Motorcycles are a tiny fraction of the vehicles on American roads, yet motorcyclists make up a gruesome high share of traffic fatalities every single year. Thousands of riders lose their lives on the roads and tens of thousands more suffer serious injuries that can turn their lives upside down.
Most motorcycle accident causes fall into three broad categories: rider mistakes, mistakes made by other drivers, and issues with the road or the bike itself. Figuring out the most common causes of motorcycle accidents helps injured riders, their families, and investigators figure out who was at fault and build a strong case for insurance or legal claims.
Some of the leading causes that this article will cover are:
- Riding too fast and being under the influence
- Being a new rider and taking too many risks
- Being hit by a car turning left across your path and being driven into by a distracted driver
- Crashing due to road hazards and bad weather
- Having a mechanical failure or a piece of equipment that fails
How Deadly Are Motorcycles Compared to Other Vehicles?
Top Causes of Motorcycle Accidents and How Fault Is DeterminedNew NHTSA data confirms what most motorcyclists have known for a long time: motorcyclists are way more likely to die in a crash than car passengers. The difference is stark – motorcyclists are taking an exponentially higher risk of dying per mile of road they travel.
Several factors make motorbikes incredibly deadly compared to other vehicles:
- Riders don’t get the same protection as car drivers – no airbags, no crumple zones, and a much smaller, more vulnerable frame
- Even low-speed crashes can be very serious because of the direct impact and the risk of being thrown from the bike
- The small size of the bike makes it harder for other drivers to see
Even the same mistakes that cause crashes in other vehicles – speeding, being distracted, or driving under the influence – result in far worse outcomes when a motorbike is involved.
The Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents Caused by Rider Behavior
Rider decisions play a huge role in many motorcycle crashes, especially on week-ends when people are out having fun and on week-nights when the sun is going down and traffic is getting heavier. While not every crash is the rider’s fault, understanding how rider behavior contributes to accidents can really help prevent motorcycle wrecks.
Riding Too Fast for Conditions
Going too fast is hands down the most common contributor to single-vehicle motorcycle crashes. Riding faster than the limit or faster than the conditions allow you to brake in time can make it impossible to react in time. The research shows that going too fast makes you way more likely to die in a crash – especially when you hit a fixed object like a tree or a guardrail.
- Going too fast makes it harder for other drivers to see you coming\
- It makes it way harder to make an emergency stop or change direction\
- Riding in rural areas on dry roads at high speeds can make it way too easy for a bad crash to happen
Riding Under the Influence
Alcohol and recreational drugs can really ruin your balance, your vision, and your judgment – all the things you need to ride a bike safely. Riding under the influence is way too common in fatal crashes – and the research shows that having a BAC that’s even slightly over the limit makes you way more likely to die in a crash.
- Riding under the influence makes it way way more likely that you will get seriously hurt\
- It makes it way harder to control the bike and make safe decisions on the road\
- Most single-vehicle fatal motorcycle crashes involve alcohol or drugs
Taking Corners Too Fast and Making Control Errors
Lots of motorcycle accidents happen when riders just don’t know how to ride a corner properly. Common mistakes include going into a corner too fast, crossing the center line, or crashing into oncoming traffic. Most of the time, it’s the rider who makes the mistake.
Being an Inexperienced Rider
New riders are even more prone to making mistakes. People on sport bikes especially can be way too confident – and end up making mistakes like mis-judging braking distances or lean angles. If you’re new to riding, take a course or take some practice – it can really save your life.
Riding Aggressively
Riding like a maniac – weaving in and out of lanes, following too closely, running red lights, or just treating the road like a racetrack – can make you way more likely to crash. And if you are lane splitting and lane filtering, be careful – it can be way too easy to get hurt even if you are following the rules.
Motorcycle Crashes Caused by Other Drivers
A big part of multi-vehicle crashes involving motorcycles are caused by the car driver failing to see the motorcyclist or failing to give way. Many drivers just don’t see motorcyclists until it’s too late.
Crashes When Drivers Turn Left
The most common motorcycle accident scenario is when a driver turns left and fails to see a motorcyclist coming. This can result in head-on collisions or side-swipes that are super deadly. Often, drivers just mis-judge the speed of a bike or don’t see it at all because of its small size.
Sudden Lane Changes and Lane Encroachment
Distracted drivers who don’t check their mirrors or blind spots can hit motorcyclists or force them off the road. Other drivers may not even realize they have to share a lane with a motorbike until it’s too late.
Distracted Driving
Distracted drivers can be super hard to spot – and can cause some of the worst motorcycle accidents. If you see a driver who is on their phone or doing something else while driving, give them a wide birth – they might not see you coming.Smartphones, in-car screens, and other distractions have made it easier than ever to overlook the smaller profile of motorcycles – which is a big problem. A lot of accidents involving motorcyclists who had the right of way are caused by drivers who aren’t paying attention.
