Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents in Nevada and How to Avoid Them 

Motorcycle crashes are not only extremely dangerous but can often leave victims suffering debilitating injuries, dealing with expensive medical treatments, and struggling to figure out how they can get through this challenging time.

That is why, in this blog post, we want to help you better understand some of these motorcycle accidents. Specifically, detailing the most common types of motorcycle accidents in Nevada, what precautions you can take to avoid these deadly collisions, and how an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can get you the help you need following a motorcycle crash.

Motor Vehicles Making a Left Turn

Many dangerous motorcycle accidents occur when motorists make a left turn. This usually happens because the automobile goes to make a left-hand turn and turns into a motorcyclist’s path going straight through the intersection. Because motorcycles are significantly smaller than cars and typically harder to see, these left-turn accidents end up being quite serious.

How to Avoid This Type of Accident

When driving a motorcycle, you need to be on high alert to these types of situations and take proactive measures to avoid them. Consider the following actions that can help keep you safe:

• Be careful at intersections
• If there are traffic gaps, stay aware of where cars may decide to enter
• Make sure to reduce your speed at intersections
• While driving, look out for turn signs and turned vehicle wheels
• Watch out for motor vehicles in turn lanes
• Make sure to check that your headlights are in proper working order and wear bright colors to help increase your visibility

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are one of the deadliest accidents for a motorcyclist. These crashes occur when a motor vehicle driver collides with a motorcycle from the front. Often these accidents result from distracted driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, poor visibility, and even tired driving.

How to Avoid This Type of Accident

As a motorcyclist, one of the best things you can do to avoid head-on collisions is to start incorporating defensive driving, and the National Safety Council’s four Rs can be just what you need:

1. Read The Road: Make sure you are aware of everything around you as you are driving, including the road ahead, the other vehicles, and your surroundings.
2. Reduce Your Speed: To ensure better control of your motorcycle, reduce your speed. This can help you better maneuver your bike to avoid any potential hazards or threats.
3. Ride Right: As a motorcyclist, it is better to maneuver your bike to the right as oncoming cars cross the centerline or near it.
4. Ride Off The Road: Sometimes, the safest thing you can do to avoid an oncoming vehicle and an accident is to steer off the road and reduce your speed.

Risky Lane Changes

Lane splitting and unsafe lane changes are two of the most common ways motorcycle accidents occur. Typically, lane splitting happens when a motorcyclist drives in between two lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic. At the same time, unsafe lane changes occur when a motorcyclist maneuvers into neighboring traffic lanes. Both of these situations can result in devastating accidents because:

• Motorcyclists travel much closer to other vehicles when they are splitting lanes
• There is less space for a motorcyclist to maneuver when they are riding between vehicles
• Motor vehicles may not be able to see a motorcyclist tucked into their blind spot

How to Avoid This Type of Accident

To avoid these risky lane changes, motorcyclists need to:

• Not travel directly next to other automobiles
• Watch out for motorists indicating they may be making a lane change
• Keep an eye out for turn signals
• Do not stay in a car’s blind spots
• Be on the lookout for situations that can increase the number of lane changes, such as slowing traffic
• Do not lane split next to buses, semi-trucks, or other large vehicles

Road Hazards

Motorcycles are not only smaller than other automobiles but because they only have two wheels, they are less stable. This can make them more vulnerable to significant accidents when driving over road hazards. Some of these hazards include:

• Road Debris
• Potholes
• Oil slicks on the road
• Bad weather making roads dangerous

How to Avoid This Type of Accident

Even though some road hazards may be impossible to avoid, there are some steps you can take to help protect your bike and your life at the same time. These proactive actions include the following:

• Make sure you keep your eyes on the road in front of you and avoid any distractions while riding your bike
• Keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front
• Use your headlight to keep the road ahead of you well-lit while driving at night

Let a Nevada Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney Get You The Help You Need

If you or a family member has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Nevada, you should not have to go through this difficult ordeal on your own. With the help of an experienced motorcycle accident attorney, you will not have to. These lawyers can get you the assistance you need and the support you require by providing you with the following help:

• Answer your questions and concerns
• Go over your case in detail and investigate the accident thoroughly
• Gather critical evidence and interview relevant witnesses that can help show what happened and prove who was at fault
• Negotiate with the insurance companies, ensuring they treat you and your case with fairness and respect
• If needed, take your case to trial, preparing you every step of the way
• Fight for the compensation you deserve, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages

For these reasons, do not wait. Following a motorcycle accident, contact an experienced Las Vegas motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible or call our office at 702-680-1111.