What Is the Most Common Cause of Motorcycle Accidents?

Riding a motorcycle is an inherently dangerous activity. According to the journal Accident Analysis and Prevention, motorcycle riders have a 34-fold increase in the risk of death in a crash than travelers in other types of vehicles since they lack the protection provided by a fully enclosed vehicle. Common injuries include head trauma, brain damage, fractured bones, spinal cord, and disc injuries, joint tearing, severe lacerations, and road rash.

Whether you were injured while riding a motorcycle or by a careless motorcycle driver, there is a wide variety of reasons that motorcycle accidents occur including alcohol use, speeding, distracted driving, roadway defects, and many others.

The Use of Alcohol Is the Leading Cause of Motorcycle Accidents

Most people know it is illegal to drink and drive any motor vehicle, including a motorcycle. Drinking and riding significantly impair a rider’s ability to control their vehicle and react to roadway conditions. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes had higher rates of alcohol impairment than any other type of driver in 2017. 

Of course, the same concept applies to drivers of other vehicles who may be drunk and involved in accidents with motorcyclists. Because of a motorcyclist’s heightened vulnerability, these crashes are more likely to result in catastrophic injuries or death. 

The legal team at Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP has been representing victims of motorcycle accidents since 1988. If you were injured by a motorcycle operator or another vehicle, a New York motorcycle accident lawyer is ready to fight for your compensation.

For a free legal consultation, call (646) 692-0204.

Other Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Of course, alcohol use is not the only factor that may contribute to a motorcycle collision. The drivers in the New York City metropolitan area must take all appropriate steps to drive safely and not put you at an unreasonable risk of harm.

The clearest examples of this obligation involve following the rules of the road. The laws that prohibit tailgating exist to protect every traveler on the road. A driver who violates this law may be liable for resulting damage, in much the same way as one who drives while drunk. Other violations that the other driver may have committed include:

• Ignored speed limits
• Failed to stop at a red light
• Failed to use their turn signal
• Operated their vehicle while distracted
• Failed to yield to pedestrians or other vehicles
• Operated their vehicle with defective brakes, steering wheel, or tires

However, even if a driver does not violate a rule of the road, they may still be at fault for a crash. Simple carelessness or inattentiveness is not a violation of a traffic law. Even so, keeping one’s eyes on the road and driving reasonably is a requirement for safe vehicle operation. Determining fault in a motorcycle accident is always dependent upon the unique facts and circumstances of your accident. A thorough investigation is required to prove that your accident was the result of the fault of another. At Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP, we know that the difference between a strong case and a weak one depends upon the quality of this investigation.

Motorcycle Accidents Can Result from Roadway Construction Defects

Because of the prevalence of road construction in New York City, motorcycle riders often encounter roads that are pockmarked with holes, bumps, and temporary construction plates caused by construction activities. These conditions may result in a motorcycle rider losing control of his or her bike and being injured. If you have been injured after striking a defect in the road, you may be able to bring a claim against the party responsible for causing the defect.

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Call Dansker, Aspromonte, and Associates Today

Regardless of the circumstances of your motorcycle accident, if you have sustained serious injuries because of someone else’s fault, contact the dedicated and experienced motorcycle negligence attorneys at Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP at (646) 692-0204 without delay. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin the process of investigating your claim, preserving evidence, and building a strong claim that helps us secure the fair and just financial compensation you deserve.

There are time limitations that require that you file your claim by a certain deadline. If you fail to bring your claim within that deadline, you may be forever prevented from receiving financial compensation for your injuries. Our consultation is free and if we agree to accept your case, we will begin to work for you by:

• Obtaining all police and incident reports
• Identifying all witnesses
• Securing video footage and scene photographs
• Consulting with experts in accident reconstruction
• If applicable, obtain all roadway permits and road construction records
• Requesting all hospital and medical records
• Retaining medical experts
• Filing all required legal papers in a timely manner
• Demand sworn statements from the at-fault parties
• Preparing your case for trial before a jury if necessary

The legal team at Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP represents clients throughout the New York City metropolitan area. We work to help victims of motorcycle accidents in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, and Nassau and Suffolk County. Contact us today to learn more about your rights to receive financial compensation for your injuries. If we agree to accept your case, you will not be required to pay us any money upfront. We only get paid unless you receive compensation.

Call or text (646) 692-0204 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form.