Over 82,000 motorcycle accident injuries and 5,900+ fatalities are reported annually nationwide. Motorcyclists cannot prevent every accident, but they can learn the most common types of accidents and work to avoid them.
As a motorcycle accident lawyer, we handle crash cases of all kinds, but the most common are:
1. Left-Turning Cars
Left-turn motorcycle crashes are at the top of the most common accidents list year after year. You’re riding along, and before you know it, a car makes a left turn into you. Drivers make these errors in judgment for two main reasons:
- You’re in the driver’s blind spot.
- Drivers are not paying attention or do not look before turning
How to Avoid It: You can prevent these types of accidents by avoiding riding in blind spots, watching vehicles where the driver looks distracted and remaining cautious when vehicles slow down, even if they don’t have a blinker on.
2. Entering a Corner Too Fast
Sharp bends can be fun to ride around, but they can also be extremely dangerous. You have little time to react when you’re leaning your weight to the right or left to make a turn and meet a vehicle in your lane or traffic at a standstill.
How to Avoid It: You can avoid this type of motorcycle accident case by doing one simple thing: slowing down around bends. If you’re riding slowly enough, you’ll have time to react and avoid an accident.
3. Getting Rear-Ended
Rear-end motorcycle crashes account for nearly 15% of all accidents, and they’re almost always outside of your control.
How to Avoid It: Avoiding a rear-end motorcycle accident isn’t always possible. You can stay to the outside of the lane in hopes that if a car does come up behind you, there’s time to react or they’ll miss you. Be sure to routinely check that your brake lights are working and that you’re visible to motorists.
4. Hazards in the Road
Wet roads, mud, leaves, grass clippings, sticks or branches, or any other road hazards that are non-issues for motorists are hazards for motorcyclists.
How to Avoid It: Skill and experience will help you avoid hazards on the road. You need to be ready to react to objects, such as sticks or branches in the road, and to do this, you must:
- Maintain safe speeds
- Avoid distractions
- Remain diligent
If possible, avoid riding in inclement weather or construction zones.
5. Head-On Collisions
One of the, if not the most, fatal type of accident a motorcyclist can be involved in is a head-on collision. You or a vehicle enter the wrong lane, and before you can react, you’re in a collision that can easily cause death.
How to Avoid It:
Head-on collisions can be your fault or the opposing driver’s fault. You can do a few things to reduce your risk of head-on collisions:
- Be extremely cautious when overtaking a vehicle
- Never overtake a vehicle around a bend
- Drive slower on single-lane roads
- Slow down in work areas
6. Lane Splitting
Splitting lanes is 100% in your control and involves riding in between vehicles, especially in areas where traffic is slow. For example, you’ll often find motorcyclists weaving in and out of lanes in traffic jams.
You risk crashing into vehicles, losing your balance or getting in a vehicle’s blind spot.
How to Avoid It: Never ride between two lanes of traffic, even if you’re confident in your riding skills and want to avoid gridlock. It’s also important to remember that lane splitting is illegal in Florida, like many other states.
7. Driving While Impaired
Driving while under the influence is one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents. In fact, alcohol impairment accounted for 43% of single-vehicle motorcycle accidents and 20% of multi-vehicle accidents.
Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs can affect your reaction time and judgment, which greatly increases the risk of an accident.
How to Avoid It: Avoid drinking and driving – period. In Florida, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.8% or higher if you are over 21 years of age.
8. Speeding
An estimated 33% of fatal motorcycle crashes were caused by speeding in 2021. While high-speed bikes account for only a small percentage of total motorcycles on the road, they are often involved in high-speed accidents. Injuries from these accidents can be severe or fatal.
How to Avoid It: Always adhere to the posted speed limit, whether you’re riding in town or on the highway.
9. Drivers Opening Their Car Doors
Although it’s tempting to ride between a lane of parked cars and active traffic, doing so can increase the risk of colliding with an open car door. It’s not uncommon for drivers in parked cars to open their doors without checking their surroundings first.
How to Avoid It: Don’t ride between traffic and parked cars. Not only will you avoid colliding with an open car door, but you’ll also reduce the risk of hitting a pedestrian stepping out of a vehicle or off of a sidewalk.
10. Lane Switching
You’re riding in traffic when suddenly, a car veers into your lane. You have a split-second to react and potentially avoid an accident.
These types of accidents are common and can be deadly if you’re traveling at high speed on your motorcycle. They often occur because motorcycles easily fit into blind spots, and other drivers aren’t programmed to look out for motorcycles.
How to Avoid It: Be aware of your surroundings and other drivers’ blind spots. Avoid blind spots whenever possible and be extra cautious if you find yourself in situations where lane changes are more likely.
Final Thoughts
Although these are the most common causes of motorcycle accidents, there are many others that can lead to serious or fatal injuries.
Driving defensively and being aware of your surroundings can help you avoid a collision, but even the safest and most cautious riders can get into an accident.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical care, lost wages and more. Call or contact our firm today to schedule a consultation and discuss your options.