Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
By familiarizing yourself with motorcycle accident statistics and understanding why certain factors pose a higher risk than others, you can decrease your chances of being injured in a motorcycle crash.
One insightful report on motorcycle safety was assembled by a team of European researchers who exhaustively reconstructed and analyzed almost 1000 different motorcycle accidents of all types. The most important findings of the report, titled the Motorcycle Accident In-Depth Study (MAIDS), are shown below.
MAIDS Findings
The MAIDS study explores several circumstantial factors that have been shown to increase the likelihood of motorcycle crashes. To the surprise of many, the incidence of motorcycle crash victims being intoxicated was as low as 5%, though the chance that those riders would be involved in a motorcycle accident was much higher than for other riders.
One circumstance that commonly resulted in motorcycle accidents was when an unlicensed rider operated a motorcycle. The lack of riding technique and know-how on behalf of such riders is a threat to their own safety and the safety of others on the road. This detail also serves as a valuable reminder that a responsible motorcycle owner should never lend their bike to someone without the proper license or training.
Lastly, the MAIDS report clearly concluded that riders in their 40s or older were much less likely to have a fatal motorcycle accident than riders between the ages of 18 and 27. While experience is clearly an important factor, the tendency of older riders to exhibit more caution on the road than younger riders can be a lesson for motorcyclists regardless of age.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
This report and virtually all the other studies of motorcycle accidents reinforce the same fact over and over, that human error is the principal cause of motorcycle accidents. The report also demonstrates that in most motorcycle accidents, the driver of the other vehicle (usually a car or truck) is the party responsible for the crash.
37% of the motorcycle accidents studied were caused by a rider’s error and 50% were caused by an error of the other driver. Motorcycle riders should always assume that other vehicles on the road can’t see them and drive defensively as well as try to stay out of other driver’s blind spots.
Other leading causes for motorcycle accidents include:
- failure to observe certain traffic regulations (stop signs, red lights, merge signs, etc.)
- unsafe road conditions
- high speeds
- driving at night
- driving on rural roads or undivided highways
Surviving a Motorcycle Accident
The motorcycle helmet has proven to be the most important factor in determining whether a rider will walk away after a crash. No other article of safety gear has proven to be as effective in minimizing motorcycle injuries and preventing possibly fatal motorcycle accidents as the helmet.
Nonetheless, in 9% of the motorcycle crashes analyzed, the rider’s helmet came off during the accident because it was not properly fastened or because it was too large. Riders should always be sure that their helmets are the correct size and fastened properly before getting on their bike.
The MAIDS study also found that most riders did not manage to properly execute key avoidance maneuvers when their motorcycle accident occurred. Even experienced riders should periodically review different avoidance maneuvers to stay prepared in the event of a possible collision. Beginner and Advanced rider technique courses are available nationwide through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and independent motorcycle organizations.
Oftentimes, motorcycle accidents result in serious or life-threatening injuries to the people riding them. If you, or your loved one have sustained traumatic accident injuries as a result of a motorcycle crash, you should consult with an experienced Boston motorcycle injury attorney.
When you are interviewing motorcycle accident lawyers ask critical questions, like:
- How long have you been in practice?
- What is the largest settlement or verdict you have secured for your clients in motorcycle accident cases?
- How many Massachusetts motorcycle accident cases have you handled and won?
The Boston motorcycle accident lawyer and avid motorcyclist, Tom Kiley, has been fighting for bike accident victims for the last 30 years. His successful record shows millions of dollars won for clients in motor vehicle accidents and other personal injury cases.
Call 1-888-208-1695 for a Free Case Evaluation.
