Most Common Types of Collisions Between Cars and Motorcycles

One of the most common types of collisions between cars and motorcycles is the left-turn collision, which happens when a vehicle turns left at an intersection and crosses into the path of an oncoming motorcycle. These crashes often result from poor visibility, driver misjudgment, or lack of awareness.

Other common types of motorcycle accidents include:

• Blind spot collisions
• Lane-splitting collisions
• Rear-end and head-on collisions
• Distracted or impaired driving

Few things compare to the freedom and thrill that a motorcycle offers on the open road. Motorcycles, however, do carry certain inherent risks due to bikers being much less protected than trucks or people in typical passenger vehicles. While motorcyclists need to understand and follow safety tips and precautions, sometimes other drivers are negligent and you end up injured through no fault of your own. Cars need to be on the lookout for motorcycles, and when they’re not it can have devastating consequences.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle crash, call the personal injury lawyers of Burger Law today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online. We are based in both Chicago and St. Louis and get great results for the injured throughout Missouri and Illinois.

Where Do Car/Motorcycle Collisions Take Place Mostly?

Collisions between cars and motorcycles can occur in various settings. Here are some common settings where these collisions often take place:

• Highway Interchanges
• Parking Lots
• Rural Roads
• Intersections
• Highway Exits and Entrances
• Construction Zones

Highway Interchanges: High-speed traffic at highway interchanges contributes to a significant number of car and motorcycle collisions. Additionally, merging challenges and rapid lane changes make such areas a hotspot for such crashes.

Parking Lots: Surprisingly, parking lots can be a common ground for collisions. This is especially due to congestion, limited visibility, varying speeds and erratic driving. Issues such as right-of-way disputes and backing up improperly frequently arise in these confined spaces.

Rural Roads: The quietness of rural roads can sometimes be deceptive. Such roads usually feature winding paths, wildlife crossings, undivided highways, reduced visibility, and a lack of proper signage which have been deemed a cause of car and motorcycle crashes.

Intersections: Intersections, where multiple roads converge, are classic settings for accidents. In 2021, 15% of accident deaths occurred at intersections.  Usually, disputes over right-of-way, red-light violations, and failure to yield are considered when determining liability for accidents.

Construction Zones: Construction zones feature uneven surfaces, altered traffic patterns, narrower lanes, reduced speed limits, and the presence of roadwork crews. Also, inadequate or unclear signage can lead to misunderstandings, improper lane changes, and other dangerous maneuvers around construction zones.

What To Do After a Motorcycle and Car Crash?

After being involved in an accident that involves a motorcycle and a car, taking quick steps may improve your chances of recovery.

Most importantly, prioritize your health. Seek medical attention fast to address your injuries. Here are the benefits of quick medical attention:

• Immediate medical intervention can identify and address injuries before they escalate into more severe conditions. Timely treatment can mitigate the long-term impact of injuries.
• Prompt medical attention ensures that injuries are documented to provide a clear connection between the accident and subsequent health issues. Delayed medical attention may be used by the defense to argue that the injuries were not a direct result of the accident but rather pre-existing conditions.
• Gaps in medical treatment can be exploited to question the severity of injuries, suggesting that they were not significant enough to warrant immediate attention.

The next step should be engaging the services of a motorcycle accident attorney. Your attorney will do the following:

• Guidance on the immediate steps to take so that you can take actions that align with Missouri legal provisions of personal injury claims such as the statute of limitations
• Gathering and presenting evidence related to the accident, such as witness statements, photographs, and any available surveillance footage.
• Handling communications with insurers
• Ensuring fair and just settlement that reflects your injuries and damages
• Advocating for your rights in discussions with the opposing party

If fair settlement seems elusive, your car accident claim attorney will take your case to court. They will present your case before a judge to seek the compensation you deserve.

“I’ve dedicated my entire life to helping our clients receive full compensation for their injuries.”

Gary Burger

Personal Injury Attorney

Most Common Type of Collisions Between Cars and Motorcycles

Often, a key aspect of safety in any situation is just being aware of the potential dangers. Below are some of the
most common types and causes we see in Missouri and Illinois in accidents between motorcycles and cars.

Left-Turn Collisions

Left-turn collisions are among the most frequent accidents involving motorcycles and cars. They happen when a car driver, either turning left at an intersection or switching lanes, fails to see an oncoming motorcycle. Cars turning left at an intersection often fail to yield the right of way to a motorcycle going straight, usually because the passenger car driver simply doesn’t see them. Intersections are the most common place for a car and motorcycle to collide. Over 42 percent of all motorcycle collisions with cars are due to a car making a left-hand turn.

