Motorcyclists get injured in all manner of accidents, day in and day out, but it’s clear that one specific type of crash is the most dangerous of all — the left-turn accident.
When a driver decides to turn left, either to pull onto the main road or to turn off of the main street and onto a side road, they have to cross in front of oncoming traffic. This is a very dangerous, if common, practice. It’s risky for anyone in any vehicle. However, there is a specific danger for motorcyclists that’s tied to the size and speed of their vehicles.
Because motorcycles are so small in comparison, it’s hard for drivers in passenger vehicles to see and identify them in time. They may glance down the road, right at the bike, without actually registering that it’s there or how fast it’s moving. In other cases, drivers just see the gap between two full-sized vehicles and never see the bike and rider at all. They don’t expect it, they’re not looking for it and they don’t yield the right of way while turning.
When this happens, motorcyclists are already out of options. The best way to avoid this crash is to identify the potential hazard in advance, but even that does not guarantee a motorcyclist can maneuver around a car or truck hurtling down the highway. The driver might block the entire lane, or may turn just a split second before the bike arrives, leaving the rider with no time to hit the brakes before a crash.
These are some of the most common and most violent motorcycle accidents in the United States, and those who get hurt in these collisions may need to seek financial compensation.
