How Motorcycle Accidents Are Different than Car Accidents

Motorcycles make up a very small portion of the total registered vehicles on the road, but they are involved in a disproportionately large number of accidents. Several reasons make motorcycle accidents different than car accidents.

Not only are motorcyclists more likely to be in accidents that cause injuries or deaths, but they are also more likely to get injured or die in crashes in comparison with car drivers. Other causes of motorcycle accidents versus car accidents are uniquely different. Work with an experienced Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer to protect your rights.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents Versus Car Accidents

Both motorcycle accidents and car accidents are commonly caused by alcohol, distracted driving, speeding, or a combination of two or more. The exact causes of each type of accident vary in different ways.

Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Many single motorcycle accidents result from alcohol use and speeding. There are also some causes of motorcycle accidents that you don’t see as much with accidents involving two cars.

Accidents with motorcyclists are most often caused by:

• Other motorists making a left-hand turn without checking for a passing or overtaking motorcycle
• Alcohol use or speeding (making up about half of all single motorcycle accidents)
• Lane splitting, which involves a motorcycle driving between two lanes of traffic, is illegal in Georgia (according to Georgia Code § 40-6-312)
• Road hazards like potholes, traffic debris from other vehicles, uneven roads, wet roads, or other dangerous roadway conditions
• Collisions with fixed objects (making up about a fourth of all motorcycle accident deaths)

Since cars are not small enough to fit between lanes like motorcycles, lane-splitting accidents are unique to motorcycles. Fixed object collisions and road hazards can cause car accidents, but they are less common compared to motorcycle accidents.

Causes of Car Accidents

Most car accidents happen due to driver error (either the driver of the car or another vehicle). Less common causes of car accidents involve other factors like dangerous road conditions, weather, and brake failure or tire issues.

Some of the most common causes of car accidents include:

• Alcohol use or speeding (making up almost half of all car accidents)
• Distracted driving, especially from the driver using their cell phone
• Aggressive driving, such as ignoring traffic signals, failing to yield the right of way, reckless tailgating, and changing lanes frequently
• Driver fatigue

Alcohol and speeding make up almost half of all car accidents. When someone gets behind the wheel while under the influence, they’re likely to make poor judgments, like speeding, which results in an accident. Driving while distracted has been reported as a factor in almost one in five collisions where there were injuries. Texting and driving are still huge issues in car accidents.

Motorcycle Accidents Have a Higher Fatality Rate

In 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 6,218 motorcyclists lost their lives, representing 15% of all traffic fatalities for the year. This figure marks the highest number of motorcyclist deaths recorded since 1975.

Per vehicle miles traveled in the same year, motorcyclists were 22 times more likely than the occupants of passenger vehicles to die in a crash and were four times more likely to suffer injuries.

Injuries Are Also More Common in Motorcycle Accidents

Besides having a higher fatality rate, motorcycle accidents are also more dangerous overall. Since motorcycle riders do not have the same level of protection as car drivers, motorcycle injuries tend to be more extreme than car accident injuries.

If a biker isn’t wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, they are at a huge risk for concussions, serious brain damage, or death. Bikers are also more likely to be thrown from their vehicle and slide onto the road.

Injuries that are more common in motorcycle accidents compared with car accidents include:

• Road rash from the biker’s body sliding across the pavement
• Concussion or other traumatic brain injuries, especially if the rider was not wearing an approved helmet
• Biker’s arm that can cause nerve damage and permanent paralysis
• Joint injuries
• Broken shoulders or pelvis
• Facial disfigurement, especially involving the chin
• Whiplash

Motorcycle accidents have a high rate of injury, especially those involving sport bikes or super sport motorcycles. While injuries are very common in car accidents, motorcyclists are more likely to suffer serious injuries in accidents that could leave car drivers and passengers with more minor injuries.

Anyone involved in either type of accident should seek medical attention right away if their injuries are serious or life-threatening.

Alcohol in Motorcycle Accidents Versus Car Accidents

Alcohol is a common factor in both car accidents and motorcycle accidents, but they are more frequent in the latter. About a fourth of car accidents involve alcohol, compared with one in three motorcycle accidents with alcohol as a factor.

Motorcyclists who lose their lives in a nighttime accident are also three times more likely to have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher (above the legal limit) compared with fatalities during the day.

Fault in Motorcycle and Car Accidents

Although fault must be determined on a case-by-case basis, and there are always exceptions, car drivers are most often at fault in accidents with motorcycles and other vehicles. That’s because other drivers can fail to notice a motorcyclist on the road or not realize when they have the right of way.

Speak with a motorcycle accident attorney if you’re involved in a crash before admitting any blame or making assumptions. Every accident is different.

Other Ways Motorcycle Accidents Are Different from Car Accidents

Motorcyclists face additional risks that make being on the road more dangerous than car drivers.

Some unique challenges motorcycle riders face include:

• Lower visibility for other vehicles, making it easier for other drivers not to see motorcycles or know where to check for them
• Less protection from lack of airbags, seat belts, or other protective situations besides protective clothing and helmets
• Greater risk of injury or death when coming across road hazards
• Shorter stopping distances can cause a rear-end accident if the rear motorist is not keeping a safe distance
• Unfair perceptions of all bikers being reckless or having devil-may-care attitudes on the roads

Motorcyclists are also more likely to face aggressive behavior from insurance companies when they try to make an insurance claim for damages. Since motorcycle accidents can be so serious, they can cost more money than other types of accidents. An insurance company is more likely to look for ways to reduce their costs when presented with a costly motorcycle accident claim.

Since motorcycle accidents can be more dangerous and deadly than car accidents, injured motorcyclists should definitely seek legal help if they become the victim of an accident. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help support your legal rights and protect you from getting taken advantage of.

Get a Free Consultation With a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a car or motorcycle accident, it’s best to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. They can help you decide on the best steps moving forward. If you were not at fault for your accident, they can help you file an insurance claim for damages you might be entitled to pursue.

John Foy & Associates can help you with your auto accident case. We have more than 75 years of combined experience helping injury victims get the money they need and deserve after their accident. For a FREE consultation to talk about your case today, call us or complete the online form on this page to get started.