Causes of Motorcycle Injuries
A motorcycle accident in Clearwater, Florida, on June 3rd, 2021, left one motorcyclist critically injured. Injuries sustained by the motorcyclist were not life-threatening, but the victim required hospitalization. This was a single-vehicle accident, and the motorcyclist was suspected to be impaired and speeding by authorities.
While some motorcycle accidents happen because the motorcyclist was careless, others happen because other drivers or parties are negligent and cause the motorcycle to crash.
How can you protect yourself from becoming another statistic? Know some of the major causes of motorcycle injuries and, if a crash does happen, consult with a Clearwater motorcycle accident lawyer right away.
Left-Turning Cars
A motorcyclist is at a high risk of being involved in an accident due to a left-turning car. This could be because left-turning cars might not see them coming, or drivers may misjudge their speed and brake too late to avoid hitting the motorcycle. However, just because motorcycles are smaller and more difficult to see does not justify a left-turning driver hitting them. Drivers should be paying full attention to oncoming traffic before they make left turns - including motorcycles.
Drivers Failing to Yield
One of the top causes of motorcycle crashes is drivers who fail to yield right-of-way, which often means they did not see you coming or were distracted in some way, such as using their phones. Drivers might also fail to properly yield because they simply failed to check their blind spots before merging or changing lanes.
However, in other situations, drivers might be acting aggressively behind the wheel, and motorcyclists are a common target. Drivers might purposely try to prevent you from merging or turning when you should, which can lead you to crash on your motorcycle.
High-Speed Motorcycle Accidents are Common
High-speed motorcycle accidents are a major cause of injury and death. This is because when you can't control the bike, and there's an impact with another vehicle, it usually results in serious injuries such as head trauma, broken bones, and organ damage. Highway drivers might cut off motorcyclists, run them off the road, or crash directly into them at high speeds.
Motorcycle Riders Have Less Protection than Car Drivers
Regardless of what causes a crash, people who ride motorcycles are at greater risk for injury and death compared to those riding in cars due to their lack of protective gear, such as airbags and seatbelts. For this reason, motorcyclists involved in collisions will almost always suffer severe injuries. Even with a helmet, a motorcyclist can still suffer life-changing head trauma.
No matter how a negligent party caused an accident, the resulting injuries can be extremely serious in a motorcycle crash, and the right legal help is critical.
Have You Been Involved in a Motorcycle Accident? Speak with a Clearwater Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you've been involved in a motorcycle accident or know someone who has, it's important to speak with an experienced Clearwater motorcycle accident attorney. We can help explain your rights and make sure that the person responsible for causing the crash is held accountable for their actions. The Law Offices of Tragos, Sartes & Tragos can help, so please contact us today to speak to a member of our legal team so we can learn more about your case.