Motorcyclists suffer crashes, injuries, and death at a far greater rate than other drivers. Due to their small size, motorcycles often go unnoticed, hidden behind other vehicles or in blind spots. Even when they are in plain sight, drivers can fail to register them because they are used to watching for cars and trucks.

Many of the Salt Lake City motorcycle accident common causes are the result of simple negligence and are completely avoidable. If you have been in a motorcycle crash caused by someone else’s carelessness, whether in one of the circumstances described below or something else, a motorcycle accident lawyer from Craig Swapp & Associates can help you with your case—every step of the way.

 

Crash Conditions

In 2013, there were 8.4 million motorcycles on the road, and their likelihood of crashing was twenty-six times greater than that of cars. The most common accident involved another vehicle making a left-hand turn into a motorcycle’s oncoming path and accounted for roughly 40 percent of motorcycle crashes.

Another common issue is drivers causing bikers to run into a guardrail along a highway or interstate. Motorcyclists often get doored, as bicyclists do, when car riders don’t check before stepping out into the street.

 

Road Hazards and Negligent Behavior

Whether your motorcycle crash was caused by a negligent driver or road conditions, monetary compensation is possible if someone else was at fault. These are just a few of the Salt Lake City motorcycle accident common causes:

  • Motorcycle-part malfunction
  • Poorly marked curve or taking a curve too fast
  • Improper turn by another vehicle
  • Dangerous backing up by another vehicle
  • Ignored rules of the road and signs
  • Drunk or drugged driving
  • Speeding
  • Improperly parked vehicle
  • Dooring
  • Road in disrepair
  • Construction negligence
  • Distracted driving (texting, Skyping, Tweeting, etc.)
  • Dangerous lane change
  • Failure to yield right-of-way
  • Following too closely
  • Adverse weather
  • Hit while in another vehicle’s blind spot

 

Lane Splitting

While driving two motorcycles side by side in one lane is legal in Utah, riding up the center lane between cars is not. This risky move is judged harshly by many drivers. People who support the maneuver feel it can help alleviate traffic jams.

Lane splitting is sometimes criticized because it can surprise other drivers, causing them to swerve or lose control of their vehicle. This then puts the biker at risk for being sideswiped. In some circumstances, lane splitting might also expose a motorcyclist to dooring.

 

A Free Consultation with a Salt Lake City Attorney

Motorcycle accidents are almost never easy on the biker. When another driver’s negligence causes you to crash, you can hold the at-fault individual responsible with help from one of our seasoned motorcycle accident attorneys.

Craig Swapp and Associates have years of experience fighting for victims’ rights. Call us for free and with no commitment at 1-800-404-9000 to learn how we help many clients cope with motorcycle crashes. Alternatively, you can also submit the form below, and someone from our office will contact you to arrange a meeting.