Car vs Motor Motorcycle Accidents
Accidents on the road do happen, but they're generally
avoidable. While many risks are present on the highway for both cars and
motorcycles, they don't always affect motorists equally.
Cars
Distracted driving and fatigue are two of the most common
causes of car accidents. Today, distracted driving has many causes. While
changing the radio or talking to passengers are both typical distractions,
cellphones have become one of the biggest concerns. Talking on the phone,
texting, or checking Instagram all serve as distractions. Taking your eyes off
the road for just a couple seconds greatly increases the likelihood of having
an accident. Many states have passed laws against cellphone use. While some ban
it outright, others require hands-free usage while driving.
Aggressive driving is another issue that drivers face. This
includes behaviors that are unfortunately all too common, such as tailgating or
failing to yield at a right of way. Running a traffic light or rolling through
a stop sign present obvious hazards. Some aggressive drivers change lanes
frequently, often without signaling, or they might even use a turn lane to pull
ahead of other vehicles. All of these behaviors serve to increase the
likelihood of having an accident on the road.
Motorcycles
While there are some issues that both cars and motorcycles
face, some are a bit more specific to motorcycles or simply affect them more
significantly. It might not seem like it, but a car making a left turn is a
serious hazard for motorcyclists. This is most commonly due to the rider's own
error. If the motorcycle is attempting to pass the car or proceed straight
through the intersection, there's the possibility of a collision. As a general
rule, it's best for the rider to yield to the car when in doubt. A car's driver
can't necessarily anticipate the maneuver that the rider is attempting to
perform.
Lane splitting is a hazard that's quite unique to
motorcycles. You've probably seen this before, even if you haven't done it
yourself. This is when a motorcycle passes between two cars by riding in
between two lanes. This is commonly referred to as "lane splitting,"
and it's highly dangerous. The drivers may not see the motorcycle at all, and
the rider has a significantly reduced area for maneuvering.
Shared Risk Factors
Alcohol or other forms of
chemical impairment can affect both car drivers and motorcycle riders.
Additionally, alcohol is often consumed at night, and reduced visibility
coupled with intoxication only serves to increase the probability of an
accident. Alcohol is a contributing factor to deaths every year, and many of
them are on the road.
Speeding is another major issue.
Posted speed limits are not arbitrary. They're determined by a number of
variables. Exceeding the speed limit means the driver or rider has a higher
chance of losing control of the vehicle. Sharp turns, merging traffic, or road
hazards might be avoidable at a reasonable speed, but impossible for a person
to compensate for or react to at higher speeds.
As you can see, many risk factors
are shared, but operating a motorcycle does involve some unique concerns. It's
best to keep these in mind while on the road. For more information, contact
George Stein Steelhorse law today.
