While any type of traffic accident has the potential to cause significant injuries and damage, motorcycle accidents carry an even greater risk due to the exposed and unprotected nature of the vehicles themselves. Victims of motorcycle accidents often suffer injuries ranging from relatively minor bruises and broken bones to far more severe and life-altering traumas such as spinal damage and traumatic brain injuries. Even when a motorcyclist survives a crash, there is a significant chance that they will be dealing with physical and financial aftereffects for months or years — and, in some cases, the rest of their lives.
Understanding the common causes of motorcycle accidents can help riders be more alert and prepared for potentially dangerous situations on the road and help injured accident victims identify how their crash happened and who may be liable. With the help and guidance of an experienced Snohomish motorcycle accident lawyer, you can learn more about your legal options to seek fair compensation for the harm you have suffered. Continue reading below for more information on how motorcycle accidents are caused, and reach out to a knowledgeable personal injury attorney today to schedule a consultation to discuss your case and start your journey toward financial and physical recovery.
Understanding Motorcycle Accidents
As stated above, motorcycle accidents carry an increased risk of catastrophic injuries and fatalities, largely due to the fact that motorcyclists are more exposed and do not have the same amount of protection as drivers of other vehicles. These devastating accidents often leave victims struggling to cope with the physical, emotional, and financial consequences. While many people may assume that motorcyclists are to blame, many of these crashes occur due to factors that are outside the control of the motorcyclists. Learning more about how motorcycle accidents happen can be helpful when seeking compensation after being injured in an accident.
Injuries Commonly Sustained in Motorcycle Accidents
While any traffic accident has the potential to leave those involved with various injuries, motorcycle accidents pose a much greater risk of suffering catastrophic and life-altering damage. Some of the common types of injuries often suffered by victims of a motorcycle accident include:
- Road rash: Damage to the skin from sliding on the road.
- Broken bones: Fractures resulting from impact with the road or other objects.
- Internal injuries: Blunt-force trauma can damage internal organs and tissues.
- Limb amputation: Loss of arms or legs due to catastrophic limb damage.
- Spinal cord injuries: Nerve damage or permanent paralysis.
- Head injuries: Concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
These injuries present varying degrees of difficulty to victims’ day-to-day lives, with some of the more severe injuries leaving permanent damage that requires ongoing medical care. No matter the type of injury you have suffered, you need the help of a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer to seek the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can be caused by a wide range of circumstances, many of which are completely outside the motorcyclist’s control. Due to the smaller size of motorcycles, many drivers fail to notice them, leaving the motorcycle less visible to other motorists on the road. Motorcyclists are also more susceptible to road hazards and poor road conditions, increasing the potential for accidents. Determining fault and building a case to pursue compensation through an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit can be helped when you are educated about the common causes of motorcycle accidents. Continue reading below to learn more about the common causes of motorcycle accidents and speak with a lawyer to determine how to proceed.
Driver Negligence
One of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents after is driver negligence. Driver negligence can come in many forms, but each of them results in a driver failing to exercise proper vigilance while sharing the road with motorcycles. Driver negligence can include:
- Failure to yield: Endangering motorcycles when changing lanes or at intersections.
- Distracted driving: Texting while driving and other actions that divide attention.
- Impaired driving: Using drugs, alcohol, or other substances that affect mental clarity.
- Tailgating: Following motorcycles too closely on the road.
- Aggressive driving: Speeding and erratic vehicle movements on the roadway.
Any one of the negligent driver behaviors listed above can lead to severe accidents and catastrophic — or even fatal — motorcycle accidents.
Road Hazards
Though poor road conditions and obstacles can be dangerous and potentially damaging to any vehicle, motorcycles are even more vulnerable to road problems due to their smaller size and lighter weight. Common road hazards that can cause motorcycle accidents include:
- Potholes
- Loose gravel
- Cracked or uneven pavement
- Oil spills
- Inadequate or improper signage
- Unmarked construction zones
Hazards like those listed above have the potential to cause accidents that are difficult for motorcyclists to avoid. When a motorcyclist loses control of the bike, accidents can happen and lead to severe injuries. If road conditions caused your accident, your lawyer will help determine who should be held accountable.
Weather Conditions
Inclement weather conditions can significantly affect driving conditions and increase the risk of motorcycle accidents. While other vehicles have more safety precautions to mitigate bad weather, motorcycles have little protection or features that aid visibility. Common weather conditions that create hazards for motorcyclists include:
- Rain: Wet roads easily become slick roads, affecting maneuverability.
- Fog: Limited visibility makes it difficult for drivers and motorcyclists to see.
- Snow & ice: Dangerous driving conditions are common during winter weather.
- High winds: Crosswinds can make it difficult for motorcycles to remain stable.
- Floods: Standing or running water on the road significantly affects vehicle safety.
The weather factors listed above can reduce visibility and affect a motorcycle’s traction on the road, making accidents more likely.
