Just How Much More Dangerous Are Motorcycles?

By Aline Miranda on January 20, 2023

There’s nothing like the joy and freedom you feel while riding a motorcycle. Motorcycles are also economical and easy to park. But there’s no avoiding the fact that motorcycles aren’t as safe as passenger vehicles.

In a recent year over 5500 riders were killed in motorcycle accidents, and motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to suffer a fatality than people traveling by car.

Even when you ride defensively, obey traffic laws, and wear the right safety gear, you’re still vulnerable to accidents caused by road hazards and careless drivers who aren’t looking out for you.

What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?

Most motorcycle riders are responsible people who follow the rules. But there are still situations where accidents are unavoidable. Negligent car, truck, and SUV drivers are a major cause of motorcycle crashes. In many cases, the driver doesn’t even see the motorcycle until it’s too late.

Irresponsible driver behavior that leads to motorcycle accidents includes:

• Dooring occurs when the vehicle driver or a driver-side passenger opens their door without first checking to see if anyone is coming. This creates a situation where the motorcycle has no time to respond.
• DUI. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol diminishes a person’s vision, judgment, reflexes, and coordination, making crashes much more likely to occur.
• Distracted driving. It’s illegal to text or talk on the phone using a handheld device while driving in California because these are highly dangerous activities. Eating, talking, checking GPS, and reaching for an object inside the car also causes unsafe distractions.
• Tailgating. Impatient drivers who fail to create a cushion in front of their vehicle won’t have enough time to react when there is a stoppage in traffic, and this can be deadly for motorcycle riders.
• Speeding reduces reaction time and causes injuries to be much worse when a motor vehicle crashes into a motorcycle.
• Careless merging and lane changes. All vehicles have blind spots where the driver can’t see traffic in an adjacent lane. That’s why drivers must take the time to signal lane changes and make sure the lane is empty.
• Left turn accidents are a major hazard for motorcycles. Riders are completely vulnerable when a driver fails to notice them.

Injuries Caused by Unsafe Drivers

Drivers and passengers traveling in motor vehicles have seat belts to restrain them and a secured cabin that’s designed to protect them. When a motorcycle collides with another vehicle or if the rider is forced to lay down their bike to avoid a hazard, the rider is likely to suffer serious injuries, which may include:

• Road rash
• Spinal cord injury
• Bone fractures
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Internal organ injuries
• Loss of limb
• Neck and back injuries
• Crush injuries

How Your Personal Injury Attorney Can Help

Victims of motorcycle accidents often sustain catastrophic injuries that require extensive medical treatment and a long period of rehabilitation. That means you could be forced to miss work for a while as your medical bills continue to pile up. You need a settlement that prevents you from being overwhelmed by debt.

Insurance companies make their profits by paying out as little as possible in claims. Insurance agents realize that motorcycle accidents are likely to cause severe injuries and astronomical medical expenses. To save money, insurance agents will offer you a lowball settlement that doesn’t come close to the amount of money you’re going to need to get better.

You don’t have to take the first offer you get after an accident. Your best strategy is finding an experienced personal injury attorney who will file a claim that covers the true cost of your injuries. A personal injury claim after a motorcycle accident will include the following types of expenses:

• Current and future medical costs
• Time missed from work
• Reduced earning capacity
• Physical therapy
• Pain and suffering
• Assisted living care

We’re on Your Side

At Eugene Bruno & Associates, we think the careless driver who caused your injuries should have to pay for your medical bills. And we’ve won millions of dollars in claims, helping people put their lives back together after a senseless accident occurs.

Our team at Eugene Bruno & Associates has been recognized for the outstanding service we provide to our clients. We have a perfect A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and we belong to Consumer Attorneys of San Diego.

Call (619) 209-6066 to schedule a FREE case evaluation today. You don’t pay anything unless we win your case.