What Type of Motorcycle Accidents are Typically the Most Serious?
Motorcyclists face unique dangers that most other drivers do not have to worry about. Since they are not protected from the environment, motorcycle riders are far more vulnerable to severe injuries when accidents occur. Additionally, the smaller size of a motorcycle makes it harder for other drivers to see them on the road.
Given these heightened risks, motorcyclists must practice safe riding and remain extra attentive to their surroundings. Here are a few of the most serious types of motorcycle accidents.
Head-On Collisions
A head-on crash occurs when two vehicles collide after traveling in opposite directions. Because of the combined forces at play, this type of accident generally results in the most damage.
Common Causes
Several factors could cause a head-on collision. Driver negligence is the most common cause, and it could involve impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, improper passing practices, or quick lane changes.
Adverse road conditions could also cause head-on crashes if a driver swerves to avoid the hazard or loses control of their vehicle.
Injuries Associated with Head-On Collisions
Motorcycle accident injuries can be life-altering after a head-on crash. You may face a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a spinal cord injury, multiple fractures, and organ damage.
Left-Turn Accidents
Left-turn accidents are common across the United States. Motorcyclists may collide with other cars when they have to cross multiple lanes when turning left or when other cars make left-hand turns.
Dangers of Lane Splitting
Lane-splitting is a practice used by some motorcycle riders who ride between two lanes of traffic going in the same direction. Unfortunately, this can be particularly hazardous. Accidents can easily occur if drivers fail to yield to motorcyclists.
Additionally, both riders and drivers may misjudge speed and distance, further increasing the risk of collisions.
Injuries Commonly Sustained in Lane Splitting Accidents
Although lane-splitting accidents are usually not as traumatic as head-ons, they are still likely to cause serious injuries. Broken bones, fractures, road rash, lacerations, and internal injuries are common in these collisions.
High-Side and Low-Side Motorcycle Crash Accidents
Some motorcycle accidents do not initially involve other vehicles. If the motorcycle crashes by itself, it will likely be categorized as either a high-side or a low-side crash. High-side crashes tend to be more dangerous for riders.
High-Side Accidents
A high-side accident is usually caused by the rear wheel losing traction and sliding. It then regains its grip, resulting in a violent lurch of the vehicle. Often, the rider is thrown over the handlebars, causing blunt-force trauma and severe impact injuries. These could include traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and multiple fractures like broken ribs.
Low-Side Accidents
Low-side accidents occur when the rear wheel loses traction and slides until the bike hits the road’s surface. The rider typically skids along the road with their bike until they come to a stop. The most common injuries in this scenario are abrasions, road rash, fractures, and permanent scarring.
Dooring Accidents
Dooring is when a person opens the door of a vehicle in the path of a motorcyclist, causing the rider to collide with that door. This often happens in heavy traffic areas or because of parked cars.
Risks for Motorcyclists
The risks of dooring to motorcyclists are substantial. If you were in this type of accident, you probably had no time to react before the crash happened. These incidents put the rider at serious risk of getting injured.
Common Injuries from Dooring Accidents
Even if dooring happens at lower speeds, it can still result in injured motorcyclists. Head injuries, fractured bones, and soft tissue injuries are common in these circumstances.
Accidents Caused by Road Hazards
Road hazards cause many motorcycle accidents. Since motorcycles are only on two wheels, it is easier for operators to lose control of the vehicle or become imbalanced when they hit an unexpected object or road surface. Potholes, debris, uneven pavement, and wet roads can all lead to neck injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal bleeding.
Intersection Accidents
Intersections are some of the most dangerous areas on the road. When multiple lanes converge, there are many opportunities for a motorcycle accident to occur. People run red lights, fail to yield when appropriate, ignore blind spots, and struggle to navigate complex traffic patterns.
If a motorcycle crash happens in an intersection, the motorcyclist might face a brain injury, spinal cord injury, or damage to internal organs.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
In a hit-and-run accident, one of the drivers, typically the one at fault, flees the scene after the collision occurs. This makes it difficult for injured victims to recover damages in insurance and legal claims.
If you are injured in an accident and the other car drives away, contacting an experienced accident lawyer can help you win compensation. This money can help pay for bills from the hospital, reimburse lost income from missed work, and other legal damages.
Compensation You Can Get for a Serious Motorcycle Accident
Injured motorcyclists have two ways to claim compensation after an accident: insurance claims and personal injury claims. An insurance claim can help you recover compensation for bodily injury and property damage. However, this may not be enough to cover the total impact of the accident, especially if someone else’s negligence caused the collision.
In a personal injury claim, you can pursue far more damages, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Emotional trauma
- Chronic pain
- Loss of quality of life
If a motorcycle accident turns fatal, surviving family members can file a wrongful death claim for additional damages like funeral costs and loss of companionship.
Legal Help For a Motorcycle Accident
If you are suffering under the weight of injuries and financial challenges after a motorcycle accident, the team at Mitch Grissim & Associates can help you. We offer a free consultation about your case to figure out the best legal option. Whether your accident was caused by someone driving over the speed limit or a road hazard, our experienced attorneys can help motorcyclists in any situation.
Contact our team today so we can conduct a full investigation of your case and provide legal guidance throughout the claims process. Call us at 615-255-9999 or fill out the online form.