Vehicle Defects
Malfunctions of a motorcycle or its parts can lead to sudden and catastrophic accidents. Mechanical issues can arise out of nowhere on the road, leaving motorcyclists with little or no time to react. Common vehicle defects that can cause accidents include:
- Brake failure
- Tire blowouts
- Steering issues
- Suspension failure
- Engine or transmission issues
Such defects can sometimes be the fault of the motorcycle manufacturer or maintenance personnel, who were supposed to ensure that the motorcycle would be capable of operating properly and safely. Your personal injury attorney can help investigate the condition of your motorcycle to determine if a design flaw or assembly error could have contributed to your accident.
Inexperienced or Unlicensed Drivers
Drivers who are unlicensed or inexperienced can present serious risks to others on the road, including motorcyclists. Lacking the knowledge, skill, and certification to operate a vehicle on the road can put everyone — including themselves — in significant danger. Common problems that arise from inexperienced or unlicensed drivers include:
- Failure to check blind spots
- Unsafe merging
- Failure to judge a motorcycle’s speed or distance
- Failure to yield
- Erratic or reckless driving behavior
Serious errors by untrained or unlicensed drivers can result in collisions with motorcycles, leaving riders suffering from devastating injuries. Work with your attorney to learn more about the driver responsible for your accident and determine if inexperience or lack of license were factors.
Left-Turn Accidents
One of the most common scenarios that causes a motorcycle accident is when vehicles make left-hand turns in front of approaching motorcycles. The resulting collisions often involve motorcycles impacting other vehicles at high rates of speed — with severe consequences. Common reasons for left-turn accidents include:
- Failure to see approaching motorcycles
- Misjudging a motorcycle’s speed or distance
- Distracted driving
- Obstructed view
- Impatience or overly aggressive driving
A vehicle making a turn directly in front of an oncoming motorcycle leaves the motorcyclist with little time to react and avoid a collision. Motorcycle riders can be catastrophically injured by the impact of another vehicle or from being physically thrown from the motorcycle. By filing a motorcycle accident claim, you can take decisive steps to attempt to hold the responsible driver accountable for the injuries you have suffered and the damage they have caused in your life. A knowledgeable lawyer will work to help build a solid case to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Doored by Parked Cars
“Dooring” is a term used to describe accidents where the driver of a parked vehicle opens their door into the path of a motorcycle, causing a collision. Such incidents are common in areas where street parking is prevalent and can result in serious injuries. Common causes of “dooring” accidents include:
- Failure to check for oncoming vehicles
- Distractions
- Other parked vehicles blocking visibility
- Sudden door openings
Being “doored” can, at minimum, knock a motorcyclist off balance and — at worst — leave the rider with devastating injuries. Identifying the driver who “doored” you and caused your accident will allow you and your lawyer to seek fair compensation.
The Motorcycle Accident Claim Process
Following a motorcycle accident, you may be left with uncertainty and confusion about where to turn for help and how the process of filing a claim takes place. While each accident is unique, understanding the general claim process can be helpful as you prepare to seek compensation. The typical steps of a motorcycle accident claim:
- Gathering evidence
- Seeking medical attention
- Filing a claim
- Negotiating with insurance
- Building your case
- Filing a lawsuit (if necessary)
Working with a personal injury attorney who has experience in handling motorcycle accident cases will help you prepare for each phase of the process and put yourself in a strong position to obtain the outcome you need,
Potential Damages Available in Motorcycle Accident Claims
People injured in motorcycle accidents may be entitled to claim various damages for compensation. The damages in your case will depend on the specifics of your accident, the severity and nature of your injuries, and other factors. Potential types of damages that can be claimed include:
Medical bills
- Lost income
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation
- Punitive damages
These different categories of damages are intended to give you the financial support you need to offset the burden you have been saddled with due to the injuries you suffered in the accident.
How a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help You Seek Compensation
Hiring an attorney with experience in helping people with motorcycle accident claims is important if you want to give yourself the best chance of reaching a favorable result. In addition to explaining your legal options and advising you on the best path forward in your case, a skilled lawyer can help by:
- Investigating the details of your accident
- Communicating with insurance companies
- Evaluating your case and estimating case value
- Negotiating for favorable settlement offers
- Representing you in court (if necessary)
The support of a knowledgeable lawyer will give you peace of mind throughout what is often a complicated and stressful process.
Contact an Experienced Motorcycle Lawyer Today
When you have suffered an injury in an “average” traffic accident, you are likely looking at weeks or months of recovery while following a doctor’s prescribed treatment plan. When you have suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident, however, there is a good chance you are left dealing with significant injuries — including some that may affect you for the rest of your life. This level of injury and suffering makes the pursuit of financial compensation from the party responsible for your accident even more important. Your priority should be making sure you have the best opportunity to get the outcome you deserve.
Christopher C. Walton, Snohomish Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you have suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident, you have the right to take legal action to seek fair financial compensation that you can use to pay your medical bills, offset the income you lost due to being unable to work and repair or replace your injured motorcycle. A successful motorcycle accident claim can provide you with the opportunity to turn the page and move on from your accident without the financial burden created by the injuries you suffered. When consultations are free and the attorney does not get paid until you do, there’s nothing to lose and a lot to gain. Contact a skilled Snohomish personal injury lawyer with experience in motorcycle accident cases today to schedule a consultation to get started.