While motorcyclists make up only 1% of road users, according to motor bike claims, they are involved in 14% of serious injuries or deaths from road collisions. With a percentage this high, it’s important that all road users know the best ways to be aware of motorcycles on the road, and how to interact with them to avoid collisions.
It’s important to know how to minimise your risk of car and motorcycle accidents, however, it’s also important to be able to decipher fault in the case that you are involved in a collision. Below, we’ve outlined some of the important information regarding fault in a car and motorcycle accident.
At Fault Accidents
What is an at fault accident?
An at fault accident is a road accident in which one driver has done something that caused the collision. This could be anything from texting or drink driving, to ignoring signs, to a lack of awareness, and much more.
Insurance companies will consider fault in the collision when paying out any claims made following a road incident.
Who is at fault in a car accident with a motorcycle?
As with who is at fault in an accident, the fault for collisions between cars and motorcycles will vary with each individual incident.
Generally, there are four main factors that are considered when determining who is at fault in a car accident. These are negligence of the driver(s), wilful misconduct, reckless driving, and violation of safety and/or traffic regulations.
Motorcycles have a much smaller profile than cars, often making them difficult to see. This is, however, not the cyclist’s fault, and not seeing a motorcyclist would be a point against the driver for not being aware of their surroundings, rather than the cyclist’s fault for being small.
How to Increase Your Motorcycle Awareness
Motorcyclists have all the same privileges on the road as those in cars, so it’s crucial to import them with equal respect and give them just as much space as other vehicles. Below, we’ve outlined some of the behaviours you can carry out in your own vehicle to maximise your motorcycle awareness and minimise your risk of collision.
Be Aware of Blocked Vision
Because motorcycles are so small, it can be difficult to see them at the best of times, meaning that you should always be alert of where there could be a motorcycle as well as other cars when you’re on the road.
For example, it’s easy for motorcycles to fall into cars’ blind spots, so you should always make sure to check your blind spot properly and when changing lanes.
You should also be aware that larger vehicles may be blocking the visibility of nearby motorcycles, particularly when, for example, pulling on to a roundabout.
Making Right Turns
Much like the above, making right turns is particularly risky, if there is a motorcycle nearby, due to the unavoidable aspect of crossing over other traffic.
Motorcycles may be moving faster than you, so it’s important to consider their speed and adjust how you drive when turning in order to avoid collisions.
Dangerous Road Conditions
Poor weather, potholes, and road constructions make for dangerous driving anyway, but are even more dangerous for motorcycles than for cars. This is because of their smaller size and two wheels, rather than four.
When road conditions are poor, extra space and caution should be given to motorcycles as driving conditions can heavily affect the way a motorcycle could behave, and when.
Extra Considerations
Motorcycles can pass you on either side of your car at any time, which is just one of many other reasons that you should be fully alert when driving.
You should give extra consideration to motorcyclists on the road to avoid collision, as awareness of other road users of all kinds is each driver’s responsibility.
Find Help with Howells Solicitors
In an accident with a motorcycle, there is no automatic assumption of fault on either party, so fault must be determined by each individual case.
If you’ve been in a car and motorcycle accident, get in touch with our personal injury law services at Howells Solicitors today for help and advice.
