The five most common causes of motorcycle accidents include apparent and unexpected factors. For example, most people know that speeding and operating a motorcycle while intoxicated leads to a large portion of motorcycle accidents. You may be surprised to discover that even seemingly minor things, like maintaining your motorcycle, can save your life on the road.
Common causes of motorcycle accidents also include hazardous road conditions and motorcyclist visibility, especially when it comes to left-turning vehicles. An Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer can help if you suffered devastating injuries in a bike crash. They can investigate the cause of your accident and determine if negligence played a role.
Motorcyclist Visibility to Left-Turning Vehicles Is a Common Cause of Motorcycle Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2021, 43% of fatal motorcycle accidents involving passenger vehicles occurred due to motorists turning left while the motorcycles were going straight, passing, or overtaking other vehicles.
This level of incidence speaks to the lack of visibility of motorcyclists on the road and why motorists must check their blind spots and use their turn signals. If a driver is not actively looking for motorcycles, the chance of causing a left-turn accident increases.
A motorcycle accident lawyer can gather various pieces of evidence, such as a crash report or traffic camera footage, to demonstrate another party’s negligence.
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Speeding Is a Common Cause of Motorcycle Accidents
According to the same NHTSA report, 33% of motorcyclists who suffered fatal injuries in 2021 were traveling above the posted speed limit. Younger motorcycle riders between the ages of 21 and 24 comprised nearly half (49%) of these speeding-related collisions. A total of 2,026 motorcycle riders lost their lives due to speeding that year.
Other parties involved in these motorcycle crashes were also found to have been speeding, including:
- Passenger vehicle drivers (22%)
- Light-truck drivers (15%)
- Large-truck drivers (7%)
There’s never an excuse for speeding, no matter what vehicle or bike you operate. A motorcycle accident lawyer can determine if speeding played a role in your accident and seek compensation from the liable party.
Alcohol Use Is a Common Cause of Motorcycle Accidents
The NHTSA also notes that alcohol-impaired riding accounted for 43% percent of motorcyclist fatalities involving a single vehicle in 2021. In fact, motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes account for greater percentages of alcohol impairment than drivers of any other motor vehicle type.
Whether driving a car or riding a motor vehicle, the law prohibits you from operating a vehicle if you have a blood-alcohol concentration level (BAC) of 0.08 or higher. A motorcycle accident attorney can use evidence, such as the results of a breathalyzer test, to illustrate how the influence of alcohol contributed to your accident. Then, they can work to hold the liable party accountable.
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Hazardous Road Conditions Are a Common Cause of Motorcycle Accidents
Dangerous road conditions can also cause or contribute to motorcycle accidents. Hazards can include slippery or sleek surfaces, potholes, and debris left on the road. When motorcycle riders come upon such hazards so suddenly, they can cause them to lose control of their motorcycles and crash.
In each of these situations, another party may have negligently caused the hazard in the first place. For example, a local municipality is responsible for maintaining the road. Even the design of a road from the start may have been negligent. A motorcycle collision lawyer can help you file a claim or lawsuit against a government agency and navigate you through the unique requirements in these cases.
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Defective or Poorly Maintained Motorcycle Parts Commonly Cause Motorcycle Accidents
Finally, defective motorcycle parts or poorly maintained motorcycles can cause accidents, as well. There’s much to maintain when it comes to motorcycles, including the brakes, tires, and steering. You should regularly inspect your motorcycle and perform the necessary repairs. You should also conduct a quick inspection before every ride.
If a motorcycle mechanic installed a faulty part that contributed to your accident, you can hold them accountable. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help.
A Lawyer Can Investigate the Cause of the Bike Crash and Fight for Your Compensation
A personal injury lawyer can investigate your motorcycle accident to determine its cause and use evidence to hold a liable party responsible. They can also present their findings to an insurance company and dispute an adjuster’s determination of fault. To do so, they must establish a link between you, the other party, and your losses. That link is typically defined by four elements:
- Duty of care: The legal agreement between the motorcyclist and the other party to cause no harm.
- Breach of duty: The action or inaction by the other party that broke that agreement.
- Causation: The resulting accident and the injuries you suffered by the other party’s decisions.
- Damages: The financial losses you incurred.
To prove these elements of negligence requires evidence. In addition to proving negligence, this evidence can help you seek compensation for a variety of damages, including:
- Current and ongoing medical care
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Loss of quality of life
- Disability
- Scarring and disfigurement
A wrongful death lawyer can seek justice and compensation if you lost a loved one in a fatal accident. They can handle your lawsuit while you grieve in peace with your family. They can seek recovery for your loved one’s funeral and burial expenses and other losses, such as their loss of income and medical bills.
Motorcycle Accident Injuries Often Require Intense Medical Attention
Motorcycle accident victims often suffer from severe injuries that will leave them incapacitated while they recover. Sadly, some never recover from the catastrophic injuries they endure. Such catastrophic injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Burns
- Internal organ damage
These injuries require extensive medical care and time to heal. Recovery could include multiple surgeries, hours of physical rehabilitation, and numerous occupational therapy sessions.
In addition to the medical costs incurred from these injuries, there are also the losses in wages and salary. A motorcycle accident lawyer can assess your current losses and, with the assistance of medical experts and your doctors, assess the costs of your necessary future healthcare. They can be sure to include those costs with your claim to the liable party’s insurance company.
You Can Hire a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Without Paying Upfront Fees
Many motorcycle accident attorneys do not charge upfront fees to begin working on a case. Instead, they work on a contingency fee basis and take a percentage of your potential compensation.
This allows you to avoid the risk of additional financial loss and meet important deadlines, such as the statute of limitations. According to O.C.G.A § 9-3-33, Georgia’s statute of limitations, you generally only have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit. The sooner you get started, the better.
Call Kaine Law to Get to the Bottom of What Caused Your Motorcycle Accident
You may not know exactly what happened during your motorcycle accident, and another party may be liable for your losses.
You can gain clarity through a free initial consultation with Kaine Law. Call us today, and we can explain how our motorcycle accident lawyers can help you.
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
