Motorcycle Accidents- Common Causes and How to Avoid Them

Motorcycle accidents are much less common than car accidents, and somehow still manage to be a more popular topic of discussion. Society tends to blame riders for accidents that are often not their fault. In reality, very few motorcycle accidents are actually caused by the rider, but instead caused by other drivers or elements out of the riders control.

There is no seat belt, no airbag, and no frame to protect a motorcyclist in an accident, which is why they are far more dangerous. Drivers have accidents every day, and often walk away without a scratch because they had these safety features. Even motorcyclists that wear helmets are often injured or killed in motorcycle accidents at times. Another surprising fact? Motorcycle accidents that result in death often occur at relatively low speeds, and at the fault of someone other than the rider.

Its terrible that motorcyclists have such a bad reputation that they get blamed for accidents when they often aren’t at fault. When a driver fails to see a motorcycle and hits it, or is drunk or talking on a cell phone, it rarely is brought to light. Instead, the fault is automatically placed on the motorcyclist in many cases simply because they ride a bike.

People in cars have become too comfortable. They talk on the phone, they send text messages, they read the paper, put on makeup, and even eat while driving. All this leads to a lack of attention placed on the road, which makes them negligent and more likely to hit a motorcyclist because they don’t see the bike in their path.

Manufacturers defects are another cause of motorcycle accidents that people don’t think about. Even when something fails on the bike and causes the motorcyclist to crash, people still tend to want to blame the rider. You should always maintain and check your bike for problems regularly, but that still wont prevent accidents. No one blames drivers when their cars brakes fail, and yet riders still take the blame in many accidents that are defect-related.

Since this social stigma exists, motorcyclists have to be extra-careful when they’re riding. If the drivers aren’t going to pay attention, someone has to. I think that its really sad that riders cant just enjoy the ride because they have to watch out for everyone else, but when you make it home safe at the end of the day, its definitely worth it.

Tagged with: accident • attorney • bike • highway • Houston • injury • Law • lawsuit • Lawyer • legal • Motorcycle • safety • Texas

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