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The Most Common Reasons a Motorcycle is Hit by a Car

Auto accidents involving motorcycles often cause death or lifelong disability due to permanent damage to the brain, back, neck or spinal cord. These crashes are caused by a variety of factors, but there are ways you can avoid deadly motorcycle accidents such as wearing a helmet and driving defensively. Our attorneys in Boca Raton have extensive experience with these types of claims, especially because Florida has more motorcycles on the roadways than colder states.

Some of the most common reasons behind motorcycle accidents include:

• Lane Splitting: Lane splitting happens when a motorcyclist drives between two lanes of stopped or slowed traffic. This proximity to motor vehicles increases the odds of an accident and often catches drivers off guard. Lane splitting is illegal in the state of Florida.
• Speeding: Speeding is one of the main reasons motorcycle accidents occur as well as auto accidents in general. Bikers are already prone to severe injury in a crash, but exceeding the speed limit makes the already susceptible motorcyclists more likely to suffer fatal harm.
• Alcohol: Up to 50 percent of motorcycle accidents involve speeding or alcohol consumption. Drunk driving is reckless and dangerous for vehicles, motorcycles, pedestrians and anyone near a street or highway. Motorcycles don’t have a metal surrounding to protect them in a crash, so alcohol-related accidents may end in death.
• Fixed Objects: Fixed objects such as a lamp post or stop sign account for around 25 percent of motorcyclist deaths. Bikers are more likely to be thrown far away from their bike and hit the ground hard.  
• Road Hazards: Motorcyclists face danger from road conditions and hazards that would otherwise be minor for cars and trucks. A pothole, dead animal or slick pavement may not be an issue for most vehicles, but motorcycles are more vulnerable to these dangers.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, please contact our attorneys at Canter Law in Boca Raton today at 561-447-4500for a complimentary consultation. Our South Florida personal injury law firm serves clients in Ft. Lauderdale, Palm Beach County, Boca Raton and surrounding areas.