Syracuse Personal Injury Law Blog
It seems that not a day goes by without you hearing about or seeing motorcycle accidents in New York. The number of riders is increasing every day; so is the risk of accidents. In 2015, there were “8.6 million motorcyclists on the roads” across the country, state the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Any type of accident that occurs on the roads is enough to leave you wondering what kind of injuries the victims sustained. You may also find yourself wondering about the causes of these crashes and what can be done to prevent them. Here is a brief overview of factors that lead to motorcycle accidents.
Road conditions
Some bikers do not check the weather before they ride. The weather is not always predictable and can become unpleasant and unsafe for motorcyclists to ride in. Keep in mind that other factors can affect road conditions, making them less ideal for riders, such as potholes, construction, traffic, road design and slick pavements. Bikers can avoid most hazardous road conditions by checking the weather and road conditions and planning their trips.
Driver doors
Bikers often ride in between vehicles in parking lots and traffic. Some motorists are not always aware that there are bikers in between their vehicles on the streets and the path of their doors before they open them in parking lots. As a result, motorcyclists are hit by unsuspecting drivers and crash into car doors.
Intoxication
When it comes to intoxication, many people tend to only think of drunk passenger vehicle operators. Many of them do not realize that some bikers also engage in intoxicated riding. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in 2015, there were approximately 1,609 motorcycle fatalities in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes.
The above causes of motorcycle accidents are preventable. Bikers should plan their trips, re-educate themselves on proper riding techniques and rules, ride cautiously and with consideration for all other motorists. They should also refrain from using alcohol before they get on their vehicles.