Left turns are always more dangerous than right turns. Any time a vehicle turns left, it crosses through oncoming traffic. But there is an especially high level of risk for motorcyclists.
This danger doesn’t just come when the motorcyclist turns left themselves. One of the biggest risks that they face is simply when someone else turns left in front of them.
How it happens
These accidents often happen in a very similar fashion, where a vehicle is waiting to make a left turn. It may appear that the road is clear because the driver doesn’t see the motorcycle. This could happen if the motorcycle blends into the road or if there’s other traffic and so it is hidden by a vehicle. That turning driver may think that the hidden motorcycle actually represents a gap in traffic.
However, if that driver has not seen the motorcycle and suddenly turns left in front of it, the motorcyclist is put in a very dangerous position. They can’t swerve to the right, which is the same way that that vehicle is now moving, when relative to their position. They also don’t want to swerve to the left, which would drive them into oncoming traffic. In just a split second, the motorcyclist may try to brake to avoid the collision, but they might not have enough space to do so. This leads to a crash where the bike slams into the side of the vehicle that is turning.
Have you been injured?
If you’ve been involved in an accident like this, the chance for serious injuries is incredibly high. Be sure you know how to seek financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and any other costs.
