Who is at fault in most motorcycle accidents?

When most people hear about a car hitting a motorcycle, they automatically assume the motorcyclist must have been speeding, or zipping through traffic recklessly and without signaling. But the truth is the data shows in the vast majority of collisions involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle (over two-thirds of these types of collisions), the driver of the passenger vehicle is at fault in most motorcycle accidents, usually for failing to yield the right of way to the motorcyclist.

Most motorcycle crashes involving other vehicles occur on highways or at intersections. They often occur in the following situations:

When a driver is making a left-hand turn in front of an oncoming motorcyclist (this accounts for 42% of all collisions involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle)

When a driver is changing or merging into the same lane as the motorcyclist

When a driver fails to stop or slow in time at a stop sign or traffic signal

Because motorcycles are much smaller than cars, drivers often think that motorcycles are farther away or moving slower than they are. Therefore, drivers may mistakenly think there is a safe distance between them and a motorcycle to turn or change lanes when there isn’t.

Unfortunately, while we now know that motorcyclists are rarely at fault for their crashes when they involve another passenger vehicle, many insurance adjusters still make the mistake of believing that motorcyclists are always at fault for their accidents.

That means that motorcyclists have to fight an uphill battle to get compensation from an insurance company that already doesn’t believe them before they even file a claim for their injuries after a crash. Because the injuries motorcyclists face after a crash are typically severe, and often fatal, compensation is needed more than ever.

At The Motorcycle Lawyer Network, we don’t let insurance companies continue to unfairly deny the claims of motorcyclists who had nothing to do with their injuries, and we want to make sure injured victims get the maximum amount they are owed. We have successfully defended motorcyclists for over 26 years and give back to the motorcycle community through our outreach programs. Particularly, our Accident Scene Management Class (where one learns basic skills to assist fellow bikers involved in an accident) and our Motorcycle Legal Education Program.

We are a nationwide organization with locations throughout South Carolina including Hilton Head Island, Myrtle Beach, Fort Mill, and Mount Pleasant. Call us today at 1-877-BIKER-LAW

CALL NOW: 1-877-BIKER-LAW

Start Free Case Strategy Session

Anywhere in the U.S.