Honolulu is ranked among the worst cities when it comes to motorcycle crashes in Hawaii. While motorcycle accidents occur for many reasons, there are certain things that all of these crashes have in common: severe or fatal injuries to the riders.
Motorcycle accidents are severe because these machines are lighter and smaller than cars, and the bodies of the bikers are exposed. Even though the road conditions in Honolulu are reasonable, you must be very careful when riding a motorcycle because other road users can cause an accident.
If you have just survived a motorcycle accident and are 100% sure you didn’t cause it, call an experienced Honolulu motorcycle accident attorney immediately to take up the case. If things work out well, you can get compensated.
The leading causes of motorbike accidents in Honolulu include:
Table of Contents
Failing to give room to other road users
When on the road, always remember that other road users have the right, just like you, to use it. Don’t ride as if the entire road belongs to you. Well, you could be willing to give room to others, but remember that most car drivers don’t always pay attention to motorcyclists, bicyclists, or pedestrians. They can easily knock you down, especially when merging or passing.
An accident can happen when a car driver sees you but intentionally refuses to give you enough room. It is also a common experience that a driver may fail to see you on the road, especially if you are riding at night. Lastly, drivers who stop in front of your motorbike or tailgate can also make you lose control and cause a severe collision.
Distracted driving
Another common cause of motorcycle accidents is distracted driving. Distracted driving is when a biker is involved in something that interferes with their concentration. For example, they can lose control and crash if they receive or make a phone call while on the road.
Distraction driving can affect you in three main ways. First, the distraction can take your eyes off the road and prevent you from seeing a hazard in your path. Second, the distraction can take your hands off the wheel, thus preventing you from acting appropriately in an emergency. Third, the distraction can take your concentration away from the driving task. This can increase your reaction time and prevent you from recognizing emergencies in good time.
You can also get distracted when you are driving and texting at the same time. Distracted driving includes applying makeup, checking your navigation device, adjusting your radio or music, and eating.
Impaired driving
Impaired driving is when you drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It can also happen when driving while feeling sleepy. Many safety campaigns try to stop people from drunk driving. Still, many fail to heed their call, explaining why drunk driving is among the leading causes of car and motorcycle crashes.
When you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, your reaction time will be slower, you will have impaired judgment, and your motor skills will be compromised, leading to low cognitive function. All these impairments will increase your chances of causing an accident on the road. It’s even worse on motorcycles, which require a lot of vibration to stay stable.
Lane changes
Careless lane changes are another leading cause of motorcycle accidents. An accident will likely occur when you or another rider (or driver) fail to signal well before changing lanes. An accident can also happen when you fail to check for other road users as you change lanes. If you are not careful when changing lanes, you can crash into a car, or a car can crash into your motorcycle.
Speeding
Riding a motorcycle on an empty road is a pleasant experience. Unfortunately, it may also cause you to be careless and start speeding. Riding too fast means you will never have space or time to react to an emergency. Remember that the faster you move, the greater the impact and the more serious your injuries will be. And if you don’t have any protective gear on, the accident can be fatal. Most speeding motorcycle riders have confessed to not knowing when their accident occurred until they finally became conscious on hospital beds.
Other causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Left-turn accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Lane splitting
- Unsafe driving
- Road conditions
- Weather
- Mechanical Problems
- Operator Error
What types of injuries are caused by motorcycle accidents?
The extent of injuries you sustain after a motorcycle accident depends on the level of impact. Some injuries are minor, and you can start riding immediately after the accident. In some cases, the injuries may result in hospitalization. Some of these serious injuries include:
- Crush injuries
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Several broken bones
- Brain injury or concussion
- Injury to Internal Organs
- Limb amputations
- Severe burns
- Loss of hearing or vision
Can you be compensated after a motorcycle accident?
Of course, you can get compensated, but your Honolulu motorcycle accident attorney must prove in court that you are innocent. A good attorney will help you get maximum compensation to help cover your medical and other expenses.
Other damages you can claim are loss of income, suffering and pain, property damage, and psychological distress, among others. Your lawyer will work with your doctors and investigators to help you get maximum compensation.
Choosing the right Honolulu motorcycle accident attorney
Even though compensation cannot fully restore your life to how it was before the accident, it can go a long way toward ensuring all the medical and other expenses don’t drain your pockets. For the compensation to have a more significant impact, you must have an attorney willing to fight for maximum compensation.
Choose an attorney with several years of experience in handling motorcycle accident cases and a solid track record of winning cases. The lawyer should be reputable, honest, and empathetic.
When you are involved in a motorcycle accident, don’t accept liability. Doing so would mean you will never get compensated and can be charged in court.
Featured Photo by Glen Alejandro on Unsplash
