Broadside Collisions
A broadside collision is probably one of the most dangerous types of wrecks a motorcycle rider can be in. When a motorcyclist gets T-boned, there is very little he or she can do to try to correct course. In many cases, the rider may get ejected, pinned or otherwise removed from the motorcycle. A major contributor to broadside collisions is sadly a complete and total lack of awareness. Even though driver inattention and distracted driving are totally preventable, injury causing and fatal broadside collisions are still happening in Jackson and throughout the nation. It’s very common to hear a driver say, “I never saw the motorcycle” after a serious broadside collision accident. They simply weren’t paying attention and truthfully never even saw the motorcycle they hit until it was too late. Listed below are just a few common causes of broadside collisions.
Causes of Broadside Collisions
- Distracted driving
- Pulling into traffic without looking
- Driver inattention
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Running a red light at an intersection
- Turning onto roads without looking first
- Aggressive driving or road rage
The Differences Between Riding and Driving
For drivers to understand the implications of a broadside collision and the threats motorcycle riders face on a daily basis, they have to understand the fundamental differences between riding a motorcycle and driving a car. Among those differences, the biggest is the level of safety involved. Most people feel pretty safe in their cars. They have air bags, seat belts and they’re encapsulated in steel. Motorcycle riders are totally vulnerable to any potential roadway emergencies. They only have two wheels, and they can be fully ejected from their bikes. If you’ve ever ridden a motorcycle on the road, you know just how important it is to pay attention to your surroundings and lookout for others. Motorcycle riders are frequently riding defensively to avoid dangerous or even potentially deadly situations with drivers who are otherwise totally oblivious to what’s going on.
Failing to Yield the Right of Way to Motorcycles
Failing to yield the right of way is a huge problem associated with broadside collisions. Motorcycles get broadsided when drivers aren’t properly and lawfully yielding the right of way. No motorcycle rider wants to put himself or herself in a dangerous situation, but often they’re faced with riding around dangerous and distracted drivers. They’re counting on drivers to follow the rules of the road, yield when it’s necessary to do so and look out for other roadway users. It’s also important to note that while it might be okay for a driver to slam on the breaks or swerve to miss a near collision, motorcycles have a much less room for error. Swerving or stopping short to avoid a broadside collision could be potentially life threatening for a rider.
Expenses Associated with Broadside Collisions
In addition to property damage and most likely a total loss on your bike, you’re probably going to be facing pretty steep medical bills. Depending upon how long you were in the hospital or whether or not you need rehab or physical therapy after your accident, you could be missing work for an indefinite amount of time. Not only will you not have money coming in, you will have bills piling up. If you or somebody you love has been injure in a broadside collision, you need to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible to get the ball rolling on your case.
“I Didn’t Even See The Motorcycle”
Sadly, a phrase we hear all too often after motorcycle accidents is “I didn’t even see the motorcycle.” Drivers are so inattentive and distracted, they have no idea there is a motorcycle near them until they’ve struck them. Distracted driving has become a dangerous and deadly epidemic not just for motorcyclists, but also for everybody on U.S. roadways. If a driver who should have seen you and should have known you were there hit you seemingly out of the blue, you need to speak with a personal injury attorney about your case. Don’t wait for the medical bills to pile up. Not seeing a motorcycle before hitting it isn’t an acceptable excuse for hospitalizing somebody, or worse. Broadside collisions can be especially devastating for riders, so the sooner you talk to a lawyer, the better.
If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle broadside accident in Jackson or the surrounding communities, contact the skilled and proven team at Coxwell & Associates, PLLC at (601) 265-7766 for a free case consultation today.
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