May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and PKSD would like to remind drivers of cars, trucks and buses to share the road with motorcycle riders.

There has been an increase in motorcycle deaths every year for the past 14 years with the exception of 2009 when there was a sharp decline.

Motorcyclists are 30 times more likely to die in a crash than occupants of cars, and five times more likely to be injured. The leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes is head injuries, or traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

Another explanation for the increase in motorcycle deaths is alcohol. In 2011, 42% of motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle motorcycle accidents had a BAC of .08 or higher.

The motorcycle accident lawyers from PKSD would like to remind you to ride safe this season with a few tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For motorcyclists:

• Never ride impaired or distracted.
• Obey traffic laws, wear DOT-compliant helmets and other protective gear.
• Make yourself visible by wearing bright colors and using reflective tape.
• Avoid riding in poor weather conditions.
• Use turn signals for every turn or lane change, even if you think no one will see it.
• Combine hand signals and turn signals to draw more attention to yourself.
• Position yourself in the lane where you will be most visible to other drivers.

For drivers:

• Never drive distracted. Doing so can result in tragic consequences for motorcyclists.
• Allow a motorcyclist a full lane width. Although it may seem that there is enough room in the traffic lane for a motor vehicle and a motorcycle, the motorcycle needs the room to maneuver safely. Do not share the lane.
• Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic. This allows motorcyclists to anticipate traffic flow and find a safe lane position.
• Because of its smaller size, a motorcyclist can be hidden in a vehicles blind spot. Always check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections.
• Turn signals on motorcycles are not the same as those on motor vehicles – motorcycle signals are usually not self-canceling and riders sometimes forget to turn them off. Allow enough time to determine the motorcyclists intention before you proceed.
• Remember that road conditions that are minor annoyances to motorists can pose major hazards to motorcyclists. Motorcycle riders may change speed or adjust position within a lane suddenly in reaction to road and traffic conditions such as potholes, gravel, wet or slippery surfaces, pavement seams, railroad crossings, and grooved pavement.
• Allow more following distance, three or four seconds, when following a motorcycle so the motorcycle rider has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency. In dry conditions, motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

If you or someone that you care for is injured in a motorcycle accident, you may like to consider contacting a personal injury attorney for help exploring your legal options. At PKSD, our trial lawyers have many years of experience handling injury claims against insurance companies, and we can help to protect your interests while you are recovering from the collision.

For more information, call our team today at 414-333-3333, or complete the “Free Case Evaluation” form on this page.

PKSD – Est. 1999.