Motorcycle riders face unique dangers on Arkansas roads, and understanding what causes these accidents can help you prevent them as well as protect your rights if you’ve been injured.
Arkansas ranks as one of the most dangerous states for motorcyclists, with 94 fatalities in 2022 and the nation’s fourth-highest roadway fatality rate.
This article covers the most common causes of motorcycle accident injuries in Arkansas and what you need to know about getting compensation after a crash.
The Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Arkansas
Driver Inattention and Failure to Yield
One of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents in Arkansas is when drivers simply don’t see motorcyclists before making a move.
Many drivers fail to check their mirrors properly or look twice before pulling out into traffic.
This happens frequently at intersections, parking lot exits, and driveways throughout Arkansas communities.
When a driver fails to yield the right of way to a motorcyclist, the results can be devastating.
Motorcyclists have little protection compared to people in passenger vehicles, which means even a low-speed collision can cause serious injuries.
The problem often stems from drivers who aren’t actively looking for motorcycles on the road.
They may be distracted by their phones, adjusting the radio, or simply not paying attention to their surroundings.
In Arkansas, distracted driving continues to be a major problem, and motorcyclists pay the price for other drivers’ carelessness.
When someone’s inattention causes your accident, they should be held responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Left-Turn Accidents at Intersections
Left-turn collisions are particularly dangerous for motorcyclists in Arkansas.
These accidents typically happen when a driver making a left turn fails to see an oncoming motorcycle or misjudges the motorcycle’s speed and distance.
The driver turns directly into the path of the motorcycle, giving the rider little to no time to react.
Arkansas roads, from busy Little Rock intersections to rural crossroads, see these types of accidents regularly.
National data shows that left-turn accidents account for 36% of all motorcycle fatalities, and 42% of motorcycle crashes involve another driver failing to detect the motorcycle during turns.
Motorcycles can be harder to see than larger vehicles, but that doesn’t excuse a driver’s failure to look carefully before turning.
When a left-turn accident occurs, the turning driver is usually at fault for failing to yield to oncoming traffic.
These crashes often result in severe injuries because the front of the motorcycle takes the full impact of the collision.
Riders can be thrown from their bikes, suffer broken bones, head trauma, or worse.
The impact of these accidents extends beyond physical injuries, affecting victims’ ability to work and care for their families.
Lane Changes and Merging Errors
Drivers who change lanes without properly checking their blind spots cause countless motorcycle accidents across Arkansas each year.
A motorcycle can easily disappear in a vehicle’s blind spot, especially larger trucks and SUVs.
When a driver moves into a lane already occupied by a motorcyclist, the results can be catastrophic.
This type of accident is common on Arkansas highways like I-40, I-30, and I-540, where traffic moves quickly and lane changes happen frequently.
Motorcyclists have the same right to use the full lane as any other vehicle, but many drivers don’t respect this.
Some drivers will try to share a lane with a motorcycle or squeeze past them without leaving adequate space.
On Arkansas roads where lanes can be narrower, especially on older highways and rural routes, this creates extremely dangerous situations.
When someone changes lanes or merges without looking and hits you on your motorcycle, that driver needs to be held accountable.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Speed plays a major role in the severity of motorcycle accident injuries throughout Arkansas.
When drivers exceed posted speed limits, they have less time to react to motorcycles sharing the road.
Higher speeds also mean greater force on impact, which translates to more serious injuries for motorcyclists who lack the protective shell of a car.
In Arkansas, 33.78% of motorcycle fatalities involved speeding, while nationally speeding was a factor in 33% of all fatal motorcycle crashes.
Reckless driving behaviors like aggressive tailgating, weaving through traffic, and racing make Arkansas roads more dangerous for everyone, but especially for motorcycle riders.
Arkansas has seen its share of speed-related motorcycle crashes on highways and rural roads where drivers may feel comfortable pushing the limits.
When someone’s decision to speed causes an accident, they should face consequences for their reckless choice.
The faster a vehicle is traveling when it hits a motorcycle, the more devastating the injuries tend to be.
Victims often face months or years of recovery, mounting medical bills, and lost income while they heal.
Road Hazards and Poor Maintenance
Arkansas roads aren’t always in the best condition, and what might be a minor annoyance for a car can be a serious hazard for a motorcycle.
Potholes, uneven pavement, loose gravel, and debris in the roadway can cause a motorcyclist to lose control.
When state or local governments fail to maintain roads properly, they can be held responsible if their negligence leads to an accident.
Construction zones also create hazards with sudden lane shifts, uneven surfaces, and unclear signage.
Rural Arkansas roads present dangerous conditions with less frequent maintenance and narrow shoulders.
Gravel on curved roads is particularly dangerous for motorcycles, as it reduces traction and can cause the bike to slide.
