Motorcycles cut through traffic, fit into tight spaces, and bring a level of freedom that cars never will. However, out on New York’s streets, that freedom can become a serious risk when drivers aren’t paying attention.
At Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers we’ve worked with riders who did everything right—wore protective gear, obeyed traffic laws, stayed alert—yet still ended up on the pavement because someone in a car or truck made a bad decision.
What Causes Most Motorcycle Accidents?
There are many causes of motorcycle accidents, but most crashes can be traced back to one issue: drivers not looking for motorcycles. They check for cars, trucks, and buses, but smaller vehicles don’t always register in their line of sight. That split-second gap in awareness leads to some of the worst accidents.
With this in mind, let’s look closer at common motorcycle accident causes in New York.
1. Left-Turn Collisions
Intersections are where motorcycles get cut off the most. A driver making a left-hand turn sees an open gap, doesn’t notice the motorcycle approaching, and pulls out right in front of it. The rider has two choices—brake hard and risk a slide-out or brace for impact.
New York requires drivers to yield to oncoming traffic when turning left, but many drivers fail to see motorcycles. Even when the rider had the right of way, the driver’s first excuse is usually, “I never saw them.” That doesn’t change the fact that the motorcycle took the hit.
2. Blind Spot Lane Changes
Every car has a blind spot, but motorcycles fit into them too easily. A driver checks the mirror, sees nothing, and moves into a rider’s space.
Drivers who merge without looking create a serious risk, especially for motorcyclists. A slight bump from a car that barely leaves a scratch on a fender can send a motorcycle skidding across the pavement.
New York law requires drivers to signal and confirm that a lane is clear before merging, but many don’t.
3. Speeding and Aggressive Driving
The faster a car moves, the less time the driver has to react. Motorcycles already have less room to maneuver, and when a speeding car gets too close, the margin for error disappears.
Speeding drivers misjudge distances, run through red lights, and change lanes abruptly. On a busy road, a motorcycle might not have anywhere to go when that happens.
Some drivers also tailgate motorcycles, assuming they can stop as fast as a car. They can’t. Shorter stopping distances mean a rear-end collision is just a few seconds away.
Speeding ranks among the top causes of motorcycle accidents, making crashes worse and leaving riders with little chance to avoid impact.
4. Distracted Drivers
Phones, GPS screens, food wrappers, makeup mirrors—it’s shocking how many things take a driver’s eyes off the road. For a motorcyclist, that distraction means distinguishing between getting noticed and getting hit.
A driver glancing down at their phone for just three seconds while moving at highway speed covers about the length of a football field. A motorcycle could be anywhere in that space.
In New York, it is illegal to use a handheld phone while driving, but plenty of drivers still sneak a glance at their screen. That glance is all it takes.
5. Hazardous Roads
Road conditions in New York aren’t always predictable. One day, a street is fine. The next, there’s an open pothole big enough to wreck a front tire.
Motorcycles react differently to road hazards than cars do. Loose gravel, wet pavement, metal grates, and debris that wouldn’t faze a car can instantly throw a motorcycle off balance.
Poor road maintenance is a common factor in many motorcycle crash causes. If a hazard was reported but never fixed, it could mean liability liability could extend beyond the driver involved.
6. Drunk and Impaired Driving
Every driver knows the risks of drinking and driving, but some still do it. Reaction times slow down, depth perception is off, and judgment goes out the window. That’s a dangerous mix for any road user, but it can be deadly for motorcyclists.
Motorcycles lack seatbelts, airbags, and crumple zones, leaving little room for error. One bad decision from an impaired driver can lead to a crash that should have never happened.
Law enforcement takes these cases seriously, and so do injury claims. There’s no excuse for getting behind the wheel drunk or high and putting motorcyclists in danger.
What Happens After a Motorcycle Crash?
Determining the cause of a wreck marks just the beginning. Under New York’s comparative negligence system, insurance companies search for ways to reduce payouts.
For example, a driver might cut off a motorcycle and cause a crash, but the insurance company argues that the rider was going slightly over the speed limit or should have been wearing brighter gear. Even when the driver caused the crash, insurance companies try to place some blame on the motorcyclist.
That’s why it’s critical to determine what went wrong early on. Police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and accident reconstructions all help prove what caused the crash. An experienced motorcycle crash attorney knows what to look for and how to put these pieces of evidence to work to hold the liable parties responsible and get you the compensation you need.
Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers, P.C. Protects New York Motorcyclists
Motorcyclists know the risks of sharing the road, but no amount of skill can prevent a crash when a driver isn’t paying attention. A split-second mistake—an unsafe lane change, a left turn without looking, or a driver glued to their phone—can send a rider off their bike with life-changing injuries.
For more than 30 years, Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers has worked with riders injured in crashes caused by careless drivers. We understand the causes of motorcycle accidents and how to prove fault when a driver’s negligence leads to serious injuries.
Call us today for a free consultation. Let’s talk about your motorcycle accident, how it happened, and what steps you can take next.
