Motorcycle accidents happen all too often. Several people each year suffer injuries from motorcycle-related accidents, and motorcycles are one of the most dangerous types of vehicles on the road. They’re much lighter than cars, which makes them harder to stop in a collision. Altogether, these factors make motorcycle accidents more severe and dangerous.
And that makes it essential to consult a motorcycle accident lawyer in orange county if you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury in a motorcycle accident.
The following are six common causes of motorcycle accidents:
- Distracted driving
One of the main causes of motorcycle accidents is distracted driving. Drivers often become distracted by using their cell phones, eating or drinking, or even talking to passengers in their cars. When these drivers look up from their cell phones, they’re often startled by the presence of motorcycles and swerve into them.
- Riding under influence
Some motorcyclists consume alcohol before they even get on the motorcycle. This can lead to forgetfulness and poor reaction skills, which in turn increases the risk of an accident. Some riders even binge drink or put their motorcycle in neutral while they’re on the road. Binge drinking can also cause a driver to have less respect for other traffic laws, which can put them at a greater risk of being involved in a motorcycle accident.
- Speeding
Speeding is also a common cause of motorcycle accidents. In fact, speeding increases the speed of travel, which makes it more likely that the motorcycle will hit a car or another motorcycle.
- Unsafe lane changes
Motorcycles are more agile than most vehicles, which makes them great for lane changes. However, they’re still quite vulnerable to collisions with cars that don’t notice them in their blind spots or mirrors.
- Poor road conditions
Some motorcycle accidents occur in areas where road conditions are poor. This can cause the motorcyclist to jackknife and slip, which can increase their risk of injury or death. For example, potholes or patches of loose gravel can cause a motorcycle to skid or slide.
- Motorcycle defects
Motorcycle defects can also cause a rider to lose control of their bike. A wheel might come off or the vehicle might have faulty brakes. Such defects can cause a rider to swerve into another vehicle, fall down, or slide into another rider.
onlyreadnews
