Motorcycle accidents are unfortunately a common occurrence. Motorcycles are small and fast which can be dangerous if even just one person is not paying attention to their surroundings. While some motorcycle accidents are caused by operator error and inexperienced riders, the majority of motorcycle versus auto accidents is vehicle driver’s not paying proper attention. Not paying proper attention to the road and your surroundings is the easiest way to cause an accident and could be deadly if you cause an accident with a motorcycle rider.
When driving, you should always make sure your mirrors are positioned correctly so that you can see as much of the roadway and your surroundings as possible and always make sure your brakes and lights are maintained. This goes for motorcycle riders also. If their lights are not working, it could be next to impossible for a vehicle driver to see an approaching motorcycle. Proper working head lights and taillights could be the difference between life and death while riding a motorcycle at night. A lot of motorcycle accidents are caused at nighttime due to this very reason. Reflective clothing can also be worn by motorcycle riders to assist in being as visible as possible to other vehicle drivers on the road. Vehicle drivers should be extra cautious when driving at night and maintain the legal speed limit.
Speeding is another leading cause of motorcycle accidents. Not only by other vehicle drivers but the motorcycle riders themselves. I’m sure everyone has seen a motorcycle rider weaving in and out of traffic while speeding once or twice in their life. Some motorcycle riders are far less cautious than others and do not maintain a safe driving speed. Not only could you lose control of your motorcycle and crash but if you are speeding and a vehicle merges into your lane, you have far less time to slow your motorcycle and chances are you will probably run into the back of that vehicle and be thrown from your motorcycle. Driving the speed limit and maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you could not only save you from having to deal with an inconvenient accident but it could also save your life. There is no protection while you are riding a motorcycle and if you are thrown from your motorcycle or hit by another vehicle, the only thing saving your head from slamming into the ground is your helmet, provided you are wearing one. Not wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle is one of the most irresponsible things you could ever do. Helmets are designed to withstand a significant force and are required by law in most states. Protective clothing can also be purchased which can help with road rash and abrasions should you be thrown from your motorcycle. While this combination will not always necessarily save someone’s life in a motorcycle accident, it can reduce the risk of serious injury in a minor accident.
Stop light and stop sign running is a dangerous traffic violation. If you do not stop at a red light or a stop sign and another vehicle is driving through the intersection, chances are extremely high for you to collide with that vehicle. If that vehicle is a motorcycle or if you happen to be riding a motorcycle, the impact could be fatal. Stopping at stop lights and stop signs is just common sense and you should never be in so much of a hurry that you can not stop to make sure you have the right of way.
Bad weather is a very large contributing factor when it comes to motorcycle accidents, especially in the State of Florida. Everyone knows that it rains every single day in Florida during the summer, typically in the late afternoon. If you are riding your motorcycle during a storm, the best thing you can do is pull over to the side of the road or find shelter until the storm passes. Not only is it extremely hard for motorcycle riders to see during a downpour, it is difficult to see in a regular vehicle. If you are a motorcycle rider, try to plan your day around rainstorms. Obviously, not all storms happen at the exact same time every single day and it’s not always convenience to stay off the road during a storm, but it is sometimes pretty easy to see a storm headed your way and they usually only last for about 15-30 minutes at a time.
There is never a valid excuse to drive while intoxicated. If you have been drinking, you should always find an alternate way home and you should never get behind the wheel of a vehicle after you have been drinking. The chances of you causing an accident while you are intoxicated is extremely high. Your vision and motor reflexes are severely diminished while you are intoxicated. If you are involved in an accident when you have been drinking, you will go to jail and you will lose your drivers license for a certain period of time. Motorcycles are small and hard to see in the best of times, let alone while you are intoxicated. It is probably going to be tough to ride a motorcycle while you are intoxicated but it does happen. You’re lucky if you can even hold your motorcycle up by yourself but if you are able to ride, you will probably fall off or veer into another vehicle on the road causing an accident that could quite easily be fatal.
There are numerous ways to cause a motorcycle accident but if you are a motorcycle rider, being as prepared as possible and wearing the most amount of protective gear could very easily save your life in an accident. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident and you would like to discuss your rights and benefits, you should always contact an experienced professional persona injury attorney who will discuss your case with you and decide how to best handle your situation moving forward.