Whether driving a car or riding a motorcycle, getting involved in an accident on the road can be a traumatic experience. Generally, the filing process for an insurance or legal claim is relatively similar, regardless of your vehicle. However, with motorcycle accidents, additional considerations can impact any compensation you may be eligible to receive.
When cars and motorcycles travel on the same road, it’s no question that drivers must look out for one another. However, if an accident occurs, it’s unfortunate that the motorcyclist is at more risk due to exposure and openness.
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Most Common Causes for Motorcycle and Auto Accident Cases
The most common cause of motorbike crashes is negligence (failure to exercise caution) while on wheels, putting everyone on the road at risk. South Carolina is not a no-fault for motorcycle accidents. Instead, it operates under a fault-based system, where you can file a claim with the liable party insurance company to receive compensation.
If you were involved in a motorcycle accident with a vehicle carrying more than ten passengers, seek help from a Charleston bus accident lawyer or an experienced lawyer in your location for your case evaluation.
Other common causes of auto and motorcycle accidents include:
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Driver’s Failure to Yield the Right-of-way
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an intersection is one of the most dangerous ways for a motorcyclist. This is because an auto driver may not notice the motorcycle while turning their car, resulting in an intersection accident.
Often, due to a cognitive issue, most cars turning left at an intersection fail to consider the possibility of a motorcyclist failing to yield the right-of-way. Due to the lack of a motorcycle consideration, accidents at an intersection result in severe to fatal injuries such as broken limbs, knee injuries, or back and neck injuries.
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Distracted Driving
There are growing concerns about distracted driving with the advancement in smartphone technology. As per research conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 96% of the surveyed people acknowledged that texting or emailing from behind the wheel is bad behavior, while half the number admitted to participating.
Some behaviors described by the Centers for Diseases Control that lead to distracted driving include:
- Visual distractions. For example, looking at something that takes your eyes off the road makes it hard for you to react to unpredictable accidents.
- Cognitive distractions like hallucinating about your life, future, or current plans.
- Manual distractions are anything that causes you to take your hands off the wheel, like eating, driving, or adjusting the GPS or radio.
In addition, a driver should be in an excellent mental state to drive an automobile, as the roads demand 100% attention to prevent motorcycle accidents.
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Driving Under the Influence
Despite various public safety campaigns, people continue to drink and drive. South Carolina laws prohibit driving a car with a BAC of 0.08 or higher. If you are convicted of drunk driving with unlawful alcohol concentration, your penalty will be similar to a DUI conviction.
Alcohol is not the issue, as driving under the influence of drugs like opioids or amphetamines can have similar effects and results. Driving under the influence(DUI) affects your driving ability in the following ways:
- It affects your vision, causing double vision or blurring
- Negatively alters your judgment and decision-making
- Impairs reaction time
- Lower your concentration ability
- It affects coordination by slowing down reflexes.
DUI increases the risk of harming other motorists, passengers, and people walking on the pathways, leading to severe injuries or death.
Bottom Line
Unfortunately, motorcyclists are the most affected during an accident with a car as they are more exposed. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, working with a personal injury lawyer or a motorcycle accident lawyer can ensure that you receive proper compensation for damages caused.
