Motorcycle collisions, though not necessarily more frequent than other types of accidents, are more likely to result in serious injury or death. If you own a motorcycle it pays to learn about the most frequent causes of motorcycle collisions and then use this information to reduce their level of risk.
Motorcycles in Head-On Collisions
Crashes involving motorcycles and other vehicles account for 56% of motorcycle accident deaths. In the vast majority of these collisions, the car strikes the motorcycle from the front –78% of the time. (The car strikes the motorcycle from the rear only 5% of the time.) Head-on collisions between a car and motorcycle are often fatal to the motorcyclist.
Cars Making Left-Hand Turns
The single most dangerous situation for motorcyclists occurs when cars are making left-hand turns. These collisions account for 42% of all accidents involving a motorcycle and car. Usually, the turning car strikes the motorcycle when the motorcycle is:
- going straight through an intersection
- passing the car, or
- trying to overtake the car.
These types of accidents are common between two cars as well, but the motorcycle’s smaller size makes it even less visible to the turning vehicle. Motorcycles that pass cars within the same lane are even more vulnerable –cars don’t expect, and are often surprised by, such motorcycle maneuvers.
Road Hazards Facing Motorcyclists
Motorcycles face higher dangers from road hazards than do cars and other vehicles. Due to the smaller size and less stable nature of the motorcycle, potholes, dead animals, slick pavement conditions, uneven heights between lanes, and other irregularities or unexpected objects in the road pose a serious safety threat to motorcycles.
Collisions Between Motorcycles and Fixed Objects
Motorcycles colliding with fixed objects accounts for 25% of motorcyclist deaths, but just 18% of car crash deaths. Again, because the motorcyclist is not surrounded by a box of metal and is likely to be thrown far and hard, such accidents are more deadly when riding a motorcycle.
Representation for North Carolina Motorcycle Collisions
Maginnis Law’s lead personal injury attorney, T. Shawn Howard, is experienced in handling complex North Carolina motorcycle collision cases. Mr. Howard represents North Carolinians involved in serious motorcycle collisions all across the state.
Mr. Howard is a million dollar and multi-million-dollar advocate, meaning that he has obtain settlements for his client in excess of $1,000,000 and $2,000,000. He has also been designated a Super Lawyers Rising Star every year since 2016.
If you would like to schedule a free consultation with Shawn, you can call Maginnis Howard at (919) 526-0450. You can also visit our contact page to submit a confidential inquiry.
