Intersection Accidents: Why Motorcyclists Are At Heightened Risk

Accidents at intersections are incredibly common in and around Columbia. Unfortunately, intersections also see some of the most dangerous accidents in the United States. Accidents in the roadway are often limited to rear-end and sideswipe accidents, which are less likely to result in serious or fatal injuries. Intersection collisions may result in catastrophic damage.

Motorcyclists, in particular, are at serious risk of severe injury and mental trauma in intersection accidents. Learn more about these collisions, and when you’re ready to discuss your claim in greater detail, call Peake & Fowler at 803-788-4370.

Visibility Concerns

One of the main reasons motorcyclists are at such grave risk of injury is their limited visibility in intersections. They are smaller and harder to spot, especially in dense traffic—and especially when surrounded by drivers who aren’t used to looking for untraditional vehicles. Drivers are often trained to look for other cars and SUVs, but they have a bad tendency to overlook motorcyclists and bicyclists. As a result, they may not see motorcyclists when they choose to enter an intersection or make a turn.

A number of factors contribute to this trend. To start, motorcyclists can easily get lost in a larger vehicle’s blind spot. If they are swerving in and out of lanes, it can be even harder for drivers to spot them.

Motorcyclists should be proactive about this risk by ensuring that they wear gear and clothing that makes them highly visible in intersections. Additionally, they should be hyperaware when entering intersections and be cognizant of drivers who may be distracted or otherwise unable to see them.

Right-of-Way Violations

Right-of-way violations are a near-constant problem at intersections. Everyone thinks their time is more important than everyone else’s, and a lot of people think that “just one more car” can fit through the intersection. This leads to people ignoring right-of-way rules and causing collisions. This is especially dangerous for motorcyclists who are driving straight through intersections. 

When a driver is waiting to turn left, they are constantly mentally judging the speed and distance of oncoming vehicles. They may be fairly good at this when it comes to cars, but less accurate when it comes to motorcycles. Many accidents have occurred because a driver saw an oncoming motorcycle, misjudged their speed or distance, and turned in front of them—only to hit them straight on.

The same may happen when a driver is waiting to turn right at a red light. They may see a motorcyclist approaching from the left, assume that they have time to make their turn, and turn too late in front of the motorcycle. This forces the motorcyclist to switch lanes, hit the car, or try to slam on their brakes.

Severe Injury Risk

When motorcyclists are involved in intersection accidents in Columbia, they are much more likely to suffer severe injuries than occupants of more traditional vehicles. At their most protected, motorcyclists have a helmet and specialty riding gear on. However, this doesn’t even begin to compare to the amount of protection cars provide their occupants. In an accident, a motorcyclist is likely to absorb the full force of the crash. They may make direct contact with the pavement, putting them at risk of severe infection, road rash, and permanent nerve damage. They run the risk of being thrown from their bike and landing in front of another oncoming vehicle. 

Protecting Motorcyclists and Preventing Accidents

As is always the case with motorcycle accidents, the main priority is public education. Drivers have to be aware of the risk they pose to motorcyclists, and they must be more conscious of their ability to drive safely around them. Until drivers get used to looking for motorcyclists and considering their safety when making driving decisions, there’s a good chance that accident rates will continue to rise. While motorcyclists can take steps to keep themselves safe, they must also have support from drivers.

Reach Out to Peake & Fowler Today

The team at Peake & Fowler is here to support you as you fight for compensation after a motorcycle accident. Let’s sit down and plan your next steps. Call us at 803-788-4370 or send our team a message online to claim your free consultation.