Motorcycle riders in Indiana and Kentucky undoubtedly know that there are potential risks to riding a motorcycle. Unfortunately, sometimes these risks may lead to motorcycle accidents.

Frighteningly, motorcyclists are often at the mercy of other drivers on the road, as approximately two-thirds of motorcycle accidents that involve another vehicle are due to the other driver causing the accident. Most commonly, another driver causes a motorcycle collision by violating a motorcyclist's right-of-way. A negligent driver who is not fully paying attention to his or her surroundings may not see a motorcyclist and may quickly change lanes, leading to catastrophic, and potentially deadly, consequences.

There are a number of reasons that a motorcyclist may be the victim of a dangerous motorcycle crash. One common factor in accidents is the smaller physical profile of motorcycles. Due to their smaller size, a distracted driver may not see a motorcyclist at an intersection and can subsequently cause a collision. Approximately 70 percent of collisions involving motorcycles and vehicles occur at intersections. Poor weather conditions can also obscure a motorcyclist, leading to potentially deadly results, as can other dangerous road conditions.

Road hazards can be particularly troublesome for motorcyclists. A motorcyclist who encounters a pothole, oil slick or other debris in the road, may be at more risk for an accident than a motor vehicle driver. Furthermore, a road hazard that causes a vehicle driver to swerve into oncoming traffic may lead to a deadly collision.

A Kentuckiana motorcyclist who has been injured in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another driver may have a legal cause of action. Holding a negligent party responsible for his or her role in an accident can be the first step to regaining control of one's life following an accident.

Source: FindLaw, "Motorcycle Accidents: Overview," accessed July 15, 2016