What Makes Sharing the Road with Motorcyclists Dangerous?
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Although motorcycles make up 3% of all registered vehicles, motorcyclists accounted for 14.6% of all traffic fatalities and 3.5% of all injuries in 2022. Motorcycles are less stable and visible, exposing riders to a high risk of collision.
When riders crash, they lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle, so they’re more likely to be injured or killed. Sharing the road with motorcyclists often increases the likelihood of car crashes, but that doesn’t always mean the motorcyclist is to blame.
Never wait to speak to a trusted Atlanta motorcycle accident attorney if you’ve sustained an injury in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. You might have important legal rights, and Spaulding Injury Law can help.
Is It Dangerous to Drive With Motorcycles on the Side of Your Vehicle?
Motorcyclists often practice lane-splitting, a driving technique that allows riders to move through slow-moving or stopped cars. Although lane splitting may save valuable time for riders and drivers, it usually presents unique dangers.
Here are the common risks when you drive side to side with a motorcycle rider:
- Limited Visibility: A motorcyclist driving too closely to you can obscure your rear mirror, affecting your ability to change lanes safely or make turns.
- Reduced Reaction Time: A motorist riding between lanes has less time to maneuver hazards and reduced reaction time. If a vehicle makes a sudden movement, like a lane change, it often leads to a collision.
- Caught Between Hazards: A motorcycle rider may be exposed to a caught-in-between accident if a vehicle approaches their path while navigating a hazard.
Main Reasons Why Crashes Between Motorcyclists and Cars Are Common
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents between motorcyclists and cars. In 2022, distracted driving claimed the lives of 3,308 people. Anything that takes away your concentration from the road can distract you.
Familiar sources of distractions include talking on the phone, texting while driving, tuning the stereo system, navigating the GPS, grooming, and interacting with your kids or pets onboard the vehicle.
Here’s why distracted driving often causes crashes between cars and motorcycles:
- A reduced reaction time
- It affects your ability to maintain constant speed, making it difficult to slow down or speed up at appropriate times
- Distracted driving can obscure your view, making it difficult to spot other road users like motorcycles or bicycles
- Distractions can make you miss traffic light changes, increasing the likelihood of accidents
Drivers Failing to Check Their Blind Spots
Drivers have a responsibility to check their blind spots when making turns or making lane changes. For enhanced safety, drivers should continuously scan their field of vision and be aware of vehicles within their vicinity.
Motorcyclists often operate in the blind spot of a vehicle when preparing to make lane changes or overtaking.
Here are the risks associated with blindspot driving:
- If a driver is surprised by a driver in the blind spot, they may overreact and cause an accident
- A driver can hardly spot a rider moving in a blind spot
- Drivers often take their eyes off the vehicle to check the size of the blind spot
Speeding
In 2022, speed contributed to 29% of all traffic fatalities. Speeding also involves driving too fast for road conditions such as snow, rain, or a poorly lit area.
Here’s why speeding increases the number of crashes between cars and motorcycles:
- Speeding increases the potential for loss of vehicle control
- Speeding increases the severity of injuries and vehicle damage
- There is an increased stopping distance after a vehicle perceives danger
- Speeding also reduces the reaction time a driver has to navigate road hazards
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is a common cause of fatal accidents involving cars and motorcycles. When drivers behave recklessly, they display a wanton disregard for the safety of others. They may intentionally break traffic laws or rules without regard for the dangerous effect on other road users.
Here are a few reckless driving habits that often lead to crashes:
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Racing other vehicles
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances
- Intentionally failing to yield to a right of way to other vehicles, including riders
- Tailgating
You may be entitled to damages if you get into an accident because of the negligent action of a reckless driver. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Atlanta can pursue compensation from the at-fault party on your behalf.
Tips to Prevent Accidents When Sharing Roads With Motorcyclists
- Slow Down: The faster you move, the harder it is to navigate and avoid motorcycle accidents. An extra second may be all you need to avoid hitting a motorcycle from behind.
- Don’t Drink and Drive: Alcohol impairs your reaction time and judgment, increasing the likelihood of collisions with motorcycles.
- Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Pay attention to the road and what is around you, including cars, motorcycles, road hazards, and pedestrians.
- Rain: Exercise caution when it rains to navigate the wet and slippery conditions on the road.
- Be Aware of Motorcycles at Intersections: Vehicles often rear-end motorcycles at intersections, mainly when they give the right of way to vehicles at the throughway.
- Avoid Distractions: Avoid everyday activities like phone conversations that distract your attention from the road.
- Check Blind Spots: It is difficult to spot a motorcycle riding in a blind spot. You can promote safety by checking before changing lanes or making turns.
- Use Indicators: Communicate your intentions with turn lights to give motorcyclists and other road users ample time to react.
Get Legal Assistance from an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Suppose you’ve sustained a broken arm in a motorcycle accident caused by a vehicle swerving in and out of lanes. In that case, your quality of life will likely worsen due to hefty medical bills, reduced productivity, and out-of-pocket expenses.
Even so, a highly skilled and experienced attorney can prepare a solid case to hold the at-fault party accountable. Now that you know what makes sharing the road with motorcyclists dangerous, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Spaulding Injury Law: Atlanta Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer is a team of legal professionals with more than 25 years of combined experience. Contact us online or at (770) 744-0890 for a free consultation.
When you become our client at Spaulding Injury Law, you’ll be represented by a thoroughly experienced Atlanta personal injury attorney like Theodore A. Spaulding. For over 15 years, Mr. Spaulding has helped victims of negligence across the state of Georgia resolve personal injury cases, and he’s received a remarkable number of awards and honors from the legal community recognizing his commitment to clients and to the metro-Atlanta area.
Mr. Spaulding has been named one of the Top 100 trial lawyers in Georgia by the National Trial Lawyers for six successive years.
He is honored as a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum ® by the Top Trial Lawyers in America ®.
Charter Member of the Distinguished Justice Advocates.
Member of the Atlanta Bar Association.