8 Common Motorcycle Accident Causes and How To Avoid Them

Many of Arizona's motorcycle accidents happen in Maricopa County. In 2022, 1,906 bikers had accidents, accounting for more than half of Arizona's motorcycle crashes that year. A motorcycle accident causes more than an inconvenience. Most result in injuries; some lead to fatalities.

Everyone makes mistakes. Fortunately, many accidents are avoidable. These are eight of the most common events our motorcycle accident lawyers in Phoenix have seen that can lead to a collision, along with ways to avoid them.

Motorcycle Accident Causes From Bikers' Actions

Bikers can help prevent crashes by avoiding these behaviors.

1. Speeding

While many people habitually go at least five miles per hour over the speed limit, you are technically breaking Arizona law by riding faster than the posted speed limit. Arizona also has absolute speed limits:

• You cannot exceed 65 miles per hour on a highway outside an urbanized area.
• You cannot exceed 35 miles per hour on a motorcycle without proper headlights.

You can avoid these crashes simply by following the speed limit. Cruising over the speed limit is tempting on a bike but can also be dangerous. Motorcycles are especially susceptible to accidents at higher speeds because they are more likely to tip over or lose control on uneven surfaces.

Speeding Causes the Most Accidents Related to Biker Behavior

If you need more encouragement to follow the speed limit, remember that speeding is what causes most motorcycle accidents related to biker behavior. It caused almost 21% of all Arizona motorcycle accidents in 2022. To bring those statistics to life, consider that the percentage represents 618 accidents. More than 500 were injury crashes, and 49 were fatal crashes.

2. Failing To Stay in the Proper Lane

Many people love motorcycles because they are fast and economical — but small and easy to maneuver. Your gasoline goes much further on a smaller machine, and getting in and out of tight spaces is easy, especially in crowded areas. Unfortunately, this makes it tempting to create your own personal lane in an effort to bypass traffic, a practice known as lane splitting, which is illegal in Arizona.

Failing to stay in the designated lane is one of the leading motorcycle accident causes in this state. Staying in the designated lane is another straightforward way to avoid lane-splitting crashes.

3. Following Too Closely

The three-car rule is a commonly used term for calculating the appropriate distance between two moving cars. In general, there should be enough room for three cars the size of your vehicle to fit between you and the car in front. This allows ample time for your car to come to a complete stop, avoiding an accident.

The same practice is recommended for motorcycle operators but is sometimes unheeded. Driving much too close to other vehicles can lead to serious and fatal crashes. It can be tempting to closely follow the vehicle in front of you, but giving yourself enough space can avoid a collision.

Accidents Related to Bikers' Physical Conditions

When you operate any type of motor vehicle, you must be awake, alert, and of sound mind with sharp reflexes. Anything that impacts your overall physical condition can slow your response time and increase your risk of an accident.

4. Alcohol Use

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