Fewer experiences are as exhilarating as hurtling down the highway on a motorcycle. The road races in the opposite direction as you pierce the air in front of you with dramatic ease. Then, out of nowhere, bang!
You crashed.
Motorcycle accidents are incredibly common. In 2018, there were over 4,000 motorbike accident fatalities: a 5 percent drop, yes, but still an overwhelming majority of all road accidents.
Just why are these accidents so common? They don’t just happen out of the blue.
Continue reading to learn about the common causes of motorcycle accidents in the United States.
Rider Inexperience
Riding a motorcycle competently isn’t just about know how to handle the machine. There’s a lot more.
For example, you need to know how to have a good grasp of traffic rules as they apply to you, other motorists, and pedestrians. You need to know how to respond to situations in real-time when you are out on the open roads. You need to know how to inspect your bike and ensure it’s ready for the road.
Unfortunately, a good number of motorcyclists aren’t patient enough to get the necessary riding experience needed to hit public roads. And it shows. In 2017, 29 percent of deaths caused by motorcycle accidents were a result of rider inexperience.
Don’t be so ready to hop on your bike as soon as you have your rider’s license. Take your time to gain more experience.
Speed
Any surprises here?
If you’re a rider, you’re probably guilty of over-speeding, not once, but at least a couple of times.
We get it. The temptation to go hard on acceleration when you’re riding a bike is too big to overcome. Motorbikes are speed demons, but you shouldn’t be the one bringing out the demon in them.
The cold truth is over-speeding kills in both cars and motorbikes, but the number of bike accidents and fatalities are disproportionately higher.
It’s simple, really. Do NOT violate speed limits. Not only that but also ensure you’re responding to riding situations accordingly. If the road surface is wet, for example, you will typically go much slower than the speed limit allows.
If you don’t, you’ll only have yourself to blame when you find yourself in a collision. According to Sweet Lawyers, rear-end collisions and T-bone accidents are the most common for bikers.
Distracted Riding
Much like distracted driving, distracted riding is also a major cause of bike accidents.
Distracted riding involves taking a call, staring at something, or doing anything else that takes your mind away from the task at hand: operating your motorcycle safely. Even a 5-second distraction is enough to cause a fatal accident.
Along with distracted riding, riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs is also a big cause of motorcycle accidents. Don’t drink or use drugs and ride your bike. You’ll crash.
Know the Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Riding a motorbike is pure bliss. Unfortunately, you’re more likely to get into an accident when riding a bike than a vehicle. To ride safely, you need to know the causes of motorcycle accidents and what you can do to prevent them.
Be safe and keep reading our blog for more road safety tips.
