Online guide to avoiding the five most common motorcycle accidents
Many people don't ride a motorcycle because of the horror stories they hear about motorcycle accidents.
Riding a motorcycle requires a lot of concentration as well as fine skills and judgment. It is also essential riders have the co-operation of car drivers, a minority of who are notorious for not taking enough time to look around and see who else is on the road.
Knowing what the most common motorbike accidents are and how to avoid them makes motorcycle drivers more confident on the road. Follow the guide below to increase your road awareness and avoid the potential pitfalls of motorcycle accidents and motorcycle accident claims.
Five most common motorcycle accidents
1) Collisions at junctions
2) Collisions while overtaking
3) Losing control of the motorcycle
4) Failing to negotiate a left-hand bend on a country A road
5) Failing to negotiate a right-hand bend on a country A road
...And how to avoid them
Bends on roads: A lot of drivers learn to drive in cities, not in the country. But the surfaces and angles of country roads are often different and bends can look deceptively spacious surrounded by plants, when in fact they can actually be extremely tricky.
If a motorcyclist drives into a bend at too high a speed, they may not have enough time to get out quickly enough. Looking for clues about how the road is going to bend to allow time to reduce speed and manage the bend carefully.
Objects to look out for include lines of trees, telegraph poles, fences and anything else delineating the bend.
Collisions at junctions: Often a car driver will say that they didn't see the motorcyclist and car windscreen pillars can block the view of oncoming motorcyclists. Be aware of this and take caution at junctions to accommodate car drivers who don't see you and who don't make sufficient checks for motorcycle riders.
Remember, in the event of a collision with a car, a motorcycle driver and their bike will always suffer more damage. Look out for yourself when you're on the road. For collisions when overtaking, take time to familiarise yourself with acceleration rates and braking, especially with a bike you are not used to.
Use your sense and avoid overtaking in trouble areas like junctions, pedestrian crossings and hills or dips with reduced visibility.
Losing control of your motorcycle: The main reasons for loss of control are road surface conditions and shunts. Leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front and stop in the distance you can see that is clear.
Road surface conditions leading to loss of control include poor weather conditions, petrol spills, mud and painted road markings. Be observant, keep your eyes peeled for road hazards and take extra care in poor weather and learn from safe rides where you avoided danger.
Motorcycle accident claims
Falls from a motorcycle can be sudden and happen at high velocity. Sometimes the driver is thrown from their bike, but at other times they can be crushed underneath their still-moving vehicle. The consequences can be traumatic. Falling on a concrete surface in the passage of other vehicles is extremely serious.
If a driver did not see you on the road or if you have been involved in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, you may be able to make a personal injury compensation claim. Our panel of no win, no fee solicitors have extensive experience of motorcycle accident claim and the situations drivers find themselves in, and have an excellent success rate in these type of cases.
You won't have to pay any money towards your claim and all compensation awarded will go directly to you. So call us now on 0800 10 757 95 and we will talk you through the claims process and let you know what you can do next.
