The last thing anyone wants to think of when on the open road is an accident. Yet, while the topic is unpleasant, it cannot be avoided altogether.
Statistics for motorcycle accidents are sobering. According to the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration, 84,000 motorists sustained injuries while 5,114 died in accidents in 2019.
Similarly, a motorcycle rider is almost 35 times more likely to sustain severe injuries in an accident than a car driver.
These statistics may be intimidating- but they can be used for good. When we understand the causes of motorcycle accidents, we can know to avoid them better. So, what are the main causes of motorcycle accidents?
This post divides them into three main categories, other road users, roadway conditions, and risky road behavior. Let’s look at them in detail.
Motorcycle Accidents and Their Causes
This section breaks down how each of the three causes mentioned above contributes to motorcycle accidents on our roads:
Other Road Users
If you are wondering what causes most motorcycle accidents, other people on the road top the list. Here are three causes of motorcycle accidents from other road users.
1. Cars Making Left-Hand Turns
Collisions between cars and motorcycles occur when making left-hand turns. Unfortunately, such collisions are often deadly.
According to a 2019 report by the NHTSA, nearly 50% of fatal crashes involving a car and a motorcycle happen when the vehicle is taking a left turn. Cars typically strike oncoming motorcycles in intersections either because of:
- Low visibility
- Driver distraction
- Speeding
Left-turn right-of-way laws are obvious- the driver turning left should always yield to other traffic.
If a driver hits your motorcycle while turning left, it’s almost certain that the driver will be at fault. But you might also share the fault if you were speeding or in the wrong lane.
2. Distracted Drivers
You might be a very good rider. Unfortunately, being the best does not mean other road users are attentive.
Distractions are so many nowadays- music, phone calls, podcasts, texts, or general inattention can all impact the ability of a driver to notice a motorcycle on the road.
Since 2003, there has been a 1500% increase in driver phone use, with distracted drivers now causing approximately 10% of all fatal road accidents in the U.S.
Motorcycle awareness campaigns have already been launched worldwide, teaching drivers to watch for motorcycles. But riders must also be alert to ensure distracted drivers don’t pose a collision threat.
3. Lane Splitting
Car drivers witness this almost every other day. Lane splitting is where a biker rides through lanes of vehicles to cut through traffic.
Generally, cars don’t expect vehicles to pass them in slow or stopped traffic. Besides, there’s very little room for motorcycles to maneuver when weaving between cars. A slight mistake can cause an accident in the flash of a second.
Very few states allow lane splitting as of now. That means the biker is more likely to be found guilty if an accident occurs because of lane splitting.
4. Roadway Features
Motorcycles are typically smaller and less stable than cars. So, any irregularities and unexpected objects on the road can cause a bike to crash. Here are some roadway features that may lead you into a motorcycle accident:
5. Weather and Seasons
You may not think of weather conditions as a factor in motorcycle accidents. But every season and weather change affect the road, and every rider should know about it.
In warm weather, motorcyclists should expect decreased traction on the tire’s road paint or tar patch areas. During fall, leaves and plant debris may cause dangerous traction problems on city and country roads.
During spring, the gravel, oil, or debris is yet to be washed away by the first few showers of rain. And the same rains can be risky to motorcyclists as they reduce traction and cause visibility issues.
So, every weather condition presents its issues. One way drivers can prevent motorcycle accidents is by exercising ‘caution of care’ when on the road.
But since accidents happen, being a careful rider at all times and in all weather conditions could help prevent motorcycle accidents.
Roadway Conditions
Roadway condition is a common cause of motorcycle accidents. Yet, riders often overlook this threat.
Car drivers barely notice some of these elements, but they can be major causes of motorcycle accidents. These factors include:
- Poorly lit intersections
- Pavement defects
- Gravel, sand, or debris
- Leaves or grass clippings
- Unmarked lane changes
- Bridge joints
- Railroad tracks
Riders should equally consider corner types as a threat. Some corner constructions have a decreasing radius, and they typically cause issues for riders.
Maybe you could use the Search, Evaluate, Execute (SEE) technique to assess roadway conditions and establish a safe riding plan.
Risky Road Behavior
Indeed, riders can’t control such factors as road conditions. However, they have control over their risky behavior. Some of them, especially young males (statistically), deliberately break safety rules on the road.
When we talk of risky behavior, what are the three main causes of motorcycle accidents?
a) Speeding
Motorcycles do have a thrilling acceleration rate. Just a single twist can seem to release unlimited power- which brings us to one of the world’s major causes of motorcycle accidents- speed.
If you are a rider, you know how alluring sharp corners and clear stretches can be. But pushing the limits comes with grave repercussions.
According to the 2019 NHTSA study, 33 percent of motorcyclists involved in fatal accidents were speeding.
Sadly, young riders are more likely to be involved in fatal speeding accidents. In 2019, half of the riders who died in motorcycle accidents when speeding were between 21 and 24 years of age.
The good thing about speed-related accidents is that something can be done to prevent them. Regardless of how the road looks, use a reasonable pace.
b) Alcohol Use
If you never knew what causes the majority of motorcycle accidents, it’s alcohol use.
Alcohol use is a major cause of motorcycle accidents not just in the U.S but across the world Being intoxicated when driving any motor vehicle is a recipe for trouble- this is especially true when it comes to motorcycling.
Almost 30% of riders involved in fatal motorcycle accidents in 2019 were alcohol-impaired.
With alcohol, even a single drink can impair your mental abilities like reaction time and judgement when riding.
c) Not Wearing a Helmet
The simplest way of staying safe on a motorcycle is wearing a helmet. The NHTSA approximates that 33 out of every 100 motorcyclists killed in accidents could have survived if they had worn a helmet.
Some states have even made it a requirement for motorcyclists to wear helmets. In other states, the requirements to wear helmets depend on the age of motorcycle occupants (just like bicycle helmet laws).
So, check your state helmet laws to avoid liability and keep safe in an accident.
Final Thoughts
The NHTSA shows that about 80 percent of all motorcycle accidents result in injury or death.
Most riders would agree that nothing compares to the thrill and freedom of motorcycle riding. Having these statistics in mind is crucial to avoid becoming one.
There are numerous causes of motorcycle crashes to learn about and protect yourself against. If you and other riders wear helmets, be sober, and remain vigilant, we could make our roads safer and reduce the rates of accident-related deaths and injuries.
