JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers | June 10, 2025 | Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycles share only a small slice of overall miles driven, but they account for a large share of traffic deaths. In 2021, over 6,200 motorcyclists lost their lives — about 15 percent of all traffic fatalities.
Since bikes have the same rights as other vehicles but far less protection, you need to pay extra attention when they’re on the road. The tips below will help you spot riders, keep your distance, and avoid common dangers when it comes to motorcycle and car crashes.
See Motorcycles Before They Slip Into Blind Spots
When a bike slips into a shaded spot or hides alongside a larger vehicle, you might not notice it until it’s too late, and that’s why checking your blind spots can be more beneficial than just relying on mirrors alone.
Before you move over or merge, consider glancing over your shoulder and giving yourself a moment to scan areas where a rider could be hiding. Slowing down for a second and leaning forward in your seat often reveals a bike that mirror checks miss.
Sound can also offer a critical warning. Turning down loud music and stashing the phone can help you pick up the hum of an approaching motorcycle. When rain, dusk, or heavy traffic make it hard to spot a bike, its engine noise can serve as an important cue to avoid accidents.
Keep Your Eyes on the Road, Not on Your Phone
When you share the road with motorcycles, eliminating distractions is essential. Taking a phone call, fumbling with the radio, or glancing at your GPS for even a second can have serious consequences.
Bikes can weave in and out of your field of vision faster than cars, and their smaller size makes them easy to miss if you’re not fully engaged. Staying focused means you’re ready when a rider accelerates, shifts lanes, or comes to a sudden stop.
Turn Safely When Motorcycles Are Near
Intersections can be especially dangerous for motorcyclists, with far too many crashes occurring there. When you turn left, it’s easy to misjudge a bike’s speed or simply miss seeing it.
To avoid this, pause until a motorcycle has passed before starting your turn. Even if the road seems empty, bikes can close distance in an instant. And don’t trust a blinking turn signal to tell you a rider’s plan. Motorcycle signals don’t always switch off on their own.
Instead, watch for a rider’s posture, the angle of their wheel, or their brake lights to know if they’re really turning.
Give Motorcycles Enough Space To Ride
Motorcycles can slow down without tapping their brakes. A rider might downshift or use engine braking, cutting speed quickly without flashing the brake lights. To stay safe, you need more than the usual three seconds of space. That extra gap can give you time to react to sudden stops, potholes, or sharp turns.
Riders also move within their lane to avoid debris, rough pavement, or slick spots that wouldn’t bother a car. When you pass, treat a motorcycle like a full-size vehicle — for instance, you can move completely into the next lane, give plenty of room, and ease back over only after you can see the entire bike in your rearview mirror.
Contact the Encino Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
When you share the road with a motorcycle, give the rider the same space and courtesy you’d offer any other vehicle. As more people turn to two wheels (especially in crowded cities), drivers must adjust their habits to keep everyone safe.
By respecting a motorcyclist’s space and staying alert to their movements, you help prevent collisions, whether caused by DUI accidents, road defects, or other hazards. That straightforward approach makes the drive safer and smoother for everyone — drivers, passengers, and riders alike.
For more information, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation today at (833) 852-3600.
Our main office is in Encino, CA, but we serve all through Los Angeles County.
JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers
16633 Ventura Blvd suite 1011,
Encino, CA 91436
