Bicyclist & Motorcyclist Accidents

Bicycles and motorbikes are a fun and fuel-efficient way to get where you’re going, cut down your gas bill or just relax on a sunny afternoon. Unfortunately, the facts show that their riders are also substantially more vulnerable in an accident than people traveling in conventional motor vehicles. Without the protection of a reinforced metal shell, riders are more likely to be killed or injured in an accident that would leave a car with only minor property damage. According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, 80 percent of motorcycle crashes result in a death, where that number for cars is just 20 percent. Without the protection of a full-face helmet and tough motorcycle gear, bicyclists are even more vulnerable in a crash. Injuries to a cyclist who collided with a car most commonly include head and spine injuries and multiple fractures. And the top cause of death for either type of cyclist is a traumatic brain injury.

Motorcyclists often complain that drivers of automobiles simply don’t see them. That complaint is backed up by the facts: A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration concluded that half of all motorcycle accidents were caused by an automobile driver violating the motorcyclist’s right-of-way, most commonly by making a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle. More facts about motorcycle crashes:

• 47.6 percent of all motorcycle crashes were multiple-vehicle crashes in 2005.
• Of those, the vast majority (about half, or 26.8 percent of all crashes) were impacts to the front of the bike.
• Collisions with the left side of the bike were the next most common, accounting for 3.9 percent of fatal crashes and 7.1 percent of injury crashes in 2005.
• Collisions with a fixed object were not common, accounting for just 8.8 percent of all crashes, but were far more likely to be fatal, at 26 percent of all fatal crashes.
• Most motorcycle accidents happen at intersections, within five miles of home and at speeds of less than 30 mph, according to the MSF.
• Youth, inexperience, alcohol consumption and lack of training all increase the chance of a motorcycle accident.

Motorcyclists have a legal duty to follow all rules of the road and take reasonable care when they ride in traffic. They are also legally compelled to wear a helmet in California and many other states. Smart motorcyclists know that the best practice is to add protective gear to that helmet and ride defensively -- anticipating problems before they start.

Unlike motorbikes, bicycles don’t usually join the stream of car traffic, but stick to the side where they can ride more slowly. Perhaps for that reason, the NHTSA has concluded that most fatal bicycle accidents happen between intersections, not at intersections. But again, the cause of a bicycle-versus-car accident is often the motorist not seeing or yielding the right of way to the bicyclist. More facts about bicycle injuries:

• Children between 10 and 15 had the highest rate of bicycle deaths per capita, at 0.38 per 100,000 population. But the next highest rate, 0.37 per 100,000 belonged to adults between 45 and 54.
• Bicycle injuries not resulting in death happened more often at intersections; children and teens under 20 had the highest injury rates.
• Bicycle accidents happen most often between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays, and between 6 p.m. and midnight on weekends.
• The first impact in a bicycle accident is almost always to the front of the bike.

Bicyclists in California and many other states are legally required to wear helmets and use lights at night. They are granted all the same rights as motorized traffic, but also the same responsibilities, including the responsibility to stop at stop signs and lights, not ride against traffic and in many places, to stay off the sidewalk. Safety-conscious bikers can add bright, reflective clothing to increase their visibility.

Automobile drivers have a legal duty to “share the road” with motorcycles and bicyclists. That means, first and foremost, looking for bikes and motorbikes when they check for traffic. When drivers are parallel parked on the side of a road -- especially one with a dedicated bicycle lane -- they should look into their rearview mirrors before opening the door. In California, “lane splitting” (riding between lanes) is legal for motorcycles; drivers should anticipate this in bumper-to-bumper traffic and never throw things out a car window or change lanes without checking. Motorists should resist the temptation to overtake a slower bicycle unless it is safe to do so. Bicycles and motorcycles are legally entitled to the right-of-way, when appropriate, just as if they were cars.

Either type of rider is especially vulnerable to unsafe conditions caused by poor road maintenance. Potholes and large cracks that a car could glide right over or pass with only minor annoyance could bounce motorcyclists out of their seats at high speeds or cause bikes to tip over. Rain, snow and other bad weather can make roads with poor drainage slippery and impassable. And if a roadway is negligently designed with poor visibility, bikes and motorbikes, which drivers say are hard to see under normal conditions, may suffer terrible consequences.

Since 1978, BISNAR | CHASE has aggressively represented victims of motorcycle and bicycle accidents. We have three decades of experience in accident cases and have recovered tens of millions of dollars for accident victims injured by someone else’s negligent driving. We know you may be dealing with a death, a permanent disability or a severe injury right now; that’s why we offer free consultations and never take a fee until you win your case. To discuss your unique circumstances and have your case evaluated by one of our experienced lawyers, call us today at 1-800-561-4846 or click here to fill out our convenient online consultation form.

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