A man in Spokane recently died after crashing his motorcycle. The accident occurred while the motorcyclist was attempting to round a curve in the road. Fortunately, no other vehicles are reported to have been involved in the accident.

As the popularity of motorcycles in Washington has increased, the number of accidents that occur has also increased. In many cases, motorcycle accidents in Washington are known to result in serious injuries as well as fatalities. While there are a number of factors known to cause motorcycle accidents, there are some types of motorcycle accidents that are particularly common. The following will review some of the most dangerous types of accidents of which motorcyclists should be aware.

Blind Spots

Motorcyclists who ride too close to other vehicles are at risk of ending up in another driver's  blind spot. In these situations, motor vehicle drivers can crash into a motorcycle when performing a turn or lane change.

Distracted Driving

Both drivers and motorcyclists who drive while distracted often do not pay adequate attention to their surrounding conditions. In these situations, the chances of a collision are much greater.

Driving too Fast

All drivers and motorcyclists must avoid traveling faster than the posted speed limit as well as traveling too fast for current weather conditions. When drivers fail to exercise an adequate amount of caution in these situations, motorcycle accidents can easily occur.

Drunk Driving Accidents

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that alcohol plays a role in approximately 40% of all motorcycle accidents. Motorcyclists can avoid these accidents altogether by never combining alcohol or drug usage with operation of a motorcycle.

Intersection Accidents

Vehicle operators who do not pay attention to traffic signals can make intersections very dangerous for motorcyclists. One of the most common types of intersection accidents occur when motor vehicle operators fail to yield at intersections and collide with motorcyclists who are legally passing through.

Taking Curves too Fast

As in the accident mentioned above, many motorcyclists are injured because they attempt to take curves too fast. The best advice to safely handle curves it to slow down and allow ample space to safely turn.

Lane Sharing

It is an unfortunate truth that sharing lanes has the potential to be particularly dangerous for motorcyclists, yet it is practiced all the time. Avoid sharing lanes, no matter the temptation, to make sure that everyone on the road arrives safely at their destination.

Speak with an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one was injured as a result of a motorcycle accident and another party is responsible, you should not hesitate to speak with an experienced attorney. At West Law Office, we understand just how devastating motorcycle accidents can be and we remain committed to fighting or the compensation that victims deserve. Contact our law office today to schedule a free initial consultation.

(image courtesy of Igor Ovsyannikov)