Car Accidents Involving Motorcycles

    DALLAS, TX, November 28, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Every year, major metropolitan areas throughout the United States continue to grow in size, making traffic denser and roads more dangerous. When aggressive and reckless drivers cause car accidents that involve motorcycles, the motorcyclists are usually the ones who suffer the most serious personal injuries.

Causes of Car-Motorcycle Accidents
Without any external chassis to offer protection, motorcyclists face unique risks on the open road. Many drivers of regular passenger vehicles fail to use proper caution around motorcycles, or else are not aware of their presence.

Some of the most common causes of car accidents involving motorcycles are:
- Right-of-way violations - Whether out of ignorance or intention, drivers often cut off motorcycles during a turn, violating their right-of-way.
- Intersectional accidents - The majority of collisions between cars and motorcycles occur at intersections.
- Lack of awareness - After a motorcycle accident, many car drivers admit they did not see the motorcycle. This type of negligence can be grounds for a personal injury lawsuit.
- Head-on collisions - In 78% of all fatal car-motorcycle accidents, the car strikes the motorcycle head-on. Only 5% of fatal motorcycle accidents involve the car striking the motorcycle from behind.
- Lane splitting - When a motorcycle maneuvers between lanes of slowly moving or stopped cars, the close proximity and reduced space can lead to a motorcycle accident if the motorcyclist or one of the cars are not careful. Different states have different laws about lane splitting.
- Road hazards - Since motorcycles are less stable than cars, hazards like potholes, uneven pavement, and slick conditions can pose a significant threat.

In most car-motorcycle accidents, the driver of the car or truck is the one who is negligent.

However, motorcyclists can be at fault if they swerve to cut off another vehicle, drive under the influence, or otherwise cause an accident that results in injuries for the passengers of the car or truck. Many other cases involve blame on both sides. Depending on state negligence laws, a motorcyclist's partial fault may either reduce the amount of compensation they receive, or prevent them from recovering any monetary damages at all.

Motorcycle Safety
As a motorcyclist, you can reduce your accident risk level by practicing safe defensive driving techniques. For example:
- Perform regular maintenance on your motorcycle to make sure it is operating correctly.
- Do not share lanes with cars; always ride behind or in front of them.
- Get professional motorcycle training (classes are available).
- Stay aware of potential road hazards.
- Wear a helmet and proper protective clothing.

If you would like more information about car-motorcycle accidents, please visit the website of the experienced Dallas motorcycle accident attorneys at Polewski & Associates today at www.polewskilaw.com.

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