Riding on a motorcycle is a great way to get around town or to go on a cross-country road trip. Far from having seen its heyday, the motorcycle community continues to grow and enjoy wide popularity in 2022.
Whether you are a motorcycle rider, a motorist – or both – precautions must be taken to prevent motorcycle accidents. These crashes caused more than 5,000 motorcyclist deaths in 2019 according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Unfortunately, motorcycle riders always get the rap for causing crashes. In fact, the occupants of cars and trucks can and do cause motorcycles to crash every day. As a responsible motorist who cares about your fellow riders and drivers, what can you do to prevent these tragedies? Here are a few tips:
- Check for motorcycles. Because of their small size they may be in your blind spot or somewhere not totally obvious. Make it a habit to check for small vehicles like motorcycles before you turn, change lanes, back up, etc.
- Don’t underestimate the speed at which a motorcycle is traveling. Be careful when turning in front of an oncoming bike or one that is following you; they may be traveling fast but it’s difficult to perceive because of the small size.
- Don’t follow too closely. Tailgating is always a bad idea, and with motorcycles, you may not realize right away when one is slowing down because the rider doesn’t have to apply the brake to do so.
- Don’t try to share the width of the lane with a motorcycle. They are entitled to the full lane just like any other vehicle. If you see a motorcyclist shifting from one side of the lane to the other it’s because they are trying to make sure they are seen by the vehicle in front of them, or they are trying to adjust to account for wind, flying debris, or some other hazard. They are not moving over so you can pull up next to them.
These tips are a good starting place for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, an experienced attorney can help you pursue justice and compensation. Please search our directory for an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in your area of the country.
