Learn How to Avoid the Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents in the United States happen at an alarming rate and can be caused by many factors. In this post, learn about the common causes of motorcycle accidents and how to minimize your risk of being involved in one. The top 5 causes of motorcycle accidents are:
1. Distracted Driving
2. Drunk Driving
3. Speeding/Racing
4. Reckless Driving
5. Mechanical Issues/Poor Maintenance of Motorcycles or Vehicles/Misuse of Helmets and Protective Gear by Riders
1. Distracted Driving
Distracted driving can lead to motorcycle accidents, but you can prevent it from happening to you! You can significantly lower your chances of crashing by staying off your cell phone while driving. You can also use a hands-free device to talk without touching the cell phone.
2. Drunk Driving
Drinking alcohol can lead to motorcycle accidents if you are not aware of the extent to which your judgment is affected by alcohol. Alcohol impairs your judgment, which makes it harder for you to survive an accident and drive after consuming the alcohol. Avoid drinking when you ride.
3. Speeding/Racing
Speeding and racing can lead to serious motorcycle accidents. Reckless driving, such as speeding and racing, is a common cause of motorcycle accidents because they lead to collisions with large objects like cars, semi-trailer trucks, and fences. Motorcycles are designed to be fast and agile, but speeding up your motorcycle too much can lead to an accident with a car or another motorcyclist.
4. Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is the fourth most common cause of motorcycle accidents in the United States. Reckless driving leads to motorcyclist accidents when they:
- Run red lights and stop signs
- Fail to yield the right-of-way and follow the rules of the road
- Display incorrect motorcycle lights or reflective clothing
- Ride too close to other drivers on the road
- Not take all traffic laws seriously, including wearing a helmet and using a turn signal.
The more reckless drivers are, the more likely they are to cause an accident. Avoid being reckless by following all traffic laws and staying within your limits as a motorcyclist.
5. Mechanical Issues/Poor Maintenance of Motorcycles or Vehicles/Misuse of Helmets and Protective Gear by Riders
Mechanical issues and poor maintenance can lead to motorcycle accidents. When a motorcyclist's brakes fail, the rider cannot stop the bike, which might cause a serious accident. Avoid motorcycle accidents by taking care of your bike, keeping it in good shape, and replacing broken parts as soon as possible. Also, keep your bike maintained for long-term use.
Motorcycle riders must also be diligent about using their protective gear to avoid serious injuries in an accident. Helmets protect the head from serious brain damage during a crash. This is particularly important because head injuries are the most common cause of death in motorcycle crashes.
Conclusion
Motorcycle accident lawyers recommend that a motorcyclist always have their motorcycles serviced by a professional. If you are involved in an accident, do not try to fix the problem yourself. Call someone like Stewart J. Guss injury accident lawyer and let them know what happened so they can investigate what caused it and defend your case if you file a personal injury claim against the other party.
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