Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents and How to Circumvent Them
Mesa Injury Lawyers explain the 5 Most Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents in Arizona
Motorcycle accidents can result in serious injuries. Even if you are wearing a helmet and leather apparel, you are not protected by a metal frame, airbags, a seatbelt, or other protective equipment. You can easily be thrown from the motorcycle, resulting in life-threatening injuries or disfigurement.
You can protect yourself by learning how to ride a motorcycle properly and by taking defensive measures on the road. Knowing some of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents can help you prepare for the dangers you may face. Here are some of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents we see as Mesa personal injury attorneys, as well as some information on how to avoid them:
Lack of Visibility
When you’re on a motorcycle, you take up a much smaller footprint than you would in a car or another vehicle. Other drivers are also primed to look for other cars, trucks, and SUVs around them on the road. They may not see you on your motorcycle, leading to them accidentally turning into you or even running you off the road.
You can reduce your risk by being aware of your position in relation to other vehicles. Make sure you can always see the mirrors of the person in front of you and beside you. If you can see their mirrors, chances are good that the drivers can also see you.
Taking Corners Too Quickly
Riding a motorcycle is a balancing act. When you’re in a car or other vehicle, you are positioned on four wheels that create a solid foundation. On a motorcycle, you are on two wheels, and you can easily lean to one side or another, which can cause you to lose control.
If you take a corner too quickly, you can easily lose your balance and wipe out. Always slow down and take any corners or turns carefully.
Uneven and Slippery Terrain
Those balance problems can also prove troublesome if you are uneven or slippery terrain. Running across a patch of road that is dusted with pebbles or gravel could cause you to wipe out. So can hitting a patch of road that has too much water or any accumulation of ice.
Stay vigilant to troublesome spots on the road, and avoid them if you can. You won’t always know when trouble appears. Always drive at a safe speed so you keep control of your motorcycle and have plenty of opportunity to slow down and get out of the trouble area.
Driving Under the Influence
You should never operate a motorcycle under the influence of drugs or alcohol – or any motor vehicle. You can control what you do, but you can’t control what others do. Stay alert to other vehicles, and look for signs of erratic driving. Steer clear of any vehicles that are behaving erratically.
Being Hit from Behind
Many drivers miscalculate the space between them and motorcycles. As a result, it is common for vehicles to hit a motorcycle from behind. While a fender bender may not be a big deal between two vehicles usually, it can prove catastrophic between a vehicle and a motorcycle.
You can’t prevent the behavior of other drivers. However, you can reduce the risk by braking with plenty of time for the stop and by braking slowly. Ensure that your brake lights are always working and are clear.
Call An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
Any of these situations could lead to an accident on your motorcycle, and any of these accidents could lead to serious injury. You don’t have the same protections on a motorcycle, so any accident has the potential to be more damaging. If you are in an accident caused by another’s negligence, you may have the right to compensation for the injuries you sustained.
Call Mesa Injury Lawyers today if you have been injured in an accident on your motorcycle. Our personal injury lawyers will fight to help you get the full compensation you deserve for all that you have suffered, including medical care, ongoing rehabilitation, time lost from work, and more. Our attorneys charge lower fees than other Mesa personal injury attorneys so that you can keep more of your settlement. Call us today to schedule a consultation with a personal injury attorney and learn more about your legal rights and options.
1731 West Baseline Road Suite #103
Mesa, AZ 85202
Tel: 602-600-6001
Enail: [email protected]
Website: injurylawyersmesa.com