Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
There are few things that can connect a person to the driving experience better than riding a motorcycle. While this can be an exhilarating activity, there are some dangers associated with motorcycle riding, as is the case with any type of vehicle, that need to be understood in order to maintain safety on the road.
One of the best ways that people can avoid motorcycle accidents is to familiarize themselves with the most common causes of these accidents and hopefully act in a defensive manner when on the road to prevent them from occurring.
Other Vehicles
The majority of motorcycle accidents are not caused by the motorcyclist him/herself, but by other vehicles on the road. This is not surprising, considering that motorcycles are significantly outnumbered on America’s roadways by other, larger vehicles. A study found that in 2005 there were 137.4 million passenger cars on the road, compared to only 6.2 million motorcycles.
Approximately two-thirds of all motorcycle accidents occur when the driver of a passenger vehicle fails to see or recognize a motorcycle in dense traffic and enters a motorcyclist’s lane. When negligent drivers fail to check their blind spots and look for smaller vehicles on the road, such as motorcycles, serious and damaging accidents are likely to occur.
Additional Causes
Other than negligence on the part of other drivers, some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Speeding (both on the part of the motorcyclist or other drivers)
- Faulty / Defective Motorcycles
- Dangerous Road Conditions
- Intoxicated Drivers
- Road Construction
Contact an Iowa Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you or someone you know has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact Iowa motorcycle accident lawyer Pete Leehey of the Pete Leehey Law Firm, P.C. today at 877-209-9452 to discuss your case with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer.