Key Takeaways
- Many motorcycle accidents involve factors such as driver inattention, speeding, impaired driving, and hazardous road conditions.
- Left-turn collisions occur when a car turns into a motorcycle’s path at an intersection or while passing.
- Approximately 80% of reported motorcycle crashes result in injury or death.
- Thirty-six percent of motorcyclists in fatal crashes were speeding, according to federal traffic data.
- Riders can reduce risk by wearing high-visibility gear, riding defensively, and completing safety training.
Riding a motorcycle on Long Island means navigating some of New York’s most congested highways and unpredictable intersections, where the causes of motorcycle accidents range from distracted drivers to deteriorating road surfaces. Other motorists who fail to spot motorcycles, excessive speed, impaired driving, and dangerous road conditions account for the majority of crashes. Blind spots at lane changes, left-turn collisions at intersections, rider inexperience, and poor weather all contribute to an environment where a high percentage of motorcycle accidents produce an injury or a fatality.
When a collision occurs, a Long Island motorcycle accident lawyer from the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe – Long Island Personal Injury Lawyers can help injured riders navigate the legal process from day one.
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Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Several recurring patterns account for the majority of motorcycle crashes on New York roads, such as:
- Driver Inattention (“Looked But Failed to See”): The leading cause is cars turning left in front of motorcycles or failing to see them at intersections. Motorcycles present a smaller visual profile, so other drivers routinely misjudge their speed.
- Blind Spot Violations: Unsafe lane changes by drivers who fail to check their blind spots place riders in serious danger, particularly on multi-lane roads.
- Speeding: According to the recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 36% of all motorcycle riders in fatal crashes in previous years were speeding, compared to 22% of passenger car drivers.
- Impaired Driving: Alcohol and drug use significantly impair the balance and coordination required for riding, reducing a rider’s ability to respond to sudden hazards.
- Road Hazards: Potholes, gravel, uneven pavement, and oil spills pose a high risk of motorcycle instability. These conditions can cause a motorcycle to skid or lose control entirely.
- Inexperience: New riders may lack the skills needed to manage emergency situations, including how to brake hard or swerve safely at highway speeds.
Personal Injuries Resulting from Motorcycle Accidents
The physical consequences of a motorcycle crash are rarely minor. Motorcycles offer no structural protection: no airbags, no crumple zones, no cabin, and when a collision occurs, the rider absorbs the impact directly.
Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, fractured bones, road rash, and internal bleeding. Many require surgery and months of rehabilitation. New York law allows injured riders to pursue pain and suffering damages when an injury meets the state’s serious injury threshold, such as a significant fracture or inability to perform normal daily activities for 90 days of the first 180 days following the accident.
Avoid Accidents and Identify the Common Crash Scenarios
Understanding the causes of motorcycle accidents means examining how specific collisions unfold. These scenarios appear regularly in crash data:
- Left-Hand Turn: A car turns left in front of a motorcycle at an intersection. The driver either does not see the rider or misjudges the motorcycle’s speed.
- Rear-End Crashes: Drivers who fail to anticipate how quickly motorcycles can slow down follow too closely and cannot stop in time.
- Lane Splitting/Filtering: New York does not permit lane splitting. Riding between lanes of traffic can create dangerous situations because drivers may not anticipate a motorcycle moving between vehicles during merges or sudden braking.
- Speeding in Curves: Misjudging turns and overcorrecting can lead to loss of control, especially on winding roads or at highway exit ramps.
When a driver’s preventable error causes a crash, the injured rider may have grounds to pursue compensation.
Stay Safe on the Roads: Preventive Tips in New York
Defensive riding reduces exposure to the most common crash scenarios. The NHTSA recommends checking tire pressure, tread depth, brakes, headlights, and fluid levels before every ride.
These habits can also make a difference:
- Wear High-Visibility Gear: Bright or reflective clothing increases visibility to other drivers, especially in low-light conditions.
- Ride Defensively: Assume other drivers do not see you and maintain a safety buffer at all times.
- Avoid Blind Spots: Stay out of the blind spots of trucks and SUVs when traveling on the Long Island Expressway or other multi-lane roads.
- Take Training Courses: A certified motorcycle safety course builds the skills needed to handle unexpected hazards.
No amount of preparation eliminates risk entirely, and when another driver’s negligence causes a crash, legal options exist.
Contact a Long Island Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
Motorcycle crashes can change a rider’s life in seconds. If you or someone you love was injured because of another driver’s negligence, understanding the causes of motorcycle accidents is just the beginning. Our team at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe – Long Island Personal Injury Lawyers offers free consultations to injured riders across Long Island.
Call (516) 358-6900 today to speak with a Long Island motorcycle accident lawyer about your rights.