When you think about motorcycle crashes, one of the things you might imagine is a car pulling into the lane and cutting off the motorcyclist’s line of travel. You might think about a car pushing into the lane that is already occupied by a motorcyclist, leading to serious injuries. You might even think about someone backing out into the lane when they fail to see a motorcyclist.
All of these are scenarios in which a motorcyclist could be badly hurt or killed, and they happen almost every day. Sadly, motorcycle crashes happen even when motorcyclists do all they can to mitigate the risks.
What causes so many motorcycle crashes?
The main cause of motorcycle crashes comes down to not seeing the motorcyclists. For example, if a driver is at an intersection and looks both ways, they may be looking for a vehicle with a larger footprint. They might assume that there is no one coming because they missed seeing a motorcyclist with only a single headlight. They might not have noticed the motorcyclist or might have seen them and assumed they were traveling more slowly than they were.
The majority of motorcycle crashes happen when a driver pulls out in front of a motorcyclist and blocks the lane. In most of these cases, the driver is making a left-hand turn, which results in them being in the motorcyclist’s path the longest.
Motorcyclists can’t always stop fast enough to evade a collision, which then leads to a massive accident.
What should you do if you get into a motorcycle crash?
If you’re hit by a car, it is important to take steps to get medical care and then to look into making a personal injury claim. The priority for you should be calling 911 and making sure you are examined for injuries. Getting medical treatment or going through a surgery can come before you reach out to your attorney.
Once you’re in stable condition, consider reaching out to learn more about your legal options. You may be able to resolve the case outside of court and get the money you need to take care of yourself.