Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Los Angeles

Motorcyclists are at risk from the time they pull out of their driveways to the time they return. Riders can be cautious and practice defensive driving, but it’s not always easy to predict the wild moves of careless motorists in Los Angeles.

There are many hazards riders must contend with on any trip, but there are common situations where a motorist’s ignorance or just simple inattention most often puts those on motorcycles in danger.

These are a few of the situations that lead to peril for Los Angeles riders:

• Vehicle Turning Left – Drivers preparing for a left-hand turn across on-coming traffic often overlook the smaller profile of an oncoming motorcycle. Suddenly, the turn is made and a large vehicle’s broadside is in front of a motorcyclist. This is also a problem at night when the single headlight of a motorcycle causes unfocused drivers to misjudge the distance of an oncoming rider.
• Lane Splitting – Lane splitting is permitted in California, but when motorists don’t respect vehicle codes or remain ignorant of the rider’s rights, accidents occur. Lane splitting allows the motorcyclist to pass between cars when traffic is slowed or stopped, often at a traffic light.
• Rearend Collisions – Drivers may be looking at a phone or distracted by a conversation and miss the motorcycle stopping ahead. That single red brake light is overlooked and a devastating collision occurs.
• Unsafe Lane Changes – Drivers in their large, heavy vehicles switch lanes or merge without properly looking over blind spots and checking mirrors for a rider.
• Dooring Collisions – Even parked cars along Los Angeles streets pose a threat to motorcyclists. Drivers and passengers may not take a proper look behind them before swinging a door open. Motorcyclists traveling on the right side of the lane will strike a metal and glass wall suddenly in their path.