Those who have the need for speed sometimes turn to motorcycles to experience the road in a whole new way. While fun and exciting, motorcycles can also be dangerous as there is less protection if a crash occurs. Fortunately, knowing about common kinds of accidents involving motorcycles can help bikers and others on the road avoid trouble.
Turning Left
A collision is most likely to take place when cars or trucks are turning left in front of a motorcycle.
For Motorcyclists: While RideApart offers extensive information for this and other scenarios, the first step in avoiding this crash is learning to detect it. A car may turn left in front of you when waiting to turn if it is at an intersection, a traffic gap exists or the vehicle is turning into a parking lot or driveway.
For Other Drivers: Blind spots and distractions can cause a driver to miss a motorcycle, and even a driver who gives an area a quick glance could miss a motorcyclist if he or she only registers whether there is another car or not. Being vigilant and making sure to check for more than just large vehicles can help you prevent this type of wreck.
Rear-ended
The most common collision for all vehicles is a fender bender.
For Motorcyclists: If it is possible, you may be able to pull in front of another vehicle. If not, you can get out of the center of the lane, flash your break light multiple times and be ready with the throttle. If you are in an accident, a personal injury lawsuit could help you seek compensation from the responsible party.
For Other Drivers: Making an extra effort to be vigilant is necessary when there is less visibility like at night. Avoiding distracted driving is also important because you might not have enough time to stop if you look up from your phone to see that traffic has stopped.
Check out the second part of this post for more information about common motorcycle accidents, and to learn more about what to do if you are injured in a crash. We have offices in Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins.
