Little Rock Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Drivers often fail to recognize a motorcyclist in their path. This is the number one cause of motorcycle accidents each and every year. Other common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

• Left Turn – When other vehicles fail to recognize an oncoming motorcyclist, they can inadvertently make a left turn directly into the biker. This can cause serious or fatal injuries.
• Changing Lanes – Inattentive drivers often fail to check their blind spots before changing lanes. This can be disastrous for motorcycle riders and can push bikers into other traffic or off of the road.
• Rear End – Rear-end accidents can be devastating for bikers who lack the protection to absorb such hits. Without a bumper on their motorcycles, even rear-end accidents can cause significant injury.
• Dooring – These accidents occur when the driver or passenger of a parked car opens their door into the path of an oncoming motorcyclist.
• Speeding – Speeding is one of the main causes of motorcycle accidents, both single vehicle accidents, and multi-vehicle crashes.
• Defects – Manufacturers of motorcycles, motorcycle parts, and tires have a responsibility to issue safety recalls when their product is dangerous or defective. Failure to do so can lead to serious and catastrophic motorcycle accidents.
• Poor Weather – Snow, sleet, rain, and ice can increase the risk of getting into a motorcycle accident. Motorcyclists should avoid riding in inclement weather whenever possible.
• Poor Road Design – Poor shoulder design, inadequate turns, potholes, and defective traffic signals can all result in serious motorcycle accidents. In some cases, the city, county, or state entity responsible for designing and maintaining that road may be liable for the accident.

Motorcycle Accidents in Little Rock, Arkansas

Arkansas roads are dangerous for motorcyclists. In 2021, 85 motorcyclists lost their lives on highways, freeways, and county roads across the state. Over the past five years, fatal motorcycle accidents have risen by 23 percent. From 2019 to 2021, fatal motorcycle crashes jumped 51 percent.

The increase in motorcycle fatalities in Little Rock and across the state is primarily due to speeding, reckless driving, and drunk driving. In Arkansas, 28% of fatal motorcycle accidents in 2020 involved the use of alcohol, with 21% involving a rider over the legal limit.

A decline in helmet use also contributes to many fatal Arkansas motorcycle crashes. Arkansas law does not require motorcyclists over 21 to wear helmets while riding motorcycles – even though helmet use can reduce the risk of injury by 70 percent and the risk of death by 42 percent.

However, even when motorcyclists follow the laws and ride safely, other drivers cause many of these crashes when they fail to recognize them on their roads.

Where do many of these accidents occur? Motorcycle accidents in Little Rock can happen on any road or freeway in the city. These crashes can ruin lives forever, from rear-end motorcycle accidents on W 3rd St to deadly collisions on the I-630.

In Little Rock, some of the most deadly roads and intersections where motorcycle accidents occur include:

• I-630
• I-30
• W. Roosevelt Road
• I-440
• I-40
• Asher Avenue and University Avenue
• N College Avenue and E Joyce Boulevard
• Shackleford and 1-430 with 179
•  N 46th Street and W. Walnut Street

It’s not just the city streets that are dangerous for bikers. Rural roads in Arkansas are also hazardous. A recent study found that Arkansas’ rate of motorcycle fatalities was the 3rd highest in the United States – only Mississippi and Texas motorcyclists fared worse. Many of those accidents occurred on rural roads across the state.

Motorcycle Risks and Scenarios

Motorcycle accidents can be hazardous, often resulting in severe injury or death. Several factors can contribute to a motorcycle accident, some of which are unique to motorcycles.

Lane Splitting

Lane splitting is when a motorcyclist drives between two lanes of stopped or slow-moving cars. This can cause accidents when drivers change lanes without seeing the motorcyclist.

Lane splitting is legal only in California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and Nevada. In Arkansas, no law prevents motorcyclists from lane splitting. However, most drivers do not realize that motorcyclists may ride between the lanes. When they do, they can startle other drivers and cause them to swerve into oncoming traffic or the motorcycle itself. In 2014, lane splitting was a factor in 17% of all motorcycle accidents in California.

Blind Spots

Blind spots are also a problem for motorcyclists since they are less visible than cars. According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly half of all collisions between motorcycles and other vehicles happen because the driver didn’t see the motorcycle. And in many cases, these accidents could have been avoided if the driver had been more aware of their blind spots.

Intersections

Riding through an intersection in Arkansas is dangerous if a car turning left doesn’t see the motorcycle. In fact, 42 percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes involved a motor vehicle turning left at an intersection and into the path of an oncoming motorcyclist.

So, what makes intersection accidents so dangerous for motorcyclists? There are a few factors. First, motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles on the road, so they can be more challenging to see, especially when another vehicle is making a turn. Secondly, motorcycle riders don’t have the same level of protection as people in passenger cars or trucks. When a motorcycle collides with another vehicle, the rider is likelier to be injured or even killed.

Finally, motorcycles accelerate faster than other vehicles, making it difficult for riders to stop in time if another vehicle pulls out in front of them. All these factors combine to create a situation where intersection accidents are hazardous for motorcycle riders.

Low Visibility

Visibility issues are also common for motorcyclists since they are smaller than cars and often ride in groups. Low visibility means motorcyclists are more likely to get hurt or killed in motorcycle accidents. In fact, a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that motorcyclists are 28 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a traffic accident.

There are a few reasons why poor visibility is such a big issue for motorcyclists. First, it’s harder for drivers of other vehicles to see motorcycles when it’s dark. Second, headlight glare can make it difficult for oncoming traffic to see motorcycles, especially when there’s rain or snow on the road. And finally, reflective clothing and equipment are less effective in low-light conditions.

Wearing brightly colored clothing and using reflective tape can help make motorcyclists more visible. But it is up to other drivers to look out for motorcyclists on the road.

Riding a motorcycle is inherently more dangerous than driving a car, but there are ways to minimize the risks. Wearing proper safety gear, such as a helmet, boots, and protective clothing, can help protect you in an accident. Following the rules of the road and being aware of your surroundings can also help reduce the risk of an accident.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a motorcycle accident, it’s vital to seek legal counsel as soon as possible to ensure that your rights are protected.