The Most Common Motorcycle Accident Scenarios
The biggest threat to motorcycle riders and their passengers is careless drivers. When motorists disobey traffic laws or fail to look out for motorcycles, it causes crashes that lead to severe injuries for motorcyclists.
Unlike cars, motorcycles don’t have a secured cabin with seat belts and airbags to protect riders. If you were injured while riding your motorcycle, speak with an experienced Pasadena motorcycle accident attorney right away.
Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents
Even when you take sensible precautions, ride defensively, and wear the right gear, motorcycle accidents can still happen. Some of the most frequent motorcycle accident scenarios include:
- Left-turn collisions typically occur when a vehicle making a left turn fails to yield to an oncoming motorcycle. A lot of times, this happens because the driver misjudges the motorcycle’s speed and distance. The consequences of such accidents can be severe, often resulting in life-threatening injuries for the motorcyclist, including fractures, head trauma, and spinal cord injuries.
- Intersection accidents often occur when drivers run red lights, fail to stop at stop signs, or ignore the motorcyclist’s right of way. Common injuries from intersection accidents include broken bones, lacerations, and traumatic brain injuries.
- Blind spot accidents result when a driver fails to check their blind spots before changing lanes or merging, leading to a collision with an unsuspecting motorcyclist. Injuries resulting from blind spot accidents can be severe, including road rash, fractures, and internal injuries.
- Distracted driving collisions are increasingly common, and they are a major threat to motorcycle riders in Pasadena. These accidents occur when motorists divert their attention from the road, often due to texting, using a GPS, eating, or other distractions inside the vehicle.
- Failure to yield accidents is a common cause of motorcycle collisions in Pasadena. These incidents occur when drivers refuse to yield the right of way to motorcyclists at intersections, roundabouts, or when merging onto highways.
- DUI accidents happen because intoxicated drivers pose a serious risk to motorcyclists in Pasadena. When drivers operate their vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it significantly impairs their reaction times, judgment, and overall driving abilities. Motorcyclists involved in DUI-related collisions often suffer from catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injuries, and multiple fractures.
- Speeding drivers have a reduced reaction time, increasing the severity of any collision. Speeding affects the driver’s ability to control their vehicle. It also makes it harder for other road users to predict their actions. For motorcyclists, even a minor collision at high speeds can result in devastating injuries, including severe road rash, broken bones, and head injuries. In cases where a speeding driver causes an accident, proving their excessive speed can be crucial for filing a successful claim.
- Rear-end collisions often result from speeding or reckless driving. These accidents occur when a vehicle strikes the back of a motorcycle, which can lead to severe injuries for the rider, including whiplash, spinal injuries, and TBI. The impact of a rear-end collision is particularly dangerous for motorcyclists due to their lack of protection.
- Road hazards and debris are significant threats to motorcyclists in Pasadena. Unlike cars, motorcycles are highly sensitive to road conditions; even minor obstacles can cause serious accidents. Common hazards include potholes, loose gravel, uneven pavement, and debris such as tire remnants or fallen branches. These obstacles can cause a rider to lose control, leading to crashes that result in injuries like road rash, broken bones, and head trauma.
- Dooring incidents occur when a driver or passenger opens a car door without checking for oncoming traffic, causing a motorcyclist to collide with the door or swerve into traffic to avoid it. The impact of dooring can result in severe injuries, including fractures, lacerations, and head injuries.
- Weather-related accidents are a major threat to motorcyclists, especially when drivers fail to slow down to a safe speed in response to adverse weather conditions, such as rain, fog, or strong winds.
Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident
Knowing the right steps to take after a motorcycle accident is crucial for protecting your health and strengthening your accident injury claim. Call 911 to alert first responders about the accident and seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you feel fine, the full extent of some injuries like whiplash, internal injuries, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) might not be immediately apparent.
Document the accident scene by taking photographs and gathering contact information from witnesses. Exchange information with the other parties involved, including driver’s license numbers, insurance details, and vehicle registration. Avoid admitting fault or making statements about the accident until you have spoken with a motorcycle accident lawyer. Report the accident to your insurance company, but refrain from detailed discussions.
Our Pasadena Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Seeks Maximum Compensation
At Vardanyan Law Firm, our legal practice is dedicated to getting justice for accident victims. We’ve won millions of dollars for our clients. Vardanyan Law Firm takes cases on a contingency basis, so you won’t owe us anything unless we win you a settlement.
Call our accident lawyer in Pasadena at (747) 850-9241 to learn more today.