As summer takes hold and the weather heats up, it becomes the perfect time of the year to hit the open road on a motorcycle. Riders enjoy the freedom that motorcycles bring—not the mention the ease of parking and other perks.

However, riding a motorcycle can be dangerous: motorcyclists don’t have the same protection that motorists do during an accident. With nothing to buffer them from the pavement but protective clothing and a helmet, motorcyclists can sustain serious injuries in an accident.

To help you stay safe, we’ve compiled the common causes of motorcycle accidents from NOLO. Knowing what to expect can help you avoid accidents.

Accidents between Motorcycles and Cars

According to NOLO, “Crashes involving motorcycles and other vehicles account for 56% of motorcycle accident deaths. In the vast majority of these accidents, the car strikes the motorcycle from the front – 78% of the time.”

The most dangerous situation for motorcyclists is cars making left-hand turns, accounting for 42% of accidents. This can happen when you are going straight through an intersection or passing a car.

Lane-splitting is another common cause of accidents between motorcycles and other vehicles. Lane-splitting is when a motorcycle drives between two lanes of stopped or slow-moving vehicles. This usually occurs during traffic jams.

Accidents Involving the Motorcycle Only

Accidents involving just the motorcycle can still be deadly.

Accidents where a motorcyclist hits a fixed object, such as a telephone pole, account for 25% of deaths. This is because motorcyclists are likely to be thrown far.

Motorcyclists also face danger from road hazards because they are smaller and less stable. An accident can occur because of a pothole, dead animal, slick pavement, or uneven heights between lanes.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you should call a Huntsville, AL personal injury attorney to learn your options.

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