When a motorcycle and a passenger car or truck get into a rear-end accident, the results are more dangerous and deadly than if the vehicles were both passenger vehicles. According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcycles make up only 3% of all registered vehicles in the U.S.; however, they account for 35% of all vehicle accident fatalities.
68% of motorcycle rear-end accidents happen when a motorcycle runs into a car, and 32% happen when the motorcycle gets rear-ended.
Any type of motorcycle rear-end can be deadly or cause serious bodily injury. Motorcycle riders in the Spokane metro area know that they can count on At Crary, Clark, Domanico, & Chuang, P.S., to help them get back to cruising the highways.
Causes of Rear-End Collisions
Motorcycle rear-end accidents are common, comprising 25% of all motorcycle accidents. And when they happen, they are more likely to cause death or serious injury than when a car rear-ends another car.
Some of the common reasons a motorcycle rear-end happens are:
- Motorcycle Not Noticed: Motor vehicle drivers are notorious for not seeing motorcycles on the road. This can contribute to a serious rear-end accident.
- Sudden Stops: Motorcycles can stop suddenly, sometimes the car behind them can’t stop in time.
- Speeding: The higher the speed of the motor vehicle, the higher the likelihood that they won’t be able to stop suddenly.
- Distracted Driving: Texting or any activity that pulls the attention of the driver away from the road can cause a rear-end accident.
- Impaired Driving: When someone drives while impaired, they drastically increase their odds of causing an accident.
- Road Conditions: On dry pavement, motorcycles can stop quicker and in less space than a car. However, if the road conditions are poor – such as ice, rain or gravel – then stopping a bike can be difficult.
Motorcycle Rear-End Injuries
Motorcycle injuries can be serious and lead to significant recovery time. A motorcyclist is not as protected as a car occupant; even a small bump can cause significant injuries. Some of the injuries commonly suffered by motorcycle riders in a rear-end collision are:
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Neck and Spinal Damage
- Broken Legs/Wrist
- Bruised/Broken Ribs
- Thoracic Spine Injury: (Whiplash)
- Lower Vertebra Spine Injuries
- Broken Wrists
Rear-End Liability
Generally, when one vehicle collides with the vehicle in front of them, the vehicle in the rear is usually at fault. While this certainly isn’t the case in 100% of rear-end collisions, this is typically true especially when the rear driver is speeding, distracted, or impaired. That being said, authorities will examine the circumstances closely to determine which driver was at fault, establish any negligence, and determine which driver is liable in the accident.
Contact a Spokane Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle rear-end accident, the best thing to do is to talk to an attorney who understands how insurance policies work and is experienced with handling motorcycle injury cases.
Established in Spokane in 1948, Crary, Clark, Domanico, & Chuang, P.S. is committed to providing our clients with the absolute highest quality legal representation. If our Spokane Motorcycle Accident Lawyers represent you for your accident case, you have our assurance that we will use our absolute best efforts to win your case. Contact us after any accident resulting in a serious injury for a free, confidential consultation and case evaluation. We will only offer you advice which is in your best interest.
