How a Driver May Have Caused Your New York Motorcycle Accident

On January 12, 2018 by No Comments

If you were recently in a motorcycle accident in New York, chances are high that another driver was responsible for the incident. Take a look at a few quick motorcycle crash stats:

• Nearly two-thirds of all motorcycle accidents are with other vehicles, usually cars.
• Accidents occur most frequently in intersections.
• In a typical accident scenario, the motorcycle driver has less than two seconds to make corrections to avoid a crash.
• Over 80 percent of all injuries or fatalities to motorcycle drivers are due to accidents involving other vehicles.
• Fifty-six percent of all motorcycle accident deaths are attributed to accidents with other vehicles.
• In 78 percent of vehicle and motorcycle accidents, the car and motorcycle collide head-on. The results can be devastating – even fatal – especially for the motorcycle driver.

With those things in mind, we’re going to go over some of the most common ways that other drivers cause motorcycle crashes, as well as what you can do now.

Left-Turning Accidents

Of all accidents that involve both a motorcycle and a car, the most common example is when a car is making a left-hand turn. This situation is the reason for over 40 percent of all motorcycle and car accidents. Motorcycle drivers are most at risk for accidents with a left-turning car when they are passing a car within the same lane, trying to overtake the car, or headed straight through an intersection.

The car driver often fails to see the motorcycle, and there are several reasons why. For one thing, motorcycles often fall easily into the driver’s blind spot, especially when the driver is making a left turn. Another reason is because many drivers are looking out for other cars or trucks on the road, not motorcycles. Alternatively, the driver may have been distracted and not paying close enough attention.

Typically, a car driver who turns left and hits another vehicle will be held liable for the accident. However, when the other vehicle is a motorcycle, other factors may be present to shift liability. If you were speeding at the time of the accident, passing in a no-pass zone, or driving in the wrong lane, for example, you may be held partially responsible for damages. Check with an attorney to know your rights to compensation in a left-turn accident.

Lane Changes

If a car changes lanes and crashes into you, it may not be your fault. Car drivers aren’t used to looking for smaller motorcycles when they change lanes. So, it’s easy to overlook a motorcycle in a blind spot.

Lane Splitting

When a motorcycle drives between two lanes of vehicle traffic during little or no movement, the situation is called “lane splitting”. This happens most frequently in traffic jams. Lane splitting causes accidents because the motorcycle driver is close to other vehicles and therefore has less space for making corrective movements.

Additionally, car drivers usually don’t anticipate that a motorcycle may be pulling up beside them in a slow or no movement situation. Depending on the situation, the car driver could be held partially at fault for an accident.

Alcohol Use

Just as alcohol use accounts for many vehicle accidents, it is a common reason for motorcycle accidents or motorcycle and vehicle accidents. If a drunk driver hits you, he or she will bear the responsibility for the accident.

Speeding

It’s tempting to speed while you’re enjoying the freedom a motorcycle provides. This is especially true if you drive a high performance motorcycle. However, speed can significantly raise the risk of severe injury or fatality when you crash with a car.

If the car is also speeding at the time of the crash, you have a recipe for disaster. Any drivers going over the speed limit may bear some responsibility for the accident.

Hit from Behind

Of all the types of crashes listed here, this one is the least likely to occur. However, it is important to call out because while a rear-end accident between two passenger vehicles is often a simple fender bender, it can cause serious injury for a motorcycle driver. The car driver will likely bear full responsibility for an accident like this.

What You Can Do

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident and you believe another driver is at fault, it’s important to reach out to a knowledgeable New York motorcycle lawyer as soon as possible to discuss the details of your case. We will take a close look at what happened and determine what damages are owed to you. We will help determine how much a driver’s negligence contributed to the accident. Schedule your free consultation with us today.