Motorcycle injuries can result from the motorcyclist or driver negligence. Each motorcycle case is different and there are tons of ways in which motorcyclists can suffer harm. Our Galveston motorcycle accident lawyer believe that understanding these causes can help everyone on the road avoid accidents in the future and save lives. Here are some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents:

• Head-on collisions — over half of all motorcycle fatalities are the result of head-on collisions. The force of impact is likely to throw the motorcyclist from his or her bike and into another object or the vehicle that has collided with it. Even if the victim survives, the chances of serious and debilitating injuries are high.
• Left-hand turns — studies have shown that performing a left-hand turn at a busy intersection is one of the most dangerous maneuvers behind the wheel today. Depth perception and the ability to accurately gauge the speed of oncoming vehicles is required to time the turn correctly, and drivers tend to lose these capabilities as they age. Motorcyclists are often involved in catastrophic accidents when cars pull in front of them while making left turns. It is also possible for the motorcyclist to pull in front of the oncoming vehicle for the same reasons.
• Lane splitting — one of the most annoying actions taken by motorcyclists during rush hour is to occupy the space between two lanes to move past slow-moving or stopped vehicles. The motorcyclists themselves are more likely to collide with vehicles due to a limited amount of space between cars and drivers are less likely to notice the motorcyclist when attempting to shift lanes.
• Collisions with fixed objects — motorcycles are much more difficult to control than other vehicles due to the need to balance and shift the bike’s center of gravity to perform maneuvers. Should a rider lose control, he or she may collide with barricades, road fixtures, signs, railings or buildings.
• Speeding — as with all other types of auto accidents, speed plays a significant factor in the risk of a crash, and the severity of the injuries suffered in one. Many motorcycle accidents can be prevented if drivers and motorcyclists alike would merely slow down.
• Drugs and alcohol — a staggering 50% of accidents involving only a motorcyclist are linked to alcohol and drug use. In addition to reducing reaction time, the influence of alcohol can impact the ability of motorcyclists to maintain balance and operate their bikes.
• Tailgating — motorcycles are rarely provided the space or respect on the road that they deserve, and it is much more difficult for motorists to react in time when a motorcyclist needs to come to a quick stop. Motorcyclists tailgating other vehicles are equally at risk of being involved in an accident and are putting their lives at risk merely to arrive at their destination a few minutes earlier.
• Poorly maintained roads — road hazards are much more likely to cause motorcycle accidents than other types of auto accidents. Potholes, uneven pavement and sudden lane narrowing can throw cyclists off balance or make them lose control of their bikes. Poorly placed or inaccurate signage may also be the cause of an accident if it leads vehicles into the wrong lanes.
• Driver distraction — many of the motorists that motorcyclists share the roads with are multitasking. They are having phone conversations or sending and reading text messages— and this makes them a danger to everyone else on the road, including motorcyclists.
• Driver assist technologies — many of the technologies that are advertised to reduce the risk of an accident may also become the cause of one. Features such as autonomous braking may cause a vehicle’s brakes to engage when the car senses a danger ahead. This becomes precarious when the car is being followed by a motorcycle, and the brakes engage due to a false positive. These assist technologies also provide drivers with a false sense of security and may diminish their natural driving abilities and instincts.