One of the most dangerous situations for a motorcyclist occurs when a vehicle turns across the motorcycle’s path.
A driver may be attempting to turn left at an intersection or driveway when the motorcycle approaches from the opposite direction. If the driver fails to yield, the motorcycle may collide with the turning vehicle.
The consequences can be devastating.
Why Left-Turn Crashes Are So Dangerous
A motorcycle is much smaller than a passenger vehicle.
A driver looking for approaching traffic may fail to recognize a motorcycle’s presence or accurately judge its speed and distance.
When the driver turns, the motorcyclist may have very little time to react.
The Rider May Be Thrown From the Motorcycle
Unlike a passenger in a car, a motorcycle rider has no enclosed passenger compartment.
A collision can throw the rider onto the hood or windshield of the vehicle and then onto the pavement.
This can produce serious head, neck, spinal, and orthopedic injuries.
Head Injuries Can Occur Even With a Helmet
Helmets can reduce the risk and severity of some head injuries, but they cannot eliminate the possibility of traumatic brain injury.
A motorcycle collision can generate significant forces that affect the brain.
Symptoms may not always appear immediately.
Evidence Can Help Reconstruct the Crash
A motorcycle accident investigation may examine:
- Vehicle damage
- Motorcycle damage
- Skid marks
- Debris
- Traffic signals
- Witness statements
- Surveillance video
- Dash-camera footage
- Vehicle positions
- Roadway design
Accident reconstruction may also be necessary in a disputed case.
Insurance Companies May Focus on the Motorcyclist
An insurer may attempt to argue that the rider was speeding, weaving through traffic, or otherwise responsible for the collision.
Those allegations should be evaluated against the actual evidence.
The key issue is what caused the crash and whether another driver’s conduct contributed to it.
Catastrophic Injuries Require a Different Approach
If the rider suffers paralysis, brain damage, multiple fractures, or another permanent injury, the claim can involve substantial future losses.
Ponton Law’s practice is focused on serious personal injury litigation, including motorcycle accidents and catastrophic injuries.
When a driver turns across a motorcycle’s path, determining exactly what happened can be critical to protecting an injured rider’s rights.