There is nothing more alluring than touring across the country on a motorcycle. For many people, riding is an entire culture. There is nothing they enjoy more than the freedom that comes with riding wherever they want on their motorcycle.
Still, riding is not without its own risks. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or a newbie, motorcycles can in fact be very dangerous. With that in mind, below are five of the most common motorcycle accidents and how to avoid them.
Cars Crashing into You from Behind
Often a car simply plows into your bike from behind. These usually happen for the same reason that fender benders do. You slow down unexpectedly while the driver behind you does not. However, with a motorcycle, such an accident can be fatal. Making stops to the side of one lane rather than in the center can help lessen the risk.
Cars Making a Left Turn
One of the most common kinds of motorcycle accidents occurs when a vehicle makes a left-hand turn right into a motorcyclist. This often happens when the rider is going through an intersection or passing a car. Preventing this accident requires paying closer attention to cars stopped at intersections and those in the right lane that may have you in their blind spot.
Cars Changing Lanes
Like cars making left turns, cars changing lanes often crash into motorcycles for the same reasons. Either you are in their blind spot or the driver isn’t watching for motorcycles at all. Be extra careful about situations in which a driver may change lanes and you may be in their blind spot.
Motorcyclists are often blamed in car-motorcycle collisions, no matter who is at fault for the accident. To avoid undeserved consequences, if you’re involved in an accident with a car, especially if you’re injured, call a motorcycle accident attorney immediately.
Entering a Corner Too Fast
Another common accident that can occur happens when the rider enters a corner at too fast of a speed to safely make it all the way around. Overall, the best advice is to not try to make such extreme turns. If this does, however, happen to you, don’t overreact and hit the brakes too hard. You don’t want to lose traction. Try to ride it out if you can.
Slippery Road Conditions
Slippery road conditions can be another killer for bikers. Overall, be more careful when the road is slick and be especially careful when you suspect there might be black ice. Make sure you have good tires with good traction. If they’ve begun going bald, replace them immediately.
Riding your motorcycle can feel truly liberating. However, it’s not without its risks. People that drive cars are often not as careful as they should be when it comes to driving near motorcycles. Keep this in mind and always be prepared for the unexpected while on the road.
Author information: Anita is a freelance writer from Denver, CO. She studied at Colorado State University and now writes articles about health, business, family, and finance. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family whenever she isn’t writing. You can follow her on Twitter @anitaginsburg.
