back wheel of a parked motorcycle

Every motorcyclist knows that the biggest danger in being atop two wheels is the other people on the road. Each year, hundreds of Missouri motorcyclists are injured—even killed—by drivers who “did not see” a motorcycle when changing lanes, pulling up to a stop sign, or taking a big left turn. While any motorcycle accident can be dangerous, crashes can and do happen in very different ways.

The Different Types of Missouri Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle crashes are considerably more likely to end in injury or death than crashes involving two passenger vehicles. After all, motorcyclists lack the protection of seatbelts, airbags, and automotive frames.

While motorcycle accidents can happen for any number of reasons and end in any number of ways, here are some of the most common kinds of crashes:

  • Intersection accidents. Intersections can be very dangerous places for motorcyclists, as distracted or otherwise negligent drivers may fail to notice bikers. A common type of intersection accident involves a driver who is making a left turn but does not yield the right-of-way to an oncoming motorcyclist.
  • Lane-change and blind-spot accidents. Since motorcycles are much smaller than other automobiles, motorists may “miss” them when looking in their side- or rear-view mirror prior to making a lane change. When such motorists do not quickly correct their mistake, they miss side-swiping the motorcyclist.
  • Rear-end collisions. These sorts of accidents are often caused by distracted drivers, who might hit a motorcyclist stopped in front of a traffic light or stop sign.
  • Poor road conditions or poor road maintenance. Motorcyclists are sometimes hurt simply because a local government or contractor failed to properly maintain a safe roadway. Obstacles that might not affect larger vehicles—like potholes or scattered loose gravel—can be a grave danger to motorcyclists, who risk losing control if their bike cannot maintain traction.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash

Motorcycle accidents always have the potential to cause serious harm, even when they occur at low speeds. Seemingly minor injuries—like road rash—can still demand an intensive medical recovery, keeping a Missouri motorcycle accident victim away from work, sports, and family for days, weeks, or even months at a time. All the while, they may be unable to work while facing an ever-growing mound of medical bills and other expenses.

If you or a loved one was hurt in a motorcycle crash, a personal injury attorney can help you get the money you need to recover from your accident. However, you need to act fast: Missouri has a statute of limitation on motorcycle accident claims, meaning you may not be able to get any money if you wait too long to take action.

Megan D. Andrews
Connect with me
Attorney
Post A Comment