Cyclists need to be focused on safety when riding. Even with a helmet and other protective equipment, their odds of injury are much higher in an accident. Additionally, many of these crashes are caused by other drivers, so motorcyclists need to know what to watch out for.
According to some, one of the most common accidents is known as a left-turn motorcycle crash. The motorcyclist is not the one turning in this situation. Instead, another driver is turning left, meaning they are driving through oncoming traffic lanes, and they cut off the motorcycle. Motorcyclists have no good options to avoid the crash because this often happens quickly, so there is not enough time to brake, and swerving to the left would just cause them to ride into the oncoming traffic lanes.
Why do drivers make this mistake?
There are many potential reasons why someone would turn left in front of a motorcycle. In many cases, people are not looking for motorcycles, and so they do not see them. This is often referred to as inattentional blindness, where the driver may genuinely believe they did not see the bike, even though they looked at it.
In other cases, the drivers are simply focused on larger vehicles. Someone who is turning left is already looking for a gap in traffic to make that turn, for example. If a motorcycle is hidden behind a semi-truck, the driver might start turning through what they believe is a gap, without realizing that there is actually a motorcycle approaching.
Of course, there are also common issues like impaired driving or distracted driving, both of which could mean that a driver does not look for or does not see a motorcyclist.
Seeking compensation
Because these accidents can lead to severe injuries, motorcyclists need to know what legal options they have to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages and any other costs.
