Although Nevada has strict motorcycle laws and is considered a leader in motorcycle safety, over 19% of all fatal vehicle crashes on Nevada roads each year, involve motorcycles. Moreover, the number of motorcyclist fatalities increased by 32% from 2020 to 2021 in Nevada, the highest rise among all types of vehicle deaths in the state. Why is that so?
Let’s take a look at some of the most common types of motorcycle accidents in Nevada to understand their underlying causes, which then can help motorcyclists be aware of the potential dangers lurking on the roads for them and take precautions to avoid them.
The types of motorcycle accidents that happen the most in Nevada include:
● Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions are the worst kinds of accidents, regardless of the vehicles involved. While only 5% of Nevada motorcycle accidents involve front-end crashes, they cause big damage as they are often fatal or lead to catastrophic injuries.
Head-on collisions can happen for a number of reasons, but the most common ones include drunk or distracted driving, driving when feeling sleepy, and driving the wrong way.
● Left-Turn Accidents
Most often than not, left-turn collisions happen due to the negligence of drivers making the left turn, and the law holds them responsible for them, too. This can land people in serious trouble, as they have to deal with legal charges pressed against them in addition to suffering injuries that can often be severely traumatic or deadly.
In most left-turn accidents, the party at fault is a motorist coming into the way of a motorcyclist by making a wrong left turn or failing to notice the motorcycle behind.
● Blind-Spot Accidents
Caused by the driver’s failure to check blind spots properly, these types of accidents result in sideswipe crashes or collisions that make up around 4% of motorcycle accidents in Nevada. Blind-spot accidents usually happen while reversing, merging into traffic, and changing lanes.
● Loss-of-Control Accidents
Often happening due to motorcyclists riding at excessively high speeds and/or making sharp turns, loss-of-control accidents can turn into big disasters when they involve speeding and may end up in collisions with big vehicles. Motorcyclists may sustain catastrophic injuries, develop lifelong disabilities, or even lose their lives.
Loss-of-control accidents fall into the unsafe riding category, and the riders are considered responsible for them, even if they are the ones getting injured.
● Lane-Splitting Accidents
Lane splitting, i.e., driving between two lanes, is one of the most common reasons for motorcycle accidents, not just in Nevada or the US but all across the world. Motorcyclists, particularly those riding for adventure, enjoy maneuvering between lanes and often end up riding between two lanes, putting their as well as others’ safety at risk.
Lane splitting significantly increases the risk of collision with other vehicles. It’s a dangerous act that could potentially cost motorcycle riders their life.
The Final Word
Learning about the most common types of motorcycle accidents in Nevada and the causes behind them may help riders avoid certain dangerous situations. However, considering how vulnerable motorcyclists are on the road, it may not always be possible for them to avoid a collision or crash. However, they can file personal injury claims for motorcycle accidents caused by someone else’s mistake.
If you or a loved one has been in a motorcycle accident, talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer in Nevada at Bourassa Law Group to file a claim for financial relief. While no amount of money can reduce the pain and suffering caused by a traffic accident, it can help reduce your financial burden by providing money for medical treatment, rehab, and lost income. Call us at (800)870-8910 for a free consultation and to file a motorcycle accident claim in Nevada.
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