The 7 Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents and How to Avoid Them

Did you know that over 5,000 people are killed annually in motorbike accidents? And did you know that motorcycle deaths are 28 times more often than other sorts of deadly crashes? Motorcycles are enjoyable to ride but plainly dangerous, especially at high speeds. Fortunately, there are several things you can take to guarantee a safe motorbike journey. Knowing the top leading causes of motorcycle accidents is essential to motorcycle safety.

Motorcycle head-on collisions, high-speed motorcycle accidents, sports bike wrecks, low-speed street bike accidents are all dangerous bike crashes to be avoided. Unfortunately, avoiding the worst motorbike accidents is not always possible?other drivers who fail to detect motorcyclists on their route cause most motorcycle accidents. However, there are several precautions you may take to lessen your chances of being involved in a severe accident when riding a motorcycle.

1. Motorcycle Collisions Caused by Left-Turning Vehicles

The most common motorcycle accident occurs when a vehicle turns left in front of you. It is the most deadly condition for motorcyclists, accounting for 42% of all motorcycle-car accidents. When the motorbike travels straight through an intersection, passes the automobile, or attempts to overtake the car, the turning vehicle usually collides with it. This sort of collision is also shared between two ordinary automobiles, but the size and lack of safety on motorbikes make these incidents even more deadly for riders.

How to Avoid a Motorcycle Crash When Making a Left Turn

To prevent left-turn accidents, like in other instances, you must be able to foresee the following action of the other drivers. Apart from using cautious driving techniques and wearing a helmet, this is the most significant way to stay safe. First, look for signs that someone is preparing to turn in front of you, such as a car at an intersection waiting to turn or a space in traffic in front of you as someone waits to proceed. Slow down if you observe anything like this, which you should be on the lookout for. Then, prepare to brake or take evasive action by moving to the outer lane, away from the automobile.

2. Motorcycle Accidents Caused by Changing Lanes

In this type of accident scenario, an automobile attempts to enter your lane while right next to you. This occurs when you are riding on a four-lane road alongside a vehicle that is not paying attention or cannot see you. Motorcycles are readily occluded in a driver’s car’s blind areas.

Keeping Away from a Motorcycle Accident Caused by Lane-Switching

If you find yourself in a blind area, adjust your pace or slow down to get out of it. You can’t always tell if you’re in a blind zone or if the other motorist sees you, so watch for evidence indicating a car is changing lanes, such as turning signals, turning wheels, or the driver checking their mirrors.

Be proactive and aware, drive at a safe speed, and be a defensive driver, as with all of these suggestions.

3. Motorcycle Accidents Involving a Head-On Collision

Collisions involving a car and a motorcycle account for 56% of motorcycle fatalities. 78% of the time, these incidents occur when an automobile collides head-on with a motorbike. Head-on incidents between a motorcycle and a car, unsurprisingly, are usually fatal. If a motorbike comes to an abrupt halt in a split second, the driver will be crushed or propelled through the air and presumably onto some hard surface, depending on the speed. This typical motorbike collision is the deadliest of all motorcycle accidents.

How to Avoid a Motorcycle Collision

When attempting to avoid a head-on collision, the National Safety Council (NSC) suggests the “Four Rs”:

• Examine the route ahead
• Take the first right
• Reduce the speed
• Ride off the beaten path

Constantly monitor the road ahead, watching for dangers that might cause a motorbike accident.

4. Accidents Caused by Motorcycle Lane Splitting

Lane splitting happens when a motorbike drives between two lanes of stopped or slow-moving cars, typically at a traffic signal or during heavy traffic. Lane splitting is a common cause of motorcycle accidents owing to various variables, including the close closeness of the automobile and the motorbike, the limited space the motorcyclist has to move, and motorists failing to anticipate that anybody will be overtaking them in slower or stopped traffic. If a motorbike is involved in an accident while lane splitting, whether the motorcycle or the automobile is at fault is determined by whether lane splitting is legal in that state.

Keeping Lane Splitting Accidents at Bay

If you do lane split, ensure enough space to pass through without striking anyone’s car or side-view mirrors. Look for gaps in the stopped automobiles since this indicates another vehicle is attempting to move into the next lane. Follow the suggestions above, such as checking head movement, tire direction, and turn signals.

5. Intoxication-Related Motorcycle Accidents

A rider with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or above is involved in 30% of all fatal motorcycle accidents. It is 43% of motorbike accidents involve only the rider. Alcohol is a significant factor in motorcycle accidents. This is likely due to the social character of biking, which frequently entails traveling to restaurants or local hangouts to mingle. As a result, motorcycles offer little safety to their riders.

How to Avoid a Drunk Driving Crash on a Motorcycle

Only bike if you’ve been drinking. Limit yourself to one beer or drink each hour and stop at three drinks while going from bar to bar or hanging out to hanging out. If this is a better night, ride with everyone to the venue, then leave the bike there and find another way home.

6. Motorcycle Accidents in Turns

Corners may be risky for motorcycle riders. Although motorbikes are designed to provide a high level of control, they can be challenging to adjust for or correct, especially in turn. For example, you may come upon a sand, gravel, leaf, or water patch when turning a corner. It’s simple to wipe out if your front tire touches this stuff and loses traction. Another similar technique to crash when taking a corner is to underestimate how tight it is, prompting you to take the turn too quickly. This is typical on curving roads, significantly when the elevation changes, because it might be challenging to see what’s coming next.

How to Avoid a Motorcycle Crash When Turning a Corner

Riding at a suitable pace is the best approach to avoid this prevalent cause of motorcycle accidents. You want to go at a speed that allows you to respond quickly if you spot a tight turn or hazard ahead. A good rule of thumb is “slow in, fast out.” To increase your range of view, enter a corner wide and gently. Once you’re confident you can manage the turn and there are no risks, accelerate out of the curve. Paying attention to traffic signs and becoming familiar with the many signals that indicate turns or hazards ahead is beneficial.

7. Motorcycle Accidents at High Speed

Motorcycles are purchased for several reasons, the most prevalent of which are cost-effectiveness and speed. The first rationale is far less risky than the second. 33% of the motorcycle riders killed in accidents were speeding. High-performance bikes, although accounting for a small fraction of all motorcycles on the road, are responsible for a disproportionate number of motorcycle accidents. These motorcycles are lightweight and can reach up to 160 mph or more. Riders of sports bikes have a two to four times higher accident death rate than riders of ordinary motorcycles.

Preventing High-Speed Motorcycle Collisions

To avoid this typical motorbike accident:

1. Ride at a reasonable pace.
2. Follow the speed limit, but look for routes with many curves and elevation changes to add to the fun.
3. If you need to fulfill your urge for speed, search the internet for dedicated speed parks that allow riders to travel fast on a closed circuit while being safe.

What kills most motorcycle riders?

Every time a motorcycle rider takes to the road, they risk catastrophic harm. Unfortunately, some impacts have the potential to kill. While motorcycle accidents case are not as numerous as car accidents, motorcyclists risk a considerably greater rate of severe injuries and, in some circumstances, death. In addition, riders who survive an accident are more likely to have severe injuries than motor vehicle occupants.

Motorcycle accidents can result in a variety of fatalities. According to one research, more than 40% of fatal motorcycle crashes involve some head trauma. Understanding the elements contributing to fatal motorcycle injuries may help you comprehend every biker’s dangers.