Riding a motorcycle comes with a certain amount of risk. Of course, the same can be said of any vehicle type, but bikers know that there’s a high level of skill and attention required of motorcyclists to navigate traffic and the challenges of the road.

One of the biggest risks facing motorcyclists is non-motorcyclists. Other drivers often fail to give motorcyclists the right-of-way and follow motorcycles too closely in traffic. In short, other drivers often fail to do their part to share the roads safely with motorcyclists.

We’ve put together a list of the common causes of motorcycle accidents. Hopefully, this infographic will give you a clearer picture of how these crashes happen. Below, we’ll also dive into the specific factors that contribute to motorcycle accidents in Oklahoma.

So, What Are the Motorcycle Crash Statistics in Oklahoma?

The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office provides insightful statistics about motorcycle crashes in our state. Here are some of the key takeaways:

• Motorcycle crashes in Oklahoma are most common in the daytime when weather conditions are clear.
• More motorcycle crashes happen in May (190 crashes) than in any other month, followed by June (164 crashes).
• The most dangerous day of the week for Oklahoma motorcyclists is Saturday.
• The most dangerous time of the day for motorcyclists is 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Leading Causes of Motorcycle Crashes in Oklahoma

When motorcycle crashes are caused by non-motorcyclists, the leading causes are…

• Failure to yield (23.9 percent of crashes)
• Improper turn (12.2 percent)
• Changing lanes unsafely (6.1 percent)
• Other improper act/movement (5.7 percent)
• Inattention (5 percent)
• Followed too closely (3.7 percent)
• Unsafe speed (1.9 percent)
• Failure to stop (1.9 percent)

When fault is attributed to motorcyclists, the top four causes of these crashes include…

• Unsafe speeds (24.1 percent)
• Other improper act/movement (5.6 percent)
• Following too closely (4.6 percent)
• Inattention (3.7 percent)

Most crashes happen because of human error, and it’s often the mistake of the non-motorcyclist that ends up causing a motorcyclist harm. Though studies have repeatedly shown that other drivers are more likely to be responsible for motorcycle accidents than bikers, a stigma against motorcyclists continues to plague bikers at all stages of the claims process following a crash.

If You Need Help After a Motorcycle Crash in Oklahoma, Contact Our Team

The Oklahoma motorcycle accident attorneys at Parrish DeVaughn know what motorcyclists are going through. We’ve represented many clients who were offered inadequate payment from insurance companies, and we help them get the compensation they deserve for their injuries.

If you’d like to talk to an attorney who knows motorcycle crashes, contact Parrish DeVaughn today to schedule your free case assessment.