How Do Many Motorcycle Crashes Happen?

Many motorcycle crashes happen due to preventable causes like ignoring a motorcyclist’s right-of-way or excessive speeding. Because motorcycles have less protection than motor vehicles, such mistakes lead to further injury or fatality.

“Although motorcycles make up only 3% of all registered vehicles… motorcyclists accounted for 14.6% of all traffic fatalities and 3.5% of all injuries in 2022.”

–National Safety Council (NSC)

If you were hurt by a negligent driver or motorcyclist, you deserve a legal expert by your side. Everyone on the road has a duty of care to prevent accidents, and if they fail, they may be held liable for your damages.

Which Factors Lead to More Motorcycle Crashes?

A large variety of factors may increase the chances of a motorcycle accident, but the most prevalent one is speeding.

According to the NHTSA, 33% of all motorcyclists involved in a fatal collision were speeding above the limit. About 49% of 21-24 year old motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were speeding.

The lack of protection a motorcycle offers makes speeding accidents exceedingly deadly. This is especially more evident for motorcycle crashes where the rider did not wear a helmet or safety gear.

As motorcycles take less space than their motor vehicle counterparts, the time of day may influence motorcycle crash rates. The Insurance Information Institute (III) reports that about 37% of fatal crashes occur during the times 3pm-9pm.

An undeniable factor that leads to more motorcycle crashes is the use of drugs and alcohol, causing reckless driving.

“In 2021 some 28% of the motorcycle operators involved (killed or survived) in fatal crashes had BACs of .08 g/dL or higher…”

–National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Keep in mind these factors when determining who is at-fault in a motorcycle accident. If involved in a motorcycle collision, don’t admit fault and exchange information briefly and concisely.

What are the Most Common Types of Collisions Between Cars and Motorcycles?

The most common type of collision between cars and motorcycles involve left-turn or right-turn scenarios. It may be hard to spot a motorcyclist when making these maneuvers, turning a simple left-hand turn into a head-on collision.

Other types of collisions between cars and motorcycles may occur because drivers may not see a motorcycle coming due to their small profile.

Understand the following collisions and call an auto accident attorney to see if your damages were due to the negligence of the other driver.

1. Left-Turn and Right-Turn Collisions

The left-turn intersection collision involves a car making a left-turn while not seeing a motorcyclist moving ahead, causing a crash. When this occurs, the motorist is usually at fault for failing to gauge the distance between the motorcyclist and the turn.

Another type of collision common between motorcycles and cars, right-turn collisions, occur the same way. When a car is trying to make a right-turn, failing to see a motorcyclist in their blind spot may cause a crash.

A research study called the Hurst Report analyzed 900 motorcycle crashes and saw that 42% of them were caused by left-turn intersection collisions.

2. Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions are another type of crash drivers should be wary of. This happens when a driver misjudges the speed and distance of the motorcycle ahead, hitting and potentially crushing the motorcyclist.

If a motorcyclist abruptly stops or decelerates, unless they’re brake checking, it’s the driver’s responsibility to avoid hitting them and causing a rear-end collision.

3. Lane-Changing Accidents

A lane-changing accident happens when a driver fails to account for their blind spots and hits a motorcyclist while changing lanes. This can cause a sideswipe accident where the car suddenly veers towards a motorcyclist’s lane.

There are several risk factors that may influence the odds of a motorcycle accident happening due to lane-changing:

• Traveling through multiple lanes at once instead of once at a time
• Refusing to use turn signals
• Failing to check mirrors or blind spots
• Habits that result in distracted driving

These actions may further prove liability if the driver’s actions directly contributed to them hurting a motorcyclist.

Where Do Most Motorcycle Accidents Occur?

An area’s population greatly affects the odds of motorcycle accidents occurring. About 67% of motorcyclist fatalities occur in urban areas according to 2021 data from the U.S. DOT.

This is especially true during large-scale riding events where hundreds of motorcyclists travel together and meet in one area.

Below are the following locations where the most motorcycle accidents occur.

1. Intersections

Intersections are home to a variety of accidents as cars, motorcycles, and pedestrians converge into one area.

Any negligent misstep, such as a failure to yield the right-of-way, can disrupt intersection traffic and cause a collision.

2. Urban Areas

Most motorcycle accidents occur in urban areas due to high traffic and vehicle types. A notable risk factor present in urban areas are road obstacles like potholes or debris. About 67% of all 2021 motorcycle fatalities occurred in urban areas according to the NHTSA.

Rely on an Attorney to Help After a Motorcycle Accident

If you were hurt by a negligent driver or motorcyclist in an accident, they may be liable for your damages.

The best way to determine where you stand is through talking with an auto accident attorney. LegalASAP is connected with 500+ law firms around the United States ready to help with your case.

To schedule a FREE consultation, fill out this short evaluation form or call one of our representatives at 1-888-927-3080. Working with our network has no upfront costs until you win your settlement, so don’t hesitate to fight for your rights.