Fatal Motorcycle Accident from Biker Following Too Close

Idaho State Police reported a fatal motorcycle accident on westbound I-84 in Caldwell. A motorcyclist was traveling behind a semi-truck too close when the motorcycle struck the rear of the semi’s trailer. The motorcycle came to rest in the lane of travel. The semi-truck came to rest on the right shoulder of the roadway. Reports indicate that the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident and the semi-truck driver was wearing a seatbelt. The semi-truck driver was uninjured from the crash, but unfortunately, the motorcyclist succumbed to his injuries at the scene of the motorcycle accident. All lanes of traffic were blocked for about 30 minutes and then partially blocked for an additional two hours. Idaho State Police is investigating this accident.

Dangers of Motorcyclist Following Too Close

One of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents is when a biker runs into the rear end of the vehicle in front because they are following too close. Motorcyclist often complains about being followed too close, but there is a tendency for riders to follow vehicles too closely. Why? Because a motorcyclist does not have a hood blocking their view of the road ahead. A driver in a passenger car cannot see about 32 feet of road in front of them. Thus, there is a visible road gap between them and the vehicle in front. A motorcyclist, however, can see all of the road in front of them. Thus, they tend to creep up closer and closer to the vehicle in front believing they are leaving a reasonable gap. Another reason is we tend to want to overtake vehicles in front of us, so we follow closely to overtake quickly.

Stopping Distance

A major problem for motorcyclist following too close is their lack of ability to stop quickly. While a passenger vehicle has four large rubber tires to stop quickly, a motorcycle only has two narrow tires. If a vehicle in front stops suddenly, a motorcyclist has a lot less stopping distance before hitting the vehicle. In addition, a moment of distraction or inattention to the road can also quickly cause a crash. To be safe, the following distance of three seconds is sufficient. To gauge the gap, watch the rear of the vehicle in front of you pass a roadside object such as a road sign, then count to three and you should then be driving pass the same object.

Weaving to Avoid Rear-End Collisions

While a passenger vehicle can quickly weave around a wide object, a motorcycle cannot. The motorcyclist can steer or counter-steer the bike quickly.  If you are following a vehicle too closely and it suddenly stops, you have less chance of avoiding a collision. A motorcyclist can increase their chances of weaving around a vehicle if they are riding in the left.

Contact a Boise Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Immediately

Don’t wait to call a motorcycle crash attorney in Boise, Idaho. The accident lawyers at Parke Gordon Law Firm are aggressive, experienced, and trusted. Let us fight for you to ensure you get a fair settlement for your injuries. The motorcycle accident attorneys at Parke Gordon Law Firm believe every client deserves top-tier representation. Call our Boise law office at (208) 322-7274 for a free consultation. We are willing to meet in person or discuss your case over the phone during a free case review. You pay nothing until your case is settled. You can beat Goliath!