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Motorcycle risks and left-turn accidents

On Behalf of | Jul 17, 2020 | Auto Accidents |

If you’re driving straight down the road on your motorcycle, obeying the speed limit and just enjoying the open air, it feels pretty safe. The traffic is light and the road is open for miles to come. You can just settle in, knowing the risks are low.

Then, suddenly, there’s a car in your lane. The driver was originally in an oncoming lane, but now he or she has turned directly in front of you. There’s no time to react. This is a crash you can’t avoid. That’s all you have time to think about as you hit the brakes and careen toward the side of the car.

What happened? This is actually one of the most common types of motorcycle accidents. Drivers frequently turn left in front of motorcyclists, failing to yield the right of way. It happens very quickly, and riders often can’t avoid the wreck.

The main reason that it happens is just that the driver does not see the motorcycle at all. They may have just been looking for cars and trucks — similar vehicles to their own — and overlooked the bike. In other cases, drivers do see the motorcycle, but they misjudge how far away it is and how much time they have. This can lead to an accident when they turn through a gap in traffic that is actually too small to accommodate that turn.

If you get injured in an accident, you could find yourself facing lost wages, high medical bills and other costs. Be sure you know what rights you have to seek compensation for your losses — and don’t expect the insurance company to be of much assistance. It’s wisest to consult an experienced attorney as soon as you are able.

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