Single vs. Multiple Vehicle Motorcycle Accidents
Because they’re smaller and more difficult to spot on the road, motorcycles are often involved in more accidents than other vehicles, and often involve a greater degree of personal injury, vehicle damage, and sometimes, death. Most motorcycle collisions involve one or more additional vehicles, meaning someone is at fault in the majority of such occurrences. If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident in Long Island, an experienced personal injury attorney from Levine & Slavit can help determine if you’re entitled to compensation.
Single Vehicle Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycles are notorious for the increased danger of riding in a completely open vehicle, but the nature of their design isn’t the only thing that can make motorcycles dangerous to drive. Single vehicle motorcycle accidents occur for a number of reasons, including;
- Road conditions - uneven lanes, potholes, loose gravel, and slick pavement are common reasons for motorcycle drivers to lose control, increasing the risk of an accident
- Weather - rain significantly reduces traction, and can make your motorcycle slide uncontrollably. If you wear a helmet, the rain can also cloud your visor and distort your line of sight.
- Vehicle malfunction - an improperly-working brake or clutch, or any other malfunctioning part of a motorcycle, can make it hard or impossible to control, possibly spelling disaster while on the road.
- Unsafe driving habits - the leading cause of single-vehicle motorcycle accidents is careless driving, such as speeding, driving while intoxicated, changing lanes suddenly and without warning, and driving between moving cars.
Multiple Vehicle Motorcycle Accidents
More than half of the mortality rate associated with motorcycle accidents is due to multiple vehicle collisions, which often result from;
- Inattention - people who drive cars and trucks tend to look more attentively for other cars and trucks on the road, not noticing the smaller motorcycles traveling among them. Inattention is one of the most common reasons for drivers to collide with motorcycles.
- Left-hand turns - as an extension of inattention, many drivers fail to notice oncoming motorcycles when turning left at a traffic light, causing an accident as both vehicles try to pass through the intersection at the same time.
- Lane-splitting - in some states, the practice of lane-splitting, or driving between two lanes of slower-moving vehicles, is legal. In the state of New York, it’s NOT legal; the practice can increase the risk of multiple-vehicle accidents, making it an unsafe driving maneuver.
What to Do Immediately Following an Accident
The first thing you should do following an accident of any sort is to seek immediate medical treatment. Even if you feel fine, you may have one or more broken bones, a concussion, or internal damage, and/or you may be in shock. Once you’ve been treated, speak with a motorcycle accident attorney who can help you assess the situation and advise you on what your next steps should be.
Receive the Compensation You Deserve
If you or someone you know has been involved in a single or multiple vehicle motorcycle accident, then contact our office as soon as possible to determine if you're entitled to compensation.