Motorcyclists face real dangers every time they take to the roadway. Even if it’s just a short trip around the corner to the market in slow traffic conditions, a fatal collision can happen in a heartbeat. For this reason, motorcycle riders need to be aware of all the dangers they face on the road in order to ensure that they do not become victims of distracted driving, intoxicated driving, unlawful driving and other bad behavior by vehicle drivers.
In approximately 66 percent of all motorcycle accident cases that involved another motorist, the driver of the other car was in violation of the right of way of the motorcyclist. Even worse, motorcyclists face a 26-time higher likelihood of dying in a car crash compared to someone inside a passenger vehicle. Meanwhile, they are five times more likely to suffer an injury.
Motorcyclists also have a harder time with visual recognition — mainly because they are smaller than automobiles and vehicle drivers have a harder time seeing them. Furthermore, their small size means that motorcycle riders have a higher likelihood of being obscured by other vehicles on the road and not seen. There is also the risk of “speed wobble,” which can happen at higher speeds on motorcyclist if there is a misalignment between the rear and front tires. In speed wobble accident cases, sometimes the manufacturer can be held responsible for the crash along with any other at-fault parties.
Virginia Beach motorcyclists are always encouraged to follow the law and drive as carefully as possible on the roadway, as this will help prevent the majority of motorcyclist accidents. In the event that an injurious collision happens, however, as the result of another party’s negligence, motorcyclists will have the ability to seek financial restitution in court.
Source: FindLaw, “Motorcycle Accidents: Overview,” accessed Aug. 26, 2016