Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents and How To Avoid Them

As a whole, motorcyclists would prefer to focus on the many rewards of the activity – be it the sense of freedom, its ability to both provide relaxation and/or thrills, the increased ease of commuting, and so on – however, it’s critically important that we also recognize the associated risks.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2023 6335 motorcyclists were killed in traffic accidents. That represents around 15% of all traffic fatalities, a vast overrepresentation considering that motorcyclists account for just 3% of all registered vehicles and less than 1% in terms of mileage.

The danger of riding is real. Understanding and accepting that are the first steps toward mitigating those risks. 

The following considers some of the leading causes for motorcycle accidents and the ways you can avoid them:

The Actions of Others

Let’s start by considering the situations where the motorcyclist did everything right and yet was still victimized due to the negligence of their fellow motorists. Drivers have a terrible habit of not seeing motorcycles, a trend that is only on the rise with increased distractions such as cell phones and complex, large-scale infotainment consoles.

This is most often problematic in situations at an intersection where the car is turning left while a motorcycle is crossing straight from the opposite direction. The right of way doesn’t do a whole lot of good when presented with thousands of pounds of gasoline-powered plastic, rubber, and steel.

Another common problem is going unseen while stopping at a light and catching a car up the rear end.

What can be done? While you might feel helpless, there are steps that can be taken. Learning and practicing the art of defensive riding is critically important. A little paranoia can be healthy on a bike – assume everyone is out to get you and ride accordingly. Also, bright colors – bike and gear – can help you be seen, as can a friendly wave.

Most important of all is to acquire (and wear!) high-quality gear, starting with a good helmet. Consider that in states that lack a universal helmet law, 51% of all motorcycle fatalities are suffered by riders without a helmet compared with just 10% in states that have such laws.

Impaired Riding

Anything that impairs your ability to ride safely – be it alcohol, drug use, lack of sleep, or mental stress – causes the possibility of death or injury due to a crash to skyrocket.

According to the NHTSA, nearly a third of motorcycle fatalities were suffered by riders with illegally high blood alcohol levels.

Impaired judgement, reaction time, balance, and focus are not to be experienced while on two wheels.

Speed Kills…

Excessive speed, reckless riding, and unpredictable lane changes all lead to accidents. The faster you ride, the more difficult it becomes to maintain control and the less time you (and others) have to react.

Reckless riding and elevated speeds both increase the chance of a crash as well as severity in the event that occurs.

What’s too fast depends on the circumstances, conditions, and situation. A crash at a racetrack is generally a much safer proposition – even travelling at much greater speeds – than one suffered on a public road in traffic.

Don’t ride beyond the conditions, the law, or your skills.

…So Does Lack of Skill

Nearly a third of motorcycle fatalities are suffered by riders lacking a valid motorcycle license. Such riders are unlikely to have sufficiently proven their skill, nor actively honed them by way of a certified training course. 

Get the proper training, earn your license, and continually build up your skills. Develop the requisite muscle memory so you can focus your attention on what’s important to ride safely. 

Mechanical Failure

If your brakes or tires fail during a ride, a crash may be virtually unavoidable. However, if this sounds like we’re blaming the bike – think again. Proper maintenance, including regular spot checks in key areas before each ride, are necessary to make sure your machine is up for a ride. Do your due diligence and take care of your bike so it can return the favor.