Motorcycle accidents can lead to serious or permanently disabling injuries. Victims of motorcycle accidents may endure long hospital stays, require extensive therapy, and may lose their ability to work. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can reduce your risk of being in a motorcycle accident. One of these is knowing the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Chula Vista:
A Car Turns Left in Front of You
This is the most common type of motorcycle accident, and it’s easy to see why. It occurs when a car fails to judge your speed or fails to see you entirely and turns in front of you. There are several underlying reasons why this type of accident may occur: for example, drivers may be distracted or not paying attention, or it might be simply because the driver is not trained to keep an eye out for motorcycles. No matter the reason, the consequences of this type of accident can be disastrous, even fatal.
What to do about it: Motorcycle riders must be extra cautious and keep an eye out for possible distractions on the road. If you notice a car that’s waiting to turn left in the opposite lane, prepare to take evasive actions just in case. You should always be prepared and drive defensively – it might save your life.
Taking a Corner Too Fast
This type of accident occurs when you’re driving a little too fast and notice that a turn is tightening faster than you expected. These types of accidents can lead to road rash, broken limbs, and even head and neck injury.
What to do about it: Thankfully, these types of accidents are easy to avoid. Follow traffic laws and anticipate curves, slowing down more for those you can’t fully see. If you do find yourself in the unfortunate situation of taking a corner too fast, don’t overreact. Don’t slam on the brakes or the throttle – let your bike do the work for you.
A Car Switches Lanes into Your Bike
This is an unfortunately common scenario: you’re enjoying your ride when suddenly a car in the lane next to you switches lanes – right into the space you’re occupying. Remember, motorists aren’t trained to keep an eye out for motorcycles, and you might be small enough to be concealed in their blind spot. These accidents can prove devastating, but there are things you can do to minimize the risk.
What to do about it: Make an effort to stay out of the blind spots of surrounding traffic. This may sound like a tall order, but it could be the difference between life and death. If you can see a driver’s eyes in their mirror, they can see you – but this doesn’t mean that they’ll check their blind spot before merging.
Keep an eye out for situations when lane changes might be imminent – for example, because of a traffic shift, construction zone, or slowing traffic. Learn how to read a driver’s cues that might indicate a lane change – turn signal blinking, drifting around the lane, and checking mirrors.