Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Understanding what commonly causes motorcycle accidents can help motorists and riders alike to make the road a safer place. While motorcyclist and driver error are often causes of crashes, other environmental factors and third-party negligence can be involved as well.

If you were recently in a motorcycle crash, working with a Lexington motorcycle accident lawyer from Gary C. Johnson P.S.C. can help you determine the exact cause and who can be held responsible for your subsequent losses.

Primary Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Kentucky

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), fatalities of motorcyclists are disproportionately high compared to all other motorist fatalities. In the last full reporting year, over 6,000 motorcyclists were killed in crashes. Per mile traveled, riders were 28 times more likely to die in an accident and 5 times more likely to have severe injuries.

Here are some common causes of motorcycle accidents that end in serious injuries and fatalities:

Inattentive and Distracted Drivers

Drivers of passenger vehicles are often distracted by other passengers, texting, eating, or other factors. Since motorcycles take up less space, they are easily overlooked when a driver is not paying full attention. These physical or mental distractions cause a delayed reaction from braking in time or maneuvering to avoid a collision. Inattentive riding is also a common issue for motorcyclists.

Impaired Drivers

Drug and alcohol use can significantly degrade the motor skills and judgment necessary to operate any vehicle safely. For motorcyclists, even a few drinks may lead to impairment that causes a loss of balance or an accident caused by an over-correction. For passenger car drivers, intoxication often leads to not seeing motorcycles and delayed reactions in quick-stop scenarios.

Excessive Speed and Breaking Traffic Laws

Speeding and aggressive driving in congested traffic is a huge issue for both motorcyclists and passenger vehicle drivers. Speed reduces the amount of time a rider has to react to road hazards, such as gravel, potholes, or sudden traffic shifts. And, when passenger vehicles speed, they decrease their ability to stop behind a motorcycle. Tailgating, aggressive lane changes, running stop lights, and breaking traffic laws can increase the risk to drivers.

Driver Fatigue

Drowsy drivers respond similarly to intoxication in terms of impairment and reaction time. This makes them less likely to notice a motorcycle in their blind spot or approaching an intersection. Fatigued drivers may also drift in lanes, causing accidents as they fight to stay awake.

Helmet Usage and Injuries in Accidents

Motorcycle accidents often end in catastrophic injuries due to the lack of protection they provide riders. Our state also lacks universal helmet laws, leading to reduced usage among riders. Since the state repealed its universal helmet law in 1998, helmet usage has become a serious issue.

While young and new motorcyclists are still required to wear helmets, those who choose not to wear one risk serious medical issues like traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Whether or not you are legally required to do so, not wearing a helmet can significantly impact your ability to pursue compensation after an accident.

Even if you are not breaking the law, it is often considered negligent behavior and could reduce how much you are able to receive under Kentucky’s pure comparative negligence system. This system allows you to recover no matter how much fault you share in the accident, but insurance companies will reduce the amount you can receive by that percentage of fault.