Gloucester Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycle crashes have many different causes. Some of the most common causes involve other drivers violating a motorcyclist’s right of way. Riders have the same rights to the road and are subject to the same traffic rules as other motorists. Motorcycle accidents in Gloucester may be caused by:

• Speeding: The faster a vehicle is traveling, the more difficult it is for the driver to stop or slow down to avoid hitting a motorcyclist. When a crash with a motorcycle occurs, speeding increases the impact of the collision and the severity of injuries.
• Following too closely: Drivers should allow three to four seconds more distance between their vehicles and motorcycles ahead, as stated on Mass.gov. Rear-end collisions can be deadly for motorcyclists, who may be ejected from the bike into traffic.
• Cutting off riders: Failure to yield the right of way to motorcycles can cause serious collisions. Drivers may fail to register motorcycles in the roadway and cut off riders when merging into traffic or executing turns at intersections.
• Distracted driving: Motorcycles are smaller and less visible than cars, trucks, and SUVs. Drivers who are distracted by electronic devices, passengers, or anything that takes their minds off their driving, may fail to notice motorcycles in the road.
• Impaired driving: Alcohol and drugs can significantly impair driving ability, putting motorcyclists and everyone on the roadways at risk.
• Negligent lane changes: Cars and trucks have blind spots, and motorcycles may be more difficult to spot than larger vehicles. Drivers have a duty to signal and carefully check blind spots before changing lanes. When they fail to do so, they can sideswipe and seriously injure riders in adjoining lanes.