Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Denver
When you understand the common causes of motorcycle accidents, you can do more to protect yourself and be vigilant on the road. It’s not possible for you to prevent all accidents but knowing what to watch out for may help reduce your risk.
Some of the most common causes are:
- Head-on Collisions: Many motorcycle accidents occur due to a head-on collision. This is a big deal because head-on collisions are often deadly for the motorcycle driver.
- Motorcycle Lane Splitting: If you’re in traffic and it’s stopped or moving slowly, you may think it’s harmless to drive between two lanes to get where you’re going faster. This is called lane splitting, and it’s a common cause of accidents. If you have an accident while lane splitting, you need a good motorcycle accident lawyer to help you establish proof you aren’t solely at fault for the accident.
- Other Car Making a Left Turn: Almost half of all motorcycle-car accidents occur because the other car made a left turn. The car then hits the motorcycle when the motorcycle is passing the car, going straight in an intersection, or trying to overtake the car. For the most part, the car making the left turn will be at fault, but you could be partially at fault depending on your speed, lane position, and other factors.
- Fixed Objects: Running into a still object accounts for 25% of motorcycle deaths. This is something that’s almost always entirely preventable if you pay attention to the road and exercise caution when on a motorcycle.
- Speeding or Alcohol Use: It’s no surprise that these behaviors will cause an accident. If you have an accident while speeding or under the influence of alcohol, you will need legal representation if you want any hope of recovering damages.
The cause of your accident will shape your case and your lawyer’s approach to defending your interests. Remember, if you are found even partially at fault for an accident, your compensation is decreased.
When a Motorcycle Accident is Fatal: Bringing a Wrongful Death Case in Denver
Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are considered more deadly than other vehicle accidents. In fact, in 2016, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die in an accident per mile traveled compared to people in a car accident.
The question is, what do you do when a loved one has died in a motorcycle accident? If you’re the next of kin (spouse, children, sibling, or parent) you may be able to bring a wrongful death lawsuit depending on the circumstances of the crash. You may be eligible to recover damages for the accident, pain, and suffering, loss of income from your loved one, medical bills, funeral, and final expenses, loss of love and companionship, and more.
When you’ve lost a loved one due to a motorcycle accident, the best thing you can do is contact Denver motorcycle accident death lawyer Sean Olson who has experience handling these difficult cases. He will help you determine if filing a wrongful death suit makes sense and what damages you may be able to recover.
