Share the Road: Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. The Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sponsors this month of awareness. The goal is to help motorists understand motorcyclists’ driving behaviors and assist vehicles in driving safely around motorcycles on our roadways. This is why the slogan “Share the Road” is used for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Tragically, 4,976 motorcycle riders and passengers lost their life to motorcycle crashes during 2016. Furthermore, 88,000 motorcyclists were injured during that period. Additionally, motorcycle fatalities keep increasing at an alarming rate each year, while motorcyclists remain a small percentage of the driving population. Here are some statistics to show the issue at hand.
- Motorcycles make up just 3% of all registered vehicles
- Motorcycles travel just 0.7% of all the miles traveled in the U.S.
- Motorcycle drivers account for 14% of all traffic fatalities
- 26% of riders that die in motorcycle accidents were alcohol-impaired
Sharing the Road
The majority of vehicles on the road are not motorcycles. Studies show that motorcycle accidents are often due to the other driver’s lack of awareness of motorcycles on the road. The NHTSA performed an analysis and released this statement, “When motorcycles and other vehicles collide, it is usually the other (non-motorcycle) driver who violates the motorcyclist’s right of way,”
So why do drivers violate the motorcycle’s right of way?
- Motorcycles are relatively small, and drivers don’t see them
- Drivers don’t anticipate motorcycles’ movements
- The driver’s view of the motorcyclist is obstructed, often by the vehicle’s blind spots or other vehicles
- Distracted driver
Drivers Are Aware of Motorcycles
The department of transportation has released these tips to help other drivers be aware of motorcycles on the road.
Tips To Maintain Motorcycle Awareness
- Don’t rush when crossing the intersection, entering the roadway from a parking lot or driveway, or turning left. Always give yourself enough time to check for motorcycles thoroughly.
- Don’t follow motorcycles too close. Always allow sufficient braking cushion between your vehicle and the bike in front of you. This will give your vehicle enough room to come to a complete stop without a collision. Remember, a motorcyclist’s brake lights might not always be engaged when a motorcycle decelerates.
- Always double-check your blind spots when changing lanes or starting to enter or exit the roadways. Adjust your rear and side-view mirrors and use them properly.
- If someone you know drives a motorcycle, tell them to always wear a helmet—even if the law doesn’t require it. According to NHTSA, an estimated 740 lives could have been saved in 2015 if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.
How Do I Deal with Insurance Companies After A Motorcycle Accident?
Walker Texas Lawyer is an experienced personal injury lawyer. Let him fight with the insurance companies to receive the compensation you deserve. Insurance companies often act like they are your friend. Additionally, they want you to feel that they are there for you from day 1. That is simply not the case. Do not be fooled. They are not in the business of paying out claims. You simply cannot count on them to treat you fairly. They will try to make you look like you are to blame for the accident and minimize your claim.
After a motorcycle accident, the only person you should trust is Houston’s motorcycle accident attorney, Walker, Texas Lawyer. After your doctor has seen your injuries, you should call immediately.
Why Do I Need A Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
Motorcycle accident lawyers are crucial to getting the total compensation you deserve after a motorcycle crash. Often motorcycle accidents cause life-impacting injuries or may even be fatal. If you have been in a motorcycle crash, you may already have a good idea of its cost. This includes physical and emotional pain, expensive medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
You need to hire a personal injury lawyer to uncover every factor in the accident. Determining who is at fault and where financial responsibility lies is critical. Who is at fault can be a complex question. This can be due to differing opinions and assessments with the other driver, police, emergency responders, and insurance companies. Furthermore, it is complicated if equipment failures, poor road conditions, public vehicles, or obstacles are involved.
You need an attorney that will investigate the accident and build a strong case. The insurance companies will want to settle as quickly as they can. They will not want to wait to discover that you have long-term medical and disability issues. Do not agree to any settlement without talking to an attorney.
An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help you:
- Understand your legal options
- Investigate the accident
- Challenge the police report’s findings
- Help prevent you from settling too soon
- Ensure that your long-term medical, psychological, and financial needs are identified
- Fight for compensation
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