The Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle riding is great sport but inherently dangerous. Being small in size and relatively unstable, motorcycles are more prone to accidents. Also, motorcyclists’ lack of external protection makes them more likely to be seriously injured or killed in a crash.

Knowing the principal reasons for motorcycle mishaps is a good start to avoiding them. The following are three of the leading causes:

Inattentive drivers — Passenger and commercial vehicles drivers do not always look for or notice motorcycles, which can dart quickly around them. Drivers might turn in front of motorcycles or cut them off when changing lanes. While motorcycles are highly maneuverable, in many instances the rider simply does not have sufficient time to avoid a collision.
Poor conditions — Having only two wheels, motorcycles are more susceptible to road hazards than other vehicles. Wet pavement, loose sand or gravel, oil spills or ice and snow can easily cause a rider to lose control. Also, adverse weather conditions such as rain, fog and dust can make for poor visibility on the roads, affecting both motorcyclists and other drivers.
Unsafe maneuvers — Although most motorcyclists observe basic traffic rules and safety practices, some may push the limits by going too fast, weaving in traffic or lane splitting, which means traveling between car lanes in slow-moving or stopped traffic. Poor riding can also be the result of a motorcyclist’s level of experience.

Motorcycling will never be accident-free, but riders can improve safety by:

Riding responsibly — Ride only when physically and mentally up to the task and never ride while intoxicated, impaired or distracted. Riders can also improve their skills by participating in motorcycle safety events and advanced riding classes.
Riding defensively — Remain vigilant and anticipate other motorists’ potential mistakes.
Riding in groups — A group of motorcycles is much more visible to other motorists, so riding together is much safer than riding alone.
Checking conditions — Riders should keep a close eye on the weather and check for road condition advisories whenever possible.

If injured in a motorcycle accident, a rider should first seek immediate medical treatment to prevent any further harm. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can advise about how a rider can recover his or her losses from one or more parties at fault.

Pulverman & Pulverman, LLP in Santa Barbara, California is a full service personal injury firm serving clients in southern California. If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident, feel free to contact us online or call 805.259.3581 for a free consultation.

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- $4,375,772 Arbitration award to a man severely injured as a pedestrian after being abandoned on the side of Highway 101 at 2 a.m. He was struck and injured 20 minutes later by a hit and run motorist and lost a leg and survived a lengthy coma. His arbitration award was against his girlfriend who was negligent for abandoning him on the side of the road. She disputed any liability and blamed him for being drunk. The award was reduced by 50 percent because of his intoxication.
- $3,204,934 Verdict for a man who sued an insurance company for its unreasonable refusal to settle his claim for $100,000 (policy limits). The jury determined that the insurance company acted in bad faith and the court entered a judgment for the injured plaintiff. $2,200,000 Action against international cruise line for injuries suffered on an on-shore excursion based on negligent supervision of the shore excursion provider.
- $2,000,015 Mediated settlement for a man who suffered a crushed foot in a head-on collision in the desert. $2,000,000 Jury verdict for a female motorist hit by a truck on US 101. She sustained fractures to her pelvis, femur, tibia and fibula requiring surgery. $2,000,000 Recovered for a motorcyclist who was hit by a truck and sustained orthopedic and traumatic brain injuries.
- $1,250,000 Mediated settlement for a man injured in a motorcycle accident causing a broken foot, clavicle and punctured lung. Dispute over the extent of the injuries complicated by a previously undiagnosed diabetic condition. This represented the policy limits. $1,187,704 verdict on behalf of a bicyclist who sustained shoulder, knee and rib injuries by a truck driver who violated the bicyclist’s right of way.
- $1,100,000 Settlement for a man who was rear-ended by an underinsured motorist with a $25,000 liability policy. An additional $1,075,000 was recovered under the underinsured motorist policy. $1,010,866 A pedestrian walking out of a store in San Luis Obispo is struck by a motorist entering a parking space hitting the gas instead of the brakes causing a broken leg.
- $1,000,000 Mediated settlement for a man with a fractured pelvis injured in a freeway collision with a driver carrying minimum limits of coverage ($15,000). An employer paid an additional $735,000 for a total policy limit of $750,000. An additional $250,000 was recovered in underinsured motorist benefits (policy limits). $1,055,000 Mediated settlement for a young woman who suffered a fractured knee in the parking lot of an oil change service facility. $1,100,000 settlement for a motorcyclist who sustained a fractured tibia, fibula and ribs when he was struck by a car exiting a driveway. $1,100,000 settlement for a woman who sustained a mild traumatic brain injury as a passenger in a single car collision. $1,051,250 Plaintiff/passenger suffered a fractured femur from a high speed rear end collision. Plaintiff/driver suffered lacerations from flying glass. Defendant contended he suffered a seizure and alleged the sudden unanticipated emergency defense and was diagnosed with epilepsy.
- $815,000 Settlement for a man who suffered a herniated disc with an underinsured drunk driver who paid $15,000. An additional $800,000 was recovered under an underinsured motorist policy. $500,000 Mediated settlement for policy limits for a woman who broke her hip in a rear-end accident. The defense contended the injury existed before the accident and initially offered $51,000.
- $410,645 Mediated settlement in a motorcycle crash causing a rotator cuff injury. Disputed over pre-existing medical conditions. $235,000 Mediated settlement for a woman who slipped and fell on water at an auto dealership near a water fountain. $74,277 Verdict for a woman injured in an intersection accident. Dispute over the force of impact. The defense offered $30,000 forcing a trial. The court also awarded $28,547 in costs.
- $600,000 Settlement for a woman who sustained a shoulder injury in an intersection collision with a driver who ran a red light.
- $1,000,000 settlement for a motorcyclist who injured his leg by a car pulling out of a parking lot. $1,000,000 settlement for a motorcyclist who injured his leg by a car exiting a shopping center parking lot. $1,000,025 recovered for a woman who injured her shoulders and arms in an intersection crash.