As far as transportation methods go, motorcycles are one of the more exhilarating options. However, unlike a car, motorcycles offer no protection during a collision, leaving riders vulnerable to injury. If you were injured in a motorcycle collision in New York, it’s normal to have questions such as “What is the most common motorcycle accident?” or “Do accidents like mine happen often?” Read on to learn more about the types of accidents motorcyclists may encounter. It’s also a good idea to brush up on what to expect after a motorcycle accident, so you aren’t left in the dark should you be involved in one.
Motorcycle Accident Causes
Motorcycles are smaller than the vehicles they share the road with, which means other drivers may have difficulty seeing them, especially if they’re distracted. The most frequently recorded collision types involve another vehicle, and no matter how cautious a cyclist is, they could still be injured due to another driver’s actions.
Motorcyclists are also more susceptible to road hazards than drivers in other motor vehicles, which can lead to collisions as both parties attempt to handle whatever obstacles the road brings. The New York City Motorcycle Safety Study conducted by the Department of Transportation from 2010-2014 found the following motorcycle accidents to be the most common:
Accidents Caused by Collision During Overtaking
Approximately 14% of motorcycle injury crashes recorded in the NYC Motorcycle Safety Study cited overtaking as the cause. Overtaking is the term for when one vehicle attempts to pass another vehicle, and the study did not record whether the motorcyclist was the one passing or being passed in these collisions.
Accidents Caused by Rear-Ending
A rear-ending collision occurs when one vehicle hits the other from behind. These crashes typically happen when the vehicle in front is slowing or stopped, and the approaching vehicle cannot slow down quickly enough to avoid collision. 12% of motorcycle injury crashes logged in the study involved rear-ending.
Accidents Caused by Right-Angle Movements
Right-angle movements can result in collisions such as T-bones, where one vehicle is perpendicular to the other, striking the side of it head-on. Whether the cyclist was the party striking or being struck was not tracked, but 11% of motorcycle crashes resulting in injury claimed this as the cause.
Accidents Caused by Left Turns
The NYC Motorcycle Safety Study found that 10% of accidents stemmed from an involved party making a left turn. Since left turns typically involve crossing traffic, this suggests other drivers being unable to see the motorcyclist factored into many of these crashes, as well as the collisions caused by right-angle movements.
Accidents Caused by Alcohol Use
The next common type of motorcycle accident is collisions involving alcohol use. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene found that approximately 14% of motorcycle accident fatalities and severe injuries involved a cyclist with a Blood Alcohol Content over the legal limit (.08).
Schedule a Free Consultation With Surdez & Perez Today
Unfortunately, the factors that make riding a motorcycle so enjoyable are also the ones that put riders at risk in an accident. The lack of a protective structure allows you to relish the feeling of a beautiful day in New York but leaves you vulnerable to injury. A motorcycle accident can be a life-altering event, but you don’t have to endure the legal process alone.
When you work with one of our legal professionals, we will support you every step of the way. If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident in Queens, New York, or the surrounding areas, reach out to Surdez & Perez to schedule a free consultation. Our compassionate attorneys are ready to help you with your motorcycle accident claim.
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