Every year, nearly 100,000 motorcyclists are injured in an accident. Their injuries range from minor abrasions to head trauma and deadly wounds. While not every crash is inevitable, a motorcycle gives you the ability to avoid as many as possible by its design alone. 

From powerful brakes to exceptional handling and tire grip, you can save yourself from becoming one of those 100,000. All it takes is a little training and know-how. Here the ten most common motorcycle accidents and how you can avoid them. 

1. The Left-Turning Car
The most common accident of all is when a car fails to see you as it turns left, according to motorcycle accident lawyers in New Orleans. They may misjudge your speed or recklessly turn in front of you. Whatever the cause may be, the damage can be devastating. This is especially true at high speeds. 

To avoid this accident, you must remain aware of other vehicles on the road. The benefit here is that you can see the car in front you, catching their turn signal before the wreck happens. You should slow down, cover your brakes, and get ready to evade the car at all costs. To identify a turning car without a signal, look at their tires. 

2. Hitting Gravel in a Turn
Hitting gravel or any obstacle that causes you to lose traction during a turn is a sure-fire way to crash. The issue here is that many riders take blind turn too quickly. While it might be fun to speed through a windy road, make sure you have enough time to react to obstacles in your path. Hit the turn slow, then come out of it fast if you want to have fun and stay safe. 

3. Speeding Through a Corner
Similar to the last accident, speeding through a corner can cause you to take it too tightly. The tighter the turn gets, the more skill you need to navigate it, which ultimately leads cyclists to crash and burn. Once again, hit the turn slow enough to handle it then speed up on your way out. 

4. The Lane Change
It isn’t uncommon for a car to suddenly move over into your lane and into you. Nine times out of ten, you’re in their blind spot and they simply cannot see you. The trick is to be aware of where other driver’s blind spots lie. While this scenario isn’t always avoidable, you can work to prevent it. 

5. The Rear-End Collision
When you’re stopped behind another car, there’s little you can do to avoid being rear-ended by a negligent driver. However, you don’t have to stay in that vulnerable spot. Instead, pull up around the car in front you to create a safe barrier. 

6. Other Cyclists
Not every rider is as safe as you are. When you’re riding in a group, there’s a high chance of one of them crashing into you from absent-mindedness or reckless driving. Avoiding this requires group riding etiquette, something that should be discussed before hitting the road. 

7. Sudden Braking
When something pops out in front of you, like a deer, laying on the front brake is a guaranteed accident. The only way to avoid this scenario is to practice using your front brake. It’s a skill every rider needs to learn, but on that’s difficult to master. The more practice you have with it, the less likely you are to wreck. 

8. The Open Car Door
Driving in-between cars can be dangerous, but the number one accident in this scenario is when a parked car wings their door open without looking first. Stay away from parked cars whenever you can and stay inside a lane to prevent this injury-ridden accident. 

9. Slippery Conditions
Every driver, no matter the vehicle, needs to be aware of slippery road conditions. While a car provides a buffer between stationary objects and the rider, your bike does not. Make sure you have proper, in-shape tires. Most riders are surprised to learn how well their bikes handle in snow and rain-covered roads with a brand-new pair of tires. 

10. Alcohol
The number one cause of any accident on the road is drunk driving. While you can’t control the actions of others, you can control your own. Do not, under any circumstances, drink and drive. You need your wits about you to handle a bike.