Sadly, motorcycle accidents are all too common, with thousands of injuries and deaths occurring every year in Ohio and across the country. There are things that every motorcyclist should watch out for in order to prevent an accident.
What are the most common causes of motorcycle accidents?
Because motorcycles are much smaller than cars, they are more difficult to see. Many auto accidents involving a motorcycle have the same causes. These include:
– Cars turning left: This involves a car briefly entering the opposite lane of traffic, and during that time, they may not see a motorcycle coming their way, particularly if that motorcycle is moving at a high rate of speed.
– Head-on collisions: These can occur for many reasons but often as a result of a car trying to pass another car on the left and not seeing a motorcycle moving its way.
– Lane splitting: This is when a motorcycle moves between two lanes during heavy for stopped traffic. It is often very dangerous for the motorcyclist, who might enter a car’s blind spot.
– Speeding or alcohol consumption: Whether a car driver or motorcyclist is intoxicated, this results in an increased risk of a motorcycle accident.
Staying alert on the road
Thankfully, driving alert and prepared can help reduce the odds of you getting into an accident and make you safer on the road. You can’t completely remove the risk of a motorcycle accident, but by staying visible, following the rules of the road and wearing protective gear, you can better avoid a collision with a car. If an accident does occur, under Ohio law, you may be entitled to legal compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering.