Because motorcyclists are exposed as they ride their bikes, they are at a particular risk of severe injury or death if another vehicle collides with them. There are a number of common ways a California bike rider can get into an accident, from a fender bender to slipping on a wet road. However, the most common form of a bike collision is when a car turns in front of a motorcycle and it is too late for the bike rider to avoid it.
Ride Apart explains that this kind of collision can happen for many different reasons. The driver of a car may not see a motorcycle approach. If the driver does see the bike coming, the driver may misjudge the motorcycle’s speed. Car motorists can also be distracted and not paying adequate attention, are not considering blind spots, or are only keeping cars and trucks in mind and not motorcycles as they check to turn.
While it is the duty of car motorists to be on the lookout for small vehicles like motorcycles, motorcyclists who want to avoid injury should still take into account that a car driver may not see them. If so, it is best to ride defensively while approaching a car that looks ready to make a turn. The threat of a car that is turning into a lane cannot be downplayed; impacting a car can severely cripple or kill a bike rider.
There are signs of a car about to turn that a motorcyclist can watch for. There may be a gap in traffic that a nearby car can turn into. The driver of the car may be looking out in the bike rider’s direction. The wheels of the car may be turned or pointed towards the motorcycle’s lane. If the car seems ready to turn, a motorcyclist should slow down and be ready to brake.
Defensive actions such as these can help save the life of a motorcycle rider. If you are involved in an accident due to the negligence of another driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. This article is only written to inform readers about car accidents and is not to be interpreted as legal advice.
