Motorcycle riding is not for the faint of heart. It can be exhilarating, but also dangerous. There are many common protective tools available to the motorcyclist to help prevent accidents and tragedy. These include tires with good traction, unobstructed vision, good brakes, and quick handling. However, even with these tools, there are hazards out there on the roadway that require a cautious eye and an alert mind on the part of the motorcycle driver.
Some of the common instigators of motorcycle accidents include:
Vehicle turns left in front of you
This is the most common type of motorcycle accident. It occurs when another vehicle fails to judge your speed or fails to see you completely while making a turn in front of you at an intersection.
Avoiding this accident requires anticipating the possibility it could happen. It is best to slow down in these scenarios and prepare to break in order to avoid colliding with an absent minded or reckless driver making a left in front of you.
A car makes a lane change into you
This accident occurs when a car in an adjacent or nearby lane unexpectedly veers into your space. This may happen due to blind spot issues with the other driver’s vehicle. Motorcycles are small enough to fit completely within some of the blind spots.
As a motorcyclist, avoiding this type of lane change accident involves being constantly aware of the blind spots of surrounding drivers and avoiding those areas of the road as much as possible. If you can see the eyes of a driver in one of their mirrors, then theoretically, they can see you. Remain aware of the signs of a car changing lanes such as turning wheels, movement toward another lane, turn signals, the driver checking his/her mirrors, and movement of the driver’s head.
A car opens its door into you
This accident occurs often when motorcycles travel alongside stationary or parked cars positioned in a line. As you drive past these vehicles, a door from one of the cars may swing open right in front of you, causing a crash.
To avoid this accident, avoid riding between parked cars or active traffic in this manner. Not only could a door open, but pedestrian may step out and get severely injured as well. If you find yourself in this situation, however, travel slowly and be prepared to avoid a collision and brake hard as needed.
A car hits you from behind
Drivers who are distracted often plow into the vehicle directly ahead. If that vehicle is a motorcycle, the consequences can be much more severe for the rider. This type of crash can kill a motorcyclist.
As a motorcyclist, at a stop light you can pull to the side of a lane rather than the center, flashing your brake light by lightly tapping it to get the attention of oncoming vehicles from behind. Be ready to scoot away if you see an approaching vehicle ready to crash into you. If you have a crumple zone available, pull in front of a single car stopped at a multi-lane red light. You may also position your bike in between a line of cars.
At Banks & Jones, our Knoxville motorcycle crash attorneys are dedicated to fighting for your just compensation if you have been injured by the negligence of another driver. To arrange a free case evaluation, give us a call today at 865.546.2141 or fill out our contact form and send us a message.
T. Scott knows the importance of interacting with colleagues to stay abreast of developments and changes in the legal world. T. Scott frequently teaches CLE courses on trial strategy, teaching other lawyers his methods for success in the courtroom, and is certified as a Rule 31 Mediator in the Tennessee Supreme Court. He is a member of the Knoxville Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, the National Trial Lawyers, and both the Tennessee and American Associations for Justice.
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