Your Motorcycle Clipped A Car While Lane Splitting. What To Do?

Unlike passenger vehicles, motorcyclists have it a little rougher on the road, at least in terms of traffic collision statistics. The Insurance Information Institute (III) reports that as of 2013, motorcycle riders were 26 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than any other vehicle type. Speeding, blind spots, lane changes—there are a lot of motorcycle collision causes. Sometimes it’s the passenger vehicle’s fault, and other times, it’s the rider’s.

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Causes of Motorcycle Crashes

As a motorcyclist, you are more than likely already aware that crash accidents involving passenger vehicles and motorcycles make up 56 percent of all motorcycle accident fatalities. According to Nolo, a legal advice website, the top three causes of motorcycle accidents are:

Vehicles making left-hand turns: A passenger vehicle initiates a left turn at an intersection and does not see the motorcyclist, resulting in a head-on collision. Nolo writes that these accidents are also caused when a rider tries to beat the car through the intersection or attempts to pass the turning vehicle.

Motorcycles lane splitting: Though not an illegal riding maneuver, lane splitting is still dangerous to the motorcyclist. As defined, lane splitting is when a motorcycle rides between two lanes of slow moving traffic. Accidents result because a passenger vehicle trying to make a lane change does not see the approaching vehicle (blind spot) and is only looking for other vehicles, not motorcycles.

In a lane-splitting accident, the motorcyclist is usually the person found at fault in the collision. Why? Lane splitting is considered a hazardous riding practice because it leaves no room for the rider to correct, putting all motorists on the road at risk.

Speeding: Speeding is driving or riding your vehicle five miles or more over the designated speed limit. As of 2013, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that 34 percent of all motorcyclists involved in a fatal accident were guilty of speeding. Turing a corner too quickly and hitting gravel, losing control of the bike or being unprepared to stop are all more likely to happen when speeding is involved.

If you have caused an accident as motorcyclist with a passenger vehicle, what do you do?

What to Do After an Accident

• − If you are able, pull over to the side of the road
• − Call the police to file an accident report
• − Take pictures of the damage, including that of the other vehicle
• − Exchange information with the other driver involved, including name and insurance
• − Be honest in answering the questions of the responding officer. You will want your report to be as detailed and accurate as possible.
• − Call your insurance agency and inform them of the accident
• − File a claim with your insurance company

In following the above steps, the ramifications of the accident and its after effects will feel like less of a burden and will help you to get back on the bike.

Accidents are trying, but following the right procedure makes it all a little easier. To get a motorcycle insurance policy that suits you and your lifestyle, compare motorcycle insurance rates with CoverHound.