Motorcycle Accidents Caused by Unsafe Lane Changes
When a car accident occurs, there are significant damages. Even minor car crashes have the potential to injure those involved and lead to costly financial losses. Unfortunately, the damages of an auto accident drastically increase when a motorcycle is involved.
Motorcycle accidents injure or kill tens of thousands of people each year. Sadly, many motorcycle accidents could have been prevented had other drivers on the road shown a little more care and attention.
One of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents is unsafe lane changes. Unsafe lane changes are nearly always caused by simple negligence. Those injured in motorcycle accidents involving unsafe lane changes in the Richmond, TX area should work with the experienced motorcycle accident attorneys at Reed & Terry, LLP to ensure their legal rights are protected in the aftermath of the crash.
Causes of Unsafe Lane Changes
Motorcyclists tend to have a bad reputation on the road. When a motorcycle accident occurs, many automatically assume that the motorcyclist was weaving in and out of traffic or driving at unsafe speeds.
In reality, many motorcycle accidents involving unsafe lane changes are actually caused by drivers of automobiles. Despite regular reminders to “share the road” and be on the lookout for motorcycles, many drivers fail to give motorcyclists the rights and respect they deserve.
Some of the reckless and negligent driving practices that commonly lead to unsafe lane changes and motorcycle accidents include:
- Failure to check mirrors
- Failure to look over the shoulder to check blind spots
- Changing more than one lane at a time
- Changing lanes while practicing distracted driving (such as talking or texting on a cell phone)
- Changing lanes while visibility is limited (for example, changing lanes while approaching a corner)
- Speeding
- Failure to use a turn signal
- Driving while intoxicated or otherwise impaired
Motorcycle Accident Damages
Motorcycle accidents are much more likely to cause severe damages than regular automobile accidents. According to statistics, motorcyclists are nine times as likely to be injured in an accident and 37 times more likely to be killed in an accident than passengers of automobiles.
This is because motorcycles lack the protection and safety features of other vehicles. Despite the benefits of a motorcycle helmet, it provides little protection in the event of a serious accident.
In addition to property damage, motorcyclists may be left to deal with the following types of damages following an accident:
- Pain and suffering from injuries
- Emotional stress and trauma
- Medical expenses for treatment
- Future expenses for ongoing medical care and any necessary medical equipment or devices
- Lost wages from time away from work
- The loss of wage-earning potential (in the event that accident injuries leave victims unable to perform work duties)
Know Your Rights
Those who have been injured in a motorcycle accident that was caused by another driver’s unsafe lane change should not bear the burden of accident damages. It is important to work with experienced motorcycle accident attorneys, such as those at Reed & Terry, LLP, after an accident to ensure your rights are protected. Our attorneys will gather the evidence necessary to prove liability so that our clients can be justly compensated for all accident damages.
Contact Us
To learn more about your legal rights following a motorcycle accident, contact us at your earliest convenience. Our legal team is prepared to fight to protect your rights and get you the financial compensation you are due.