Failure to Yield Right of Way: A Recipe for Disaster
Too often, the most common crash scenarios involve other cars pulling out from side streets, driveways, or parking lots into the path of an oncoming motorcyclist. This leaves the rider with no choice but to react in under a second-and even the most experienced riders can’t always avoid getting hit.
Here’s a common scenario: a motorcyclist is cruising along at the posted speed limit when a car pulls out of a driveway. The at fault driver has looked, but just hasn’t registered the motorcycle approaching. The rider has to react fast, but they’re running out of time before impact.
Don’t Forget: The Road’s Against You Too
While other drivers can be a major hazard, the road itself can be just as deadly. For two-wheeled vehicles, consistent traction and stability are must-haves. But environmental factors can quickly turn a minor inconvenience into a serious hazard.
Poor Road Surfaces: A Hidden Killer
Potholes, uneven pavement, loose gravel and worn-out lane markings can all cause a rider to lose traction or get slammed with sudden steering changes. Even at highway speeds, a motorcycle can go from stable to out of control in the blink of an eye. And it’s not just the big potholes that are a problem – even minor road imperfections can send a motorcycle skidding out of control.
Debris and Unexpected Obstacles: Watch Out!
Then there are the debris and obstacles that other drivers can just drive right over – but can send a motorcycle careening out of control. Fallen cargo, tree branches, spilled fuel and metal fragments are just a few of the hazards that can put a motorcyclist in a world of trouble.
Weather-Related Hazards: When the Road Becomes a Slip ‘n Slide
Rain, fog, strong crosswinds and early frost can all create conditions that are treacherous for motorcycles. Wet leaves can even make the road behave like ice – and that’s especially scary. And of course, weather reduces visibility for everyone on the road, making it harder for other drivers to spot a motorcycle.
Low-Visibility Conditions: When You’re Invisible
Riding at night, in twilight or in heavy rain can be a nightmare for motorcyclists. Drivers just can’t see you, and that’s a recipe for disaster. Even with reflective gear and clothing, the safest thing to do is to avoid these conditions altogether.
So what can you do to reduce your risk on the road? Here are a few tips:
- Adjust your speed and leave more distance between you and the car in front when the road is bad\
- Plan your route to avoid known hazardous stretches\
- Check the traffic and weather before you head out
Mechanical and Equipment-Related Accidents: Don’t Let Your Bike Fail You
While human error is the biggest cause of motorcycle accidents, mechanical problems and equipment defects can still cause serious crashes. And it’s not just a matter of riding a bike that’s in lousy shape.
Poor Maintenance: The Root of All Evil
If you don’t take care of your bike, it’s going to take care of you – but not in a good way. Neglected oil changes, loose chains and worn-out brake pads are just a few of the things that can cause a motorcyclist to lose control. And a lot of these issues don’t just happen overnight – they creep up on you over time.
Tire and Brake Issues: Life or Death
Blown tires, underinflated tires and bald tread are just a few of the things that can send a motorcycle into a spin. And brake failures? That’s a recipe for disaster – especially when you’re trying to stop in an emergency.
Lighting Failures: Don’t Let Anyone Else Decide Your Safety
Malfunctioning headlights and turn signals can make it harder for other drivers to see you, especially at night or in low-visibility conditions.
Manufacturer Defects: When the Bikes You Buy Are Designed to Fail
Sometimes, even the good bikes you buy can have defects in them – and that can make you vulnerable to a serious crash. And if that happens, you may be able to sue the manufacturer.
The Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents: What You Need to Know
Most motorcycle accidents come from a combination of things – inattentive drivers, road hazards and mechanical issues. But understanding what causes most motorcycle accidents can help you stay safer on the road – and can even help you figure out who to blame if something does go wrong.
The most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Excessive speed and impaired operation\
- Left-turn collisions by other drivers\
- Distracted drivers who fail to yield\
- Road hazards and poor visibility\
- Mechanical failures from poor maintenance
And what can you do to stay safe? Here are a few tips:
- Ride defensively, and anticipate how other drivers will behave\
- Always wear reflective gear and follow traffic laws\
- Stay alert to road conditions and be prepared to react\
- Plan your route to avoid hazardous areas\
- Stay on top of your bike’s maintenance and make sure it’s in good working order
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, make sure to document everything carefully, get medical attention right away and keep a record of any expenses you incur. And if you’re not sure where to turn, consider talking to an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. They can help you figure out what your options are and whether you have a valid claim against the at fault driver or another responsible party. Many law firms even offer a free consultation to get you started.
