Motorcyclists in Massachusetts get into a lot more fatal accidents than passenger car drivers. When accounting for vehicle miles traveled, motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to die on the road than car drivers. Here are some of the main reasons fatal motorcycle accidents happen.
Lane splitting
Although lane splitting is illegal in Massachusetts, many motorcyclists still do it. Sometimes, bikers are forced to ride between two lanes when a car driver moves into their lane without noticing them. Lane splitting is dangerous and can lead to fatal accidents when motorcyclists end up in cars’ blind spots.
Road conditions
Poor road conditions can be much more dangerous for motorcyclists than car drivers. That’s because potholes, loose gravel or slippery spills on the road can cause bikers to become unbalanced. Car drivers can usually just ride over rocky road conditions, but little changes in the road surface can cause motorcycle accidents.
Negligent drivers
Negligent car drivers are some of the most significant factors in fatal motorcycle accidents. Passenger car drivers and truckers hit motorcycles for many different reasons, but often it’s because they simply don’t see them. Motorcycles are much smaller than other vehicles, and some drivers don’t look out for them while changing lanes or making left-hand turns.
Compensation for motorcycle accidents
Motorcyclists who are injured in multi-vehicle accidents can pursue compensation from the at-fault driver. In some cases, evidence from traffic camera footage can help the injured motorcyclist prove who was at fault for their accident. Although motorcyclists usually suffer the most severe injuries in an accident, they are not automatically considered the victims in crashes. An injured motorcyclist will have to prove who was at fault before they can pursue compensation.
