Top Cause of Motorcycle Accidents: Vehicles Taking Left Turns

If you’re an injured motorcyclist, chances are good your accident was caused by a driver failing to yield your right of way by taking a left in front of you, causing you to hit the vehicle’s passenger side. This is a negligent act by the driver, and if you file an insurance claim or a lawsuit to get compensation for your injuries, chances are good you’ll succeed.

Accidents where another vehicle turned left in front of an oncoming motorcycle were, by far, the most frequent fatal two-vehicle motorcycle crash, at 26%, from 2017 to 2022, according to research published in 2023 in the journal Traffic Injury Prevention.

The author, Eric Teoh, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s director of statistical services. In a 2023 IIHS article, he states vehicles taking left turns into motorcyclists are the most common type of crash between motorcycles and vehicles.

Why Do Drivers Make This Mistake?

There are several reasons why drivers often take left turns in front of motorcyclists, leading to crashes:

• Motorcycles are smaller than cars, so they’re harder to see, especially in bad weather conditions
• A driver can underestimate how fast a motorcycle travels and think they have enough time to turn before the rider reaches them
• Smartphone and GPS use can cause drivers to miss seeing an approaching motorcyclist.
• Even when drivers check for oncoming traffic, they subconsciously may focus on larger vehicles and miss motorcycles, bicycles, or pedestrians. Their eyes may see them, but their brains screen them out, so they don’t register in a driver’s assessment of road conditions
• Some drivers, especially those who are impatient, may take chances when turning left and assume they’ll safely make the turn or the motorcyclist will slow down or stop to prevent a collision
• Weather conditions, bright sunlight, or darkness can make it harder to see oncoming motorcycles
• The driver is fatigued, impaired, or intoxicate by alcohol or drugs

Each case is unique, and the failure to notice a motorcyclist may have more than one cause.

What Injuries Can These Accidents Cause?

Injuries will vary based on the situation and the type of vehicle. Depending on the vehicle’s proximity and the motorcycle’s speed, the rider may have little or no time to react and hit the side of the vehicle. A motorcyclist with more time may try to avoid the vehicle but lose control while taking evasive action.

Some of the most common motorcyclist injuries include:

• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries, especially if the rider isn’t using a helmet, which is not legally required for experienced riders 21 and older in Kentucky
• Road rash, or skin abrasions caused by sliding across the pavement, which may lead to infections and scarring
• Bones in the arms, legs, ribs, and collarbone may break or fracture due to the impact or being thrown from the bike
• Spinal cord injuries can lead to partial or complete paralysis depending on the severity and location of the injury
• Damage to internal organs due to blunt force trauma or penetrating injuries. Internal injuries can also cause life-threatening bleeding
• Leg, foot, ankle, and knee injuries, including sprains, fractures, and ligament tears
• Jaws, noses, and teeth may break from hitting the ground or another object, especially if the rider isn’t using a full-face helmet

A rider striking a vehicle in front of them will probably hit the pavement and may hit another object, like a parked car or telephone pole, and be struck by another vehicle.

Speak To a Satterley & Kelley, PLLC Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a family member is injured in a Kentucky motorcycle accident with another vehicle, we want to hear from you. We can help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. Let us be your boots on the ground and guide you through the process.

If you want to speak with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer at our firm, contact our Louisville office to schedule a free initial consultation. Call us at 502-589-5600 or reach us online through our contact form.