Drunk Driving or Alcohol Impairment

Drunk driving kills more people than any other dangerous driving in the U.S., and it’s no different with motorcycles. Thirty-two percent of motorcycle fatalities were in
alcohol-related accidents.

Blind Spots

Despite rearview and side mirrors, most cars have blind spots. Because motorcycles are smaller and harder to notice many car drivers may not see them when changing lanes.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a leading cause of any kind of motor vehicle accident. It is an especially frequent cause in motorcycle accidents, as motorcycles are harder for a car driver to see out of the corner of their eye than other cars or trucks.

Defective Motorcycles

Motorcycle manufacturers have a responsibility to safely design bikes, and recall any components that are found to be dangerous. If they fail to do so and you end up injured as a result, you may be able to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer or vendor.

Road Hazards and Fixed Object Collisions

Road hazards are much more dangerous to motorcycles than to cars. They can cause a motorcyclist to quickly lose balance and tilt over. Some common road hazards that can cause a motorcycle to collide with a car are:

• Potholes
• Roadkill
• Cracked or uneven pavement
• Slippery pavement

Hitting a fixed object, such as a sign, is often the result of motorcycle error. However, if the sign was improperly placed, or a road hazard should have been fixed but wasn’t, your motorcycle crash lawyer may be able to help you
bring a claim against the government.

Common Injuries in Collisions Between Cars and Motorcycles

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Collisions involving cars, motorcycles, and pedestrians are common causes of traumatic brain injuries. A collision between a car and a bike may cause a violent blow or jolt to the head or body.

Any object that goes to the brain, such as a metal or a shattered piece of skull, can cause a traumatic brain injury.  A traumatic brain injury can trigger varying physical and psychological effects.

Some signs of traumatic brain injury may appear immediately after the accident, while others appear days or weeks later. Several complications may occur soon after a traumatic brain injury, including coma, brain death, seizures, infections, headaches, and intellectual problems.

Back Injuries

The human body cannot sustain the impact of a collision between a car and a motorcycle. Some symptoms of back injuries occur immediately after an accident, while others arise weeks or days after the accident.

Here are a few back injuries associated with car and motorcycle collisions:

• Lumbar spine injuries
• Lumbar sprains
• Spinal stenosis
• Facet joint injuries

If you experience back pain days after an accident, you may need to visit a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis of your problem.

Fractures and Broken Bones

Victims of car accidents often sustain broken arms, ankles, and legs in car accidents. When a broken fracture occurs, it may be classified in two ways, namely:

• Open or Compound Fracture: When an open fracture occurs, bones pierce the skin and are visible. It may also involve a deep wound that exposes the bone through the skin.
• Simple or Closed Fracture: The skin remains intact, although the bone is broken.

While most injured victims recover from bone fractures, there is a possibility of complications. For instance, some patients suffer from malunion when their bones don’t align correctly during the healing process.

Facial Injuries

Collisions between cars and motorcycles often result in facial injuries, including:

• A broken nose
• Injuries to eyes or airways
• Wounds and cuts to the face
• A bleeding nose
• Facial burns
• Nerve damage may affect sensation and a person’s ability to swallow, bite, blink, or move your eyes to focus.

There is also a possibility of a facial fracture that can affect any part of the face, distort appearance, and impair function. For instance, a broken jaw can affect a person’s ability to swallow, speak, or chew.

A severe fracture of facial bones can trigger the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid which surrounds the brain.

Knee Injuries

Motorcyclists often sustain knee injuries after a collision. The motorbike’s body may land on a rider’s knee, causing physical harm.

Here are a few examples of knee injuries:

• Knee dislocation
• Broken patella(Knee cap)
• Knee sprain
• Tendon tears
• Meniscus tear

Most knee injuries are painful and affect the victim’s ability to move. Fortunately, personal injury law allows injured victims to obtain compensation from the at-fault party. Some of the damages you can get include medical bills, lost wages, emotional anguish, loss of companionship, permanent disability, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Motorcycle Crash Lawyer | Burger Law

If you’ve been injured because after you collided with a car because of somebody else’s negligence, the motorcycle
accident attorneys of Burger Law will fight by your side, stand up to the insurance companies and get you the great
financial compensation you deserve and need to recover from your injuries. Call us today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free case evaluation.

Gary Burger

Founder | Injury Attorney
Gary Burger has dedicated his career to standing up against bullies. The founder and principal attorney of Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer has helped hundreds of Missouri and Illinois individuals and families recover th …
Years of experience: 30 years
Location: St. Louis, MO

Chat With Us