What Causes Motorcycle Accidents in the USA?
You might assume that you need to be riding on some of the world’s most dangerous roads to be at risk of a motorcycle accident. However, motorcycle accidents can happen for a wide variety of reasons and in some reasonably normal riding conditions.
They can also occur whether you’re a learner rider or seasoned with several years of experience. Whether you’re trying to be careful or are curious about why motorcycle accidents happen, you can learn about some of the more common ones below.
Other Road Users
Many law firms meet with motorcycle accident victims after other road users have caused them to suffer from severe injuries. They might even meet with the family members of someone whose injuries were fatal.
Other road users like passenger vehicle drivers can cause accidents in various situations, such as making left turns in front of a motorcyclist, being distracted on the road, and standard driving behavior such as lane changing and making sudden stops. These actions might not always cause injuries or deaths for passenger vehicle drivers, but the chances can be much higher when motorcycles are involved.
Alcohol and Drug Use
Alcohol use is one of the leading causes of motorcycle crashes worldwide. In 2019, the NHTSA reported that 34% of motorcyclists killed in accidents were impaired by alcohol, and 29% had a blood alcohol concentration of over 0.08. Anyone can feel the adverse effects of alcohol after just one drink, with it potentially affecting your judgment, reasoning, balance, coordination, social behavior, and more.
Speed
As you now know, you don’t have to be riding on one of the most dangerous roads in the world to be involved in a motorcycle accident. Sometimes, you can be riding on a straight and safe piece of road, but your speed affects your ability to navigate it safely.
According to the NHTSA, at least 31% of motorcycle riders involved in fatal accidents in the United States were speeding. They might have been riding above the posted speed limit, too fast for the weather conditions, or even too quickly for specific road features like gravel.
Mechanical Failure
Just like passenger vehicles, motorcycles require maintenance and care. Without it, they can be a danger on the road and potentially put motorcyclists and other road users at risk. Something as simple as a broken mirror that creates a blind spot or not enough tread on a tire has the potential to cause severe or even fatal injuries.
Inexperience
We all have to start somewhere, and the only way to gain confidence behind the wheel of a car or the handlebars of a motorcycle is by riding and driving. However, inexperience can lead to accidents, especially when you perform maneuvers outside your current experience level. While many new riders undergo training to refine their skills, just as many might not. As a result, many of the skills they learn are in real-life riding environments, which may not always go to plan.
Many different things can contribute to motorcycle accidents, including motorcyclist mistakes, alcohol use, speed, and other drivers on the road. By being aware of the most common accident causes, you might be better positioned to put measures in place to avoid them.
Picture: Donald Giannatti