The 9 Most Common Causes of Automobile Accidents Involving Motorcycles

Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran

While motorcycles only account for 3% of registered vehicles in the U.S. and only 0.6% of the miles traveled by vehicles, motorcycles make up 14% of all traffic fatalities.

Motorcyclists are at much greater risk of injury or death in the event of a crash because they are more exposed to impact with vehicles and lack the safety features motor vehicles have, such as seatbelts and airbags.

According to a national study, the fatality rate of motorcycle riders is over six times higher than the fatality rate of passenger cars.

Explore nine of the most common automobile accident causes involving motorcycles in Michigan and how Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. can help if you’ve been in a motorcycle accident.

Speeding

Speeding is one of the top causes of car accidents in Michigan. Out of the 282,640 reported crashes in 2021, 24,721 involved somebody driving too fast. Going above the recommended speed limit has many severe consequences:

• Increases potential for loss of vehicle control
• Increases stopping distance
• Increases the severity of injuries and damage caused in a crash

Motorcycle drivers speed just as often as any other driver, resulting in the number one cause of fatal motorcycle crashes being speeding during dangerous road conditions in 2020. The size of the motorcycle amplifies the danger of road conditions. If a motorcyclist is speeding and the road conditions are sub-optimal, potholes or too much gravel could be incredibly dangerous.

When a motorcycle rider is in a crash, even without the involvement of other vehicles, there is nothing to protect the body from impact. A high rate of speed makes crashes extremely fatal to motorcycle riders.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents nationwide. In Michigan alone, 16,543 traffic accidents in 2021 were attributed to distracted driving. Distracted driving may include talking on the phone, texting, or adjusting the radio. Eating, drinking, and talking to people in your car is also considered distracted driving.

Distracted drivers of passenger vehicles may cause accidents with motorcycles by simply not paying attention to the car in front of them, drifting into another lane, or making turns or lane changes without properly looking.

Motorcycle riders can also drive distracted by using cell phones or hands-free devices, daydreaming while riding, eating, or talking to a passenger behind them. Distracted riders have their eyes, or minds, off the road for only a few seconds, but in that crucial time, they may put themselves and other drivers at risk if they cannot stop safely to avoid other cars or obstructions in the road.

Driving Under the Influence

Drunk driving is one of the top causes of traffic fatalities in the U.S. Alcohol slows your reaction time, interferes with your decision-making abilities, and can cause drowsiness, all of which place you at risk on the road. It also affects your balance, putting motorcyclists at an increased risk of a crash.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported that of all fatal motorcycle accidents during 2020, at least 27% of bikers were legally intoxicated, while only 23% of passenger car drivers were impaired.

Unfortunately, even sober motorcycle riders may be at risk of an accident with a drunk driver in a passenger vehicle. Drunk drivers may overlook the smaller size of a motorcycle or make risky decisions that put motorcycle riders at particular risk of serious injury in the event of a crash.

Drowsy Driving

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, tired driving caused 633 deaths in 2020. Exhaustion can interfere with decision-making, reaction time, and observational abilities, much like alcohol.

The National Sleep Foundation states that being awake for over 20 hours equals having a blood alcohol concentration of .08%. This is considered legally drunk in all 50 states.

However, drowsy drivers are at greater risk of falling asleep on the road, often leading to single vehicles running off the road at a high rate of speed.

Of the 53,890 fatal motorcycle crashes in 2020, 1,165 were due to fatigued driving. While all fatigued driving is dangerous, it is particularly hazardous for motorcycles as there is limited protective equipment to protect the body in the event of a crash.

Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving is the operation of a motor vehicle in a way that endangers or is likely to endanger people or property. These mannerisms, such as speeding, failure to yield, or tailgating, are some of the top causes of motor vehicle accidents. Aggressive driving can also contribute to road rage, resulting in violent altercations between drivers and motorcycle riders.

A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that 2,356 fatal motorcycle accidents in 2020 were caused by riders acting in an erratic, reckless, or negligent manner.

Poor Road Conditions

Rain or ice makes roads slippery, making it more difficult for drivers to stop before a crash. Wet or icy roads can prevent tires from gaining traction with the road. Vehicles may skid while braking, or drivers may lose control if turning too sharply.

Poorly-maintained roads pose a separate crash risk for bikers. It’s safer for bikers to drive around potholes, as driving over them can throw bikers from their motorcycles. However, quickly swerving to avoid a pothole may result in a collision with a car if the car is not anticipating the movement or if the motorcycle rider is inexperienced, resulting in overcorrecting or oversteering.

Darkness

Low light conditions significantly increase crash risk, especially for bikers: of the 3,175 motorcycle crashes in 2021, 745 occurred between 6 and 8:59 p.m. Motorcycles have a much smaller footprint than cars and have much smaller bodies than passenger vehicles. Motorcycles are far less visible than larger vehicles.

Motorcycles in Michigan must be equipped with headlamps, spot lamps, fog lamps, and working brake lights. Even with this equipment, it can be challenging to see the small frame of a motorcycle unless it comes directly into a vehicle’s high beams.

Reckless Driving

About 2,692 of all crashes in Michigan in 2021 met the legal definition of “reckless driving,” or willfully driving in a dangerous manner with disregard for the safety of others. This might include running a red light or stop sign, wrong-way driving, or driving at an excessive speed. Some people drive recklessly because they’re running late, want to impress or believe they “can’t” get into a crash because of their skilled driving.

Contact Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. to Help with Your Accident

Being in a car or motorcycle accident can leave you with severe injuries and overwhelming medical bills. If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident with a motorcycle, an accident attorney at Cochran, Kroll Associates, P.C. can help you recover the damages you deserve.

Our contingency fee basis means we only get paid if we win your case, so there is no financial risk to you to get started. Call our law firm today at 1-866-MICH-LAW and schedule your no-obligation, free case evaluation.

Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.