May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
Motorcycles offer a thrilling way to get around, but they also come with serious risks. Without seatbelts, airbags, and vehicle frames, riders are more vulnerable than people in cars. Even a minor crash can lead to major injuries. In Delaware, motorcycle accidents are all too common, and many of them happen because someone made a mistake. If you're wondering what typically causes these crashes and who might be legally responsible, here's what you need to know.
1. Left-turn accidents at intersections
One of the most common ways motorcyclists get hurt is when another driver turns left in front of them. This usually happens at intersections, and it's often because the driver didn't see the motorcycle or misjudged how fast it was going.
You see this a lot on Route 1 or U.S. 13, where drivers are trying to make quick left turns. Under Delaware law, the driver making the turn has to yield to oncoming traffic. If they don't, and they hit a motorcyclist going straight, they're almost always at fault.
2. Lane changes without checking blind spots
Another big cause of motorcycle crashes is unsafe lane changes. Drivers often fail to check their blind spots or use their turn signals, especially on highways like I-95. Because motorcycles are smaller, they're easier to miss, and that makes them vulnerable.
Delaware law requires drivers to make sure a lane is clear before moving over. If they don’t and hit a motorcycle, they can be held liable.
Video footage from a dashcam or helmet cam can help strengthen these cases. It helps show exactly what happened and who was where.
3. Distracted driving
Smartphones, GPS screens, and even drive-thru coffee can be dangerous distractions. Distracted driving is a leading cause of all kinds of traffic accidents, but it's especially dangerous for motorcyclists.
In Wilmington or Dover, where traffic is dense and fast-paced, it only takes a second of inattention for a crash to happen. Delaware bans handheld phone use while driving, and if a driver breaks that law and causes a crash, that violation can be used to prove they were negligent.
Still, insurance companies might try to shift some blame to the motorcyclist, especially if they can argue that you were speeding or not wearing reflective gear. That’s why gathering strong evidence is so important in distracted driving motorcycle accidents.
4. Dooring accidents
This one usually surprises people: someone opens their car door into a rider's path. It might sound like a minor incident, but it can be devastating at motorcycle speeds.
Dooring accidents happen often in cities like Newark or Rehoboth Beach, where cars parallel park on narrow streets. Delaware law says you can't open a door unless it's safe to do so. If a driver or passenger swings a door open without checking, they’re likely at fault.
That said, if a motorcyclist was riding too close to parked cars or darting between lanes illegally, they might be partially to blame. Again, evidence matters.
5. Hazardous road conditions or poor maintenance
Not all motorcycle crashes involve other vehicles. Sometimes, the road itself is the problem. Loose gravel, potholes, missing signs, or uneven pavement can all cause a rider to lose control. These issues are especially common on rural roads in Sussex and Kent counties. If poor road maintenance caused the crash, the government agency in charge might be responsible. That could be DelDOT or a local town.
But suing the government isn’t easy. Delaware’s Tort Claims Act gives them some legal protections, and there are strict deadlines for filing a claim. You might also need to prove the agency knew about the hazard and didn’t fix it in time. In some cases, a contractor working on the road could be at fault instead.
What to do after a motorcycle accident in Delaware
If you're in a motorcycle crash, take these immediate steps to protect yourself:
- Call 911 and report the accident.
- Get medical help, even if you feel okay. Some injuries show up later.
- Take photos of the scene, your bike, any injuries, and the other vehicles.
- Get names and numbers from witnesses.
- Ask for a copy of the police report.
- Don't talk to the other driver's insurance company before getting legal advice.
Talk to a Delaware motorcycle accident lawyer
To get the best possible outcome for your claim, you should talk to a Delaware motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. The last thing you should be dealing with is pushback from an insurance company that’s trying to downplay your injuries or blame you for the crash. The attorneys at Gill, Welsh, and Chamberlain, P.A. know how unfair and overwhelming this process can be. That's why we’re here to make sure you don’t face it alone. You’ve been through enough. Now it’s our turn to fight for the compensation and justice you deserve.
Our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers understand the challenges riders face. You could be recovering from a serious and debilitating injury. Meanwhile, your medical bills are piling up, and you're unable to work and earn a paycheck. When you hire us, you only have to focus on your recovery. We’ll handle every aspect of your case and work to get every dollar you’re entitled to. Plus, we work on a contingency fee basis, so you don't have to pay any upfront or hidden fees.
Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of your situation. Contact us online or call our Georgetown law office today to schedule a free, no-obligation case consultation. We’ll listen, we’ll advise, and we’ll fight relentlessly for you every step of the way.