What are the Different Types of Motorcycle Crashes?

Three types of accidents, which are outlined below, account for most of the motorcycle crashes in Loudoun County.

Typically, these crashes aren’t accidents. People accidentally leave the water running. They don’t accidentally drive carelessly and sideswipe motorcycles or drive drunk and cause left-turn motorcycle crashes.

If negligence, or a lack of care, substantially causes injury, a Leesburg motorcycle crash lawyer can obtain substantial compensation for victims in court. This compensation usually includes money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.

Left-Turn Motorcycle Accidents

Fundamentally, a failure to keep a proper lookout causes these wrecks, which account for about a third of the motorcycle crashes in Northern Virginia.

Generally, a tortfeasor (negligent driver) is waiting to make an unprotected left turn against traffic, usually at an intersection. The tortfeasor doesn’t see an approaching motorcycle and turns directly into the rider’s path.

Tortfeasors have lots of excuses in these cases. They say heavy traffic obscured their vision, the sun blinded them, or the rider “came out of nowhere.” These excuses very rarely hold up in court.

The last clear chance defense is different. All drivers have a duty of reasonable care at all times. So, the driver with the last clear chance to avoid a wreck is legally responsible for damages. Insurance company lawyers often argue that the victim could’ve quickly changed lanes or speeds and avoided the wreck.

These things might be theoretically true. But in practice, if motorcyclists make such sudden moves, they usually lose control of their bikes.

Sideswipe Crashes

The “you came out of nowhere” excuse is even more common in sideswipe motorcycle accidents. Lane-splitting wrecks are a good example.

Technically, lane-splitting (motorcycles riding between lanes in traffic) is illegal. But criminal courts are full of people who did things they knew were illegal. In slow-moving traffic, a lane-splitting rider might be travelling twice as fast as everyone else. As a result, drivers who fail to keep a sharp lookout often move into lane-splitting riders.

The underlying cause of such an accident is usually aggressive driving or driver impairment. Aggressive drivers don’t signal and/or look before they change lanes. Alcohol and other substances dull the senses, including vision, and impair judgment, such as the distance between a car and a motorcycle.

Although it’s not a defense, the “you came out of nowhere” excuse could reduce the victim’s compensation. Virginia is a comparative fault state. If both drivers were partially responsible for a crash, the court may reduce the victim’s compensation in proportion with the percentage of fault.

Rear-End Motorcycle Wrecks

Generally, motorcycle raiders coast to a stop rather than apply their brakes. If the tail light doesn’t activate, many drivers believe the vehicle in front of them isn’t slowing down.

Motorcycle rider injuries are particularly severe in these wrecks. The force of the collision usually propels riders off their bikes. When they fall and land hard, helmets offer very little protection. So, these injuries are usually catastrophic (life-threatening) or fatal.

Contact a Thorough Loudoun County Lawyer

Injury victims are entitled to substantial compensation. For a confidential consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Leesburg, contact Simms Showers, LLP, Attorneys at Law. Virtual, home, and hospital visits are available.

This memorandum is provided for general information purposes only and is not a substitute for legal advice particular to your situation. No recipients of this memo should act or refrain from acting solely on the basis of this memorandum without seeking professional legal counsel. Simms Showers LLP expressly disclaims all liability relating to actions taken or not taken based solely on the content of this memorandum.

Source:

trafficsafety.sites.unlv.edu/trend-13-1-crash-vs-accident-an-important-distinction/