A deadly motorcycle crash can happen in an instant, and most frequently it’s the other driver’s fault. You can be riding along minding your own business and the next thing you know you’re flying through the air, skidding down the road on your side, or later wake up in the hospital, or worse – don’t wake up at all.
Most research studies done on the causes of motorcycle accidents show that three-fourths (75%) of these accidents are with another vehicle, with one fourth a single-vehicle motorcycle crash. Further, reports concur that in most cases the accident was caused because the driver of the other vehicle did not see you, the motorcycle rider.
Defensive maneuvering has likely been a big part of your skill set since you started riding. Still, with all the skill and care which most motorcyclists show, serious injury and fatality statistics for deadly motorcycle crashes remain far too high.
Motorcycle Crashes With Other Vehicles Involved
Most motorcycle accidents occur because another driver does not see you at all, or in time, including:
- Making left hand turn without seeing motorcyclist in or approaching intersection
- Running a red light or stop sign without seeing motorcycle
- Failing to yield right of way to motorcycle when changing lanes
- Failure to check blind spots for motorcyclists
- Opened car door without checking for oncoming traffic
- Following too close to a motorcyclist
- Speeding
- Driving under influence of alcohol /other drugs
While single-vehicle crashes are less common, here are just some common causes: motorcyclist speeding, road damage, losing control of motorcycle, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The Family Can File in a Deadly Motorcycle Crash
If you’ve lost a loved one because of a negligent driver you may not feel up to talking to a motorcycle accident lawyer. However, filing a wrongful death lawsuit may be the only way to help future riders and their loved ones avoid the pain you’re going through. Statistics have consistently shown for decades that when a fatal motorcycle accident occurs it’s almost always the other driver’s fault and it is the motorcycle rider who dies. Regardless of statistics, motorists continue to use public roads with a careless disregard for the lives and safety of others. Many drivers also seem to be ignorant of basic rules of the road, like checking carefully before:
- Turning left;
- Changing lanes;
- Opening a car door into traffic.
Civil litigation may be the only path to justice for motorcyclists and their families. At the least, even people who don’t care about obeying the law or respecting the safety of others care about money.
Stay at the scene of the crash 
