Motorcycle riders face a significantly higher risk of fatal crashes compared to car occupants, as stated by the National Highway Safety Administration. In Ohio alone, there were over 1600 motorcycle accidents involving riders in 2020. These statistics are alarming, but instead of discouraging you from riding, they remind you to prioritize safe riding practices. By wearing a helmet, obeying traffic laws, and riding defensively, you can mitigate these big motorcycle dangers and ensure your safety on the road.
Changing lanes by drivers is a major cause of motorcycle dangers.
Motorists are safer than bikers because of the box of metal surrounding them. However, this metal box also creates blind spots, which prevent them from seeing other vehicles. When drivers change lanes without double-checking their blind spots, using properly adjusted mirrors, and utilizing turn signals, they can cause a collision when they merge into the other lane.
While this happens frequently with other cars, motorcycles are at an increased risk due to their small size. Many motorcyclists learn to be vigilant about watching for signs that a car is changing lanes, but it isn’t easy unless the driver uses his turn signals.
One big danger motorcycle riders face daily is drivers turning left.
One of the most common motorcycle collisions occurs when a car turns left at an intersection. Motorcyclists are often difficult to see, and their speed can be hard to judge. The motorist fails to see the biker or attempts to beat him, causing a devastating crash.
Drivers should take time to double-check for oncoming traffic and never risk trying to beat another vehicle through an intersection. Motorcyclists should slow down when approaching intersections and pay careful attention to the actions of cars turning left in case they need to make evasive maneuvers.
Motorcycle accidents caused by drivers opening doors pose significant dangers.
When people think about drivers opening car doors before a biker, they think of someone on a bicycle. However, the same sort of incident is all too common with motorcyclists. Even in a parking lot, these accidents can cause the motorcycle to turn over, causing injury and property damage.
When a driver opens their door, motorcyclists rarely have advance notice. Instead, it is almost entirely up to the motorist to prevent an open-door collision. Before ever opening a door, drivers and passengers should check and re-check for oncoming traffic. If possible, motorcyclists who see drivers sitting in a parked car should move toward the middle of the road, leaving plenty of room for the door to open.
Injured in an accident? Call a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
As motorcycle accident attorneys, Gallon Takacs and Boissoneault see firsthand the devastating effects that accidents can have on riders and their families. While there’s no way to eliminate all the risks, there are steps that you can take to protect yourself. These include staying aware of your surroundings, being visible to other drivers, and practicing defensive driving techniques. If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident, call a motorcycle accident attorney from Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault for help filing a claim.
Contact us today at 419-843-6663.
Jonathan Ashton, Partner and Personal Injury Attorney, began his law career at GT&B in 2007 as a law clerk. He was hired as an associate immediately after passing the Ohio Bar in 2008. Jonathan practices in Personal Injury, representing clients who have been injured and need justice and compensation for them to move forward in their lives.
