Motorcycle riding is an exciting and popular sport, but unfortunately every time you take your bike out for a cruise, you are putting yourself at risk of severe injuries or even death. According to the NHTSA, 474 motorcyclists died in motorcycle-related accidents on California roads in 2019. No matter if you ride your motorcycle to work on California’s freeways every day or save the bike for occasional scenic cruises, you should always have at least a basic understanding of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents. Knowing what is most likely to cause a motorcycle safety accident will help you hone your reflexes, know what to watch for, and have a plan for how to react in dangerous situations that may result in a motorcycle accident. Read on to learn more about some common causes of motorcycle accidents that we often see here at the Law Office of Ball & Yorke.

California Motorcycle Accident Causes

Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents that we unfortunately often see result in severe injuries are listed below:

• Intoxication: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a leading source of motorcycle accidents, due to the fact that these substances have a profound and negative impact on an individual’s vision, judgment, and reaction time. People who decide to get behind the wheel while intoxicated on any substances pose a huge risk to other drivers, pedestrians, and motorcyclists on the road- particularly the latter since motorcyclists are less noticeable due to their smaller size.
• Head-On Vehicle Collisions: Frontal collisions, which is when two vehicles coming from opposite directions crash, are the cause of most motorcycle accident fatalities. Frontal collisions often involve vehicles crashing into motorcycles at intersections, typically when a driver runs a red light. The outcome can range from mild whiplash to severe, debilitating injuries or even death of one or both parties involved, depending on the angle of the crash and the speed of the vehicles
• Lane Splitting: Lane splitting happens when motorcyclists drive between rows of moving or stopped vehicles, and was legalized in California in 2017 while remaining illegal in other parts of the country. Some drivers think that lane splitting reduces the risk of rear-end collisions, but there are further risks created by lane splitting:
• Limited space where motorcyclists can maneuver
• The proximity of motorcycles to larger vehicles
• Car and truck drivers can’t anticipate motorcyclists to overtake them in slowed or stopped traffic
• Hazards on the road: Road hazards such as potholes, uneven road surfaces, asphalt cracks, black ice, and wet pavement may pose a greater risk to lighter vehicles such as motorcycles compared to cars and trucks. The city, municipality, or state could be held liable for restitution in a personal injury case if the accident was due to a lack of road maintenance.

Contact Us Today

If you are the victim of a motorcycle accident, the experienced motorcycle accident attorneys here at the Law Office of Ball & Yorke can help. Our personal injury lawyers will evaluate your case, help you decide on the best course of action, and do everything possible to help you get the compensation you deserve. Call the Law Office of Ball & Yorke to schedule a consultation today.