Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog
The weather is warm and it’s the perfect time of year to take in the sights on your motorcycle. With a significant increase in the number of vehicles on the road during summer, it is also the time of year when you are most vulnerable on your motorcycle. Riding always comes with risks, but knowing the top causes of accidents can help you avoid becoming a statistic. Contact a Boston Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today.
Speeding
Yes, it is exhilarating to ride your motorcycle full throttle on an open road. But it is also a good way to get killed or become permanently injured. Speeding is a major factor in many motorcycle accidents. It’s also illegal, so resisting the temptation will keep you safe and out of trouble. Losing control at high speeds is much easier than when you’re staying at or under the speed limit.
Left-Hand Turns
More motorcycle accidents occur when cars make left-hand turns than with any other type of road situation. The turning car most often hits a motorcycle when the bike is going straight through the intersection, or if passing or attempting to overtake the automobile.
Keep Your Distance
To avoid a rear-end collision, keep your distance from the vehicle in front of you. Should the car stop suddenly, you need sufficient room to brake to keep your bike from plowing into the vehicle.
Lane Splitting
Cars are often stuck in traffic jams. When motorcyclists decide to take advantage of their small size by weaving in and out of heavy traffic, it’s called lane splitting. These motorcycle maneuvers are a common cause of accidents because automobile drivers are not looking for motorcyclists to pass them when the lane is moving slowly. If you lane split, you have very little room to move your bike. It does not take much for a car to knock you into oncoming traffic.
In most jurisdictions, lane splitting is either illegal or interpreted as such by law enforcement officers.
Dangerous Conditions
Since motorcycles are much less stable than other types of motor vehicles, bad road conditions particularly affect them. Uneven pavement or roadway debris may not cause much trouble for a car or truck, but can prove deadly to motorcyclists.
Bends and Corners
If you are unfamiliar with a road, it is not difficult to miscalculate when you are rounding a bend or corner. If you are going too fast or your timing is bad, hitting the brakes can force you off your bike. While it is always crucial to pay careful attention to your surroundings, that is especially true if you do not know the road.
Blind Spot Collisions
Unfortunately, many automobile and motorcycle collisions occur because the car driver simply did not see the rider. These accidents often occur at intersections. Even parked vehicles are a problem – a driver or passenger may open the door and hit you. Vigilance is the best way to avoid these blind spot collisions.
Drinking and Riding
There is no excuse for drinking and riding, but it happens with motorcyclists as it does with automobile drivers. Because a motorcycle offers no protection, the rider is quite vulnerable. Getting on your bike while under the influence just compounds the issue. Never drink and ride.
Altman & Altman, LLP – Boston’s Premier Motorcycle Accident Law Firm
If you or a loved one has suffered a motorcycle accident, the personal injury attorneys at Altman & Altman, LLP can help. We will review the details of your case before determining the best strategy for moving forward. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation about your case. 617-492-3000.
