Michael Pines | December 23, 2025 | Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents often leave victims with life-altering injuries, steep medical costs, and a long road to recovery. This is simply because you have less protection from the impact.
Many motorcycle crashes stem from a combination of factors, and many wrecks ultimately result from poor visibility. A driver may fail to notice a motorcycle due to its smaller frame, which makes it more challenging for the driver to judge distance and speed accurately.
Keep reading to learn about some other common causes of these accidents and how a motorcycle accident lawyer in San Diego can help.
Other Drivers’ Negligence
The carelessness of other drivers remains a significant contributor to motorcycle crashes. A driver rushes through a turn, cuts into a lane without a signal, or fails to yield and causes a motorcycle accident. These errors leave you with almost no time to avoid a collision.
Two common types of driver negligence that contribute to motorcycle crashes are distracted and impaired driving:
Distracted Driving
When a driver stares at a phone, adjusts a navigation device, or focuses on a passenger instead of the road, they can lose crucial sight of the motorcycles around them. That split second of distraction can be the difference between a safe ride and a catastrophic collision.
Because many drivers are not actively looking for or expecting a motorcycle, they often react far too late when their attention returns to the road.
Impaired Driving
A driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs exhibits slow reactions and poor judgment, putting everyone, especially vulnerable riders, in direct danger.
Impairment severely diminishes a driver’s ability to perceive motorcycles, judge their speed and distance, and execute necessary maneuvers safely. This lack of control and awareness makes impaired driving one of the most reckless causes of motorcycle accidents.
Road Hazards
Road defects from poorly maintained or designed roads cause serious problems for motorcycles. A deep hole, loose gravel, or uneven pavement can disrupt balance with far greater force than it does for a car. A rider who rides through these hazards may lose control of their bike without any chance to correct course.
Objects in the road also pose real danger. A fallen branch, a stray box, or debris from a truck forces you to react at once. A quick reaction works in a car, but a motorcycle requires far more precision. Any abrupt shift increases the chance of a crash.
Mechanical Failures
Mechanical faults also create danger on the road. In many motorcycle accident cases, a seemingly minor part issue can lead to a severe crash. Examples include faulty brakes, tires, or other mechanical components.
Weather Conditions
Weather conditions can turn a pleasant ride into a dangerous situation in an instant.
Examples of weather conditions that can be dangerous for cyclists include:
- Rain and wet roads: Even a light drizzle can make roads slick, especially right after a dry spell when oil and grime mix with the water. Heavy rain drastically reduces tire grip, making braking and turning hazardous. The spray from other vehicles also impairs the rider’s already limited visibility.
- Fog and low visibility: Thick fog can obscure a motorcycle entirely from other drivers’ view, or reduce the driver’s ability to judge distance and speed. For the rider, fog makes it difficult to spot road hazards or debris in time to react safely.
- Strong winds: Sudden gusts of wind, particularly when passing large trucks or exiting tunnels, can push a lightweight motorcycle out of its lane. This loss of stability requires immediate, skillful correction and can easily lead to a crash if the rider is unprepared or caught off guard.
Motorcyclists are uniquely exposed to the elements, and poor weather drastically reduces both visibility and traction, multiplying the risk of a crash.
Contact Our San Diego Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If a motorcycle accident left you hurt, consider seeking support from a qualified San Diego motorcycle accident attorney. At Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers, we know how to gather evidence, guide you through each step, and hold the responsible party accountable. Contact our office for a free consultation today.
For more information, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today.
We proudly serve San Diego, San Diego County, and its surrounding areas:
Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers – San Diego Office
835 5th Avenue #302, San Diego, CA 92101
(858) 551-2090
Available 24/7
Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers – La Jolla Office
4660 La Jolla Village Dr. San Diego, CA 92122
(858) 585-9031
Available 24/7
