If you’re a motorcycle rider, staying safe on the roads is key to ensuring not only your survival but also ensures that you don’t have to worry about financial hardship or injuries from accidents. At Salazar and Velazquez, we’re here to help, whether that’s staying safe by avoiding accidents or fighting for your case if you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident. Here are some of the most common accidents we see.
Accidents Caused by Left-Turning Cars
Making up a majority of the motorcycle accidents we see, these accidents can be incredibly damaging to your motorcycle and your body. These accidents typically occur when a turning car strikes a motorcycle while the motorcycle is passing, trying to overtake the car, or going straight through an intersection. Avoid these types of accidents by being vigilant while approaching an intersection and looking out for indicators that the drivers in the cars around you or ahead of you are about to turn.
Lane-Switching Motorcycle Accidents
These are another common type of accident, usually caused by drivers who are not paying attention or checking their blind spots. If cars change lanes without noticing motorcycles that are around them, it’s likely because the motorcycle is in a car’s blind spot. Watching for blinkers, turning heads of drivers around you, and always staying in sight of car mirrors are ways to help prevent these kinds of accidents as a motorcycle rider.
Lane-Splitting Accidents
This is another common cause of motorcycle accidents because it involves motorcycles driving in between lanes of stopped or slow-moving cars. Doing so can be extremely dangerous and is easily prevented by either staying in a designated lane or by slowing down to be sure that cars are able to see you riding in between lanes.
Corner-Turning Accidents
These accidents are often caused by riders who are incautious or reckless while taking corners on a motorcycle. By ensuring that you’re taking corners a little bit slower and by taking the appropriate speed for tight corner turns, you can more easily keep your traction, balance, and control of your bike. Remember the rule of thumb, “Slow In, Fast Out”, to remind yourself to take a corner wider and slower to be sure you stay safe, and once you’re sure you can handle the turn safely, you may speed up out of the turn.
High-Speed Motorcycle Accidents
Many motorcycle accidents are the result of motorcycles taking action too quickly for cars or riders to react safely. While many riders find that speed is a main motivation for purchasing motorcycles, high speeds can be extremely dangerous. To avoid high-speed accidents or collisions, always be vigilant of conditions around you while riding, pay close attention to drivers in cars if you’re approaching them at high speeds, and slow down if you’re unsure about a situation.
Intoxication Accidents
Intoxication is a common cause of any type of accident, but it can be particularly dangerous on a motorcycle. Because your safety is determined by how well you can use your body to control your motorcycle, intoxication while motorcycle riding can lead to an extremely high chance of personal injury or even a fatal accident. The best way to avoid this is to always have a plan for getting home, whether it’s a designated driver, a friend who you can stay with, or simply avoiding drinking when you know you’re riding your motorcycle.
Head-On Collisions
Collisions involving a motorcycle and a car account for a high number of deaths from motorcycle accidents, and none more than when a car strikes a motorcycle head-on. Due to the unprotected nature of motorcycle riding, it is unsurprising that head-on collisions are the most fatal crashes for motorcyclists. Avoid these types of accidents by riding to the right of the road, reading the road and being aware of your surroundings, and reducing your speed if you’re unsure about a situation.
At Salazar and Velazquez, we’re here to help if you’re injured in a motorcycle accident. Learn more about our services online and contact us today for a consultation to get started.
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Salazar & Velazquez are car accident attorneys in Houston who work for you tirelessly. They are experts at understanding the circumstances of your case, pulling together the evidence to ensure you receive just compensation. With more than a decade of experience, hundreds of five-star reviews, and an intimate knowledge of the law, they can help ensure the most favorable outcome for your case. If you've been in a recent car accident in the Houston area, contact us for a free consultation today!