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A motorcycle rider has less room for error when another driver turns, drifts, follows too closely, or looks down at a phone. The crash may last seconds, but the injuries, repair bills, missed work, and insurance questions can affect you for months or even years. Common causes of motorcycle accidents in Richmond include different types of avoidable driver errors. A motorcycle wreck attorney could help review how the crash happened and what evidence may support your claim.
At Latham & Martin, we work directly with clients after serious motorcycle wrecks. We keep in regular contact, help you track your case, and focus on the records that show what happened before the impact.
A frequent cause of crashes in Richmond is drivers turning left across a motorcycle’s path because they misjudge the rider’s speed, fail to see the motorcycle, or try to complete the turn before the rider reaches the intersection. These collisions can be severe because the motorcycle may strike the side of the turning vehicle, or the impact may push the motorcycle into another lane.
A driver turning left within an intersection, alley, private road, or driveway must yield to an oncoming vehicle that is close enough to be a hazard. A separate left-turn signal can change who has the right-of-way, but the timing of the signal, witness accounts, and vehicle positions still matter after a crash.
A motorcycle crash claim may require more than the police report. Other useful evidence may include:
It is vital to gather as much evidence as you can, and our attorneys could help you.
Another common reason for Richmond motorcycle accidents is distracted driving. A driver who checks a phone may miss a motorcycle in the next lane, at an intersection, or slowing ahead. In Virginia, it is unlawful for a person to hold a handheld personal communications device while driving a moving motor vehicle, subject to listed exceptions.
Distraction is not limited to texting. A driver may look at navigation, food, a passenger, or something outside the vehicle. Even being distracted very briefly can be enough to cause a rider to brake hard, swerve, or get hit from the side.
Unsafe lane changes can also lead to motorcycle accidents. Drivers sometimes say they never saw the motorcycle, but that does not end the inquiry. Patterns of traffic flow and vehicle damage, as well as evidence regarding whether the driver appropriately used mirrors, checked blind spots, and used turn signals, could all help show whether the driver changed lanes without enough caution.
Motorcycles often stop, slow, or change position in ways drivers do not expect, which can lead to collisions in Richmond. A driver who follows too closely may not have enough space to respond when traffic changes. State law requires drivers not to follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, based on speed, traffic, and highway conditions.
A vehicle’s speed can also cause a crash or change its nature. Excessive speed can shorten reaction time, increase impact force, and make it harder to avoid a rider. State law treats driving too fast for existing highway and traffic conditions as reckless driving, even when the driver is not traveling over the posted limit.
After a motorcycle wreck, investigators may assess speed using vehicle damage, event data, road markings, video, witness statements, and the final resting positions of the vehicles.
Motorcycle wrecks in Richmond are also frequently caused by a driver failing to adjust to rain, glare, darkness, construction zones, or heavy traffic. Other crashes happen because a driver makes unwarranted assumptions about riders, such as assuming the rider will move, slow down, or yield when the rider has the right to use the lane.
Our lawyers could analyze the evidence of the accident, including:
This information could support your claim and help you obtain fair compensation.
There are several common causes of motorcycle accidents in Richmond. The reason for your crash can affect assessments of fault and the way an insurer views your claim. Insurers should assess the cause of the wreck based on records, photos, witness accounts, traffic rules, and medical proof.
Our attorneys at Latham & Martin could examine the collision, collect evidence, and inform you of your compensation rights. Contact us today to discuss your motorcycle accident case.