How do Motorcycle Sideswipe Accidents Happen?

Motorcycle accidents can occur in a wide variety of ways in Colorado. Some of these accidents are actually sideswipe incidents that occur due to the careless or negligent actions of other drivers on the roadway. Here, we want to discuss how motorcycle sideswipe accidents occur. We also want to talk about how an injured motorcyclist can go about proving liability when they are working to recover compensation for their losses.

Sideswipe Accidents Lead to Severe Motorcyclist Injuries

Sideswipe collisions are dangerous for anyone on the roadway, including those inside traditional passenger vehicles. However, sideswipe accidents can be especially dangerous for motorcyclists. Motorcycle drivers and passengers do not have much protection from the force of other vehicles slamming into them. Even if a sideswipe impact is not severe, this can lead to the motorcyclist losing control and slamming into other vehicles or going off the roadway completely.

Sideswipe accidents can occur in a wide variety of ways, and they usually happen because of driver error. Some of the main causes of motorcycle sideswipe accidents in Colorado include:

• Blind spot incidents. Motorcyclists often fit snugly into other vehicles’ blind spots. This can be detrimental, particularly if another driver decides to abruptly change lanes or turn.
• Driver distraction. Drivers face many distractions on the roadway, but distractions are a choice. Some of the most common distractions that can lead to sideswipe accidents include talking or texting on a phone, eating or drinking by the wheel, reaching for objects inside the vehicle, adjusting a radio or GPS, etc.
• Driving under the influence. Drivers impaired by alcohol drugs are much less likely to maintain control of their vehicle. Impaired drivers regularly drift side to side, which can lead to a sideswipe accident for a motorcyclist nearby.
• Driver fatigue. When drivers are fatigued behind the wheel, they could drift in and out of the lane, particularly if they fall asleep even for a fraction of a second.
• Aggressive driving. It is not uncommon for motorists to get aggravated with motorcyclists, and sometimes this aggravation is unprovoked. Road rage could lead to a driver purposely swerving their vehicle towards a motorcyclist, potentially leading to a sideswipe incident.

Unfortunately, motorcyclists can sustain severe injuries in the event a sideswipe incident occurs. It is not uncommon for Colorado motorcyclists to sustain the following injuries in these accidents:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Back or spinal cord injuries
• Whiplash
• Internal injuries
• Crushed or amputated limbs
• Broken or dislocated bones
• Severe lacerations or road rash
• Contusions or bruising

Motorcyclists injured in a sideswipe accident can also suffer from a range of emotional and psychological trauma as a result of the accident and their subsequent injuries. This can include prolonged feelings of stress, anxiety, fear, and depression. Additionally, motorcycle accident victims could suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the collision.

Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Colorado

If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by the negligent actions of another driver, reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. A Denver motorcycle accident lawyer will have the resources necessary to conduct a complete investigation into the claim and help you recover the compensation you are entitled to.