Where Do Most Motorcycle Accidents Occur?
If you’re a rider, you’re probably interested in knowing where most motorcycle accidents occur. According to the National Highway Transit Safety Administration (NHTSA), in the most recent year for which we have available data:
- Just over a third of all fatal motorcycle accidents happened in intersections
- Just under two-thirds of fatal motorcycle accidents happened in urban areas
The agency also found that, of all fatal motorcycle accidents nationwide:
- 8 percent happened on interstates
- 30 percent happened on non-interstate principal arterials
- 25 percent happened on non-interstate minor arterials
- 21 percent happened on non-interstate collectors
- 11 percent happened on non-interstate locals
- 4 percent happened on non-interstate freeways and expressways
High-Risk Areas for Motorcycle Accidents
Riding in certain areas puts motorcyclists at greater risk of being in serious accidents. Here are some particularly hazardous areas, as well as explanations of what makes them dangerous:
- Intersections involve the interaction of vehicles moving in different directions. Left turns are particularly dangerous, as they involve vehicles moving into the path of oncoming traffic.
- High-traffic urban areas likewise involve many different road users coming into close contact with one another, with the added complexity of tight spaces and often one-way or otherwise unconventional street layouts.
- Interstates and other freeways have fast-moving traffic merging in and out of lanes. Reaction times are limited and speeds are high, increasing the risk and severity of accidents.
- Rural roads typically have small shoulders, sharp turns, and low visibility. The same things that make them a fun ride also make them a potentially dangerous one.
Causes Behind Motorcycle Accidents in These Locations
The inherent dangers of these roadways can lead to severe accidents in the following ways:
- Failure to yield at intersections: Drivers often misjudge the speed of approaching motorcycles or fail to see them altogether.
- Sudden lane changes in urban areas: Motorists may change lanes without signaling or checking blind spots, causing collisions.
- High speeds on highways: Increased speed reduces reaction time, making it difficult for motorcyclists to avoid sudden obstacles or reckless drivers.
- Sharp turns on rural roads: Motorcyclists may miscalculate a turn or encounter unexpected hazards like gravel or animals on the road.
Safety Tips for Riders in Akron, Ohio
Want to avoid becoming a statistic in the next NHTSA report? Here are a few tips to follow:
- At intersections: Stay visible, anticipate left turns, stay out of blind spots, and signal your intentions early.
- In urban areas: Watch out for lane changes, pay attention to signage, be ready for sudden stops, and go with the flow of traffic whenever possible.
- On highways: Maintain a safe speed, always use mirrors and check over your shoulders before changing lanes, stay out of other drivers’ blind spots, and signal your intentions early and often.
- On rural roads: Slow down on curves, keep an eye out for aging pavement and other roadway hazards, use your high beams when appropriate, and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife.
Contact Our Akron Motorcycle Accident Attorneys to Learn More
Have you been injured in a motorcycle accident in Akron? Contact Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, today for a free consultation. One of our experienced Akron motorcycle accident attorneys will review your case and advise you on your options.
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