Causes of Accidents

Due to the smaller size of motorcycles and because drivers are often distracted while in their vehicles, drivers are often not aware of motorcyclists. Although motorcycle accidents are no more frequent than any other type of vehicle accident, motorcycle accidents are more likely to result in serious injury or death.

The most common type of motorcycle accident results from a car making a left-hand turn and striking a motorcyclist as the motorcyclist is going straight through an intersection while passing a car, or while trying to overtake a car.

Motorcycle accidents involving a head-on collision between a motorcycle and a car are less frequent yet they are more often fatal for a motorcyclist than any other form of motorcycle accident.

Road hazards are more dangerous to motorcycles than to other kinds of vehicles. Because motorcycles are smaller and less stable than other vehicles, road hazards such as pot-holes debris on the road, and uneven lanes pose a greater risk to motorcyclists than to other vehicles.

A motorcyclist colliding with a fixed object has a higher probability of serious injury or death than a person traveling in a car. Because a motorcyclist is not enclosed and protected within a vehicle it is more likely that a motorcyclist will be thrown when colliding with a fixed object.

Single motorcycle crashes are often due to speeding or alcohol use. Because motorcyclists are much less protected than those in other types of vehicles, single motorcycle crashes involving speeding or alcohol have a greater probability of resulting in serious injury or death.