcycle’s tendency to be unnoticeable until the last minute, motorcycles would crash against open car doors, and depending on how fast they are driving, the injuries and damages from the accident can be serious.
• Lane Switching - This again can be traced back to a motorcycle’s lack of visibility on the road. The nature of a motorcycle vehicle also allows its drivers to drive more flexibly, putting themselves in between other cars to not get caught in the traffic. However, this puts them in other cars’ blindspots, and when a bigger vehicle switches lanes, they are left unnoticed. This of course leads to accidents no matter how slow and careful both drivers are.
• Not Giving The Right Of Way - There are many roads where motorcycle lanes are placed so that cars will know to steer away from that part of the highway, giving more space to motorcycles and preventing any accidents from happening. The problem is that it is easy to forget or even spot a motorcycle lane when you are unfamiliar with the road or not paying enough attention. There are lots of instances when car drivers fail to give the right of way to motorcycles and road conflicts and accidents happen.
• Wrongly Estimating The Speed And Distance - Motorcycles are not entirely invisible to drivers, but because they are much smaller compared to other cars on the road, it is hard to gauge how far they are or how fast they’re coming towards you. Because of this, lots of miscalculations occur and cars collide with them when changing lanes or suddenly stopping.
What To Do When A Motorcycle-Car Collision Happens?
• Seek Medical Help - Motorcycle drivers are often on the worst receiving end in motorcycle-car collisions with only a helmet to protect them from the impact. Immediately assist the motorcycle driver and call for medical help.
• Document What Happened - Take pictures and videos of the accident’s aftermath. Witness accounts and CCTV footage is also helpful. Most of the time, motorcycle and car accidents are not both party’s fault. The documentation can help prove that it is purely an accident and this can also help with how the case will be settled.
• Seek Legal Help - A motorcycle attorney will know what to do it is important to reach out to one. Both the car and motorcycle driver will benefit from an auto accident lawyer’s counsel.