Visibility Before Motorcycle Accidents

When someone is in a car, there’s a large, flashy metal object between the driver and the road. Not only does that afford the driver more protection, it affords them more visibility. It’s hard to miss a large vehicle coming at you, but for motorcycles it’s a different issue. Instead of having a cabin where the driver sits, a motorcyclist has only themselves and their bike. Sure, the bikes are usually pretty, but the motorcycle itself is, by its smaller nature, a less visible device.

That means that when other drivers—perhaps drivers who don’t know motorcyclists or think of others that drive motorcycles—are on the road, they might not notice that there’s a motorcycle until it’s too late. Not seeing the smaller vehicle, they’ll pull out into a left turn—and in doing so, the motorcycle may end up slamming into the car that didn’t see them. In the aforementioned case where the motorcycle slammed into the car, the motorcyclist lost their life—a tragedy by any standards!

Improper Driving Habits And Motorcycle Accidents

The main issue with left turns and motorcycle accidents is that most drivers don’t practice great driving habits. Texting, checking their phones, eating, reading novels (we’ve seen it!), and myriad other distractions pull the drivers out of the driving zone. That means that they’re firmly back into the regular, non-motorized world for long enough to cause something like that to happen. One of these drivers might see another car or truck on the road whilst engaging in this type of behavior, but they’re less likely to see that beautiful motorcycle. That means that they could end up killing someone who didn’t ask for it.

Even if the car driver has perfect habits, they still might not see the motorcycle on the road. People’s habits and expectations color their vision, and this is something to keep in mind. If they’re not familiar with or know a motorcyclist, they’re less likely to expect them—and see them.

What You Can Do To Prevent Motorcycle Accidents

As a motorcyclist, you can keep your eyes on the road as you always do and drive cautiously. Be sure to check every intersection for oncoming traffic. Make sure they’re slowing down. Wear a helmet and safety gear. Make sure your brakes are properly maintained and functional. Most importantly, know your situation and know the other drivers. Your vigilance will help prevent some of these accidents.

Also, as an added precaution, you can wear some gear that makes you more visible. While big flashing lights in vibrant colors might not be your cup of tea, bright red reflectors and other large, reflective surfaces increases your visibility. Red is one of the colors we are most receptive to as red is the color of our own blood. That’s why stoplights are red, as well as stop signs.

And, as always, if you need any assistance after your left turn motorcycle accident, be sure to give us a ring here at Chopper Lawyer. We’re ready to help you with you case and get the compensation that you need if you’re injured in motorcycle accidents like this. We know it’s painful—let us help you!

The post Motorcycle Accident Due To A Left Turn: The Hazards appeared first on Chopper Law.

1. Motorcycle accidents can lead to serious injury or death.

With nothing between you and the open road, riding a motorcycle can be exhilarating. But this comes at a cost. Motorcyclists are open to the elements, not only to the actual weather, but to the pavement or another vehicle if involved in an accident. With nothing between you and the road, there’s little to protect you. The harsh reality is that motorcycle accidents can unfortunately lead to serious bodily injury including spinal cord injuries, brain injuries or death. To best protect yourself, it’s advisable to wear a helmet and protective clothing such as leatherwear or Kevlar.

2. Motorcycle accidents often occur because a driver didn’t see the motorcyclist.

Because motorcycles are much smaller than other vehicles, drivers often don’t see them. This is a common cause of motorcycle accidents. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has recognized this and created initiatives to help with this problem. For example, they’ve provided public awareness education for motorists to “look twice” for motorcyclists. Another initiate is called the “Ride Proud, Dress Loud” campaign. The idea is for motorcyclists to make themselves more visible to other drivers to help avoid accidents. The campaign website includes these Motorcyclist Apparel Safety Tips:

• It is important for motorcyclists to wear clothing that is not only protective but visible during all hours of the day.
• While inconspicuous black clothing may be in fashion, it offers little visibility on roadways. Other color categories which are difficult to detect include: gray, beige and other neutrals.
• One of the easiest and most effective ways for a motorcyclist to be seen is by wearing brightly colored upper-torso clothing.
• Reflective decals or materials can also be worn on clothing to increase a motorcyclist’s visibility.
• In addition to clothing choices, motorcyclists can opt to make their bike more visible.
• Motorcyclists can purchase a brightly-colored bike from the factory for higher visibility.
• If one has an existing motorcycle with primarily dark colors, painting the bike a brighter color or adding eye-catching frontal bodywork is an option.
• Motorcyclists can utilize unique lighting options on their motorcycle, such as high beams during the day.
• Strategically placed magnetic reflector strips can be used on the motorcycle for easy detection in the dark.

3. Motorcycle accidents are often caused by negligent drivers.

In addition to drivers not being able to see a motorcycle, sometimes accidents are caused because the driver didn’t even look! This plus other forms of driving negligence, such as texting while driving or driving under the influence, put you at increased risk for an accident. And while you have as much a right as other drivers to enjoy traveling in safety, the sad truth is that you are at the mercy of other drivers and how they behave behind the wheel.

Need a Motorcycle Accident Attorney?

If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident in Hernando, Citrus, Pinellas, Hillsborough or Pasco County, call the experienced motorcycle accident attorneys of Lowman Law Firm for a free consultation. There are no fees or costs unless we are successful.

Call 352-754-4JOE now (352-754-4563) for a free consultation with a Florida motorcycle accident attorney.

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1. You don’t need medical treatment for minor injuries.

There are many problems with this piece of advice. First off, your body may be flooded with adrenaline after the accident which could temporarily dull the pain of your injuries. Basically, you could be more injured than you realize. Secondly, not all injuries are visible. It’s important to have proper medical treatment as soon as possible. A precautionary medical examination is in your best interest.

2. You don’t always need to call the police after a motorcycle accident.

This is one of the worst pieces of advice anyone can give you after you’ve been in a motorcycle accident. You should always call the police to report an accident. Police will create an official record with facts from the accident and will take witness statements. This will become important evidence for your case later on.

3. It’s okay to talk about the accident.

While you should give police a basic account of what happened, you should first talk to an attorney before making any official statements about the accident. After an accident occurs, you may be confused, emotional or even injured. This could cause you to make a false or confusing statement that will become part of the official record for your case. Calm down and speak with a motorcycle accident attorney before discussing the accident with others—especially the insurance companies.

4. It’s okay if you don’t have photos of the accident.

Don’t fall for this one! You should take every opportunity to record details from the accident, especially photos. Use your cell phone if you don’t have a camera handy. This is your only opportunity to gather this evidence before it disappears. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words and the photos you take will become an important part of your case. Take photos of the scene of the accident, damage to the vehicles and injuries.

5. Let the police handle all the details.

Again, don’t miss an opportunity to gather evidence! The police are very busy and handle a lot of reports each day. Take charge and get the information you need. Exchange information with others involved in the accident including names, addresses, phone numbers and insurance information. Note the make, model, year, license plate number and VIN of all vehicles involved and get contact information from any witnesses. Record as many details as possible now while they are available. As time goes on, your memory of the accident will fade and evidence will be lost.

The Best Advice For Motorcycle Accidents?

Now comes the best piece of motorcycle accident advice: always call an experienced motorcycle attorney to discuss your case. If you or a loved one have been involved in a motorcycle accident in Hernando, Citrus, Pinellas, Hillsborough or Pasco County, call the Lowman Law Firm for a free consultation. There are no fees or costs unless we are successful.

Remember, you must act quickly after an accident. There is a time limit for filing a claim, plus the longer you wait, the more evidence begins to disappear. Call 352-754-4JOE (352-754-4563) for a free consultation with a Florida motorcycle accident attorney.

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