ALT-1 Common causes of Motorcycle Accidents
There are really only two types of motorcycle accidents. These are single vehicle accidents and collisions with other road users.
Motorcycles are, by their very nature, unstable. Having only two wheels means it is very easy to fall over. At high speeds gyroscopic effects keep the bike upright and stable, which is why a rider is usually less able to control a motorcycle at slow speeds.
A lot of motorcycle accidents are, unfortunately, single vehicle accidents. There are a multitude of reasons for this. In recent years there has been an increase in the number of middle-aged men in particular, who having the time and the money now wish to resume riding because they rode as teenagers. Modern motorcycles tend to be much quicker and more powerful than the motorcycles they rode before. For example, in the UK, there are a lot of country roads, which have very tight and twisty corners. Enter too fast and it's highly unlikely you'll make it around the bend. It is also easy to come across hazards in the road, which can destabilise a motorcycle. Pot holes, manhole covers, drains, road markings, banding, mud and spilt diesel can all cause loss of control, particularly when cornering. The effects of these hazards are increased on wet roads.
Nowadays, roads are much busier. All road junctions are potential collision points, and it is very easy for other road users not to see a motorcycle approaching in time. Many drivers do not always concentrate on their driving. Sometimes they are talking to passengers in the car, or chatting on the phone. Using a mobile phone while driving has been made illegal in the UK, but drivers are still caught doing it every day. Collisions with pedestrians are less common, but still occur in busy city centres. Some pedestrians do step into the road without looking and then blame motorists for near collisions.
It is easy to blame other motorists for accidents involving another vehicle, but motorcyclists have a tendency to underestimate just how quick their motorcycles really are. The acceleration of most large motorcycles is comparable to a super-car, and certainly a lot faster than a normal family saloon car. That is why so many car drivers are shocked at the speed of approaching motorcycles.
In order to avoid having an accident, a motorcyclist should always ride with the utmost care. It has to be remembered that in any accident, regardless of fault, usually it is the motorcycle rider who sustains the worst injuries. By riding more defensively, and improving riding skills, it can be hoped that less motorcyclists will be killed or injured in accidents.
