{"id":5274,"date":"2017-02-03T21:32:36","date_gmt":"2017-02-03T21:32:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mullenandmullen.com\/most-common-causes-of-motorcycle-crashes\/"},"modified":"2023-10-03T12:24:19","modified_gmt":"2023-10-03T12:24:19","slug":"most-common-causes-of-motorcycle-crashes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mullenandmullen.com\/personal-injury-lawyer\/articles\/most-common-causes-of-motorcycle-crashes\/","title":{"rendered":"What are the most common causes of motorcycle accidents?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do car drivers cause as many accidents as motorcyclists claim? What are the most common reasons for them and when do they happen?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

You know it\u2019s more dangerous to drive a motorcycle than a car. But, you accept that risk. After all, motorcycle riders get idealized as tough, rugged, independent, focused on freedom, and willing to take risks.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s nothing wrong with that. At the same time, you have to be ready to accept additional risks and responsibility for your own safety.<\/p>\n

Automobile drivers can\u2019t always see motorcycles as easily as another car. They get distracted<\/a> with their smartphones. They\u2019re not always aware that you\u2019ll stop much faster than a car.<\/p>\n

So, let\u2019s take a look at motorcycle accidents and how they happen. Because, even if you\u2019re right and within the law, you still face a dramatically higher risk of serious injury and permanent physical disability.<\/p>\n

Drivers Blame Motorcyclists, Who Blame Car Drivers \u2013 Who\u2019s Right?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Ask any car driver and they\u2019ll tell you how they see motorcyclists darting in and out of traffic. Talk to a motorcyclist, and they\u2019ll tell you car drivers are often inattentive around motorcyclists.<\/p>\n

So who\u2019s right?<\/p>\n

A Florida study found motorcyclists are right. The study reviewed 10 years of motorcycle crash data and found 60% of the time car drivers were at fault in accidents involving motorcycles.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s likely due to routine. Car drivers see other cars and trucks most of the time. So that\u2019s what they are most focused on. They forget to look for motorcycles and simply have more difficulty seeing them because they\u2019re smaller.<\/p>\n

But Motorcyclists Still Have to Be Careful<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The same study found 19% of car accidents involved just the driver, with no other vehicles. With motorcycles, that number nearly doubled to 34%. The Insurance Information Institute has also found you\u2019re about 26 times more likely to die in a motorcycle accident.<\/p>\n

So when you ride alone, you have to be extra cautious.<\/p>\n

Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Collisions<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Generally, these are the most common reasons for motorcycle accidents:<\/p>\n