Riding a motorcycle can be a refreshing way to travel the open road or an easy way to navigate congested city streets. Many avid motorcyclists seek the thrill of zooming down an open road. But that thrill can come with inherent risks. Unfortunately, motorcyclists are susceptible to involvement in severe or catastrophic motorcycle crashes that don’t necessarily occur through any fault of their own.
If you are in a Tulsa motorcycle accident, you may need a local motorcycle injury attorney. You may also have many questions or find yourself going to Google with searches like “motorcycle accident Tulsa OK.” Here are some common FAQs:
1. Why do motorcycle riders get hurt more than people in cars?
Motorcycle accidents can be especially dangerous to riders for several reasons. People who are nervous about riding motorcycles usually point out that motorcycles don’t provide the same safety features as cars, SUVs, vans, and trucks. Motorcycles don’t have airbags or crumple zones. In an accident involving a car or truck, motorcyclists are more vulnerable to being thrown from their bikes, making them more likely to be seriously hurt.
2. How often do motorcycle accidents occur?
The answer is quite often. In 2019 alone, more than 5,000 motorcyclists died in motorcycle accidents in the United States, and another 84,000 were injured. That represents an injury rate of 975 per every 100,000 registered motorcycles on the road.
3. What often causes motorcycle accidents?
Motorcycle accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, motorcyclists’ driving behaviors can contribute to an accident, especially when speeding is involved or when they weave recklessly in and out of traffic. At other times, other vehicles can cause accidents when making left-hand turns or rear-ending motorcyclists. Head-on collisions can even happen. Also, motorcyclists may run into different types of road hazards or inanimate objects, such as trees.
So, who is at fault in most wrecks, and how many motorcycle accidents are the riders’ fault? Below, we’ll discuss determining who is at fault in motorcycle accidents and how that affects injury claims.
4. Who is often at fault in motorcycle crashes?
When a motorcycle accident happens, it can be tough to determine precisely who is at fault. Determining fault is the most critical thing in a motorcycle accident injury claim, so it’s crucial to have an experienced motorcycle injury attorney on your side to investigate your case if you are involved in a motorcycle accident Tulsa.
Here are some people who might be considered at fault in a motorcycle accident:
• Another driver
In many cases, the other vehicle’s driver is found at fault after a motorcycle crash. When another vehicle is found liable in a motorcycle accident, it can be rooted in several causes. In some cases, the driver of a regular vehicle, such as a sedan, fails to check their mirrors for the motorcyclist and changes lanes without considering other cars and drivers in their “blind spot.” Other times, distracted driving may play a role, and the driver of another vehicle may have been texting while driving and failing to observe the motorcyclist on the road. That’s why drivers of regular cars need to drive defensively when sharing the road with motorcyclists.
• The city or other governmental entity
Road conditions can change in an instant, regardless of whether you are driving a motorcycle or a regular vehicle. Sometimes, however, the local government responsible for maintaining a specific stretch of road can leave potholes, objects, or other hazards in the street, making motorcyclists especially susceptible to accidents and catastrophic injuries. In this case, a motorcyclist and their accident lawyer would file a claim against the municipality responsible for the road conditions and seek compensation for injuries suffered in a crash.
• The manufacturer of the motorcycle
In rare cases, a motorcycle manufacturer could be found liable for an accident. Usually, this happens when the brakes or another critical part of the motorcycle fail and cause the motorcycle to malfunction on the road or collide with another vehicle, causing injury. There are many elements of a product liability claim. Still, if the motorcyclist can prove that the manufacturer was negligent in producing the bike, the manufacturer may be responsible for the motorcyclist’s or other driver’s injuries.
• The motorcycle driver
Though it’s difficult to determine how many motorcycle accidents are the riders’ fault, plenty of data points are available on the factors that play a role in motorcycle crashes. Often, the blame lies outside the motorcyclist’s control.
If you were in a Tulsa motorcycle accident, contact the Law Offices of Jeff Martin today. Whether you were injured, need to deal with some legal matters stemming from a ride that has gone wrong, or want maximum monetary recovery from a wrecked bike, we can help.
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