Pittsburgh Personal Injury Blog

Whether you drive a small car, a truck, ride a motorcycle or bicycle or regularly go for a walk, the road can be dangerous. Not only do you have to watch out for large vehicles, but other types of vehicles such as motorcycles can be dangerous as well. Even if you are driving a very large vehicle, such as a semi truck, you could be seriously hurt and adversely impacted in other ways in the event that you collide with a motorcycle. Motorcycle wrecks happen for many reasons, but some are the result of a motorcyclist’s negligence, such as someone who is on the road while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

There are many reasons why people ride motorcycles while intoxicated, as with all other vehicles. For example, they may be returning home from a party, celebrating a holiday or simply forget that they drank alcohol and are over the legal limit. Regardless, an accident can be incredibly dangerous not only for the motorcyclist but those they collide with as well. For example, a motorcyclist may slam into a vehicle at high speeds, causing the driver to become injured. Or, a motorcyclist may collide with another motorcyclist, causing him or her to be thrown from their motorcycle, or ride off the road and hit a pedestrian.

Sometimes, people who get behind the wheel while inebriated do so knowingly, showing no regard for the safety of everyone on the road. That said, there are also times when drivers may unknowingly drive drunk. For example, someone may have thought that they were under the legal limit or they may not have realized that they drank alcohol in a mixed drink at a celebration. Regardless, those who are over the legal limit should be held responsible for their actions, especially if they cause an accident in Pittsburgh or anywhere else in the state of Pennsylvania.

During Labor Day weekend, some people may drive drunk after having a few drinks at a family party. On a daily basis, people get behind the wheel without showing any concern that their driving abilities may be impaired due to drinking, even though there have been many awareness campaigns focusing on this subject. Sometimes, people may also claim that they did not know they were over the legal limit even though they clearly knew that they should not have been on the road.

Motorcyclists face many risks every time they take to the road, but poor visibility is especially concerning. Whether the driver of another vehicle has difficulty seeing a motorcyclist or a motorcyclist is unable to see the road well, riding a motorcycle in these conditions can be dangerous in Pittsburgh and across Pennsylvania. At our law firm, we know how devastating motorcycle collisions can be for motorcyclists and those they love, which is why we believe it is so important to focus on prevention. Sadly, it is already too late for some victims and those who have found themselves in this position because of a negligent driver should know their rights.

When visibility is very poor, a driver may not be able to see very far and this can be especially problematic with respect to motorcycles, which can be even more difficult to see due to their smaller size. Sadly, a driver may collide with a motorcyclist while attempting to pass another vehicle, switch lanes, make a turn or collide with them from behind. During periods of heavy fog, motorcyclists may also struggle to see what lies ahead, which can be incredibly dangerous as well.

There are all sorts of motorcycle accident risk factors that motorcyclists and those driving any type of vehicle should be aware of—distractions, bad road conditions, etc. That said, the use of alcohol is especially concerning and has been responsible for many motorcycle accidents over the years. From the loss of life to injuries that permanently shatter a person’s life, drunk driving is a major concern. Whether you ride a motorcycle or have concerns about a loved one who is a motorcyclist, it may be helpful to review statistics on motorcycle wrecks, such as the prevalence of drunk riding at certain times of the day.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that according to statistics from 2015, motorcyclists who passed away in traffic wrecks at night were three times more likely to be riding under the influence of alcohol when compared to fatal motorcycle crashes that occurred during daylight hours. Obviously, the risk of getting on a motorcycle while over the legal limit poses a major threat at any time of day. However, motorcyclists should be mindful of these statistics and other drivers should watch out for motorcyclists at night, when it can be even more difficult to see them.