Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Thousands of motorcycles are registered to drivers throughout Tennessee, and they are a wonderful way to navigate cities and the open road in a state that enjoys good weather for most of the year. Sadly, drivers of larger vehicles like cars, trucks, and vans do not always look out for motorcycles on the road, which causes catastrophic accidents for drivers and passengers on this less protected vehicle. At Mitch Grissim & Associates, our team is prepared to zealously advocate for your personal injury claims after a motorcycle accident. To learn more, call our office today.

Speeding

Speeding is one of the most common causes of accidents involving motorcycles. When drivers of larger vehicles speed, they have less time to identify and avoid smaller vehicles like motorcycles. Speeding on roads that are in poorer condition or after inclement weather can lead to a loss of control behind the wheel, making it impossible to avoid an accident with a motorcycle on the road. Speeding causes many rear end crashes with motorcycles and sideswipe incidents when a car is speeding while engaging in other maneuvers on the road.

Driving Distracted

Driving distracted leads to many accidents with motorcycles on the road in Tennessee. Drivers in larger vehicles like cars and trucks feel safe to check their phones, play with the radio, and engage in other distracting behaviors while behind the wheel. Unfortunately, this makes them far less likely to check for smaller vehicles like motorcycles around them, leading to accidents throughout the Nashville area.

Driving Under the Influence

Drivers of cars and trucks driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs cause thousands of injuries on the roadway every year, and many of these crashes involve motorcycles. When someone is driving under the influence their judgment, cognitive skills, reflexes, and motor functions are all impaired. This makes a driver far less capable of recognizing or reacting to accidents, which often results in crashes that are more direct and at higher speeds than accidents where the driver is sober. Drivers under the influence are also less likely to check, see, and recognize motorcycles in their vicinity, further increasing the chances of a crash.

Unsafe Lane Changes and Other Hazardous Driving

Finally, unsafe lane changes and other hazardous driving by larger vehicles cause many motorcycle accidents every year. Changing lanes quickly, without signaling, and without checking for motorcycles provides no opportunity to avoid a crash. Other hazardous driving, such as failing to signal before turning, passing in no passing zones, and driving through stop signs or red lights also contributes to many accidents with motorcycles every year. To learn more about the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Tennessee, talk to a knowledgeable personal injury attorney today.

Call or Contact Mitch Grissim & Associates Today

Motorcycle accidents are scary and often traumatic for victims, but you do not have to go through this time alone. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a motorcycle accident, the experienced Nashville personal injury attorneys at Mitch Grissim & Associates can help. Call or contact the office today to schedule a free consultation of your case.

Resource:

cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/pdf/impaired_driving/Drunk_Driving_in_TN.pdf