Riding a bike is a thrilling experience. The high speed and the sharp turns make one feel like a part of a movie. However, they are also vulnerable to accidents on the road. The lack of a protective structure such as a car can turn minor accidents into major ones. According to the World Health Organization (W.H.O.), 1.35 million people lose their lives annually due to road accidents.

Contrary to popular belief, bikers are not always at fault. Many times, they are the victims of rash driving of other vehicles. We will give you seven causes of motorcycle accidents and how you can avoid them. But before moving on to our topic, we would like to talk about what you can do after an accident.

What to Do After an Accident:

Imagine you have encountered an unfortunate situation. Even if it is a minor incident, it can be traumatizing for a person. The first thing you should do is check for injury. If you or anyone else gets injured, it is best to call for help. For more information on what steps to take in case of an accident, click here. If nobody is injured, exchange information with the other driver. Experts recommend exchanging information about the contact and the vehicle details, and the location of the accident. Relying on professionals is a factor that must not be overlooked. For instance, if you’re based in Arizona, for every accident that takes place there, hiring a motorcycle injury lawyer in Phoenix will be the best next step to take.

Another thing that the experts recommend is to avoid talking to the insurance company of the other driver. The company will try its best to avoid paying you compensation. For this, they can use anything you do or say against you. For example, you may say that you were late for a meeting. You may not be over speeding, but they can use it against you. We recommend hiring a lawyer when you’re injured in a car accident before details slip out of your hands. The lawyer will ensure that you receive proper medical assistance and that the insurance companies cooperate with you.

Causes of Motorcycle Accidents:

1. Lane Splitting:

When stuck in traffic, we have often seen motorbikes maneuvering between the lanes. The practice is called lane splitting. It is also called lane filtering. There are different schools of thought regarding lane splitting. One group of people are against it, whereas the other group supports it.

There are many reasons why lane splitting can cause an accident. One of the reasons is that the cars usually move in their lanes. They are unable to expect a motorbike. There is little to no room for error in lane splitting as the space between a car and bike is narrow.

How to Avoid:

The simplest solution to avoiding an accident is to drive in a lane. Lane splitting is illegal in many parts of the world. If you decide to lane split, make sure that you are aware of your surroundings. We recommend that you wear reflective clothing and turn on your headlights. It will allow other drivers to see you from a distance.

2. Dooring:

Dooring is another common cause of accidents. It occurs when a person opens their car door and collides with the oncoming bike. These types of accidents are most common in places where parallel parking is popular. Dooring is a recognized cause, and many countries have laws that penalize a person. For example, in British Columbia, a person will face a penalty of $368 if they open their car door irresponsibly.

How to Avoid:

Dooring is unpredictable but avoidable. A biker driving in a primary position is likely to be safe from dooring. It allows the biker to not be in the proximity of a door. Alertness is a virtue needed by bikers. When a car pulls over, they will open their door. So, if a biker is alert, they will foresee the situation and apply brakes timely.

3. Head-on collision:

Head-on collisions are the deadliest cause of accidents. When a car hits a motorbike from the front, it most often leads to death. It causes 58% of motorcyclist deaths.

How to avoid:

According to the National Safety Council, the answer to avoiding head-on collisions is 4R’s. These R’s represent:

  • Reduce your speed.
  • Ride off the road.
  • Right-hand lane
  • Read the road ahead.

These four recommendations can reduce the collision by many folds and save many people from losing their jobs.

4. Intoxication

Do not drink and drive is a common slogan. Unfortunately, many people do not pay heed to the advice. Alcohol is a common factor in many road accidents. A lot of times, when a biker goes out with their friends, they can go drinking. A few drinks are enough to blur a person’s instinct and can result in accidents.

How to Avoid:

To avoid accidents, follow the slogan. The experts recommend that you plan with your friends. It will help you to enjoy yourself without endangering lives. If you find yourself in an unplanned meetup,you can limit your drinking. The experts recommend that you have one drink per hour and stop after three drinks. Although, it is not a fixed number. It can vary as everyone has different tolerance levels.

5. Fender Bender

Fender benders occur when a biker stops suddenly, and the car behind the bike crashes into it. It happens because the driver behind may not be paying attention. In this situation, the driver the hits from the rear is responsible.

How to Avoid:

If for any reason you have to stop, suddenly move to the side. It will allow you to get out of the way of the coming traffic. Be sure to use the indicators to let others know you are moving. Many times, fender benders can happen because of low visibility. Ensure you know about the traffic behind you because it is harder to see your bike in low visibility.

6. Lane Switching:

Lane switching happens when a bike is in a blind spot of a car. The car may not be able to see you while switching lanes. A bike goes into the blind spot when it is not visible in the mirrors of the vehicle. It usually happens in the four-lane road, where overtaking is common.

How to Avoid:

When you find yourself in the blind spot, alert the driver. Honk multiple times to let the driver know you are there. You can also slow down or speed up to get out of the blind spot. Few calls can let you know that a car is thinking about switching lanes, for example, indicators.

7. Car Turning Left

A car turning left at an intersection can hit a bike. This type is common for two cars as well. However, it may become lethal for a motorcycle due to less protection. In such situations, the vehicle turning is at fault, but it is not always the case. If the vehicle coming is driving carelessly, it can also cause an accident.

How to Avoid:

A person can avoid left turn accidents by being aware. At an intersection, lower your speed. It will allow you to manage any mishap efficiently. Most often, drivers do not consider motorbikes. If there is a significant gap, the driver may take the turn resulting in an accident. In such cases, you may have to take the lead and prevent an accident.

Conclusion:

Motorbikes are famous for their speed. Unfortunately, it kills. If you follow the law and limit your speed, you can enjoy bike rides safely. It allows you to live to tell tales. We hope that with our tips you will be able to avoid the most common accidents.

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