Have you noticed an increase in motorcycles on the road lately? The number of bikers has been steadily rising over the past few years. From 2020 to 2021, consumer motorcycle purchases spiked by 8.9%. In 2022 1.9% more motorcycle registrations were filed across the nation.
With more bikes on the road, however, there has also been a slight increase in motorcycle accidents, too. To help do your due diligence and keep yourself safe on the road, it might be a good time to refresh your knowledge regarding the most common causes of motorcycle accidents. Find out what’s causing the majority of motorcycle collisions below.
1. Reckless Driving
No discussion about motorcycle accidents would be complete without talking about reckless driving. Reckless driving is a significant contributor to motorcycle accidents on the part of both the biker and drivers of traditional cars. Here are a few behaviors that would be considered reckless driving:
- Riding between cars where there is no driving lane
- Attempting to perform tricks on the highway or a public roadway
- Inconsistent speeds or going too fast
- Failure to signal
- Ignoring traffic signals (red lights, stop signs)
- Riding in big groups
Every one of these driving behaviors can cause a crash. Remember, you trust everyone else on the road to abide by the law and provide for your safety, so you need to do the same!
2. Distracted Driving
You can’t drive safely if you’re not paying attention to the road. It’s crucial for you to stay vigilant and avoid distractions while riding. Distractions may include your cell phone, radio, cigarettes, or passengers in your car. In general, the less focused you are on the road and driving, the more likely you crash.
3. Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving is also a major cause of motorcycle accidents. Aggressive driving can be described as tailgating, changing lanes rapidly, or experiencing road rage. When you get angry and emotional while behind the wheel, it alters your judgment. What’s more, you could intimidate other drivers on the road with your aggression. Tailgating is especially dangerous because when you ride too closely to the car in front of you, and they hit their brakes, you are giving yourself a very limited window to prevent a crash.
4. Driving While Intoxicated
It’s never a good decision to get behind the wheel when you’re intoxicated. The situation is even more dangerous if you’re riding a bike. Intoxication can lead to a crash because it impairs your judgment and slows down your reaction times. Alcohol will force your brain to take longer to process what’s happening.
How Often Do Motorcycle Accidents Happen?
According to recent statistics, about 89,000 motorcycle crashes happen every year, and those are just the collisions that get reported and documented.
When you obtain a New Jersey motorcycle license, or any driver’s license for that matter, you’re agreeing to uphold a legal duty of care towards everyone else that shares the road with you. That means doing your best to avoid an accident, never driving recklessly or intoxicated, and watching for bikers and pedestrians.
If you fail to uphold this duty of care and wind up causing a crash, then you could be held liable. Conversely, if someone else causes your accident and you get injured, then you may be able to seek out compensation for your losses. To learn more about your rights and legal options after a motorcycle accident, fill out our law firm’s online form now.