Biker Accident

Due to the nature of a motorcycle, a biker accident poses a much higher risk of injury or death than an accident involving a car or other passenger vehicle. During a biker accident, the biker is less protected and therefore more vulnerable to the impact of the collision.

It is estimated that per mile traveled, the risk of a fatal biker accident is roughly 35 times higher than in a passenger vehicle. Additionally, the risk of injury or death from a biker accident is roughly 80 percent. The risk of injury or death from a passenger vehicle accident is roughly 20 percent.

Types of Biker Accidents

There are several ways that a biker accident can occur. Biker accidents are classified into two main categories: when a collision occurs with another vehicle, and when the biker is the only party involved. Both types of biker accident can have devastating effects for the bikers and other parties involved.

Collision with another Vehicle

It is estimated that 75 percent of biker accident cases involve a collision with another vehicle. In many of these biker accident cases, the driver of the passenger vehicle violates the motorcyclist’s right-of-way. This may occur for several reasons, such as negligence or failure to detect the presence or intention of the biker.

Single Vehicle Accidents

Roughly 25 percent of biker accident cases involve a single-vehicle crash. A single-vehicle biker accident can occur when the biker collides with a fixed object such as a tree, post, or debris on the road. Single-vehicle biker accident cases may also occur when a biker over-brakes or turns too widely. As a result, a slide or fall-out may occur. Faulty or broken parts may also cause a single-vehicle biker accident, such as a punctured tire or faulty brake system.

Avoiding a Biker Accident

Both bikers and passenger vehicle drivers can take steps to avoid being involved in a biker accident. Motorcyclists should enroll in a motorcycle safety course to learn how to properly operate a motorcycle, how to prepare before riding, and how to be safe while on the road.

Biker accident prevention tips for bikers include:

• Wearing protective gear and helmets approved by the Department of transportation (DOT)
• Obeying all traffic laws and avoiding speeding
• Increasing visibility to other drivers by using reflective tape and wearing bright colors
• Avoiding impairment or distraction while on the road
• Using turn signals as well as hand signals to increase visibility to other drivers
• Avoiding driving when weather conditions are poor
• Riding in lane areas where the motorcycle will be more visible to other drivers

Biker accident prevention tips for passenger vehicle drivers include:

• Avoiding driving distracted or impaired
• Allowing full lane width for motorcyclists and refraining from sharing lanes
• Using turn signals before merging with traffic or changing lanes to alert motorcyclists
• Checking for blind spots at intersections and before switching lanes
• Providing adequate distance when driving behind a motorcyclist in case he or she needs to slow down or maneuver unexpectedly

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