Causes of Motorcycle Crashes
Did you know that about 75 percent of motorcycle accidents involve another vehicle? When a motorcycle collides with another vehicle, the rider is at risk of serious injuries due to the forceful impact and lack of protection offered by motorcycles. Even when the accident involves just the motorcycle, the rider may sustain serious injuries. If someone you love was involved in a motorcycle crash, the Oklahoma City personal injury attorneys of The Tawwater Law Firm can determine if the negligence of another person or party contributed to the crash; if so, the victim or the victim's family may be liable for compensation.
Some common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
Drivers of Cars Making Left-hand Turns
The most common cause of motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle is when a car is making a left turn while a motorcyclist is continuing to go straight or trying to pass or overtake the vehicle. This type of motorcycle accident case has a tendency to be especially complex, as it may be more difficult to prove who is at fault. Our Oklahoma City auto accident attorneys will gather the facts relating to your case, reconstruct the accident, and determine the best course of action for establishing liability.
Road Hazards
Road hazards are especially dangerous for motorcycle riders. When objects such as tire treads, furniture, tree branches, gravel, rocks, or other debris is on the roads, it can cause a serious accident if a motorcyclist does not see the objects in time to move out of the way. Other road hazards such as potholes, puddles of water, edge breaks, and expansion joints can cause the tires to catch, throwing the rider off of the motorcycle. If the city, county, or state fails to maintain safe roadways, these parties may be liable for damages in motorcycle accident cases.
Inexperienced Motorists
Inexperienced motorists can cause motorcycle accidents. Drivers are responsible for being aware of other vehicles while driving. However, all too frequently, drivers do not see motorcycles due to their small size. This lack of awareness can have dire consequences if a driver veers into the space occupied by a motorcyclist.
Excessive Speed
It is common knowledge that speeding is a causal factor in many automobile accidents. When drivers of other vehicles are speeding and then hit a motorcyclist, the rider of the motorcycle is more likely to sustain serious injuries. If you or a loved one was involved in a motorcycle accident in which the driver of the other car was speeding, you may be entitled to damages.
Defective Products/Crashworthiness
If a motorcycle has an inherently dangerous design, or a specific part is defective due to design or manufacturing flaws, the rider is put at an increased risk of an accident. In these types of cases, a product liability lawsuit can be filed against the designer, manufacturer, or wholesaler of the defective part.
At The Tawwater Law Firm, our Oklahoma City attorneys have experiencing handling all types of motorcycle accident cases. Contact our law firm today to schedule a case review with one of our lawyers.
