What Causes Most Motorcycle Accidents in Oklahoma?

Nothing beats the feel of the open road. However, riding comes with real risks. Motorcycle accidents are far more likely to result in death than passenger vehicle crashes. In fact, they account for 14% of traffic fatalities according to the Federal Highway Administration, despite the fact that motorcycles represent less than 1% of the total vehicle miles traveled.

Although it’s impossible to reduce your risk to zero, understanding the root causes and contributing factors behind motorcycle crashes can help make you a safer rider and reduce the chances of a tragic accident.

Top Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

There are often multiple contributing factors to an accident. In a motorcycle crash involving other vehicles, each driver may contribute to the accident in some form. The most common motorcycle accidents are attributed to the following.

Other Drivers

Motorcyclists have an unfair reputation as reckless thrill seekers, but the vast majority are safe, law-abiding, and responsible. That’s backed up by the data. By far, the most common single cause of motorcycle crashes is the negligence and distracted driving of other drivers on the road.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, 40.8% of reported motorcycle crashes in the state in 2021 found “no improper action by driver” on the part of motorcyclist. In most of these cases, another vehicle driver was found to be at fault.

Because of their smaller profile, other drivers are less likely to see motorcycles before changing lanes or making a turn. Drivers may also suffer from “inattentional blindness,” a psychological phenomenon that basically means if a driver doesn’t expect to see a motorcycle and is focused on something else, they might not actually notice the motorcycle even if it’s clearly visible.

This is why “look twice, save a life” is such an important message for all drivers to understand, and why as a motorcyclist you should always ride defensively. Assume that the other driver doesn’t see you, because there’s a realistic chance they don’t.

Excessive Speed

In the same Oklahoma Department of Public Safety Report from 2021, excessive motorcycle speed was listed as a contributing factor in 22.8% of all motorcycle crashes, and about 39% of crashes in which the motorcyclist was assigned at least partial fault.

Speeding means you have less time to correct mistakes or take evasive action when you encounter an unexpected obstacle, and also increases your stopping distance. The bike is also more likely to lose stability when steering or braking.

Always obey the speed limits and ride safely.

Left Turn Accidents

A car driver turning left in front of a motorcycle is one of the biggest causes of motorcycle accidents. In many of these cases, there is not much that motorcycle riders can do to avoid the accident. Riders should always practice defensive driving, and make themselves as visible as possible to other drivers.

Lane Splitting

Lane splitting is when a motorcycle rider rides between the lanes of slow moving or stopped traffic, in the small gap between the passenger vehicles.

While lane splitting can certainly save time, and some people even argue that it can improve rider safety when done properly, it can also be dangerous. Narrow gaps leave little room for error, and drivers generally aren’t expecting to encounter motorcyclists between the lanes.

Lane splitting is also illegal in most states, including Oklahoma. A handful of states permit it under certain circumstances, and others have no law one way or the other. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the relevant laws wherever you ride.

Drugs and Alcohol

Impaired drivers have slow reaction time and poor judgment. Motorcycle collisions involving drivers who are under-the-influence often have serious injuries.

Inexperienced Riders

New riders may need to take some time to learn how to handle their motorcycle before they take it on unfamiliar roads or travel at higher speeds. No one wants to get into a motorcycle accident before they even get a chance to show off their bike!

Although Oklahoma does not require riders over 18 to take a motorcycle safety course to obtain a license, we strongly encourage new riders to take motorcycle safety and skill building courses and practice in controlled environments to improve their safe riding abilities.

Road Hazards

Poor road conditions can contribute to serious motorcycle accidents even for experienced riders. Uneven pavement, slippery surfaces, loose gravel and debris can contribute to road rash and other injuries.

Stay Safe as a Motorcycle Rider

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 75% of fatal motorcycle crashes were head-on collisions for the motorcycle rider. In many of these cases, the motorcycle driver undoubtedly saw what was happening but could not avoid the accident in time.

This is why it is critically important to always wear a helmet and full body safety gear when going for a ride. Brain injuries can be deadly, and even road rash can cause serious damage.

As a rider, you should always be aware of your surroundings, including potential hazards. For instance, a motorcycle may be extremely difficult for a truck driver to see, and those types of accidents are usually deadly. Be aware of other cars, including when you may be in their blind spots. This includes parked cars, which may open their car doors in front of you and cause a crash.

Inspect your ride for any motorcycle defects before you take off. You can’t control other vehicle drivers, but you can make sure your motorcycle has good brakes and sufficient tire tread. Improper maintenance can cause a driver to lose control.

 Motorcycle Accident Survivors May Face Insurance Company Bias

If you or someone you love was involved in a motorcycle accident where another driver was at fault, you should be entitled to compensation for your damages. However, insurance companies and juries may be biased against riders.

Because many people see all motorcyclists as reckless thrill seekers, they may be less likely to give riders the benefit of the doubt when the facts are unclear. Eyewitnesses may even be more likely to assume that a motorcyclist was speeding even when they weren’t.

In order to argue that you were not at fault, you may have to go the extra mile. This can involve finding evidence that shows you are a responsible driver and that you take motorcycle safety very seriously. For motorcyclists killed in motorcycle crashes, it may be up to the family to provide evidence of safe driving.

This is one of the reasons it is so important to talk to a motorcycle accident lawyer following a motorcycle crash. When car accidents cause fatal injuries, a lawyer has the tools and the knowledge to uncover valuable evidence and build a strong case for your loved one.

An experienced lawyer will help show the motorcyclist’s visibility at the time of the accident, relying on eyewitness accounts, traffic camera footage, and more. They can call upon accident reconstruction specialists to help recreate the scene of the accident, even if the motorcycle rider is unable to offer their own testimony. A lawyer can argue aggressively with the insurance company on your behalf, helping you get fair compensation for your loss and damages.

The Wolf Pack™ Is On Your Side

We understand that many riders need help with insurance claims. When you’re already dealing with other injuries and missing work, it can be incredibly stressful to argue with an insurance company biased against you.

Don’t take on your claim alone. Call The Wolf Pack™ for compassionate help in this stressful time. We will fight for your legal right to fair compensation, so that you and your loved ones stay financially secure.

For a free consultation, call (580) 271-9672 or fill out our online contact form today to get started. If you or your loved one was the victim in a motorcycle accident and the insurance company is blaming you, call us for help.

References

Federal Highway Administration. (2019, Dec 2). Motorcycle. City, ST: Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved from https://highways.dot.gov/research/research-programs/safety/motorcycle

Oklahoma Public Safety. (2019, Dec 2). 2021 Highway Safety Crash Facts Book. City, ST: Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved from https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/highwaysafety/documents/the-work-we-do/crash-data/2021_s5_motorcyclists.pdf

US Dept of Transportation. (2022, July). Traffic Safety Facts. Washington, DC: NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis. Retrieved from https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813589

The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.