What Causes Motorcycle Accidents? The Truth Riders Need to Know

Motorcycle riders face a harsh reality every time they hit the road. Despite representing only a small percentage of all vehicles, motorcyclists account for a disproportionate number of traffic fatalities and serious injuries. The statistics are sobering: when examining vehicle miles traveled, motorcyclists are killed 27 times more often than car occupants. When accounting for occupancy rates, this figure jumps to an astounding 38 times more often.

Pennsylvania’s 2023 motorcycle accident data paints a concerning picture: 3,452 motorcycle crashes occurred, resulting in 908 serious injuries and 238 fatalities. These numbers represent real lives affected by preventable tragedies. While some may point fingers at motorcyclists themselves, the truth is that many of these accidents stem from factors beyond a rider’s control, particularly the actions of other drivers who fail to recognize or respect motorcycles on the road.

Understanding the common causes of motorcycle accidents isn’t just about statistics. It’s about recognizing the very real dangers that responsible riders face daily and advocating for the safety measures and awareness that can save lives. If you’re a motorcyclist who has been injured in an accident, the motorcycle accident attorneys at Lenahan & Dempsey can help.

The Leading Culprit: Human Error Behind the Wheel

The vast majority of motorcycle accidents trace back to human error, but not necessarily on the part of the motorcyclist. Too often, other drivers make critical mistakes that put riders in harm’s way.

1. When Speed Becomes Deadly

Speeding remains one of the most dangerous behaviors on our roads, affecting motorcyclists disproportionately. When cars and trucks exceed safe speeds, drivers have less time to spot motorcycles, which are already harder to see due to their smaller profile. The physics is unforgiving: higher speeds mean longer stopping distances and more severe impacts when collisions occur.

For motorcyclists, encountering a speeding vehicle can be catastrophic. A car traveling 10 mph over the speed limit might survive a fender-bender, but that same excess speed can mean the difference between life and death for a motorcycle rider.

2. Driver Negligence: The Most Preventable Tragedy

Perhaps the most frustrating cause of motorcycle accidents is driver negligence. This encompasses a range of dangerous behaviors that put motorcyclists at risk:

• Failure to yield the right-of-way tops the list. How many times have you heard “I didn’t see the motorcycle” after an accident? This phrase has become tragically common, often uttered by drivers who failed to properly check their surroundings before turning or changing lanes.
• Unsafe lane changes represent another major threat. Drivers who don’t signal, check blind spots, or give adequate space when changing lanes can easily clip or crowd a motorcycle. Unlike car-to-car contact that might result in minor damage, these incidents often send riders tumbling to the pavement.
• Following too closely creates additional danger. Motorcycles can stop much more quickly than most drivers realize, but tailgating drivers often don’t leave adequate space to react.

3. Impaired and Distracted Driving: A Double Threat

Impaired driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly increases accident risk for everyone, but motorcyclists pay a higher price. Impaired drivers exhibit slower reaction times, poor judgment, and reduced coordination — all factors that make it even harder to see and avoid motorcycles.

Distracted driving has become an epidemic. Drivers who text, talk on phones, eat, or engage with in-car entertainment systems pose a constant threat to motorcyclists. A moment of inattention that might result in a minor scrape between cars can be fatal when a motorcycle is involved.

Road Hazards: When Infrastructure Fails Riders

While human error accounts for most accidents, road conditions and hazards present unique dangers to motorcyclists that four-wheeled vehicles can often navigate without incident.

4. The Pothole Problem

Potholes that barely register as a bump to car drivers can send motorcyclists flying. The two-wheeled nature of motorcycles makes them extremely vulnerable to uneven road surfaces. A pothole that a car simply drives over can cause a motorcycle to lose control, especially if the rider doesn’t see it in time to adjust.

State and local governments have a responsibility to maintain safe road surfaces, but too often, motorcyclists bear the consequences of deferred maintenance and inadequate road repair.

5. Gravel and Debris: Small Hazards, Big Consequences

Construction zones present multiple hazards for motorcyclists. Loose gravel, which provides little traction for motorcycle tires, often gets scattered beyond construction areas. Sand, leaves, oil spills, and other debris that pose minimal risk to cars can cause motorcycles to slide out of control.

6. Uneven Surfaces and Construction Zones

Construction zones compound these dangers with uneven lane transitions, temporary barriers, and changed traffic patterns. These areas require heightened awareness from all drivers, but motorcyclists face additional challenges navigating the altered roadway conditions.

When Machines Fail: Vehicle Malfunction Dangers

While less common than human error or road hazards, mechanical failures can have devastating consequences for motorcyclists.

7. Tire Defects and Failures

Motorcycle tires are the only contact point with the road, making tire integrity crucial for safety. Defective tires, whether due to manufacturing flaws or inadequate maintenance, can lead to sudden blowouts or loss of traction. Unlike car drivers who might maintain some control with a flat tire, motorcyclists often face an immediate crash situation.

8. Brake System Failures

Brake malfunctions on motorcycles can be particularly dangerous, given their lighter weight and different braking dynamics compared to cars. Whether due to manufacturing defects, improper maintenance, or design flaws, brake failures leave riders with few options for safely stopping their vehicles.

9. Other Mechanical Issues

From faulty throttles to steering problems, mechanical defects in motorcycles can create emergencies that even the most knowledgeable riders struggle to handle. Manufacturers have a responsibility to produce safe vehicles, and when they fail to do so, motorcyclists pay the price.

The Dooring Danger

One particularly insidious threat to motorcyclists is “dooring”—when vehicle occupants open doors directly into the path of oncoming motorcycles. This hazard is especially prevalent in urban areas with street parking. A door suddenly opening leaves motorcyclists with almost no time to react, often resulting in serious injuries.

Fighting for Safer Roads and Justice

The causes of motorcycle accidents reveal a troubling pattern: many of these crashes are entirely preventable. They result from other drivers’ negligence, inadequate road maintenance, or defective equipment—factors beyond the control of responsible motorcyclists.

Every rider deserves to travel safely on public roads. This means demanding better awareness from all drivers, improved road maintenance from government agencies, and accountability from manufacturers who produce defective vehicles or parts.

At Lenahan & Dempsey, we have successfully recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for victims of motorcycle crashes. Our work has earned recognition from judges and peers alike:

• Named a Tier 1 Law Firm in The Best Law Firms in America, recognized for our experience and reliable legal representation.
• Eight lawyers are included in Best Lawyers in America and Pennsylvania Super Lawyers.

With conveniently located offices in Scranton, Berwick, Tunkhannock, and the Pocono Mountains region, we’re dedicated to helping those individuals across all of Northeastern/Central PA and the Pocono Mountains Region and surrounding counties including cities and towns such as Pittston, Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Clarks Summit, Dallas, Kingston, Bear Creek, Meshoppen, Back Mountain, Dunmore, Carbondale, Nanticoke, Bloomsburg, Hazelton, East Stroudsburg, Throop, Jessup, Forest City, and more.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you shouldn’t have to face the consequences alone. The physical, emotional, and financial impacts of these preventable accidents can be overwhelming, but our motorcycle accident attorneys can help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

*Best Lawyers in America and Best Law Firms are trademarks of Woodward White. Super Lawyers and Top 100 Lawyers in Pennsylvania are trademarks of Thomson Reuters. Both trademarks are used with permission. Details on Settlements & Verdicts are found at LenahanDempsey.com. All law firms are required to note that because the facts of each case are different, past performance is not a promise of a future outcome.