Oil slicks, metal plates covering construction areas, and railroad tracks can all catch a motorcycle tire and lead to a crash.
If poor road conditions contributed to your accident, you may have a claim against the government entity responsible for maintaining that roadway.
Impaired Driving
Drunk and drugged driving remains a persistent problem on Arkansas roads, putting motorcyclists at serious risk.
Impaired drivers have slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and difficulty maintaining their lane position.
When an impaired driver causes a motorcycle accident, the consequences can be life-altering or even fatal.
Arkansas law enforcement works to remove impaired drivers from the roads, but crashes still happen far too often.
In Arkansas, 20.27% of drivers involved in fatal motorcycle crashes were under the influence of alcohol, and nationally almost 30% of motorcycle riders killed had blood-alcohol levels above the legal limit.
Motorcyclists struck by impaired drivers often suffer the most severe injuries because they lack the protection of a vehicle frame.
If you were hit by someone driving under the influence, that driver’s insurance company needs to pay for what their policyholder did.
Criminal charges against the impaired driver are separate from your civil claim for compensation.
You have the right to pursue damages for your injuries, even if the driver faces criminal prosecution.
Inexperienced Drivers
New drivers who haven’t developed good hazard perception skills pose a threat to motorcyclists across Arkansas.
Inexperienced drivers may not understand how to share the road safely with motorcycles or may panic when they encounter one nearby.
Teen drivers and those new to driving may struggle with judging distances and speeds, particularly when it comes to smaller vehicles like motorcycles.
These drivers might make sudden moves without signaling or fail to check their surroundings before acting.
The problem extends beyond just teen drivers to include anyone who lacks experience navigating different traffic situations.
When an inexperienced driver makes a mistake that causes your motorcycle accident, their lack of skill doesn’t excuse their negligence.
Every driver has a responsibility to operate their vehicle safely, regardless of how long they’ve been driving.
If someone’s inexperience on the road led to your injuries, you shouldn’t have to pay the price for their mistakes.
Additional Factors That Contribute to Motorcycle Crashes
Weather Conditions in Arkansas
Arkansas weather can change quickly, creating hazardous conditions for motorcyclists throughout the state.
Rain makes roads slippery and reduces visibility, while fog can make it nearly impossible for drivers to see motorcycles until it’s too late.
Strong winds, which are common in Arkansas, can push motorcycles around or make them harder to control.
When determining who is at fault for accidents in bad weather, we look at whether other drivers adjusted their driving appropriately for the conditions.
Summer heat in Arkansas can also create problems, with sun glare making it difficult for drivers to see motorcycles during certain times of day.
Ice and snow, though less common in much of Arkansas, create treacherous conditions when they do occur.
Drivers have a responsibility to slow down and exercise extra caution in bad weather, but many don’t.
If someone drove too fast for conditions or failed to account for weather factors and hit you, they can be held liable.
Lack of Protective Barriers
Many Arkansas roads lack adequate guardrails or barriers to protect motorcyclists from serious harm.
When a motorcycle leaves the roadway, riders can strike trees, utility poles, or other fixed objects with nothing to cushion the impact.
Rural Arkansas highways often have steep drop-offs or ditches with no protective barriers in place.
The absence of these safety features can turn a minor accident into a tragedy.
Government entities responsible for road design and safety should install appropriate barriers where needed.
When they fail to do so and a motorcyclist is seriously injured as a result, they may be liable for damages.
These cases can be complex because suing a government entity involves different rules and deadlines than standard personal injury claims.
Vehicle Blind Spots
Every vehicle has blind spots, but they pose an especially serious threat to motorcyclists who can easily disappear from view.
Larger vehicles like trucks, SUVs, and commercial vehicles have bigger blind spots where an entire motorcycle can hide.
Even with properly adjusted mirrors, these blind spots exist, and it’s the driver’s responsibility to check them before changing lanes or turning.
Too many Arkansas drivers rely only on their mirrors without doing a proper shoulder check.
Motorcyclists can take steps to avoid riding in blind spots, but they can’t control when a driver suddenly moves into their lane.
When a driver fails to check their blind spots and causes an accident, that driver is at fault.
The size of their vehicle’s blind spots doesn’t excuse their failure to look before acting.
Were You Injured In a Motorcycle Accident? We Can Help!
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Arkansas, you need someone who understands what you’re going through and will fight for your rights.
At Shamieh Law, we treat every client like family and champion your interests from day one.
As motorcycle accident attorneys in Arkansas, we can help you with your motorcycle accident case and get you the compensation you need for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Our team has the experience, work ethic, and track record to win your case.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay us unless we recover compensation for you.
Contact our team today by calling 501-361-1334 to discuss your case and learn how we can help you move forward after your accident.