How Do Motorcycle Accidents Happen in Ohio?

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Contrary to some people’s assumptions, motorcyclists are some of the most safety-conscious drivers on the road. But that doesn’t always protect them from making mistakes or from the recklessness of other drivers.

Over the years, our Ohio motorcycle accident lawyers have seen all manner of reasons for injuries involving motorcycles. How do many motorcycle crashes happen? These common causes have risen to the top of the list as especially dangerous:

Speeding. The math is simple: The faster you go or the faster the drivers around you go, the higher the chances something will go wrong. For motorcycle accidents between 2018 and 2022 in Ohio, 32% involved speeding motorcycles and 25% involved speeding passenger cars, said the Department of Public Safety.

Drunk Driving. Alcohol and drugs inhibit brain function and make you or other impaired drivers slower to react, leading to catastrophic motorcycle accidents.

Blind Spots. Two-wheeled vehicles have a smaller profile on the road than cars and trucks, making them more vulnerable because other drivers may not see them—or they ignore them when turning or switching lanes.

Failure to Yield. Drivers may fail to yield to motorcyclists already in the lane they are entering. The same goes for drivers merging onto roadways.

Sudden Stops. When a car hits the brakes in front of a motorcycle, the biker can rear-end the car or in worst cases, the bike can cartwheel—flipping end over end and causing serious injuries.

Running Stop Signs and Red Lights. Traffic signals are there for a reason. When drivers ignore them, they can hurt motorcyclists.

Dangerous Weather. Rain, sleet and snow make driving conditions difficult for everyone on the road, but it’s worse for motorcyclists. It’s harder to see in bad weather, and bikes are lighter than cars, making them more vulnerable to sliding in wet conditions.

Dangerous Road Conditions. Construction zones and uneven road surfaces are especially dangerous for two-wheeled vehicles. A pothole may only be a bumpy ride for a car, but it can cause a wipeout for a motorcycle.

Aggressive Drivers. Let’s face it: Some people just don’t like motorcycle riders. Bikers need to look out for road rage in other people—and keep their own blood pressure down while on the road.

Distracted Drivers. In this age of dashboard screens and cell phones, fewer drivers are keeping their eyes on the road. Ohio is cracking down: A new law passed in 2023 makes it illegal to be handling a cell phone or electronic device while driving.

When recklessness leads to injuries, our team of motorcycle accident attorneys makes it our mission to help motorcycle riders put their lives back together.

HNB won more than $500,000,000.00 million in awards, benefits and settlements for clients in injury cases.

And we won’t charge attorney fees until you win compensation.

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