One of the most important things that cyclists can do is understand the hazards they face on the road. Many of these are entirely out of their control. Often, other drivers make mistakes that lead to motorcycle accidents. Awareness and a focus on defensive riding can help motorcyclists stay safe.
Among the most common motorcycle accidents is the left-turn crash. Drivers who are turning left often need to cross in front of oncoming traffic. When a driver does so inappropriately, when there is not enough of a gap, it can cause a motorcycle to strike the side of the vehicle as it turns.
This is a dangerous type of accident because it often happens suddenly and without any warning. A driver may be waiting to turn farther up the road, and the motorcyclist naturally assumes they are going to wait for the bike to pass before doing so. But if they turn at the last second, the rider has just a split second before the impact.
Why does this happen?
There are many potential reasons why drivers turn left in front of motorcycles. A driver could be impaired by drugs or alcohol. They could be distracted by their phone, so they never saw the motorcycle in the first place. They may simply be in a rush, so they are trying to hurry through the turn, even though they know that the gap is likely too small.
In many cases, the issue is that drivers are not looking for motorcycles. This results in inattentional blindness, where a driver may not see a motorcycle, even though they are looking directly at it. After the crash, they may be surprised that the bike was there in the first place, even though the motorcycle was clearly visible and the rider had the right of way.
These types of accidents can lead to severe injuries, such as spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries. Riders must understand all of their legal options to seek full financial compensation.