If you ride a motorcycle, you know how exhilarating and adrenaline-inducing it can be to cruise on the open road. You also know how challenging it is to control your motorcycle and how safe you need to do so. When you’re riding a motorcycle, following safety procedures can mean life or death.
However, most motorcycle accident fatalities occur because of a collision with a motor vehicle, usually at the fault of the motor vehicle driver. These accidents often result in injury, ranging from mild to severe, and unfortunately, death. In 2019, there were 5,014 fatalities in the United States.
Whether someone is injured or passes away from a motorcycle collision with a motor vehicle, filing a lawsuit is the best way to get the compensation you deserve for your or your loved one’s damages.
But what usually causes these collisions with cars? Let’s look at the top ten reasons motorcycle accidents occur in North Dakota and the United States.
10. Inexperienced Drivers
Unfortunately, new passenger car drivers don’t have the best knowledge when it comes to sharing the road with motorcyclists. They know the basics, but they’re not as engineered to check for oncoming motorcyclists before turning, merging, or changing lanes. Because of the lack of real-world experience, they may be more likely to get into an accident with a motorcyclist.
9. Dangerous Weather Conditions
In a similar vein, if drivers are reluctant to adapt to changing weather conditions, such as rain or snow, they could cause an accident. During inclement weather conditions, people should always adjust their driving. Whether that means slowing down or pulling over when conditions get too rough, it’s their responsibility to keep themselves and others on the road safe with their driving.
If a driver fails to adjust their driving to the changing conditions, they could cause an accident to occur because they’re driving too fast or too recklessly.
8. Lane Splitting
Lane splitting is one circumstance in which the motorcyclist may be at fault for the accident. The act of lane splitting refers to weaving in and out of lanes to pass cars. Motorcyclists in North Dakota are required to occupy a lane just as a car would, making lane-splitting explicitly illegal. Lane sharing is only allowed when it’s two motorcycles side-by-side, and that’s the limit.
If a motorcyclist gets into an accident because they’re lane splitting, they may be at fault for their own injuries. Though, you may still want to speak to an attorney about your options.
7. Car Doors
When a car or truck is parked on the side of the road, it is their duty to watch for oncoming traffic before opening their door. If they open their door without checking first to see if anyone is coming, it may be too late for a motorcyclist to avoid the door.
Crashing into an open door can cause serious injury to the rider as well as damage to the vehicle depending on the speed that the rider is going. These accidents are easy to avoid but still occur.
6. Unsafe Lane Changes
Changing lanes is an essential part of driving, especially in cities, but it can mean the difference between whether or not an accident occurs when done incorrectly. If a driver doesn’t check their blind spots before merging or changing lanes, they could cause an accident to occur.
Lane changes that occur with a lack of necessary signals can also cause accidents, as motorcyclists will be unaware that a motor vehicle is moving over into their lane.
Because motorcycles are much smaller than cars and trucks, drivers need to really look before switching lanes. This means that drivers shouldn’t rely on their blind-spot monitors to tell them whether or not a motorcyclist is there.
5. Left Turns
Left-turn accidents are fairly common and occur when motor vehicle drivers misjudge how far away a motorcyclist is when choosing to turn left at a yield. This mistake can result in a T-bone accident, which can be fatal for motorcyclists.
4. Sudden Stops
When a motorcyclist stops suddenly due to changes in traffic flow, they expect that the vehicle behind them will also stop. Unfortunately, when a vehicle is following too closely, they may not have the time to come to a complete stop when the motorcyclist does, resulting in a rear-end accident.
Depending on the conditions, these types of accidents can be fatal for riders, especially if the following vehicle is traveling at a high speed.
3. Speeding
Speeding is dangerous no matter the conditions, but especially so when around motorcyclists. If a driver is speeding, they have less time to adjust to changes in traffic conditions. That loss of time can result in an accident, whether it’s a rear-end accident, sideswipe, or T-bone.
2. Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol greatly impairs one’s ability. Vision, hearing, critical thinking, and decision-making ability go out the window when someone is under the influence, making driving impossible. If a driver chooses to get behind the wheel of a car while impaired, they’re putting themselves and all other drivers on the road at risk.
DUI accidents can result in permanent brain damage, spinal cord injuries, or other severe injuries, as those who drive while under the influence are often committing many infractions, such as speeding and abruptly changing lanes.
1. Distracted Driving
And, of course, the leading cause of all types of auto accidents: distracted driving. Distracted driving is dangerous, impacting drivers’ ability to pay attention to the road. Distracted driving can be split into three different categories, visual distractions, audible distractions, and cognitive distractions. All three are dangerous, but the most dangerous distractions are the ones that distract the eyes, ears, and mind, like texting.
Other distractions include:
- Talking on the phone
- Eating
- Applying makeup
- Reading
- Talking to someone in the back seat
- Picking something up off the ground
- Finding a playlist
- Looking for directions
Contact an Experienced North Dakota Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Motorcycle accidents can result in serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal injuries, amputation, and death. If you or someone you love has been involved in an accident that resulted in your injury or a loved one’s death, contact our experienced team of motorcycle accident attorneys as soon as possible to discuss your case.
Our team of talented attorneys at Sand Law has years of experience working on motorcycle accident cases and can get you the compensation you deserve for your damages. For more information, please contact us online using our chat box option or by calling us at 701-609-1510