Motorcycles are very popular in Southern California. It’s convenient, fun, and economical. Motorcyclists have the same rights on the road as other motorists, but unfortunately, many motorists do not recognize this and will cause a motorcycle accident resulting in catastrophic damages for the motorcyclist.
The following are some common causes of motorcycle accidents.
Left-Hand Turns
The most common type of motorcycle crash is a motorist making a left-hand turn in front of the motorcyclist at an intersection. Motorists often do not look for smaller vehicles, such as motorcycles, when turning left. Even if they see the motorcyclist, they may not register just how fast the motorcyclist is traveling.
Motorists may also be distracted and unaware of their surroundings. This can cause them to turn left at an intersection, violating the motorcyclist’s right-of-way and causing a collision.
Multi-Lane Roads
Multi-lane roads and highways can also be dangerous for motorcyclists, especially if a motorist in the lane next to the motorcyclist changes lanes into the space the motorcyclist is occupying. This often occurs because the motorist did not check his or her blind spot for smaller vehicles before changing lanes, leading to a motorcycle accident.
Rear-End Accidents
Rear-end accidents can also be very dangerous for motorcyclists. A motorcyclist may be stopped at a stop sign or red light when an inattentive motorist fails to slow down and strikes the motorcyclist from behind at a high rate of speed.
Because motorcyclists are more exposed to the elements than occupants of automobiles, this type of accident can be especially deadly.
“The Death Zone”
“Dooring” poses another danger to the motorcyclist. A motorcyclist may be riding next to a line of cars parked on the side of the road when one of the occupants of a car carelessly opens the door in front of the motorcyclist, causing the motorcyclist to collide with the door.
This problem is so prevalent that the space between the road and parked cars is referred to as “The Death Zone” by some.
Obtain An Experienced Temecula Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
As this shows, motorcycling can be dangerous when careless motorists do not practice motorcycle awareness. Motorcyclists can take every safety precaution, from riding defensively to wearing a helmet, but it simply takes the act of one negligent motorist to collide with the motorcyclist, causing catastrophic injuries or even death.
When this happens, the motorcyclist will want to determine if they have a viable legal claim against the at-fault driver. A successful lawsuit can provide the motorcyclist with the financial compensation they need to cope with the many expenses they incurred due to the crash.
